Step into the shoes of a young magician apprentice with dreams of joining the prestigious Council of Wizards in the enchanting land of Lattice and marrying his beloved sweetheart, Popopa.
However, achieving these aspirations won’t be a walk in the park. Our hero must embark on a perilous journey to collect mystical crystals on behalf of the formidable wizard chief, Terexin. Thus begins the epic adventure, where career and love intertwine.
A Magical Platformer
Hocus Pocus is an action-packed platform game that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Take control of the young magician as you run, jump, and climb your way through levels teeming with all sorts of monstrous adversaries. Along the way, Hocus will stumble upon a myriad of magical potions, each with its unique powers.
Some will mend his wounds, while others bestow extraordinary abilities, such as a super-jump for reaching new heights or a devastating laser shot for a more potent offense.
Unveiling the Magic of Hocus Pocus
Released in 1994, Hocus Pocus is a side-scrolling platformer that took the gaming world by storm. Developed by Moonlite Software and published by Apogee Software for MS-DOS, this game features stunning 256-color VGA graphics, 360-degree scrolling, and captivating parallaxing backgrounds.
Part of the game is available under the shareware license, allowing players to get a taste of its enchanting world.
In this captivating adventure, you’ll guide Hocus through 36 challenging levels divided into four episodes, with nine levels in each. These levels are infested with over 30 diverse types of monsters, including mischievous imps, haunting ghosts, and fearsome dragons.
At the culmination of each episode, a formidable boss awaits, testing your magical prowess and skills.
A Tale of Magic and Love
Despite its release coinciding with a movie of the same name, it’s important to note that Hocus Pocus, the game, is not related to the film in any way. The game kicks off with an engaging narrative:
Terexin, a formidable mage and leader of the Council of Wizards, reveals that the power of magic in the Land of Lattice is harnessed within potent crystals that resonate when brought together. To prove his worthiness for Council membership, Terexin assigns Hocus Pocus, our young wizard protagonist, the quest to collect these crystals and unlock greater magical potential.
As an added incentive, Hocus is promised the hand of his beloved Popopa, who also happens to be Terexin’s daughter.
Throughout his perilous journey, Hocus encounters a plethora of strange and sometimes perilous creatures, including mummies, bats, and even Eskimos. Terexin, appearing in holographic form, offers guidance and advice to the player, ranging from solving intricate puzzles to whimsical anecdotes about his beard.
Upon vanquishing Trolodon, the magical realms become considerably safer for travel. Hocus Pocus successfully completes his apprenticeship and ascends to the coveted Council of Wizards. As the story concludes, our hero marries his beloved Popopa, becoming known as Mr. and Mrs. Pocus.
Unveiling the Wizardry
Speculation and intrigue surround the game’s conclusion, with some suggesting that Trolodon may have been Terexin in disguise. After all, the player never catches a glimpse of the mage beyond his holographic representation, and both mages don similar robes and beards.
Surprisingly, instead of gratitude, Terexin appears somewhat spiteful towards Hocus, unable to fathom that a seemingly insignificant dropout wizard could defeat a formidable mage like Trolodon.
Conclusion
Hocus Pocus is a captivating journey of magic, adventure, and love. With its charming storyline, challenging gameplay, and enchanting graphics, it has rightfully earned its place among the classics of the platformer genre. So, why wait? Embark on this mystical adventure, collect the crystals, and join Hocus Pocus on his quest for love and wizardry.
Harness the Magic, Defeat the Darkness, and Win Love’s Reward in Hocus Pocus!
Play Hocus Pocus Anywhere
The enchanting world of Hocus Pocus awaits you not only on your desktop but also on your mobile and tablet devices. Experience the magic wherever you go and play Hocus Pocus online, in a web browser!