by Scott Shaffer

Created on: June 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 20, 2011

Ancient Quest of Saqqarah
Game manufacturer: Condeminion
Cost for full version: 19.95 US

Graphics 5/5
Sound 5/5
Creativity 4/5
Innovation 5/5
Game Play 5/5

Egypt, as you know, is a very hot and arid climate, steeped in ancient mysteries and puzzles. You are here to see the solar eclipse with a few friends. As you sit on the veranda you notice that your friends are antsy, a bit jumpy perhaps. That is when they tell you the story, that of a long time forgotten. The story of the ancient Gods and how one magic-user, Minhotep, was able, with the help of 7 major Gods, to enslave a God of great wickedness. Over time this ancient and evil power has grown, and a secret society is entrusting you with its greatest secret of all. Today the eclipse will give off rays of sunshine that are needed to keep the enchantment strong, but the 7 great statues that these rays have to strike are growing weak and weary with time. They need your help, this secret society. Will you help, can you help? They need your mind power, your thinking ability, your quick wit and your knowledge. Again, will you help them?

After downloading the game Saqqarah, you will be pleased to find the interaction with the game are clean, crisp, and very user friendly. You will listen to a brief history and background and find yourself in a game which is akin to "Jewels", a game in which you match three or more jewels of like design. This may be disappointing for some, but you will be glad you hit play. That little blue Gorilla, or as the game calls him, Khufu the magical Monkey, that you will see pop up will give you advice that will help you on your way. Once you have cleared off the first couple boards, not a problem there, you will be surprised to find that with each board cleared you get little rewards. Some of these surprises come in the form of the Khufu gaining magic which helps you in your game play, while others actually are trophy's or keys to get to different areas of game play.

The next area of game play is much like the first. But as you start to play you will find it a whole different approach. If you find that you didn't listen to the narrative, don't worry, that Blue Gorilla, Khufu the Magic Monkey, will come to the rescue. Thank Goodness, because the fun doesn't stop there. You will soon realize that there are more levels than you can shake a stick at. Without giving too much of the game away, let's just say the game play will have you hooked.

The graphics are awesome and the music is really good for a game such as this. Special effects sounds are out of this world as you clear off the game board, and the little surprises are just that, surprises. You will be very pleasantly surprised by the innovative ideas of taking a game that we are familiar with and moving it up several levels, as well as making the interface so easy to use, and fun. All in all you will find Saqqarah an exceptional game, one that will create hours and hours of fun.

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