Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy

"This game is FANTASTIC"

Introduction: Recently released for the Playstation 2, this game unfortunately fell by the wayside as people rushed out to get Prince of Persia: Sands of Time instead. I hope to change a few minds about that decision.

Gameplay: Fantastic. The game can be quite fast paced. It is an action/platformer, sort of like Jak and Daxter, but a bit more action oriented and story driven. There are many puzzles to solve and mini games to play. As you progress through the game, you get additional abilities and weapons to use. This is a game that is simple enough to attract people who don't normally play action/platformers, yet engaging enough to keep even the most die-hard fans of the genre coming back for more. Camera control has very few glitches, mostly those shared by other games of this type. In tight spaces, it is hard to get the camera behind the character, but other than that, it is pretty smooth.

Story: The story is quite good. You play the part of Sphinx, a demi-god of ancient Egyptian legend. In the beginning of the game, Sphinx tries to acquire the Sword of Osiris, giving him the ability to battle hordes of monsters that lie between him and his ultimate goal, the defeat of the dark god Set. Throughout the game, you switch back and forth between Sphinx and Tutankhamen the Mummy, each with a destiny intertwined with the other. Sphinx travels the world outside Uruk Castle, while the Mummy has to unravel the mysteries within the dark fortress. As the game progresses, each character uses his unique abilities to unlock items and information that will help the other reach his ultimate goal. The Mummy has no weapons other than himself, but it is quite amusing how the puzzles are set up, having to set himself aflame, or becoming electrocuted for a short time to solve the puzzles before him. The interaction between Sphinx/Mummy and other NPC's is well done, yet brief. Overall, the story is compelling enough to keep you coming back for more.

Graphics and Sound: Both are fantastic. The visuals in this game are stunning. Sphinx is quite a cool cat and the graphics flow smoothly from regular gameplay to battles to cut scenes. The music sets the tone quite well. This is not a game you will mute to play something on cd instead. The Mummy is quite animated, humorous and quirky. Sometimes I make him jump from a high cliff just to see him splat and get right back up...

Play Time/Replayability: This game can be finished in a little over thirty hours, or could go on as much as fifty if you want to get 100% completion. Because of the compelling storyline and the overall fun of the gameplay, it has a high replayability value.

Final Recommendation: Buy this game. It is a great title, and a wonderful addition to any collection. Buy it NOW!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/14/03