Gateway to Apshai
A prequel to Temple of Apshai with faster action.
Released in 1983 for the Commodore 64, ColecoVision, and Atari 8-bit computers, Gateway to Apshai is an action-adventure game from The Connelley Group and Epyx. A prequel to Temple of Apshai, it offers faster, smoother graphics and simpler controls, with less role-playing depth. Players control an unnamed adventurer navigating increasingly tough dungeon levels, with level 8 looping endlessly until lives run out.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- The Connelley Group
- Publisher
- Epyx
- Programmer
- Michael Farren (Atari)
- Released
- 1983
- Series
- Dunjonquest
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Atari 8-bit
- Commodore 64
- ColecoVision
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The player starts with a dagger and leather armor, acquiring weapons, armor, potions, eyeglasses, and scrolls of magical spells as they progress. Enemies include rats, snakes, and giants, which must be killed with weapons or spells. Each level is played in complete darkness that illuminates as rooms and corridors are explored. The player has about six and a half minutes per level; surviving that time advances them to the next deeper level. Level 8 repeats endlessly until the player loses all lives.
Reception
Critics praised Gateway to Apshai for its engaging gameplay, with Softline calling it "a great game ... enthralling." ANALOG Computing highlighted its replayability, fast action, strong graphics, and quick loading, though it noted the absence of a save feature. Ahoy! recommended playing with two people due to the game's size, calling it "a marvelous game, a must for D & D freaks." Hi-Res described it as "well designed, fun to play" with good graphics and sound, but also pointed out the missing save option. The Addison-Wesley Book of Atari Software 1984 gave it a B rating, finding it superior to Temple of Apshai due to its faster pace, fewer keyboard commands, and cartridge format. Computer and Video Games rated the ColecoVision version 64% in 1989.
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