Thanks thanks thanks...I'm just a little too competitive for my own good sometimes...
Looking back on my last mail, I wasn't totally clear--it seems that the game has a 1m29s counter in each area, & it resets when you move on to the next area. Each level has many areas. You get no bonus for any time remaining on the clock when you make it to a new area. And I assume you die when the timer runs out (never happened to me).
I'd never even heard of point pressing until a year or so ago & I've always played games to get far & advance, not to get a high score, so it's against my nature to point press. It feels weird. That's why it didn't even occur to me to try this until last night.
Right before the big orb boss, you can hang out on the platform until the timer runs out, and then, when you enter the orb chamber, the timer resets & you fight the boss. You can't go back & shoot more guards & floating mines.
You can also hang out at the beginning of level 2 & kill tons of wolves, but they're not worth as many points.
Anyway, thanks--I'm glad to see some good competition at the end of this one--since I picked Strider, picking of the next goes to Bender--have at it!
Thanks,
-Jason