Writing Throwback: Pharaoh

Yet another 14 year old review. Take a deep breath, this is the last one.

Review

We cannot get enough of God simulations can we, here is Impressions Games latest shot at the title. Pharaoh is set in ancient Egypt, making the game unique as you now solely control what was known to be a very creative race. It uses the Caesar 3 game engine, so with a solid foundation and a good idea, has Pharaoh come out leader of the pack?

First, don't do what I did when I saw this game. "Game, Manual, Map, Install, Yada, Yada, Yada..." because you will be in for a rude shock. It was not that easy. The Pharaoh installation starts, and you think, I might have a look at the chunky manual. The manual is 270 pages, no problems, most of it will be the history of Egypt, sorry my friend only 31 pages are. So you play the game and after fifteen minutes you are lost, stuck in the middle of the game and now realise you have to read the manual.

Wait that is good because games do not usually require that. After reading the manual, you start to understand how complex the game is. It has the standard fare, grow food, harvest food, build and fight, but it also has a lot more strategy inside. There are tasks to achieve in each mission, and you also have to rule the city, controlling almost everything. You also have to plan your city, not to avoid losing battles but to win against the elements.

For example, your city starts on the Nile River, 3200 BC. As you are so close to the river, it affects you through the seasons. Once a year the river floods and when it recedes it leaves the fields rich with nutrients thus helping your crops. The problem is, just as it did back then; the Nile sometimes doesn't flood or floods too much, starving the crops of the nutrients or destroying your food supply. Planning is important here because when food becomes scarce, people get angry or starve.

There are many buildings to create as well from food production, manufacturing and storage to mines for employment and homes for the masses. Throughout the game, you will receive missions were you have to do such things like getting the populace to like you or quench un-employment. At the end of the missions, you get measured on things such as your food harvest, leadership, crime, employment and all these factors can affect each other and also the outcome of the mission. You will also have to deal with gods as they can make or break a game for you.

Within the game, there are five gods:

• Ra, the god of the kingdom
• Seth, god of destruction
• Osiris, god of the land
• Ptah, god of industry
• Bast, goddess of homes and the people

All these gods can affect the game so you must build monuments, worship, celebrate and pray for your gods. If not prepare to feel their wrath as Osiris can influence the floods and the lands nutrients when it comes to the harvesting season for your crops. Ra makes everyone in the kingdom like or dislike you and can make your job easier.

Pharaoh also has tutorials to teach you how to play. With such things as resource management, building and running the city being covered it does pay to go through them. Once up and running the game is good. Graphically it is well done, with an Egyptian feel to the menus, right down to the buildings and people. It is also complex that makes it challenging, but is also refreshing as you feel compelled to play the game. Be prepared to think though as it is not as straight forward as destroying the enemy. You will have to work with the other kingdoms as you are all trying to achieve the same goal, make Egypt the greatest kingdom in the world.

There is one problem with Pharaoh though, lack of interest. I do not mean the story as Egypt can be quite interesting, and it does follow the history carefully. The problem is that it can be a bit hard to get into at first. I played it and wasn't impressed so was unmotivated to continue. I then took another stab after reading the manual and then it became a great game. There is much depth to this game; it is not just a rehashed Caesar 3, but you have to work for it. Stick with it, and you will be rewarded, those who do not won't know what they have missed.