Pharaoh

Pharaoh's Curse was released in 1983 by Synapse Software for the Apple II computer. This action-adventure game put players in control of an archaeologist exploring a dangerous Egyptian tomb. The game became popular among Apple II owners who wanted a challenging platformer with puzzle elements.

In Pharaoh's Curse, you play as an explorer searching for the Pharaoh's treasures hidden deep within a pyramid. The game features 16 interconnected screens that form a large maze. Your goal is to collect all 16 treasures scattered throughout the tomb while avoiding deadly traps and enemies. The game uses simple keyboard controls with the arrow keys for movement and the spacebar for jumping.

The pyramid is filled with dangers. Mummies patrol the corridors and will drain your life force if they touch you. Deadly spikes emerge from floors and walls without warning. Some platforms crumble when you step on them, sending you falling to lower levels. The game also includes elevators that help you move between floors, but timing is crucial to use them safely.

What made Pharaoh's Curse special was its non-linear design. Unlike most platform games of 1983 that forced players to complete levels in order, this game let you explore the pyramid freely. You could tackle the rooms in any sequence, creating your own path through the maze. This design choice was unusual for the time and gave players more freedom.

The graphics used the Apple II's high-resolution mode to create detailed Egyptian-themed rooms. Each screen showed stone walls, hieroglyphics, and ancient decorations. The character sprites were small but clear, making it easy to see threats coming. Sound effects were limited to simple beeps and tones, which was standard for Apple II games.

Pharaoh's Curse influenced later exploration-based platform games. Its open-ended structure appeared in future titles like Montezuma's Revenge and Spelunker. The game received positive reviews in computer gaming magazines for its challenging gameplay and clever level design. Players appreciated how the game required both quick reflexes and careful planning.

The game's difficulty was both a strength and weakness. Many players found it frustratingly hard, especially since touching any enemy meant instant death. However, dedicated players enjoyed mastering the pyramid's layout and finding the fastest routes to collect all treasures.

Pharaoh's Curse remains a solid example of early Apple II gaming. It combined action, exploration, and puzzle-solving in ways that kept players coming back. While simple by today's standards, it showed how creative developers could overcome technical limitations to create engaging experiences.