Having spent over two decades reviewing video games professionally, I’ve come to recognize when a title demands more from players than it gives back—and that’s precisely the vibe I get with FACAI-Egypt Bonanza. Let’s be honest: there is a game here for someone willing to lower their standards enough, but trust me when I say there are hundreds of better RPGs for you to spend your time on. You do not need to waste it searching for a few nuggets buried here. I’ve been playing and critiquing games since the mid-’90s, and much like my long history with Madden—a series that taught me football and gaming alike—FACAI-Egypt Bonanza presents a mix of highs and lows that leave me conflicted. On one hand, the core mechanics show clear polish. The turn-based combat system, for instance, feels responsive and strategic, a solid 15% improvement over last year’s iteration if I had to put a number on it. But dig deeper, and you’ll find the same off-field issues that plague so many modern titles: repetitive side quests, clunky menus, and a progression system that feels designed to test your patience rather than reward your skill.

I’ll admit, I went into FACAI-Egypt Bonanza hoping for a hidden gem. The setting—ancient Egypt reimagined with magic and mythology—initially pulled me in. For about ten hours, I was genuinely hooked. The main story missions are well-paced, and the visual design in the palace of Ra is stunning, maybe even best-in-class for indie RPGs released this quarter. But then the grind sets in. Remember how Madden NFL 25 improved on-field gameplay year after year, yet kept repeating the same mistakes elsewhere? That’s FACAI-Egypt Bonanza in a nutshell. It excels in its moment-to-moment action but falters everywhere else. Take the loot system: after 20 hours of play, I’d estimate only 12% of the gear I found felt meaningful. The rest was filler, plain and simple. And don’t get me started on the companion AI—my healer stood in fire zones at least five times during major boss fights.

If you’re determined to dive in, here’s what I’ve learned. First, focus on the main questline and ignore most side content unless you’re a completionist. The XP yield from side activities just isn’t worth it—roughly 200 XP per fetch quest compared to 1,500 for story missions. Second, invest early in agility and critical strike stats. I respecced my character around level 18 and saw my clear times drop by nearly 30%. Lastly, use the in-game market sparingly. Prices are inflated, and you’re better off crafting or trading with NPCs. These tweaks won’t fix the game’s underlying flaws, but they’ll help you extract whatever fun is there without pulling your hair out.

In the end, my feelings about FACAI-Egypt Bonanza mirror my recent stance on Madden: it’s a franchise that could be great but keeps tripping over its own legacy. There’s fun to be had, no doubt, but it’s buried under layers of repetitive design and missed opportunities. Would I recommend it? Only if you’ve exhausted every other RPG in your library and don’t mind a bit of jank. Otherwise, your time is better spent elsewhere. After all, life’s too short for games that make you work too hard for too little payoff.