Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 463 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy Game Cover
Over fifteen years old and originally released on PS2, Xbox and GameCube, Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy has been raised from the dead. A remaster of the game is now available on Switch.
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"Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy" is a 3rd person action-adventure game inspired by Egyptian mythology. As Sphinx, players use an array of skills and special powers to combat mythical monsters and solve puzzles. When stealth is required, players can use the Mummy's unconventional abilities to evade enemies and sabotage. The game features stunning graphics and diverse interactions with creatures, enemies, and allies.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Nintendo Gamecube
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 2
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 463 reviews
story36 positive mentions
stability18 negative mentions
  • Charming designs, abilities, and puzzles that evoke nostalgia for fans of the original game.
  • Engaging gameplay that combines action and puzzle-solving elements, reminiscent of classic Zelda titles.
  • The remaster enhances graphics and performance, making it a visually appealing experience on modern systems.
  • Controls can be clunky, especially when using keyboard and mouse, making gameplay less fluid.
  • Some bugs and glitches persist, including audio issues and occasional freezing, which can disrupt the experience.
  • The save system is outdated, with infrequent checkpoints that can lead to frustrating backtracking after deaths.
  • story95 mentions

    The story of the game is a mix of engaging elements and common tropes, primarily following a hero's journey set against an imaginative backdrop of Egyptian mythology. While many players appreciate the captivating narrative and character interactions, some express disappointment with the pacing and unresolved plot threads, particularly a cliffhanger ending that leaves key storylines unaddressed. Overall, the narrative is seen as enjoyable and nostalgic, though it may lack depth for those seeking a more intricate plot.

    • “The story is very captivating, and truly holds you in as you keep going all the way to the end.”
    • “You don't see many games that explore mythologies of the world in such imaginative ways, that also try to have a serious story in the end.”
    • “Absolutely stunning game world and atmosphere, fun gameplay and an epic story based loosely on Egyptian mythology.”
    • “Things lose cohesion, though, as the story plods along a tired path that doesn't do anything very creative.”
    • “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.”
  • music72 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its outstanding and unique soundtrack, which many players find memorable and fitting for the game's Egyptian theme. While the music enhances the atmosphere and evokes nostalgia, some users noted issues with audio glitches, such as disappearing tracks and overlapping sound effects. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, with many players expressing a desire to own it due to its quality and emotional impact.

    • “The soundtrack is outstanding, very unique and unlike most other games.”
    • “The music is award-worthy, earning spots in my head for songs I can never get rid of.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay72 mentions

    The gameplay of "Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy" is generally well-received, praised for its engaging mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and combat, reminiscent of classic Zelda titles. While many players appreciate the variety between the two playable characters and the intricate level design, some note that certain mechanics can feel clunky or poorly explained, particularly for newcomers. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic experience with solid mechanics, though it is recommended to play with a controller for the best experience.

    • “The overall design of the maps, puzzles, and varied mechanics just makes this game a joy to play... it isn't something you can slap together in a modern game engine without a lot of meticulous design.”
    • “The gameplay isn't difficult to master and guarantees players hours of fun, and the story is interesting to follow even for modern audiences.”
    • “Playing as Sphinx, the gameplay clearly takes a lot from the Legend of Zelda, but the puzzle sections where you play as the mummy are, in my opinion, where the game really shines.”
    • “The only downside is some mechanics can be a bit clunky, like the combat.”
    • “It does have some control problems and I wish that the platforming mechanics were tighter.”
    • “I must admit there are some wonky game mechanics that could be improved or just little changes that would make it overall more enjoyable.”
  • graphics72 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant, colorful, and charming aesthetic, particularly the Egyptian-inspired design. Many reviewers noted that the visuals have aged surprisingly well, with some highlighting the successful remastering that enhances the original graphics while maintaining their artistic integrity. However, a few users reported minor graphical bugs and performance issues, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they may not be flawless in the ported version.

    • “Graphics are beautiful and the story is goofy yet interesting.”
    • “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, combine this with the ugly shading and you have a game that looks like a bad texture pack rather than a remaster.”
  • stability21 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability has improved significantly with the remaster, as many original glitches have been fixed, and it generally runs smoothly at 60 fps, especially on the Steam Deck. However, some users still report occasional audio glitches, minor freezes, and a couple of game-breaking bugs that require restarts, indicating that while the game is largely stable, it is not entirely free of issues. Players appreciate the nostalgic experience but note that certain bugs, particularly related to text and menu functionality, remain a concern.

    • “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!”
    • “I've been running into weird audio glitches (only about twice so far) where the last sound effect will keep playing on repeat until replaced by another.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and entertaining approach, blending puzzle-solving with comedic elements such as absurd situations involving the mummy character. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm and heartfelt memories associated with the game's lighthearted tone, making it an enjoyable experience even after many years. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay, appealing particularly to fans of classic adventure games.

    • “From the quirky humor to the puzzles, there is so much to this game if you look for it.”
    • “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!”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive soundtracks, and unique art design, creating a captivating experience reminiscent of Egyptian landscapes and mythology. However, some reviewers noted that the lack of variety in environments can make the atmosphere feel repetitive over time. Overall, the game's ambiance is considered a standout feature, enhancing both gameplay and storytelling.

    • “I love the music, the atmosphere, the gameplay, and environments.”
    • “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 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 in this game is thicker than the hieroglyphs on a pyramid wall.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be tedious and repetitive, with many puzzles feeling convoluted and lacking creativity. Players often find the need to save frequently after making progress in dungeons to be frustrating, as it can lead to significant setbacks if they die. While some players appreciate the game's nostalgic value and challenge, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a cumbersome aspect of the experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The save points are also often a bit out of the way in dungeons, and regularly having to save after almost any progress in a dungeon is tedious, and neglecting to do so can lose a lot of progress if you then die later on.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The game's optimization for PC is generally considered fair, with ongoing weekly updates addressing bugs and performance issues. However, players have noted that it still feels like a console port, with some experiencing sound stuttering bugs at specific levels. Overall, while it performs adequately, there are noticeable areas for improvement.

    • “With weekly updates to ensure its top quality and optimizations for every bug or issue.”
    • “Emulation basically, without the second layer hit in performance.”
    • “Even though the game isn't well optimized for PC.”
    • “It is optimized fairly well for being a PC port, although you will notice from the start that the buttons are in console format.”
    • “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.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The character development in the game is highlighted by the charming and distinct personalities of the two protagonists, each offering unique playstyles that enhance the gameplay experience. The vibrant setting and excellent character design contribute to a rich atmosphere, making the characters feel integral to the game's narrative and overall appeal.

    • “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 and music are fantastic, the character development feels shallow and uninspired.”
    • “The characters lack depth, making it hard to connect with their journeys.”
    • “Despite the beautiful design elements, the character arcs are predictable and fail to evolve throughout the game.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, recalling fond memories and experiencing joy from its nostalgic elements, such as the title screen music. The game evokes a sense of childhood happiness, making it a cherished experience despite the lack of new content.

    • “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.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect 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 tactics in this game are frustrating and detract from the overall experience.”
    • “It seems like the developers prioritized profit over player satisfaction with their aggressive monetization strategies.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    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 replayability.

    • “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.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return, as side quests feel repetitive and uninspired.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

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Play time

20hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
6-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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