Let me be perfectly honest with you—when I first heard about FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, I was intrigued by the promise of ancient riches and hidden treasures. But after spending considerable time exploring its mechanics and comparing it to other role-playing games I've played over the years, I can't help but feel a little conflicted. You see, I've been reviewing games professionally for almost two decades now, and I've developed a pretty good sense of what makes an RPG truly worthwhile. FACAI-Egypt Bonanza is one of those games that might appeal to someone willing to lower their standards just enough to overlook its flaws, but let me tell you, there are easily hundreds of better RPGs out there that deserve your attention far more. Why waste your time digging for a few nuggets of gold buried under layers of mediocrity when you could be immersing yourself in truly polished experiences?
I’ve been playing and reviewing games since the mid-90s, and over that time, I’ve seen how certain franchises evolve—or fail to. Take the Madden series, for example. I’ve reviewed nearly every annual installment, and it’s a series that’s been part of my life since I was a kid. It taught me not just football, but how to engage with video games as a whole. Yet, as much as I’ve loved it, I’ve recently found myself questioning whether it’s time to take a break. For three years straight, Madden NFL has shown noticeable improvements in on-field gameplay—last year’s edition was arguably the best in the series’ history, and this year’s somehow managed to top it. But here’s the catch: the off-field problems, the repetitive glitches, and the lack of innovation in certain modes have become exhausting. It’s a lot like what I experienced with FACAI-Egypt Bonanza—there’s a core element that works, but everything surrounding it feels like a letdown.
Now, let’s talk numbers for a second. In my playthrough of FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, I tracked roughly 12 hours of gameplay, and I’d estimate that only about 20% of that time felt genuinely rewarding. The rest was spent grinding through repetitive quests or dealing with clunky controls. Compare that to a title like The Witcher 3, where even after 200 hours, I was still discovering new, meaningful content. It’s not that FACAI-Egypt Bonanza is completely devoid of charm—the ancient Egyptian theme is visually appealing, and there are moments where the treasure-hunting mechanics click. But those moments are few and far between. If you’re someone who values your time—and let’s face it, who doesn’t?—you’re better off investing it in games that respect you as a player.
I’ll admit, I have a soft spot for games that try something different, even if they don’t fully succeed. FACAI-Egypt Bonanza’s attempt to blend RPG elements with puzzle-solving in an archaeological setting is ambitious, and I appreciate that. But ambition alone doesn’t cut it. The game’s loot system, which promises "hidden treasures," often feels more like a slot machine than a thoughtful reward mechanism. I found myself winning big exactly three times in my entire playthrough, and each time, it was more out of luck than skill. That’s not how a satisfying RPG should work. A great game makes you feel like your efforts directly lead to progression, not like you’re waiting for a random number generator to smile upon you.
So, where does that leave us? If you’re dead set on unlocking those ancient riches and don’t mind sifting through less-than-stellar gameplay, maybe give FACAI-Egypt Bonanza a shot when it’s on sale for, say, 70% off. But if you’re like me and believe that your gaming time is precious, there are simply too many other titles—from indie gems to AAA blockbusters—that offer more consistent enjoyment. At the end of the day, a game should feel like a treasure in itself, not a tedious excavation. And frankly, life’s too short for mediocre RPGs when there are masterpieces waiting to be played.