MICA PARK in PLATINUM TIME

The object in Mica Park, as with any Ballista level, is not to get from here to there in the fastest time, but to shoot with accuracy and to establish a pace that will allow you to roll through the buildings as they come down. In keeping with that theme, you don't need a jet start on this level to get off to a fast start. As a matter of fact, I recommend that you avoid it.

Mica Park sat in the back of my mind for several weeks. I could get a Platinum time, but only after half an hour of trying. I was taking out the three buildings at the start by "sweeping" the Ballista across them. Problem was, I wasn't consistently able to destroy all three buildings and I'd have to keep starting over. Plus, when I did take out all three, I wasn't in position for the next building. And, when it comes right down to it, Mica Park is all about positioning. Time for a new strategy.

For this description, all references to right and left refer to the driver's vantage point. Start the level by turning Ballista a little to the right. The only building you should be worrying about when you start is the one right in front of the Ballista... not the two other buildings to the right. As a matter of fact, those two buildings are going to be the last two buildings you should destroy.

Remember what I said earlier about pace? You can't establish a pace when you are turning in a tiny circle. I know those two building seem like they're ripe for the picking, sitting as they are right in front of you, but leave them until later. Trust me on this one. This strategy I'm about to describe will take you from narrowly missing a Platinum time, to "Wow, I didn't know you could do this level that fast!" Still with me? Great! You're ready. Let's find out how to do some serious leveling.

The next building we're going to take out is straight ahead of the ballista's starting point and just a short roll from the first building. This building, at the start of what I'll refer to as the inner circle, is where we'll establish our pace.

As you pick up the ammo box, give the ballista enough of a boost to coast around the right-hand corner, and then start shooting. Our plan is to shoot through the buildings one after the other and make the right-hand turn without missing a beat. After the turn, you can give the ballista another boost to reach the double building on the end. You need to concentrate on the far right-hand corner of the last building in the inner circle. If you haven't given the ballista a big enough boost, you'll probably be shooting blind. The building count should stand at 9 as you make a U-turn to begin the outer circle.

Keep shooting through the next two buildings and then stay on the near side of the two buildings in the corner as you sweep them from right to left. Now, you should've made the corner and have only the two houses in the far corner remaining on the outer circle. Take them out from a distance if you can and then head for the final two structures that we passed on at the beginning of the level. You should have plenty of ammo. Keep shooting until you stop the clock.

You may not establish a new world record the first time you use this method, but once you get a feel for the strategy, a Platinum is just around the corner. Pay attention to details while you're practicing. Some of the buildings have key destruction points that you need to pay attention to. Look for the sections that are always seem to be left standing. If you aim for these sections at the outset, chances are the whole building will come down as well.

Don't let me hold you back any longer, get shootin' pardner!