In this city-building game, players become pharaohs and lead their people through the ages by trying to keep all of their subjects alive, happy, and wealthy. Alongside various single scenarios, there are two campaigns in chronological order, the first spanning the dynastic period of Egyptian history, and the second focused on the Hellenistic Period. The game requires extensive micromanagement of resources and workforce and attention to citizens’ needs, as well as city planning and decisions regarding foreign policy. This depiction of Egypt is very celebratory (e.g. the triumphant inscriptions on stelae players can erect after military victories) and omits the use of forced labour and war prisoners to build monuments and collect resources, while also conveying a somewhat optimistic impression of vertical social mobility (citizens can go up in rank in the span of a generation). At the same time, there is a delightful hint of sarcasm in the game’s reminder with annual birthday wishes that pharaoh should be preparing for death and think about building a monumental tomb.

Author: Kate Minniti