The powers that be at Impressions and Sierra On Line couldn't have left well enough alone. They had a hit game in Caesar III. So what do they come up with? A sim on ancient Egypt. Did the world really need another building simulation? You betcha! Even though the games are similar, the fun is in how far you can build your kingdom in the land of King Tut. The name of this game is Pharaoh.

This is more than just a simulation of building a city. You have to defend this land against armies who want to take over. You also have to deal with slaves who don't want to work and seek, of all things, freedom !?!

There are reviewers that are saying too much of a good thing is too much. A couple of folks are saying that this game is just a rehashing of bad coding that the designers threw out of Caesar. But for me, this is really a neat game. It isn't Caesar and never will be. It has some of the same types of features, but look at all of the Sim titles that Maxis has. They all have similar features too. There is enough difference in Pharaoh to make the game well worth playing.
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The game starts out with plots of land that you have to develop. Add some people who want to live there and pretty soon you'll have a village. Although this is a crude looking assembly, they are the basis of your kingdom. Pretty soon you will be adding a bazaar and a courtroom to try those infidels who steal from the bazaar. Slowly build your army as the city expands.

Import some of the things that won't grow naturally in your region. Establish trade routes and hone your bartering skills so that your city will get everything it needs.

The Nile River is constantly flooding so you will need to try to shore up some of the buildings. You will also need to store food on a higher level and establish trading with other nations to replenish your supplies. You must also offer things up to the Gods, especially Osiris, the God of Water.

You will be in charge of just about everything that happens. If a storehouse needs to be built then you must make sure the materials are available to build it and there are plenty of slaves to do it for you.

Pharaoh is a wonderful kingdom building game. There are hours and hours of stimulating simulation to be had in this game.

For more information about Pharaoh or other games from Sierra Online, visit their web site at www.sierra.com.

Copyright © 2000 Bruce E. Von Stiers