Scarab of Ra

Scarab of Ra

Infobox VG
title = Scarab of Ra


developer = Semicolon Software
publisher = Semicolon Software
distributor =
designer =
engine =
version = 1.4
released = vgy|1987
genre = Adventure
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = Mac OS
media = Download
requirements = Mac OS System 6.0 or later
input = keyboard, mouse
preceded by =
followed by =

"Scarab of Ra" is a Mac OS shareware computer game written in 1987 by Semicolon Software. It is an adventure set within an Egyptian pyramid.

tory

A sandstorm has uncovered the Great Pyramid of Ra. The player, a lowly archaeology student, decides to learn its secrets and tell of its wonders. After securing food and a lantern on short notice, the player enters the pyramid with hopes of finding additional equipment abandoned by earlier expeditions.

Interface

The game is rendered in black-and-white from a first person perspective; the rendering engine only allows grid-based, frame-by-frame movement. The game is played via a point-and-click, icon-driven interface in combination with keyboard shortcuts.

Gameplay

Gameplay is that of a simplified roguelike game. Each new game is randomized, and the player can only save by quitting. Death is frequent and quick, forcing players to make the most of their skills and careful use of all items they come across. Many items have several uses that the player must either discover through experimentation or use of an in-game hint system.

Levels are square mazes that grow larger as the player descends, simulating the design of a pyramid. The first level is 3x3, totalling 9 squares. Each succeeding level is one step larger in each dimension (so the next level is 4x4 steps, for a total of 16 squares, and so on). A key on each must be found to unlock the next level. Ascension is impossible, which can strand players if an important item is left behind.

The pyramid also contains traps, which can harm the player in various ways, and animals, including cobras, lionesses, monkeys, and a mummy, which appears only to players who carry the Scarab of Ra. Only the mummy can be destroyed; the game's author notes that violence is distasteful, but "the mummy was dead anyway."

Movement is turn-based, with a speed setting that alters how many moves other characters can make after the player acts. Speeds range from 1 (slowest) to 10 (fastest), with a map automatically drawn at speeds 5 and below. The map can be accessed and marked at any point, and is an invaluable tool as the levels become larger and more involved. Traveling at high speeds consumes less food and oil, but the player may blunder into danger and movements will not be recorded on the map if over speed 5.

Objective

In order to complete the game, one must gather three major treasures: the Crown, Staff, and Scarab of Ra. Once this task is accomplished, an exit is revealed, yet players can choose to continue playing if they wish to risk death and increase their scores. Once a player picks up the Scarab, mummy-like Guardians immediately began their hunt, delivering an electrifying shock upon contact. There is one Guardian on each level, who can only be destroyed by the Scarab. However, the Scarab eventually expires from such use, rendering the player defenseless and the game unwinnable.

When the player wins or quits, his character attains a humorous rank based on "prestige points" accrued during the game.

External links

* [http://www.semicolon.com/Scarab.html Official site]
* [http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/mac/game/932943.html "Scarab of Ra"] at GameFAQs


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Scarab — Scar ab, Scarabee Scar a*bee, n. [L. scarabaeus; cf. F. scarab[ e]e.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of numerous species of lamellicorn beetles of the genus {Scarab[ae]us}, or family {Scarab[ae]id[ae]}, especially the sacred, or Egyptian, species… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Scarab — beetle may refer to: *A beetle of the family Scarabaeidae *A dung beetle, especially the Scarabaeus sacer worshipped by the ancient Egyptians as an embodiment of the god Khepri (an amulet made by that people in the shape of the species is also… …   Wikipedia

  • Scarab — (dt.: Skarabäus) war eine US amerikanische Automobilmarke, die nur 1958 von der Reventlow Automobile Company in Los Angeles (Kalifornien) gebaut wurde. Gründer und Eigentümer dieser Firma war der Rennfahrer Lance Reventlow, der Sohn der… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • scarab — ► NOUN 1) a large dung beetle, regarded as sacred in ancient Egypt. 2) an ancient Egyptian gem in the form of a scarab beetle, engraved with hieroglyphs on the flat underside. ORIGIN Greek skarabeios …   English terms dictionary

  • scarab — (n.) black dung beetle, held sacred by the ancient Egyptians, 1570s, from M.Fr. scarabeé, from L. scarabaeus a type of beetle, from Gk. karabos beetle, crayfish, a foreign word, probably Macedonian (the suffix bos is non Greek) …   Etymology dictionary

  • scarab — [skar′əb] n. [Fr scarabée < L scarabaeus, altered < ? Gr karabos, a horned beetle, crayfish] 1. any of a large family (Scarabaeidae) of mostly stout bodied, often brilliantly colored beetles with lamellicorn antennae, including the June… …   English World dictionary

  • scarab — /skar euhb/, n. 1. any scarabaeid beetle, esp. Scarabaeus sacer, regarded as sacred by the ancient Egyptians. 2. a representation or image of a beetle, much used among the ancient Egyptians as a symbol, seal, amulet, or the like. 3. a gem cut to… …   Universalium

  • Scarab — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Scarab peut désigner : SS 21 Scarab, code OTAN du missile OTR 21 Tochka ; Scarab, une ancienne écurie de formule 1 ; Scarab, une sonde… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Scarab — Model 324 Scarab («Скарабей»)  разведывательный БПЛА. Дрон разработан фирмой Teledyne Ryan Aeronautics (США) по заказу Разведывательного департамента ВВС Египта в 80 х годах. Всего построено и поставлено 56 аппаратов. Оборудован… …   Википедия

  • scarabæid — noun (ent.) A beetle of the family Scarabæidæ (which includes stag and dung beetles). See Also: scarab beetle …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”