PowerSlave

PowerSlave (known as Exhumed in some regions) is a first-person shooter released in 1996 for MS-DOS by Lobotomy Software. Set in ancient Egypt, the game places the player in the role of an elite special forces operative sent to the city of Karnak, which has been overrun by mysterious supernatural forces. Drawing inspiration from both action shooters and adventure games, PowerSlave distinguishes itself through its exotic setting and strong emphasis on atmosphere.

Unlike many shooters of its era, PowerSlave incorporates light role-playing and Metroid-style progression mechanics. Players gain new abilities over time—such as enhanced jumping, underwater exploration, and powerful magical attacks—which allow access to previously unreachable areas. The level design encourages exploration and backtracking, creating a sense of cohesion and discovery uncommon in mid-1990s FPS titles.

Built on Lobotomy Software’s proprietary SlaveDriver engine, PowerSlave was technically advanced for its time, featuring smooth performance, detailed environments, and dynamic lighting effects on MS-DOS systems. Combined with its eerie sound design and mythological themes, the game has earned a lasting cult following and is often regarded as one of the most innovative and underrated shooters of its generation.