PowerSlave

Lobotomy Software

Industry	Video game development
Founded	May 1995
Founder	Brian McNeely
Headquarters	United States

PowerSlave, released in Europe and as Exhumed, is a 1996 first-person shooter crafted by Lobotomy Software and distributed by Playmates Interactive Entertainment in North America and BMG Interactive across Europe and Japan. Available on Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and MS-DOS between late 1996 and late 1997, the MS-DOS edition was later made available on GOG.com on November 19, 2020.

An upgraded version titled PowerSlave Exhumed, developed collaboratively by Nightdive Studios and Throwback Entertainment, merges features from both the Saturn and PlayStation editions. This remaster was announced on August 14, 2021, and released on February 10, 2022, for PC and contemporary gaming platforms.

Plot

The storyline of PowerSlave unfolds in the vicinity of the ancient Egyptian city of Karnak during the late 20th century. Following an occupation by mysterious forces, an elite squad is dispatched to investigate. The player's helicopter is shot down during transit, forcing them to traverse the valley to rescue Karnak and prevent global catastrophe. The protagonist confronts alien insectoid Kilmaat and their minions, including mummies, soldiers resembling Anubis, scorpion creatures, and malevolent spirits. Guided by the spirit of King Ramses, whose mummy was unearthed by the Kilmaat to resurrect him for world domination, the player ultimately battles the deity Set midway through the game.

Console releases present two possible conclusions depending on player choices: obtaining all eight pieces of a radio transmitter leads to rescue and grants the hero Ramses' kingdom along with immortality; failure results in the protagonist being entombed and exhibited by Kilmaat rulers. In contrast, the MS-DOS version culminates aboard the Kilmaat mothership where a nuclear device threatens Earth's destruction. Successfully disarming the bomb compels an escape sequence; failure causes global annihilation.

Gameplay

Both PC and console versions adhere to conventional first-person shooter gameplay featuring health pickups and a variety of weapons. However, console editions and the remastered PC release Powerslave EX integrate first-person shooter mechanics with Metroidvania-style progression. Players unlock new weapons alongside ancient relics that bestow abilities such as enhanced jumping, levitation, breathing underwater, traversing lava, and passing through energy barriers. These powers enable access to previously unreachable zones interconnected via an overworld map.

Development

PowerSlave marked Lobotomy Software’s inaugural complete title, with development commencing in May 1995 targeting the PC platform. Co-founder Brian McNeely detailed that as their 3D engine evolved, art and design teams laid out the game's structure while programmers refined tools including BREW (a world editor), PeepShow (for animation configuration), and an object placement plus lighting editor. These tools were eventually integrated to assemble the final game.

The MS-DOS version was originally slated for release by 3D Realms as a showcase for their Build engine under the working name Ruins: Return of the Gods. Early screenshots were published by Apogee Software before they dropped support; subsequently, Playmates Interactive Entertainment took over publishing duties.

Programmer Ezra Dreisbach implemented dynamic lighting effects in console versions inspired by Loaded on PlayStation, enhancing existing gouraud-shaded torch illumination. Although PlayStation development was generally simpler, Lobotomy prioritized completing the Saturn version first to outpace competing Saturn FPS titles. The Saturn’s dual CPU architecture was exploited by dedicating one processor to rendering walls while the other managed game logic.

The American title PowerSlave draws inspiration from Iron Maiden’s album Powerslave, famous for its Egyptian-themed artwork. The game’s narration features voice work by renowned film trailer announcer Don LaFontaine.

Console

The initial launch occurred on the Sega Saturn, with a subsequent PlayStation release that incorporated gameplay adjustments, additional architectural elements, and altered level designs. Both editions utilize Lobotomy’s SlaveDriver engine, which enables a fully realized 3D environment comparable to that of Quake. This same engine also powered the Saturn versions of Duke Nukem 3D and Quake.

Because of hardware disparities, the PlayStation levels were restructured to enhance performance. Several stages—namely Amun Mines, Heket Marsh, Set Palace, Cavern of Peril, and Kilmaat Colony—show notable differences between the two platforms. The Saturn version uniquely offers floating ammo and health pickups, exclusive power-ups such as the All-Seeing Eye, Invisibility, Weapon Boost, and a bomb-boost technique similar to rocket jumping.

Sprites are displayed in 2D fashion, akin to titles like Doom and Duke Nukem 3D. Dynamic colored lighting effects are limited to the console versions. While ammo pickups are generic in appearance, they replenish only the currently equipped weapon.

The game’s level progression is non-linear, allowing players to revisit previously unlocked stages at will. Access to certain areas requires specific weapons or abilities, reflecting a design influenced by Metroid-style gameplay.

Each of the eight levels contains a concealed fragment of a radio transmission device that emits a beeping signal on the overworld map; collecting all fragments impacts the game’s conclusion.

The Sega Saturn edition features a secret minigame called Death Tank, which becomes accessible after locating all 23 Team Dolls. However, this minigame is absent from the PAL Saturn release as it was distributed before Death Tank was finalized.

MS-DOS

The MS-DOS iteration of PowerSlave presents considerable differences compared to its console counterparts. Developed using the Build engine licensed from 3D Realms, it operates on an earlier version than that used in Duke Nukem 3D. Unlike the SlaveDriver engine, it employs Build’s lighting system with simulated dynamic lighting where sectors brighten when projectiles or luminous objects pass through.

The heads-up display (HUD) was redesigned to include an ammunition counter, oxygen meter for underwater sequences, and animated indicators for mana and blood vessels. Players utilize mana to cast spells once acquired (such as a torch for illumination). Ammo is specific to each weapon rather than universal, and grenades replace Amun mines. Sprites are larger with more detailed animations; vocalized words substitute simple grunts. Mummies attack using white or homing red skull projectiles that temporarily transform the player into a mummy wielding the formidable Mummy Staff. Checkpoints marked by golden scarabs allow automatic saving between levels.

Level design follows a more linear path without incentives for backtracking. The Manacle of Power releases a lightning cloud above foes instead of bolts from the hands. Most artifacts found on consoles are omitted except for the Sobek Mask, which functions as a spell. Power-ups such as invisibility, invincibility, and double damage from the Saturn version appear here as spells. The Ring of Ra weapon is not included. Weapons require reloading after firing a set number of shots; certain enemies have unique death animations involving fire or grenades; bosses feature extended death sequences. Extra lives replace health upgrades. Amnit enemies are removed and replaced by a large Ammut miniboss that attacks by ramming and biting. Additional narrative text is present. Items like transmitter fragments and Team Dolls from console versions do not appear; however, orders to assault the Kilmaat ship are given before the final stage.

21st century ports

On May 24, 2015, Samuel "Kaiser" Villarreal independently released a free unofficial port inspired by the PlayStation version, titled Powerslave EX. Subsequently, on January 2, 2017, Villarreal made the source code publicly available under the GPLv3 license via GitHub.

In the same month of May 2015, Nightdive Studios secured the rights to digitally re-release the game. Villarreal became part of Nightdive’s team to advance development on an authorized remaster. The project, unveiled as PowerSlave Exhumed on August 14, 2021, officially launched on February 10, 2022, across platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S. Instead of simply updating one version, PowerSlave Exhumed integrates gameplay mechanics, visual styles, and level components from the PlayStation, Saturn, and DOS releases while adding improvements such as enhanced resolution support, anti-aliasing, and CRT display simulation.

Later in November 2020, the new rights holders Throwback Entertainment reissued the DOS edition as PowerSlave (DOS Classic Edition). This release is compatible with various source ports like BuildGDX, PCExhumed, and Raze.

Reception

Critical opinions about the Saturn iteration of PowerSlave were notably divided. GamePro awarded it flawless ratings in graphics, sound, controls, and FunFactor categories, commending its Egyptian-themed environments, unique visuals, dynamic lighting effects, and platforming features as innovative within the Saturn’s first-person shooter lineup. Rob Bright from Sega Saturn Magazine praised it for raising genre standards with its brisk pacing, lighting sophistication, progression based on abilities, and immersive audio design. Conversely, reviewers from Electronic Gaming Monthly expressed mixed feelings; some valued its thoughtful gameplay and narrative depth while others dismissed it as overly derivative of "Doom clones," citing weak enemy design and repetitive traps. Jeff Gerstmann at GameSpot pointed out its lack of innovation and slow escalation in enemy difficulty.

In early 1997, Rich Leadbetter of Sega Saturn Magazine ranked PowerSlave as the top among five Saturn first-person shooters available in Europe at that time, highlighting its excellence in later stages despite an initially slow pace.

The PlayStation edition attracted comparatively less critical scrutiny; GamePro considered it somewhat less refined than the Saturn counterpart but still a solid experience overall.

Regarding the PC version, Stephen Poole from GameSpot characterized it as imperfect yet enjoyable and recommended purchasing it if discounted. Both he and reviewers from Next Generation viewed it unfavorably compared to contemporaries like Duke Nukem 3D, criticizing its restricted weapon variety and absence of save functionality. Although they acknowledged its level design and enemy implementation positively, Next Generation concluded that it failed to distinguish itself amid numerous PC first-person shooters released during that period.

A 2005 article on 1up.com highlighted that PowerSlave boasted one of the most remarkable 3D engines among all 32-bit era titles.

See also

• Serious Sam, a first-person shooter with a similar Egyptian motif

External links

• (Console edition)
• (DOS edition)
• (Exhumed version)