Scarabaeus (computer game)

Infobox VG |title = Scarabaeus


developer = Andromeda Software
publisher = Ariolasoft
designer = Andromeda Software
engine =
version =
released = 1985
genre = Action-adventure
modes = Single Player
ratings =
platforms = C64
media =
requirements =
input = 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.

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, a hand); these hieroglyphs are needed on the next level.

Exiting the level (which can be done at any time, not just after the nineth hieroglyph is taken) permits 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. Also here, it is possible to go directly to the third level without complet or even visit the second.

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 him. While the alcove is vacant, the astronaut is able to look inside the alcove. The aim is thus to take the spider on a long journey around the maze, giving the astronaut enough time to study the alcove and solve the puzzles within.

12 of the 13 alcoves contain two puzzles, one on the left and one on the right. The left-hand ones are made by a 4x5 grid of hieroglyphs like the ones collected on the previous level, linked to a bottle of potion, who can be medicine or poison. By carefully studying the grid, it is necessary to see if the 9 hieroglyphs collected on the first level appear (in any order) in a 3x3 block within the 4x5 grid. If it's so, it means the bottle contains medicine, otherwise it contains poison, but the player can test the collected bottles' true nature only on the third level. The right-hand puzzles are identicals and can be solved in the same way, but they are linked to a mask instead. If the 9 hieroglyphs fit in those grids, taking the mask will give the player a zombie trap, otherwise a loss of energy will occur.

The thirteenth alcove contains a tile-flipping puzzle. Initially some tiles are turned over while others not, and it is necessary to turn them all face up. Buttons around the tiles allow the player 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 third level.

Medicines, zombie traps and the Pharaon's key can be used on the next level.

Critical acclaim

Scarabaeus was awarded an overall mark of 96% in issue 8 of Zzap!64 magazine, earning it a Sizzler award.