Cave of the Word Wizard

Gameplay

The game takes place in a multilevel cave where the player controls a boy or girl character with a joystick. The objective is to find crystals attached to the dungeon walls in random locations and exit the dungeon. A flashlight illuminates the character's path. Obstacles include crevasses, rocks, puddles, scorpions, and snakes. The character can jump over these using the joystick button; falling or being stung costs one of five starting bandaids. Ladders allow safe movement between levels. At intervals, the Word Wizard appears and commands the player to spell a word. Words are typed on the keyboard and displayed on screen, delivered in American English through the computer audio. Ten word lists of graduated difficulty are provided, and custom lists can be created. A list is selected at the start of each game. Correct spelling rewards the player with a new bandaid and a congratulatory message such as "well done!" Incorrect spelling or delay results in admonishments like "You need work on that one!" or "It's getting darker!" and the flashlight loses energy.