In a world where movie tie-in games have a reputation for being as appealing as a soggy sandwich left out in the sun, *The Mummy Demastered* manages to rise from the coffin and walk again. Developed by the brilliant minds at WayForward Technologies, this pixel-art Metroidvania offers a refreshing take on an otherwise mediocre film, because what's better than a video game that makes you forget how bad the latest Hollywood blockbuster was?
Buckle your seatbelt for a wild ride because *The Mummy Demastered* puts you in the shoes of a Prodigium soldier. Your mission? To fend off the evil Princess Ahmanet and her undead minions throughout a sprawling tomb. Picture this: you die. You respawn. But wait! You respawn as a zombified version of your last character! It's like a twisted game of hide and seek... with yourself! The game explores classic Metroidvania elements - you traverse a large interconnected map, unlock new abilities, and discover various secrets hidden within the desolate corridors of the tomb. Each upgrade is like receiving a really cool trophy for being less terrible at your job than you were before... except they don't have that 'terrible' part included. You also have the option to choose your own ending based on your success in escaping the collapsing tomb, which is like the cherry on top of the undead cake. Just remember, this isn't a cake that actually tastes good, more of an 'interesting' dessert, if you will. Make choices wisely, or risk dying a million times in pursuit of that elusive perfect run!
Visually, *The Mummy Demastered* is surprisingly charming. It embraces pixel art with open arms as if it's hugging a vintage game poster. The environments feel rich and detailed, thanks to WayForward's attention to art design, which shines through even when the game gets pixelated. It feels like you're traversing through a Romero film that was lightly animated by a very enthusiastic intern who really loves nostalgic 16-bit graphics. You'll be transported back in time, where movement felt like a dance, and every enemy encounter was like stepping on LEGO bricks with your bare feet but... you know, in a more pleasant way.
Overall, *The Mummy Demastered* proves that not all game adaptations of films need to adhere to the mandates of their cinematic counterparts-sometimes, they can even outshine them. Despite some minor flaws, like frustrating jumps or the occasional pixelated hiccup, the game serves up a delightful Metroidvania experience with enough charm to keep you coming back for just one more round against Ahmanet and her undead crew. Is it a 10/10 experience? Probably not, but in a world where most movie tie-ins run away from critics faster than a mummy in a miniskirt, *The Mummy Demastered* stands as a deserving play for fans of the genre. If you enjoy your adventures with a side of nostalgia, feel free to dig up this hidden gem and give it a try... just be ready to deal with some serious bandage management!