Once in a while, a good game is released that completely slips under everyone’s radar. This was the case of Sphinx and The Cursed Mummy when it was first released in 2003. The third-person action-adventure game was pretty well-received but somehow, it just didn’t track with a lot of gamers. This really must have gotten to THQ Nordic as the publisher reached into its catalog and recently re-released it for the Nintendo Switch with a fresh coat of paint. But is this HD port worth playing in 2019? The answer is yes!
Sphinx and The Cursed Mummy plays out like any third-person action-adventure game you would expect from the early 2000’s. The gameplay is one half 3D-era Legend of Zelda titles and another half Donkey Kong 64; yes, you read that right. Each half by the game’s playable characters. While the title suggests Sphinx is the hero of the story and the Cursed Mummy is nothing more than a sidekick, both characters share the spotlight equally providing two distinct styles of gameplay.
Sphinx prefers to tackle his challenges the tried-and-true way. His dazzling swordplay, puzzle-solving skills, even the way he opens are shuts doors are all very Ocarina of Time. As expected, he acquires new tools and gadgets that help get passed the game’s myriad of puzzles. But the one item Sphinx will use the most is his incredibly boss Egyptian light-saber. The Mummy, unlike our sword-wielding hero, has violence inflicted upon him as he journeys through ancient temples. His success comes through collect-a-thon type gameplay that call to mind classic platforming titles like – you guessed it – Donkey Kong 64. Sphinx and The Cursed Mummy is clearing taking some inspiration some of the best in the business. And while it isn’t as groundbreaking or memorable as the classics, it’s pretty darn good in its own right. It’s a shame though, as those unavoidable comparisons do as much harm to it as it does good.
Sphinx treads on some rather mediocre ground. His swordplay is a bit shallow with not much to it. There’s no lock-on feature as far as I can tell and the ability to stun-lock most enemies with the mash of a single button makes the it all seem just a bit trivial. As for his puzzle sections, it’s pretty standard (i.e. super simply) for a game of its era. If Sphinx was the game’s sole character, the result would be a slightly below average Ocarina of Time clone. And while Sphinx is paired with a pretty sweet adaptive soundtrack in combat (complete with orchestral jumps that play as you strike enemies) it all feels a bit flat. Fortunately we have the Mummy sections where the game really shines.
In stark contrast contrast to his non-undead counterpart, the Mummy’s levels are clever and creative. His animations ooze with personality, and his levels are full of great verticality and thoughtful interconnected-ness. He’s since he’s already dead, nothing can really kill him. In fact, pain is a big part of the puzzle-solving pleasure as you have no choice but to subject yourself to all sorts of otherwise deadly trappings in order to proceed. An early puzzle in the game forces you to electrocute yourself so you can carry that newfound electrical charge to power a piece of machinery. I don’t want to spoil the rest of the torture here, but I found myself laughing out loud at the physical comedy at times.
From a visual design perspective of the game is very ambitious and sticks to its ancient Egyptian motif almost to a fault. At times there are simply too many sandy browns and tans on the screen, but I suppose there’s only so many colors to choose from when it comes to old pyramid paintings. In terms of sound, the game’s slapstick physical comedy of the Mummy really left we yearning for some voice acting. It would have been goofy in the best way. But what we have are weird interjection noises and animal sounds… because, well, much of the supporting cast is an animal.
As a port to the Nintendo Switch, Sphinx and The Cursed Mummy runs pretty smoothly. There are some PC-style graphics settings, but I’d recommend keeping them default. The only thing I do recommend is fiddling with the field of view; it just looks a little better keeping it old school. I’m thankful for the Switch’s suspend function, because the game’s save points are pretty far apart. Some of the gameplay feels a little dated, but as a whole the game has aged pretty well. It tickles the nostalgia gland too, so if Breath of the Wild as too far-flung and futuristic from Ocarina of Time for you, this might satisfy a certain itch.
Priced at a modest $29.99, Sphinx and The Cursed Mummy is well worth it. If you never got a chance to experience it when it was first released, don’t miss your chance. For those of you that are familiar with the title, I highly recommend reliving the memory of this forgotten gem.
A review key was provided by Evolve PR for the Nintendo Switch.
