Sentinel Returns
β 4.3%
π 7.0/10
(Playstation - US, Action & Adventure)
.png)
Complete
$17.97
Loose $11.65
Developed by:
Hookstone Ltd.
Published by:
Psygnosis Limited
Released On:
01 Jul 1998
Sentinel Returns is a unique blend of arcade and strategy elements set in a surreal world where you must battle the Sentinel and his sentries. Your goal is to move about the landscape by teleporting between robot "hulls" and absorb objects for energy, while avoiding being absorbed yourself.
The game features 650 chequered, 3D landscapes that require strategy and skill to navigate. You can create new robot hulls and neutral objects such as trees and boulders to block your path or gain height in the landscape. However, the Sentinel slowly rotates and will absorb anything in his field of vision that is more potent than a tree.
As you progress through the game, the challenges become increasingly difficult with sentries threatening you from multiple directions. You must use your wits and reflexes to outsmart the Sentinel and his minions, all while managing your energy and movement in this unique blend of arcade and strategy elements.
UPC-A:
735009401328 (United States)
eBay Product ID:
8190 (United States)
ASIN:
B000035XXD (United States)
Sony PN:
SLUS-00604 (United States)
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Number of Players Supported:
1 Player
Prices as of 30 Jul 2026
Typical $17.97β$17.97 (last 90 days)
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Manual
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Market activity: active Β· about 22 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a sci-fi exploration game where players inject an unknown substance into various specimens to reveal images of a world controlled by a Sentinel. The goal is to examine hundreds of specimens, hoping to uncover the meaning behind this mysterious process.
Story
THE LOOP
An unreal universe exists. The battle for control of the essence of life is a grim reality within it.
You have access to a sample of a substance of unknown origin. When injected into a Specimen of equally unknown origin, it projects an image of a world dominated by a Sentinel.
There are several hundred Specimens to examine. Perhaps, when you reach the end, you will gain some insight into the meaning of the process. The consequences of your failure, however, are unclear.
GAMEPLAY INFORMATION
β’
Scanning Bar
β’
Energy Pool
β’
Level Progression Indicator
β’
In-Game Cursor
How to Play
SETTING-UP
To play Sentinel Returns on your PlayStationβ’ game console:
β’
Set up your PlayStation game console in accordance with the instruction manual supplied with the system.
β’
Follow your system directions to open the Disc cover and place the Disc onto the bed of the drive, ensuring the printed side faces upwards.
β’
Close the Disc cover. If the console is switched off, press the POWER button to begin play. If the Console is already on, press the RESET button.
β’
Now follow on-screen instructions to start the game.
WARNING
It is advised that you do not insert or remove peripherals or Memory cards once the power has been turned on. Make sure you have enough free blocks on your Memory card before starting play.
Console Top View
β’
RESET BUTTON
β’
POWER INDICATOR
β’
POWER BUTTON
β’
CONTROLLER PORT
Front View
β’
CONTROLLER PORT 1
β’
CONTROLLER PORT 2
β’
SONY
β’
OPEN BUTTON
β’
DISC COVER
β’
MEMORY CARD SLOT 1
β’
MEMORY CARD SLOT 2
In-game Cursor
The In-game Cursor is cross-shaped and can be directed around the game screen using the Directional buttons or the Mouse.
To lock the screen, press and hold the L2 button or the Right Mouse button and then use the Directional buttons or Mouse to look around the landscape. The In-game Cursor, now illuminated, will remain in the same position on the screen.
Time will be saved by not waiting for the In-game Cursor to reach the edge of the screen whenever you want to look around the landscape. During a game, the In-game Cursor will illuminate when positioned on a square upon which an object can be planted. The center of the In-game Cursor will pulsate when it locates an object on the landscape that can be absorbed.
HAVE ENERGY, WILL TRAVEL
Scanning and rotating at the summit of the landscape, the Sentinel absorbs the energy of any unit on the landscape which has an energy value of more than 1. Then the Sentinel redistributes the energy as Trees. Without obtaining energy, it would be impossible to defeat the Sentinel.
Energy can be obtained by absorbing objects within the landscape, either on the same plain, in the valleys below or on squares that are visible from the Robot Host. Ultimately, ascend to the highest point of the landscape, absorb the Sentinel and take his place upon his pinnacle.
Should the Energy Pool reach zero, the Level must be restarted. Should the Energy Pool fall below zero, the game will be over.
β’
Advance 4 Levels by absorbing 90%-100% of the energy within a Level.
β’
Advance 3 Levels by absorbing 70%-89% of the energy within a Level.
β’
Advance 2 Levels by absorbing 50%-69% of the energy within a Level.
β’
Advance 1 Level by absorbing under 50% of the energy within a Level.
Hyper-space
If the old Robot Host is visible from the newly-cloned Robot Host, it can be absorbed and the three units of energy can be regained.
NOTE
This is a random facility and could relocate the Robot Host directly within the Sentinel's field of vision or to a valley where, without enough energy, it is impossible to escape.
PLOTTING AN ATTACK
Study the Sentinel's direction of rotation and move accordingly. The direction of rotation will vary between Levels. The Sentinel's field of vision is 28ΒΊ wide. Build as high and as fast as possible.
Providing height is not an issue, it is still possible to absorb Sentries, even while they are scanning Robot Hosts. In a deadlocked situation, jumping to hyper-space may be the answer. The Robot Host will be relocated to a square at the same height or below. If all the available squares are occupied, then the Robot Host will relocate to a square on the plain above.
The valley walls provide some protection from the Sentinel's watchful gaze. Try creating a Tree between the Robot Host and the Sentinel to counter the full glare of his scrutiny. With dexterity of thought and judicious use of the Energy Pool, a final assault on the Sentinel can be satisfactorily executed. There is no substitute for experience.
CONCLUDING THE LOOP
Finish Levels by absorbing all the Sentries and finally the Sentinel - then create a Robot Host on the Sentinel's pinnacle and hyper-space from it. Don't forget to admire the view first!
MENUS
Using Menu Screens
Use the Directional buttons to highlight required options. Press the β button or the Left Mouse button to confirm. Press the β button to return to the previous menu.
Main Menu
β’
Options
β’
Level Map
β’
Select button Options
β’
Gauge
β’
Cursor
β’
Start buttons Play
β’
Start
Main Menu Options
β’
CURSOR: Go to Using the Cursor
β’
LEVEL MAP: Go to Level Map Display
β’
GAUGE: Go to Using the Gauge
β’
START: Go to Play
β’
OPTIONS: Go to Options Menu
Within the Main Menu press the SELECT button to access the Options Menu, or press the START button to launch directly into a new game.
USING THE CURSOR
The Cursor functions within the Main Menu and the Options Menu. Use the Directional buttons or the Mouse to guide the Cursor across the screen. The Cursor will illuminate when it is positioned on an item that can be selected.
Position the Cursor on a chosen destination and press the β button or the Left Mouse button to confirm. If nothing happens, reposition the Cursor on the chosen destination and try again. It may simply
Controls
Lock screen/drag camera mode
Lock screen/drag camera mode
Absorb
Absorb
+START
Return to Main Menu.
Pause
Pause
Hyper space
Hyper space
Create Robot
Create Robot
Create Tree
Create Tree
Create Boulder
Create Boulder
Transfer to Robot
Transfer to Robot
Rotate 180
Rotate 180
Scan Right
Scan Right
Scan Downwards
Scan Downwards
Scan Left
Scan Left
Scan Upwards
Scan Upwards
Enemies & Characters
Sentinel
Occupying the highest point on the landscape, the Sentinel monitors his domain. Rotating through 360Β°, those that stray into his line of vision can expect certain doom.
Sentry
Sentries are deployed by the Sentinel as extra security. Like their master they will scan and drain the energy of potential foes from their strategic look-out posts.
Tree
Worth 1 unit of energy, Trees are the lowest form of life within the landscape, but vital for gaining energy.
Boulder
Worth 2 units of energy within the Sentinel's domain, boulders are predominantly used for building towering structures upon which a cloned Robot Host can be placed. Boulders can also be used as decoys - place one on a square within the Sentinel's vision and while he is busy draining it, simply transfer elsewhere.
Robot Host
Worth 3 units of energy, Robot Hosts possess the ability to clone their form. Using this cloning process it is possible to create new Robot Hosts and transfer from one to another.
Meany
Meany by name, mean by nature. Created solely to hyper-space others to less advantageous points within the landscape.
Tips & Maps
Saving
To save, highlight an empty or previously saved game block, confirm with the β button, then select SAVE from the options. Enter a name using the directional buttons and confirm to save your game.
Deleting
To delete a game, highlight a block with a previously saved game and press the button to confirm. Follow the on-screen messages to complete the deletion process.
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