Mummy Sandbox
- October 8, 2021
- z_bill
"Mummy Sandbox" is an open-world survival game set in ancient Egypt. Players must gather resources, craft tools, and build shelter to survive while battling mummies, mythical creatures, and other dangerous enemies. The game features a dynamic weather system, day and night cycles, and a richly detailed world to explore.
Reviews
- Mummy Sandbox offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience that combines digging mechanics with point-and-click puzzle-solving.
- The game features charming visuals and a delightful soundtrack that enhances its surreal atmosphere, reminiscent of retro gaming.
- Despite its short runtime, the game successfully evokes a sense of progression and discovery, making it a fun way to spend an hour.
- Many players felt that the full release lacked substantial new content compared to the demo, leading to disappointment.
- The game is quite short, with some reviews noting that it can be completed in under an hour, which may leave players wanting more.
- Some mechanics and puzzles can be confusing or unclear, resulting in moments of trial-and-error that may detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique blend of point-and-click puzzle-solving and block manipulation mechanics reminiscent of early Minecraft, creating a fun and straightforward experience. Players navigate through evocative vignette spaces, engaging with quirky themes and humor while experimenting with various mechanics in a compact, hour-long adventure. The game successfully combines simplistic execution with a distinctive aesthetic and cohesive logic, making it an intriguing and enjoyable experience.
“The gameplay is fun and straightforward: point and click puzzle-solving mixed with a block placing/destroying mechanic that reminds me a lot of the fun of the original Minecraft alpha, being plopped into a small space full of dirt blocks you can remove and, eventually, replace, giving it a very zen garden-like quality as you experiment with how to progress.”
“It’s an hour-long experience that successfully mixes gallows humor and meaty 2D pixels with light Minecraft gameplay, and it's a sequel to the red mummy that you can play on itch.io for free.”
“Gameplay is unique in theme, but extremely simplistic in execution.”
“Another important detail to its gameplay cycle is to go with the flow of its logic.”
“Everything about it is a little strange, from the story and presentation to the mechanics, but in a way that feels cohesive; it makes sense that a game that looks like this would also have you digging up corpses and throwing things at them.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a unique blend of cartoony 2D art and voxel models, creating a charming and distinct aesthetic reminiscent of the PS1 era. While the visuals are generally well-received for their humor and creativity, some users noted occasional glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the art style and environments contribute positively to the game's appeal.
“This tone is further cemented by a delightfully gonzo art style that pairs cartoony 2D drawings with voxel models combined with a soundtrack made up of simple, yet rich, loops which make every area feel distinct.”
“I found it a bit humorous and loved the visuals.”
“The game offers some nice graphics and environments; although there are some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same and has a really great aesthetic.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The art style is inconsistent, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
“While the hand-drawn art has its charm, it often feels rough around the edges and detracts from the overall experience.”
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its retro-style, catchy synth loops that enhance the distinctiveness of each area. Reviewers appreciate the delightful combination of the soundtrack with the game's unique art style, noting that it contributes significantly to the overall experience. Overall, the music is described as enjoyable and a standout feature of the game.
“This tone is further cemented by a delightfully gonzo art style that pairs cartoony 2D drawings with voxel models combined with a soundtrack made up of simple, yet rich, loops which make every area feel distinct.”
“Finally, the music really is very good.”
“Also, the music in this is flippin' great.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during gameplay.”
“I found the soundtrack to be quite bland and forgettable, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The audio design feels outdated, and the music doesn't match the game's atmosphere, leading to a disjointed experience.”
- story5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The story is quirky and somewhat abstract, beginning with the player as a "meaty bandage" and involving themes of exploration and puzzle-solving in a sandbox environment. While it may be more coherent for those familiar with its predecessor, 'the red mummy,' the narrative unfolds through linear puzzles and culminates in a boss fight, delivering an uplifting message at the end. Overall, the unique presentation and mechanics contribute to a cohesive, if unconventional, storytelling experience.
“The story ends with a [spoiler] boss fight [/spoiler] and leaves you with a nice inspirational message.”
“The story, for what it is, makes a bit more sense if you play 'The Red Mummy', as this does appear to be a series of sorts.”
“Everything about it is a little strange, from the story and presentation to the mechanics, but in a way that feels cohesive; it makes sense that a game that looks like this would also have you digging up corpses and throwing things at them.”
“You dig around sandboxes and incrementally get more abilities, while solving linear puzzles to progress the story.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively blends gallows humor with engaging 2D pixel art and light Minecraft-style gameplay, offering a humorous experience that is both visually appealing and enjoyable. As a sequel to "The Red Mummy," it maintains a playful tone throughout its hour-long playtime, available for free on itch.io.
“It’s an hour-long experience that successfully mixes gallows humor and meaty 2D pixels with light Minecraft gameplay, and it's a sequel to the Red Mummy that you can play on itch.io for free.”
“I found it a bit humorous and loved the visuals.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a subtly ominous tone that maintains a surreal quality without crossing into genuine horror, distinguishing it from similar titles.
“The game creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you on edge.”
“Every location feels alive, with a rich ambiance that enhances the storytelling and immerses you in the world.”
“The overall atmosphere is always slightly ominous, but never scary; it's surreal, but not a genuine fever dream, like some of its competitors.”
“The game tries to create a haunting ambiance, but it often feels more bland than eerie.”
“While the visuals aim for a dark and moody setting, they ultimately fall flat, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game effectively immerses them in the emotional experience of embodying a morally ambiguous character, such as a corrupt politician, evoking strong feelings related to themes of deceit and ethical dilemmas.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While the game features appealing graphics and environments, players have reported occasional glitches that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the aesthetic remains enjoyable.
“The game has a lot of potential, but frequent crashes and bugs make it frustrating to play.”
“I love the concept, but the constant freezing and lagging ruin the experience.”
“While the visuals are impressive, the stability issues are a major drawback that need to be addressed.”