Aztec Temple

Name: Aztec Temple
Programmer(s): Tom Hall
Publisher: Softdisk
Year: 1988

Description:

Aztec was a groundbreaking action-adventure game released for the Apple II in 1982 by Datamost. Created by programmer Paul Stephenson, this game put players in the role of an archaeologist exploring a dangerous pyramid filled with traps and treasures.

The game starts with your character entering an ancient Aztec pyramid to find a jade idol hidden deep inside. You control an explorer who must navigate through multiple levels of the pyramid while avoiding deadly creatures and traps. The pyramid contains eight levels that get progressively harder as you descend deeper into the structure.

Players use the keyboard to move their character left and right, climb up and down ladders, and jump over obstacles. You carry a machete to defend yourself against snakes, spiders, and other creatures that patrol the pyramid's corridors. The game also includes a whip that helps you swing across gaps. Your character has limited health, shown as a power bar at the bottom of the screen. Taking damage from enemies or falling too far reduces your power until you die.

What made Aztec special was its mix of action and strategy. You couldn't just run through levels quickly. Players needed to study enemy movement patterns and plan their routes carefully. The pyramid contained locked doors that required finding the right keys. Some areas had hidden passages revealed only by walking through what looked like solid walls. Money bags and other treasures scattered throughout the levels added to your final score.

The game used the Apple II's graphics capabilities well for 1982. Characters and enemies appeared as simple but recognizable shapes. The pyramid's stone walls and platforms created a believable ancient environment. Sound effects were basic bleeps and bloops, typical for Apple II games of that time. When your character died, a simple funeral march played.

Aztec became popular among Apple II owners because it offered more depth than typical arcade-style games. Unlike games that simply repeated the same patterns, Aztec presented a complete adventure with a beginning and end. Finding the jade idol and escaping the pyramid gave players a real sense of accomplishment.

The game's success led to a sequel, Aztec II: The Temple of the Sun, released in 1983. This follow-up expanded on the original's ideas with more complex puzzles and improved graphics. Both games influenced later adventure games on the Apple II and other computers. Today, Aztec remains a favorite among retro gaming fans who appreciate its challenging gameplay and atmospheric setting.