Pharaoh's Curse - 1983 - Atari 2600 ( Atari VCS )

History
Pharaoh's Curse is a platform adventure game that was written by Steve Coleman and published by Synapse Software in 1983. It was initially developed for Atari 8-bit computers and was later ported to the Commodore 64 and VIC-20. The VIC version was published by Human Engineered Software. Steve Coleman, the designer of the game, also wrote Rainbow Walker for Synapse, which was published the same year. The game was recognized as an early example of what later became known as the Metroidvania genre.
Scenario
The game is set in an Egyptian tomb. The player's mission is to collect 16 treasures from the tomb while avoiding the pharaoh, his mummy, and various traps. The world of Pharaoh's Curse consists of 16 cave-like rooms arranged in a 4 by 4 layout. The game begins with the player on a title screen, and they start the game by running onto the entrance, a pit, and falling into the tombs below.
How to Play?
The player navigates the rooms using ropes and moving platforms, with the goal of collecting treasures that grant extra lives. The remaining treasures are displayed at the top of the screen, allowing players to track their progress. The player must also contend with two enemy characters: the pharaoh and the mummy. These adversaries chase the player and can shoot at them, while the player can return fire to defend themselves. Traps scattered throughout the tombs can be even more dangerous, requiring quick reflexes to avoid. Some rooms are separated by magic gates that can be unlocked with keys that appear randomly throughout the game. Adding to the challenge, there is a flying creature called the Winged Avenger, which can pick up the player and transport them to different areas of the map. This can sometimes help the player access otherwise unreachable locations. After collecting all 16 treasures, the player must return to the starting screen to complete the level. They are then given a level password and the game progresses to a higher difficulty level. This cycle continues through four increasingly challenging levels, providing an engaging and challenging experience for players.
Name: Pharaoh's Curse
Year: 1983
Platform: Atari VCS - Atari 2600
Publisher: Technovision
Theme / Genre: Action Games, Shooter Games,
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