Death's Head Hole

Based upon the Death's Head Hole system of caves in Lancashire, England, the player's team of spelunkers from the Mendip Rescue Organization must race against time to rescue three stranded cavers. At the beginning of each expedition the player can choose a set of standard equipment, or can take up to 25 items from lighters, lamps, food, ladders, ropes, shovels, aqua kits, and buckets. The player has limited turns until flash floods approach, and the rescuers have limited fitness and lights which are drained by all activities underground.

The rescuers can travel north, south, east, or west, and will encounter different terrain as they travel. They can also listen at any point to see if the stranded cavers are nearby. Travelling through unstable terrain or falling into chasms can cause rescuers to perish. Fitness can be replenished with food, and lights can be replaced with new batteries. Equipment can be used to traverse flooded sections or bail out pools to travel. Ropes and ladders are required to pass certain unstable terrain safely.