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Scarabaeus

Available Platform: Commodore 64 - Alias: Invaders of the Lost Tomb

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Year1985
GenrePuzzler
Rating4.5

89/100 based on 8 Editorial reviews. Add your vote

PublisherAriolasoft
DeveloperAndromeda Software
OS supportedWin7 64 bit, Win8 64bit, Windows 10, MacOS 10.6+
Updated23 August 2019

Game Review

Scarabaeus (Invaders of the Lost Tomb in the US) is a 3D search, puzzle-solving, and survival game developed by Andromeda Software and published in 1985 by Ariolasoft for the Commodore 64.

The game, designed by David Bishop (Disney's Aladdin, Wonderland, and more), is unique, and it has fascinating gameplay. After the cinematic intro, you enter the Pharoah's Lost Tomb, where you will have to find the Sacred emerald Scarabaeus. You can move forward or turn right and left with your joystick inside the maze. It's worth noticing that turning left and right does not generate a 90° rotation, such as in Dungeon Master or Eye of the Beholder. Instead, you rotate by 15°, so six movements are required to turn completely. This technique creates a 3D feeling that is much more realistic. Going back with the joystick will show you the map; helpful to see the ghost's position that you have to catch to get the hieroglyphs.

You can move to the other levels (all mazes of different sizes) using an elevator that must be activated rotating the joystick. On the other levels, you will have to avoid spiders, zombies and solve puzzles in the alcoves, collect medicines, and finally, the Pharaon's key, required to access the final level. All the puzzles are connected, making the plot really engaging.

Scarabaeus received a rating of 96% in issue 8 of Zzap!64 magazine and it's still a fantastic game today.

See Also: A Legendary Game Designer, Writer and Producer: David Bishop

Review by: GN Team
Published: 24 November 2017 6:01 pm



Sorry, for copyright reasons we cannot provide any download link. You can check if the game is available on GOG or Steam, or you can search on the GamesVoyager search engine.

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