Lair of the Minotaur is the sequel to Beginner’s Cave and it’s first full-length adventure. This second entry in the series is bigger in scope, bolder, and much more difficult than its predecessor. The scenario was written by the platform creator, Donald Brown, who also wrote Beginner’s Cave.
I cannot begin to describe the excitement I felt returning to the Main Hall, retrieving my character who had survived the Beginner’s Cave scenario; and then starting this character on a brand new adventure. This is where the RPG element of the game really shines. If I am feeling this kind of excitement on a cold November evening in 2020, RPG fans who owned an Apple II in 1979 must have been ecstatic…….elated………euphoric……..overjoyed…….pleased as Punch…..I think you get my drift. It is easily understandable how the world of Eamon became a cult phenomenon that is alive and kicking to this very day.
There is a very neat sequence that mimics falling down a chute after you’ve read the opening plot hook and you find yourself deposited in the catacombs beneath the castle.
There are some interesting encounters such as the one below:
When you attempt to open the coffin a skeleton jumps out and you can see an example of how combat looks in Eamon. Once you defeat the skeleton you’ll find a skeleton key which you’ll need to open a locked iron gate later in the game. If you choose not to open the coffin you’ll get a second chance at the skeleton key when you’re rescuing Larcenous Lil.
The puzzles that do exist in the game are there to provide color and depth not difficulty. You’ll encounter a greater cast of supporting characters in this installment as well. The higher your charisma score the likelier you are to receive a friendly rather than hostile reaction. Those you can interact with and who may accompany you include a wandering minstrel, a blacksmith, and your pal Larcenous Lil.
One of your encounters will include a black knight, who is of course wearing armor, and you will find that even if you should hit with a mace it is likely to bounce off of the armor. If you procured the magical sword, Trollsfire, from the Beginner Cave scenario, remember to READY that item as you will need it to combat armored foes.
The only way to escape the catacombs is to make your way through a labyrinth of corridors and the deadly guardian which blocks the exit; the dreaded minotaur! This is an extremely difficult and deadly encounter. In Eamon there are no save options and dead is dead. This foul monster slew my entire party and absolutely pulverized me three different times. Permadeath is a very real threat and I had to start all the way back at the beginning. This involves going through the entire Beginner’s Cave scenario too. It was on my fourth attempt that my companions and I ( I had the blacksmith in tow as well as Larcenous Lil) caught a lucky break. The minotaur fumbled and it’s weapon broke allowing us to make quick work of the beast.
Once you slay the minotaur you can continue north and make your way out of the catacombs.
Once you escape the catacombs you’ll also encounter a gypsy camp. This is another encounter that could have resulted in conflict however I chose to befriend the gypsy who then followed me back to the Main Hall.
In this version of the game I chose to leave a large jewel behind in the temple which I am sure would have resulted in a much greater reward. I chose to spend my newfound gold on a set of Plate Mail armor and I also learned the Heal spell as well from the old wizard. My new character after two adventures looks like this:
It took me 1 hour and 57 minutes to beat this game however I also died three times. I could see a scenario where it might only take some 30 to 60 minutes to play all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the first two Eamon adventures and I can see why it caught on and became so popular. There are new scenarios that were created in 1980 and when we reach that year I look forward to playing them.