The Pharaoh's Curse

platform game for Commodore 64, 1983

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the centuries since the sealing of the Pharaoh's Tomb, even the dim
memories of the fabulous treasure contained in the pyramid, have become
infrequent whispers on the lips of mad adventurers.

For three thousand years, the tomb has been a mystery and deathtrap. It is
rumored that the chambers contain dark and terrible dangers for those that
would attempt to make the pharaoh's treasure their own. And even more
ghastly, the pharaoh and the guardian mummy are said to walk the chambers for
all eternity, destroying all trespassers in the tomb.

You've heard it all before and lived to tell about it and this is a chance of
a lifetime. You've spent months finding these ruins and finally you're here
at the fabled tomb. Still... what if the legends are true? As you descend
into the first chamber you hear footsteps...

THE PHARAOH'S CURSE

Somewhere in the swirling sands of the
Sahara stands an enigma. A secret tomb
that has for 43 centuries stood
undisturbed... untouched... unknown and
unentered. The ancient pharaoh who lies
buried within the vast twisting
underground chambers was the 16th and
last of a vast dynasty. His treasure,
the gold, the art, the jewel encrusted
sacred scarabs, all lie with him in the
untouched chambers of the crypt.
Unimaginable wealth for any but an
emperor has lured you here and now you
must descend...

Before his death the pharaoh vowed that
he himself and his hideous minions of
the underworld must protect his treasure
from all who dare defile his timeless
tomb.

And so you must slip past his sentries
and deathtraps that riddle the passages
and shafts of his monument, and steal
the treasures before you perish.

GAME OPTIONS AND HOW TO PLAY

Plug a joystick in port two.

To start playing hold the fire button or
the [F7] key at any time after the music
begins.

The [F3] or [F5] key restarts the game.

Pressing the [SPACE BAR] will pause and
continue the game.

You may play in any one of the three
levels. However, you must first discover
the secret word (by completing the
preceeding level) before you will be
allowed to play the more difficult game.
Type the secret word over the keyboard
in the intro and the game starts in the
wished level.

You first appear above the pyramid. Your
joystick controls your player's
movements.

You can walk by pushing the joystick
directly to the right or left. If you
move the joystick forward diagonally to
the right or left you will jump rather
than walk in that direction.

Pushing the joystick forward will cause
your player to jump up or climb (if
there is anything to climb up).

Pressing the fire button and pushing the
joystick to the right or left will fire
a bullet in the direction that the
joystick was pushed.

You will not be hurt by falling.

THE PHARAOH

The pharaoh stalks the chambers
eternally. He is beyond death yet you
may stop and dematerialize him
temporarily by shooting him.

THE MUMMY

Sworn to the service of his pharaoh the
mummy, too, searches the crypt for
intruders who would steal his master's
prizes. He also walks eternally but can
be dematerialized temporarily.

THE WINGED AVENGER

The winged avenger can fly through the
very walks of stone. While he will not
harm you directly, he will clutch you in
his terrible talons and carry you into
the dark recesses of the tomb.

THE TRAPS

The traps of the tomb were subtly
crafted by the architects of old. They
are tripped by the slightest pressure
and spell diabolical death to the poor
unfortunate who has stumbled upon them.

THE KEYS

There are various keys to the hidden
passages scattered within the tomb. In
order to claim the keys you must make
contact with them. When you have done so
you will begin to rhythmically pulsate.
You'll lose the key when you lose a life
or the winged avenger takes you away!

THE TREASURES

The treasures are placed within the
various chambers. As with the keys you
must make contact with them to claim
them.

The 16 treasures are all represented on
the upper left part of the screen by 16
markers. Upon capturing a treasure its
marker will be removed. Thus you can
keep track of the number of treasures
left within the tomb.

You are also awarded an extra life for
each treasure captured.

THE ROPES

There are magic ropes in some of the
chambers. You may climb these by
standing directly beneath the rope and
pushing the joystick forward.

THE CROWN AND ARROW

Occasionally objects will materialize
within the tomb. Touching the crown will
endow you with life while the arrow will
take it away.

CONCLUSION

The pharaoh built his tomb well. He
built it to defy the cleverest of
despoilers. The question remains, did he
succeed or will you?

May Isis smile upon you!

LEVEL CODES

Level 2 - SPHINX
Level 3 - RAIDER

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some useful keyboard shortcuts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       [PAUSE] - stop/continue game
          [F9] - quick load game state
         [F12] - quick save game state (still stored after leaving the site)
         [F11] - toggle fullscreen mode
  [ScrollLock] - quick switch control ports
    [PageDown] - make a screenshot (320x200)