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Over 4,000 years ago Egypt was a thriving area, until the people lost their Pharaoh. Seth, the God of Evil, ordered rich and powerful people to kill all heirs of the Pharaoh, promising them the throne after doing so. All would have been lost for the Pharaohs were it not for Amon-Re the Sun God, who whisked one young heir away and hid him with the Fellahs, a tribe of workers who had made their home on the banks of the Nile.

Now it is time for you, as that child, to climb the social ladder from not-very-well-off-worker and emerge as rightful heir to the Egyptian throne. With only a few possessions and a ship, given to you by another God, Osiris (an enemy of Seth), you must enter the big, wide world and do what must be done.

Success or failure ultimately depends upon your skills at buying and selling in the markets of the towns and cities which you can sail to in the game.

One of three arcade sequences pop up at certain times. When travelling by sea you must guide your ship (of which only the front-end is shown) through choppy, rock-laden waters viewed in second-person perspective 3D. Hit the rocks three times and the ship sinks.

Now and again a tribe of Phoenician thieves attempt to plunder your craft while in dock. This you must discourage by running up and down the deck, beating off the would-be pilferers with an oar.

The third action scene is a horizontally scrolling spear-'em-down with you on your chariot, hurling spears at enemy tribesmen on the roadside.

At first I thought this could be fun, but progress through the game is slow and unrewarding, with loading taking more time than actually playing! The buying/selling of goods isn't the most exciting of pastimes and no attempt has been made to make this section look appealing in any way.

The arcade sequences are also poorly designed, and are either far too easy, or incredibly difficult, making the game frustrating and annoying to play.

Day Of The Pharaoh is an admirable attempt at a Cinemaware-style interactive movie game, but unfortunately the poor graphics and gameplay make it a very average game.

A very average attempt at a Cinemaware-style game, mostly relying on a rather poor buy/sell strategy. The arcade sequences are also very unexciting.