Sequels, in my opinion usually lack the flair of the original effort – Godfather II and the Leisure Suit Larry series come to mind as notable exceptions. Dreamcatcher Interactive (now named “The Adventure Company” for their adventure titles) has just released a sequel to their successful The Cameron Files: Secret at Loch Ness, and Alan Cameron, PI is back in business. The game is Pharaoh’s Curse: The Cameron Files II. I think this is a better game than its predecessor.

The intrepid Alan Cameron receives an urgent plea for help from his friend, Moira MacFarley who is working as a cartographer at an archeological dig in Cairo, Egypt. He races there only to find Moira missing. After checking into his hotel he begins his investigation. The game is classic point and click and is presented in first person perspective. Full 360 degree range of vision is incorporated and I found the movement silky smooth. The music and sound effects are top notch. I enjoyed the Egyptian style music so much I actually sat at the “start screen” to listen to all of it. The developers used the vocal talent of Djazia Satour and she is truly sensational. Throughout the game, the music is wonderfully matched to the environments and activity. The graphics are crisp and clear and the game presents numerous cut scenes – slightly pixilated, but very watchable. The cut scenes are saved for the player’s reference.

Pharaoh’s Curse is a game of exploration and is presented in four distinct levels. In level one, Alan inspects his hotel and a nearby museum where Moira has a temporary office. There’s a lot to do in both locations. Level two finds Cameron voyaging down the Nile on a passenger ship. There is a lot to do here as well. Clues abound and Alan finds that he is accompanied by the museum curator and two cryptic German thugs. Turns out they have a “shopping list” and at the top of the list is a mysterious statuette. Alan also has his first encounter with a visage of an ancient and evil decrepit mummy who tails him throughout the game. In level three, the ship docks and Alan uses a small boat to travel back and forth to an island where the excavation is going on. Here he encounters the captive Moira, and finds access to an ancient tomb. The last level has our hero finding ways to open doors which ultimately lead to a scary burial chamber where Alan must think fast, do battle, and save Moira.

The puzzles are numerous, fun, and well woven into the storyline. Ah, yes, the dreaded “game over” screen – the game does employ a few timed puzzles. You’ll have a “life bar” on the screen. Beat the timer or you’re dusted. By conventional gaming standards, these puzzles aren’t too tough to master, but save game often just in case. The game has 16 save slots. The inventory is easy to use and as you pass your cursor over the items, you’ll get an enlarged view of the item.

Overall a very worthy sequel. I hope Mr. Cameron has another case in the not too distant future. If you enjoy classic point and clickers, and given the low MSRP, you should play this one.

Note: A playable demo of this game is available at www.adventurecompanygames.com

Final Grade: B+

System Requirements:

• Windows 95/98/ME/XP
• Pentium 166 MHz (200 recommended)
• 16 MB RAM (32 MB recommended)
• 4X CD-ROM drive
• 3D accelerator video card