Hack

Hack

Released1984
The object of the game is to delve into a dungeon to retrieve the Amulet of Yendor, and perish with as much game points as possible. The player can start out with a different ability set, such as Wizard or Cave(wo)man. The player confronts various monsters: hobgoblins, leprechauns, acid blobs, bats, centaurs, chameleons, dragons, ghosts, imps, trolls, and has weapons, armor, potions, wands, rings and special items to aid in this, e.g. related to fire there is a scroll, a ring, a monster and a wand, and their interplay is to be discovered. There is time pressure because you die if your food runs out, food is scattered around the dungeon. There is a limit to what you can carry, forcing you to leave valuable items behind. The gold and gems you carry when you die increases your score, but it is heavy too. The player must enter Hell to recover the Amulet. Entering Hell for the uninitiated just means that "you burn to a crisp". (In NetHack, Hell is renamed.) The player encounters special rooms such as shops, crypts, and vaults. Other spatial elements in the game are traps and swamps. As your experience grows, so are your abilities, score and the need for food. Retrieving the Amulet doesn't guarantee you the high score. After all the Amulet is just a very valuable gem.

Details

DeveloperJay Fenlason
ReleasedJanuary 17, 1984
StatusReleased
GenresShooterRole-playing (RPG)
ThemesFantasyScience fiction
PlatformsDOS DOS
ModesSingle player

About This Game

A dungeon crawler where players descend into underground depths to locate the legendary Amulet of Yendor, facing waves of dangerous creatures—from hobgoblins and dragons to acid blobs and shape-shifting chameleons—while managing severe survival constraints. Characters begin with distinct skill sets like wizard or cave-dweller, and must scavenge for food throughout the descent to avoid starvation, all while juggling limited carrying capacity and the temptation of treasure that slows them down but boosts their final score. Combat relies on discovering the synergies between an arsenal of weapons, armor, potions, wands, and rings scattered across dangerous chambers including shops, crypts, and vaults filled with traps and swamps. The ultimate challenge demands venturing into Hell itself to claim the Amulet, a perilous journey that consumes the unprepared. Success, however, measures beyond simply acquiring the relic—accumulating wealth and surviving with maximum treasure is the true measure of victory.