# Orthanc

> Classic 1970s graphic dungeon crawl RPG with touchscreen controls. (iPhone/iPad app by Paul Resch.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orthanc/id6499106909 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Paul Resch](https://appshunter.io/developer/1742447716)
- Category: Games, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2024-05-06
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orthanc/id6499106909/reviews.md

## What is Orthanc?

This game is a faithful recreation of "Orthanc", one of the first graphic dungeon crawl role-playing games developed for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's PLATO computer in the 1970s. The original was played on a PLATO terminal with a keyboard. (The PLATO version of "Orthanc" was inspired by "pedit5", which you can learn more about in Wikipedia.) The original PLATO terminals used plasma panels only capable of displaying orange and black. There is no sound. This implementation uses the touchscreen for all gameplay.

You are an adventurer gaining experience and treasure by defeating monsters.

Orthanc is easy to start but hard to put down.

## Key features

- Faithful recreation of a 1970s RPG
- Dungeon crawl gameplay
- Monster combat and treasure hunting
- Touchscreen controls
- Inspired by early computer games

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orthanc/id6499106909/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Game over in less than a minute

*2025-05-02*

Not sure what the point of this game is. I give it credit for the simple interface, it works well enough. But you make a character, go fight some monsters, and die within a few fights. Maybe that was fun in the 70’s I guess.

### 5/5 — Really Fun!

*2024-06-12*

Super fun, my dad played it when he was a kid, I see why he likes it. Definitely would recommend if you want a simple dungeon crawler!

### 5/5 — Blast from the past

*2024-05-20*

Great port!  Thanks for the nostalgia.  Need cheat codes.  Haha.

## Frequently asked questions about Orthanc

### What is Orthanc?

Orthanc is a faithful recreation of a classic 1970s graphic dungeon crawl role-playing game originally developed for the PLATO computer system. It features monster combat, treasure hunting, and a challenging gameplay experience.

### What devices does Orthanc support?

Orthanc is available on iPhone and iPad devices, offering a classic RPG experience on the go.

### Does Orthanc have sound or graphics beyond orange and black?

No, this implementation is designed to be a faithful recreation of the original PLATO version, which had no sound and only orange and black plasma panel displays. Gameplay is controlled via the touchscreen.

### How often is Orthanc updated?

The latest version is 1.4, and the app was last updated on January 29, 2026. This indicates a recent development cycle for the game.

### What is the age rating for Orthanc?

Orthanc has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players interested in its classic gameplay.

### Is Orthanc free to play?

Yes, Orthanc is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements, providing an uninterrupted classic gaming experience.

### What are the gameplay mechanics in Orthanc?

Players take on the role of an adventurer, gaining experience and treasure by defeating monsters within a dungeon environment. The game uses touchscreen controls for all gameplay actions.

### How does Orthanc compare to modern RPGs?

Orthanc offers a simplified, retro experience focused on core dungeon crawl mechanics, unlike modern RPGs which often feature complex narratives, extensive customization, and advanced graphics.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4 — 2026-01-29

Breadcrumb dots are cleared when monsters respawn on a level.

### 1.3 — 2025-12-05

Adjust spell handling to align with documentation (only level 4 spells work on monsters of class "animated").

### 1.2 — 2024-07-06

Show a tiny dot for all locations visited in the dungeon on the auto-map.
Handle creation of a new dungeon correctly.

### 1.1 — 2024-06-08

Minor performance improvements.

### 1.0 — 2024-05-07

No release notes.

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## More apps by Paul Resch

- [Shanghai Mah-Jongg](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shanghai-mah-jongg/id6499107374)

All apps by Paul Resch: https://appshunter.io/developer/1742447716

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*