Game Classification

This is one of the earliest electronic adaptation of the Theseus and the Minotaur pencil-and-paper maze puzzle by Robert Abbott, based on the concept of logic mazes where certain limitations in movement apply.

The game consists of ten mazes to solve, designed by the original author as well as Toby Nelson. Players need to guide Theseus (represented by a red circle) towards the exit of the maze, while avoiding the minotaur (represented by a black circle). The goal of each level is to reach the exit, but this cannot be done by travelling towards it directly. Theseus is only able to move one tile at at time, while the minotaur can do two. To reach the exit, Theseus has to outsmart the minotaur by luring him into a specific position, exploiting the internal movement logic. The minotaur will not chase after Theseus directly, but approaches him based on rules of vertical and horizontal movement. For instance, when Theseus is on the same horizontal line as the minotaur, but with a wall between them, he is able to move left and right as much as he wants without having the minotaur move. At certain moments it is also needed to delay an action or skip the turn, to lure the minotaur into a certain path without moving Theseus.

The game is entirely controlled by the keyboard for movement. Other keys are used to reset the maze, move on to the previous or the next one, and delay a turn (sometimes needed to lure the minotaur into a specific direction). The basic graphical design of the game went through different stages over the years. [source:mobygames]

Distribution : Retail - Commercial
Platform(s) : Browser (Flash)

Links

• http://www.mobygames.com/game/theseus-and-the-minotaur/