''Aztec'' is an

action-adventure game The action-adventure genre is a video game hybrid genre that combines core elements from both the action game and adventure game genres. Typically, pure adventure games have situational problems for the player to solve to complete a story ...

developed by Paul Stephenson for the

Apple II The Apple II (stylized as ) is an 8-bit home computer and one of the world's first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products. It was designed primarily by Steve Wozniak; Jerry Manock developed the design of Apple II's foam-m ...

and published by Datamost in 1982. It was ported to the

Atari 8-bit family The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced by Atari, Inc. in 1979 as the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The series was successively upgraded to Atari 1200XL , Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL, Atari 65XE, Atari 130XE, Atari 800XE, ...

and the

Commodore 64 The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, is an 8-bit home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International (first shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, January 7–10, 1982, in Las Vegas). It has been listed in the Guinness ...

. In ''Aztec'', the player enters and explores the recently discovered "Tomb of

Quetzalcoatl Quetzalcoatl (, ; Spanish: ''Quetzalcóatl'' ; nci-IPA, Quetzalcōātl, ket͡saɬˈkoːaːt͡ɬ (Modern Nahuatl pronunciation), in honorific form: ''Quetzalcōātzin'') is a deity in Aztec culture and literature whose name comes from the Nahu ...

" in Mexico in search of a jade idol.

Gameplay

The tomb's levels contain traps, dangerous animals, Aztec guards, and other hazards. Equipped with a machete,

pistol A pistol is a handgun, more specifically one with the chamber integral to its gun barrel, though in common usage the two terms are often used interchangeably. The English word was introduced in , when early handguns were produced in Europe, an ...

, and

dynamite Dynamite is an explosive made of nitroglycerin, sorbents (such as powdered shells or clay), and Stabilizer (chemistry), stabilizers. It was invented by the Swedish people, Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in Geesthacht, Northern Germa ...

, the goal is to recover a

jade Jade is a mineral used as jewellery or for ornaments. It is typically green, although may be yellow or white. Jade can refer to either of two different silicate minerals: nephrite (a silicate of calcium and magnesium in the amphibole group of ...

idol and escape. ''Aztec'' generates a random dungeon for each new game. Before beginning play, the game prompts for a difficulty level from one to eight. Increasing the difficulty boosts the number and aggressiveness of the enemies and increases the reward for retrieving the idol. The shorter the time to obtain the idol, the higher the reward. Higher difficulty levels begin the countdown higher. If too much time elapses, the idol is reported as damaged. The interior of the tomb is shown from the side with three floors and steps connecting the levels and floors. Piles of debris and chests can be searched, giving a pistol, ammunition, machete, dynamite, health potions, the remains of the Professor Von Forster, or the idol. Dynamite sticks serve as both a weapon or to blow up walls and floors. It's possible to break a staircase which is necessary to leave the tomb or to blow up the player's character. More dangerous foes may capture the player or confiscate items and lead the player into a pit. Enemies can also cause the player to fall to the next level. Some rooms contain pits with traps. If the player dies, play resumes from the last level.

Reception

'' Softline'' in 1983 called ''Aztec'' "no ordinary arcade or adventure game", stating that "the controls, game design, and animation are good examples of the state of the art in Apple arcades". '' Video'' magazine described the game as "a 'must buy' for Apple-ites", praising its variety, challenge, and its "straightforward system that uses single keystrokes" to communicate orders. Tom Jones reviewed the game for ''

Computer Gaming World ''Computer Gaming World'' (CGW) was an American computer game magazine published between 1981 and 2006. One of the few magazines of the era to survive the video game crash of 1983, it was sold to Ziff Davis in 1993. It expanded greatly through ...

'', and stated that "When Aztec's few faults are balanced against some of the best action graphics and general designs now available, the latter definitely win hands down." '' Electronic Games'' called the game's user interface "remarkably clean and logical", stating that because of the random dungeons "excitement remains keen through game after game". ''Aztec'' received a Certificate of Merit in the category of "Best Computer Adventure" at the 5th annual Arcade Awards.

References

{{Reflist, refs= {{cite web, title=The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers, url=https://dadgum.com/giantlist/, last1=Hague, first1=James {{cite web, title=Aztec, url=http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-aztec_6008.html, website=Atari Mania

External links

* Atari version manua
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http://www.atarimania.com/8bit/boxes/hi_res/aztec_datamost_i_2.jpg page 2] 1982 video games Action-adventure games Apple II games Atari 8-bit family games Commodore 64 games FM-7 games Datamost games Aztecs in fiction NEC PC-8801 games Sharp X1 games Video games developed in the United States Video games set in Mexico Video games based on Native American mythology Single-player video games