Pharaoh + Cleopatra

So satisfyign to build a massive city and generate tons of revenue

Great game! I kind of still prefer this version rather than the new one because there so much character and personality on it. The way the city and the people talk to you is great!

If you ever wondered what it’s like to be an ancient Egyptian city planner, priest, tax collector, and full-time monument micromanager—Pharaoh is the game for you! I booted it up “just to try it out,” and next thing I know, the sun has set, I’m dehydrated, and my cat is judging me for forgetting dinner. Again. This game is pure, uncut time vaporizer. I told myself, “Just one pyramid,” and suddenly I'm three dynasties deep, managing grain silos like my life depends on it (spoiler: it does). Would I recommend Pharaoh? Absolutely. But only if you don’t mind sacrificing sleep, social life, and the concept of linear time. 10/10, would build massive tombs for my pixelated pharaoh again.

This is the sort of game that stays in your mind. It might not be the fanciest, you have to mod it to get widescreen and I probably overlook any flaws because I know no better. But it's been 20 years and I'm still playing this game. 3D graphics ruined some of the early 2000's games but this sort of pixel style will always look good, mostly because you can't zoom in but viewed from affar it just has a lovely quality. Don't just stop here though, Sierra made a few of these and they each have their quirks and art style. But for me I fancy it will be another 20 years in the future and I will still be playing Pharoah. Thanks to GOG and my old CD copy, no one will ever tear this thing out of my clutches.

Crocodiles ate my home work but Pharaoh was there for me. Now I have malaria but praised be Osiris for bestowing fortune upon my lands. 5/5. Tip for new players: decrease scroll speed and game speed. Change monitor settings to show real 4:3 or something, now force fullscreen which only ef ups visuals.