Alchemist's Apprentice

The alchemist is away at his association's convention, and you, his apprentice, try to turn as many stones into gold as you can and hide it before he comes back. Each turn something happens at the cauldron: a spell that works for 10 gold, and maybe 10 more if you dare; one that half works for a few stones; a counterspell learnt; time wasted; a hungry monster; or you turn yourself into an animal. After most events you may start cleaning up, which ends the game with the gold you have. Push your luck too far and the alchemist walks in, takes it all and gives you a beating, and a monster can also eat you. The gold pile grows on the workshop floor. A high score and a games count are kept.

Controls: Use either controller. The stick chooses an answer and a button gives it.

ColecoVision version credited in the source to Claude (an AI made by Anthropic) for Amy Studio, in Amy, the language by Amy Bienvenu, 2026: a reimagined adaptation of the published rules. From Ahoy! No. 29, May 1986, page 79: original Commodore 64 program by Cheryl Peterson. Printed as the example program in a Cadet's Column on structured BASIC programming (for the C-64, C-128 and Plus/4). This is a modern homebrew adaptation, not a commercial Coleco release.