Trax (video game)

Trax is a maze strategy video game originally developed by Don Rawitsch and published by Avalon Hill in 1981 for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit family, and TRS-80 computers. It was later ported to the Commodore 64.

The game challenges the player to navigate a single "Roller" (a ball) through a maze filled with obstacles and enemies. The player controls the Roller's movement to collect treasures and ultimately reach the exit. Success depends on planning the Roller's path and managing its limited energy.

Key features of Trax include:

• Maze Navigation: The game's core gameplay revolves around strategically navigating complex mazes. Players must avoid hazards such as walls, force fields, and enemy patrols.
• Resource Management: The Roller has a limited energy supply. Players must collect energy tokens scattered throughout the maze to replenish this supply and avoid running out of power.
• Enemy Avoidance: Various enemy types patrol the mazes. Players must learn their movement patterns and avoid contact to survive. Some enemies can be destroyed with power-ups.
• Level Design: Trax features a series of increasingly challenging levels. Each level presents a unique maze layout with new obstacles and enemy configurations.
• Collectibles: Treasures can be found in each level, providing bonus points and increasing the player's overall score.

Trax is known for its challenging gameplay and strategic depth, requiring careful planning and precise execution to succeed. It represents an early example of the maze-solving genre, influencing later games with similar mechanics. While not a massive commercial success, it retains a cult following among fans of classic strategy games.