Still The Best

You know that old saying about movie sequels that states that the original is always the best? Well, that applies to other things as well. In this case, that applies to video games. Luxor's numerous sequels are all great games in their own right, but the original still retains something that keeps me coming back to it, even if it's "dated." I don't know how to describe it other than its "essence," but Luxor is a game that plays remarkably well, possibly better than its successors.

Luxor is a city in Egypt, located on the East bank of the river Nile. It is from this place that the game takes its name, as you can tell by the heavy Egyptian themes. This being the original entry in the series, the theme is very bold and original, not bogged down to make room for new twists on gameplay and other things. The core game mechanics are tried and true, and are only complimented by the wonderful visuals and beautiful music. Every menu and level is chock full of haunting melodies and stunning displays of hieroglyphics.

Everyone Has Got To Start Somewhere

I apologize if the tone of this article seems geared towards veterans of the series. I realize that there are many people who have never tried Luxor, and if you're one of those people, well then this is for you. If you do have prior experience, you should still read on. When has a refresher course ever hurt anyone?

In Luxor, you must stop lines of multicolored balls from reaching their destinations. You do this by shooting balls at the row as it slides down its path. If you get three same-colored spheres in a row, they will shatter. You must do this until the entire row is eliminated, thus vanquishing the threat. To launch spheres, you have a tiny paddle that slides back and forth across the bottom of the screen (think Breakout). This paddle holds three shots at once, so you can rotate them around to select the color that you want to shoot. As you progress through the game, that paths will get more and more complex, and the line will overlap and go under tunnels and such. It becomes increasingly harder to get clear shots, which makes completing the game a more than worthwhile effort.

While the mechanics are solid enough, the game also keeps it fresh by using powerups. These will do various things such as freezing the line, sending it backwards, and allowing you to shoot destroy the spheres with fireballs and lightning. You can get these powerups by pulling off combos and killer shots.

Lifespan of a Mummy

The most impressive thing about Luxor is possibly the game's length. It features dozens of levels, all based around various sites in Egypt. There is more than enough here to keep you playing for hours, which you just might do.

Whoever you are, whether you're a seasoned player or what the kids call a "newbie," odds are you'll find something to like about Luxor. The gameplay holds up extremely well and offers quite a challenge. Take that, mixed with the outstanding presentation, and you've got yourself one heck of a game.