Scarabaeus (computer game)
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| Scarabaeus | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Andromeda Software |
| Publisher(s) | Ariolasoft |
| Designer(s) | Andromeda Software |
| Platform(s) | C64 |
| Release date | 1985 |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single Player |
| Input methods | Joystick |
'Scarabaeus' is a computer game released for the Commodore 64 in 1985. It was written by Andromeda Software and distributed in the UK by Ariolasoft. The storyline features an astronaut and his dog who become trapped in an Egyptian tomb (as revealed in the opening sequence) and need to escape through solving puzzles spread over three levels.
[edit] Gameplay
The three levels are linked by an elevator, and each is a maze of different size. The first level sees the astronaut trying to catch 9 ghosts, each of which yields up a tablet with a hieroglyph on it (e.g., a snake, a bird or a head) - these hieroglyphs are needed on the next level.
Exiting the level (which can be done at any time, not just after the 9th hieroglyph is found) sees the astronaut entering an elevator. This is operated by a crank, and the player needs to rotate the joystick through all directions in order to move the elevator down to the next level. If the player misses a direction during the rotation, then the elevator plummets down to the next level with significant loss of energy.
The second level has a bigger maze with 13 alcoves. Walking past an alcove will cause a spider to come out and follow the astronaut's route, although at a slower pace than the astronaut. While the alcove is vacant, the astonaut is able to look at the puzzle the alcove contains. The aim is thus to take the spider on a long journey around the maze, giving the astronaut enough time to study the puzzles.
12 of the 13 alcoves contain two sets of 4x5 hieroglyphs like the ones collected on the previous level. By carefully studying the two sets, it is necessary to see if the 9 hieroglyphs collected on the first level appear in a 3x3 block within the 4x5 block. If they do, then left-hand puzzle will yield a medicine bottle, while the right-hand puzzle will yield a zombie trap. These items are needed for the third level. If a mistake is made in assessing whether the 3x3 hieroglyph is found, then a medicine bottle will still be given to the astronaut, but it will actually be a bottle of poison. The player can only tell this on the third level. If a mistake is made with the zombie trap puzzle, then a loss of energy will occur.
The 13th alcove contains a tile-flipping puzzle. Initially all the tiles are turned over, and it is necessary to turn them all face up. Buttons around the tiles allow you to flip rows, columns or diagonals, but not individual tiles. Success with this puzzle leads to the award of the Pharaoh's Key which allows the astronaut to walk through walls on the 3rd level.
[edit] Critical acclaim
Scarabaeus was awarded an overall mark of 96% in issue 8 of Zzap!64 magazine, earning it a Sizzler award.
