The Horrible Pyramid

This would be a very solid pick for people new to IF, but otherwise, I wouldn't call this one particularly memorable. It is fun and well built. I enjoyed it on the first go, but I wasn't wowed by it. I'll never play it again. I prefer Veeder's bigger games, and if I were to introduce someone to his work, I'm not sure I'd start with this one unless they were totally unfamiliar with IF.

This Ryan Veeder game was a speed-IF entered in the Ectocomp one year. It was later tuned up and rereleased for Sub Q magazine.

The game has a small but detailed set of locations. As you explore the pyramid, you encounter a variety of Egyptian treasures and artwork. The plot thickens as it goes onward.

I enjoyed the writing and feeling of this game quite a bit. But I didn't really get into the puzzles quite as much. Considering its origin as speed IF, though, the game is quite remarkable.

a clever game. took about 5-10 minutes to finish. would have been shorter but (Spoiler - click to show) you can't go ne from the wheel room while wearing the items .

Starts off like Infidel: you're an archaeologist investigating an ancient Egyptian pyramid, scooping up treasures wherever you find them. BUT things go in a different direction very quickly. And it has to be very quickly, as the game is over in around 10 minutes. But it compresses a lot of fun and quirkiness into that bite-size framework. Good writing, simple puzzles (and one poorly implemented one involving a door - acknowledged as poorly implemented in the source code), and a rather predictable (but well-done nevertheless) twist.

It is hard to review these short games; they tend to take 10-15 minutes to play through, and are usually worth trying.

This game in particular is definitely worth playing. It is a fun and well-written game which focuses on a standard egyptian pyramid trope. Unlike most of Veeder's work this game doesn't have any really subversive elements--it is a straight-forward and simple game which works well.

I don't think it stands up to the narrative quality of some of Veeder's other works, but is still a fun and engaging game.