Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy

About

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy is a single player role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by THQ Nordic and was released on November 10, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Sphinx and The Cursed Mummy is an original 3rd person action-adventure inspired by the mythology of ancient Egypt. Travelling the world via magical portals to foil the evil plans of Set. Sphinx's Journey will require all his wits, agility, and special powers. He will also rely on his reluctant hero friend, The Mummy, to help when being inconspicuous is the only solution. By finding the stolen magi…

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Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 502 reviews

story38 positive mentions

stability18 negative mentions

Nostalgic experience that brings back childhood memories for many players.
Charming graphics and engaging gameplay that combines action and puzzle-solving elements.
Well-designed puzzles and a unique dual-character system that keeps the gameplay fresh.

Controls can be clunky, especially when using a keyboard and mouse instead of a controller.
Some bugs and glitches persist, including issues with saving and audio.
The game can feel dated in terms of mechanics and pacing, with some players finding it frustrating.

story
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The story of the game is generally well-received, praised for its creativity, engaging Egyptian mythology, and the dual narrative of two protagonists that intertwine. While some players find the plot enjoyable and nostalgic, others criticize it for being simplistic, with a rushed ending and unresolved plot threads. Overall, the game offers a captivating adventure that appeals to both younger and older audiences, despite some inconsistencies in storytelling.
- “They've really done an amazing job with the story, graphics, visuals, music, and just the overall presentation.”
- “The story is well-crafted, mixing humor with adventure in a way that appeals to both younger players and adults alike.”
- “The story is very captivating, and truly holds you in as you keep going all the way to the end.”
- “Some parts are inspired, some parts are tedious, and don't expect much from the plot - this was clearly intended to launch a franchise and it ends with a lot of loose ends.”
- “Especially toward the end of the game, the plot feels rushed, like someone just ran out of time, and strung things together with the thinnest possible threads.”
- “I am disappointed some characters just disappear from the story and never given a reason why; you either assume they were killed or just became so unimportant they had no use for them.”
gameplay
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
51%
4%
The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, praised for its engaging mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and exploration reminiscent of classic titles like The Legend of Zelda. Players appreciate the introduction of new mechanics and the distinct playstyles of the two main characters, Sphinx and the Mummy, although some mechanics can feel clunky and certain puzzles lack depth. Overall, while the game shows its age, it offers a fun and nostalgic experience with a charming world and solid gameplay, making it a worthwhile adventure for fans of the genre.
- “I love the mystery, the gameplay, and the fact that the game doesn’t hold your hand.”
- “Each new area introduces interesting mechanics and items that expand your capabilities, making exploration consistently rewarding.”
- “The gameplay is amazing and still holds up after all of these years.”
- “But my main reason for not rating it higher, even though it's a competent experience, is that mechanics are sometimes displayed once and never used again. Rewards in the game are usually uninteresting, and you can anticipate what will be given. What is deemed the 3rd and 4th chapter by the achievements are much shorter than the other two and feels like the game was paced well at the start but speeds up and finishes quickly nearer the second half, which is especially a shame when the game at the start introduces a lot of new locales and makes the world feel larger than it ends up being.”
- “I must admit there are some wonky game mechanics that could be improved or just little changes that would make it overall more enjoyable.”
- “Slow gameplay is boring gameplay.”
graphics
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charm, vibrant colors, and overall visual appeal, especially in the remastered version that enhances the original's aesthetic. Many reviewers noted that the graphics hold up well even compared to more recent titles, showcasing a beautiful Egyptian-inspired art style and impressive animations. However, some users pointed out minor graphical bugs and performance issues, suggesting that while the visuals are generally stunning, there are areas for improvement in the port's execution.
- “This beautifully remastered version of the 2003 classic delivers crisp visuals while maintaining all the charm of the original.”
- “The graphics still look phenomenal even compared to games from the PS3-X360 era, and it easily looks like it could have been released around that time as opposed to the PS2 days.”
- “Stunning visuals, charming character animation, and fantastic story.”
- “The controls and visuals did not age well.”
- “However, the high level of graphics causes the game to freeze quite frequently, and this is not typical on my PC as it runs other next-gen games on 11 GB of RAM very smoothly.”
- “Swyter did implement original art assets, but these clash horribly with the low-resolution art that is still from the PS2. High-resolution source artwork was lazily pasted onto the game world with no thought of how it looks next to a texture made for a console with 32 MB of RAM, combining this with the ugly shading results in a game that looks like a bad texture pack rather than a remaster.”
music
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its outstanding quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players praising its unique and memorable soundtrack that fits the Egyptian theme perfectly. However, some users have reported technical issues, such as music cutting out or overlapping, which can detract from the experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, with many players expressing a strong emotional connection to the music.
- “The soundtrack is outstanding, very unique and unlike most other games.”
- “The music is amazing as well.”
- “The soundtrack is just awe-inspiring, absolutely magnificent and fits the Egyptian theme down to a T.”
- “You're gonna hear the same pieces of music over and over.”
- “Music will often disappear, making me have to exit the game completely and reboot it for it to come back, not really stopping you from playing but can take you out of the game to near nothing but the sound effects.”
- “Sometimes after an hour or two of playing the game, the music soundtrack in the background will stop playing and it will sometimes have weird audio noises and hiccups.”
stability
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
Overall, the game's stability has received mixed feedback. While many players appreciate the improvements made in the remaster, noting that it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck with a solid frame rate, some still encounter occasional glitches, including game-breaking issues and audio bugs. Despite these problems, the game remains enjoyable and is expected to receive further patches to address the reported issues.
- “The port itself is perfect, 60 fps, no glitches at all.”
- “It runs great; I've never seen the fps counter go below 60, and it looks amazing.”
- “An engaging platformer from the PS2 era that runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “Beware though, there are two game-breaking glitches that require you to restart your entire game.”
- “Great game from my childhood but the game is buggy. The text doesn't show all the time and pieces of my sentences become blacked out by a square. If I'm getting an item, I definitely will not see the text about it. The picture also bugs out and I can't look at the options menu; the picture always freezes and becomes distorted. This happens on the main menu too, please fix this!”
- “Update: I have experienced some more freezes. These are rare and last for about half a second each time it happens. Not sure as to the exact cause; it's a minor nuisance and something I can see genuinely affecting other players who may understandably not be so lenient towards issues such as these.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is a standout feature, blending quirky and heartfelt moments that resonate with both younger and older players. Its well-crafted story and entertaining puzzles, often involving humorous mishaps, contribute to an addictive and enjoyable experience. Overall, the humor remains fresh and engaging, even years after its initial release.
- “The story is well-crafted, mixing humor with adventure in a way that appeals to both younger players and adults alike.”
- “Great adventure game with a lot of funny and quirky personality.”
- “As the mummy, it is highly emphasized on puzzle solving, but in a funny and entertaining manner; from being set on fire, electrocuted, squished into a paper-thin version of yourself, or even cut into three mummies!”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be tedious and repetitive, with many players finding the puzzles convoluted and lacking creativity. While some appreciate the nostalgic value and challenging gameplay, others feel that the grind detracts from the overall experience, especially due to inconvenient save points and a lack of engaging plot. Overall, the grinding is seen as a mixed bag, with some enjoying the challenge while others find it frustrating.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Most of the puzzles are overly tedious, convoluted, and just not interesting or inventive but have a ton of steps that need to be done in one specific order.”
- “Just solve annoying tedious puzzles for the sake of it and mash attack.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
11%
22%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive soundtracks, and unique art and level design, creating a breathtaking experience that enhances gameplay. However, some users noted that the Egyptian landscapes and themes can become repetitive over time, suggesting a desire for more variety in the atmosphere. Overall, the game's ambiance is considered a standout feature, especially for its time of release.
- “Beautiful atmosphere, soundtrack, and character design.”
- “The art/level design and atmosphere put into this game is amazing and so well done; you can take a screenshot almost anywhere and it'll have a completely unique vibe and be gorgeous.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is breathtaking, especially considering this game was released in 2003 when most games on average didn't look or play that well compared to this.”
- “- The world is great, but the magic of Egyptian landscapes and ancient temples does wear off; a little more variety in atmosphere would've gone a long way, because most of the game feels very samey.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is breathtaking, especially considering that this game was released in 2003, where most games on average didn't look or play that well compared to this.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The character development in the game is highlighted by its charming protagonists, each with distinct playstyles that enhance the gameplay experience. The unique setting and excellent character design contribute to a vibrant atmosphere, making the characters memorable and engaging within the context of the game's ancient Egyptian myth-inspired world. Overall, the combination of solid character design and diverse gameplay mechanics enriches the character development aspect significantly.
- “A colorful setting based on ancient Egyptian myths, fine character designs, wonderful music, simple yet effective puzzles, decent platforming, and two charming protagonists with completely different playstyles help make this game a very unique trip.”
- “Beautiful atmosphere, soundtrack, and character design.”
- “During its original release, it boasted a unique setting, excellent character design, generally solid controls, and a refreshing gameplay loop thanks to it swapping between the sphinx's typical 3D adventure sections and the mummy's puzzle sections.”
- “While the art, music, and level design are impressive, the character development feels shallow and uninspired.”
- “The characters lack depth and their growth throughout the game is minimal, making it hard to connect with them.”
- “Despite the game's strong visuals, the character arcs are predictable and fail to engage the player emotionally.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some users note that it runs well without significant performance hits typical of emulation, others report sound stuttering issues, particularly at specific levels. However, the developers are actively addressing bugs and performance concerns through weekly updates.
- “With weekly updates to ensure its top quality and optimizations for every bug or issue.”
- “Even though the game isn't well optimized for PC.”
- “Other reviewers have mentioned sound stuttering bugs; I hadn't experienced any of these until I reached the level where you play as Tut and must find the moon, sun, and earth planetarium keys.”
- “Emulation basically, without the second layer hit in performance.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is criticized as a "lazy quick cash grab" by THQ Nordic, with users suggesting that the port lacks the quality and care of the original, prompting them to recommend playing the PS2 version instead.
- “This port is an insult to the original game and feels like a lazy quick cash grab by THQ Nordic.”
- “The monetization strategy is frustrating and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “It seems like the developers are more focused on making money than delivering a quality game.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, recalling fond memories and joy triggered by its nostalgic elements, such as the title screen music. The experience evokes a sense of childlike wonder, highlighting the game's ability to resonate on a personal level.
- “This game holds so many heartfelt memories within me that just launching the game and hearing the title screen music made me laugh with joy.”
- “I didn't get much in terms of new video games, but I did get something that made me feel like a big kid.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
The game offers solid replay value, appealing particularly to fans of classic action-adventure platformers, despite some buggy behavior. Players appreciate the effort put into enhancing the game's playability and visuals, contributing to its overall enjoyment.
- “Despite the game's buggy behavior, it has solid replay value and is a great fit for anyone who enjoyed playing older action-adventure platformer games.”
- “I really appreciate the effort that went into restoring the game into a more playable and better-looking experience.”
- “Despite the game's buggy behavior, it has solid replay value and is a great fit for anyone who liked to play older action-adventure platformer games.”

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68%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Sphinx and The Cursed Mummy Review Switch – Unwrapping the Past
Powerup-gaming.com
68%

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20h Median play time

17h Average play time

6-25h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy is a role playing game with fantasy theme.

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 17 hours playing Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy.

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy was released on November 10, 2017.

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy was developed by THQ Nordic.

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy is a single player game.

Similar games include Ty the Tasmanian Tiger, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Beyond Good & Evil, Alice Madness Returns and others.

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