The tomb's many levels are filled with traps, dangerous animals, Aztec guards and other hazards. Equipped with a machete, a pistol and sticks of dynamite, the player must recover the jadeidol and escape the tomb. The player encounters snakes on occasion as well as a giant man eating plant if he keeps going to lower levels. Aztec generates a random dungeon for each new game. Before beginning play, the game prompts the player to select a difficulty level from one to eight. Increasing the game's difficulty boosts the number and aggressiveness of the enemies the player will face, but also increases the reward they'll gain from retrieving the idol. The shorter the time to obtain the idol, the higher the reward, in dollars; higher difficulty levels begin the countdown higher. If too much time elapses, it's possible to get a message about the idol being damaged and not worth much anymore. Each level in the tomb is shown from the side, with three floors and steps often connecting the levels and floors, with piles of bones and debris scattered along the floor. Searching these piles, or the occasional box or chest, the player may discover such items as: a pistol, ammunition, a machete, dynamite, health potions, the remains of the Professor Von Forster, or The Idol. The dynamite sticks may either be used as a weapon or to blow up walls and floors. At lower levels, more dangerous foes can be found, some of which may capture the player, or confiscate items and lead the player into a pit. Enemies can also cause the player to fall down to the next level when on the bottom floor. Some rooms contain pits with various traps, such as moving walls, ceilings or flooding water. Once the idol has been found, the player must make it back up all the way, and escape outside with it. If the player dies, the game allows them to resume from the last level they were in. Players can also resume a game from a previous session. Every new game features a different set of eight random-generated levels.
Reception
Softline in 1983 called Aztec "no ordinary arcade or adventure game", stating that "the controls, game design, and animation are good examples of the state of the art in Apple arcades". Video magazine described the game as "a 'must buy' for Apple-ites", praising its variety, challenge, and its "straightforward system that uses single keystrokes" to communicate orders. Tom Jones reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World, and stated that "When Aztec's few faults are balanced against some of the best action graphics and general designs now available, the latter definitely win hands down." Electronic Games called the game's user interface "remarkably clean and logical", stating that because of the random dungeons "excitement remains keen through game after game". Aztec received a Certificate of Merit in the category of "Best Computer Adventure" at the 5th annual Arcade Awards.
