XIDER Games is to release Ankh: Curse of the Scarab King on Nintendo DS. Following the success of the popular PC versions, this fun and colourful adventure will be available to play on DS in September 2008. Players will need to think outside the box and solve many puzzles in order to explore new areas in their quest to save the young adventurer, Assil, from the death curse put on him by an ancient Mummy.

Mischievous Assil steals his father’s key to get into the Scarab King’s tomb. As he and his friends party away inside, their search for a bottle opener rudely awakens a Mummy. Unhappy at being disturbed from his peaceful slumber and unimpressed by the gang breaking seven of his precious urns, the Mummy casts a lethal curse upon Assil leaving him with just 24 hours to live. Shocked, Assil stumbles back home where he is greeted by his unhappy father, who grounds him for a week so he is unable to escape the house.

The game begins in Assil’s bedroom. Players must help him escape from captivity without crossing the path of his angry father. The stylus or the d-pad can be used to direct Assil around his environment, discovering clues to help solve puzzles and progress through the quest. The bottom left hand corner of the screen displays four hieroglyphic symbols that players can select to look, talk, pick up and use items.

 Players will need to examine every bit of their surroundings, as objects that look harmlessly decorative may play a key role in moving the quest forwards. For instance, by combining two items of clothing found lying around, a rope is produced sufficient for escaping his room through the window. Other objects stored in the inventory can be combined with each other to create new and inventive ways of solving puzzles. There is however an easy setting to guide players to the key objects so they can progress.

Time is of the essence though, as Assil must find the Pharaoh, the only person who can save his life, before time is up!

The game is set for release in September with a price of 29.99 GBP. It’s been rated 3+ by PEGI.