Let me be honest with you from the start—I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit digging into games that promise hidden treasures but often deliver disappointment. That’s exactly the vibe I got when I first booted up FACAI-Egypt Bonanza. Sure, it’s got that shiny exterior, the kind that lures you in with promises of ancient riches and big wins. But here’s the thing: there’s a game here for someone willing to lower their standards enough, and trust me when I say there are hundreds of better RPGs—or in this case, treasure-hunting titles—for you to spend your time on. You don’t need to waste it searching for a few nuggets buried here. I’ve been playing and reviewing games for over two decades, much like how I’ve followed Madden’s annual releases since the mid-’90s. Those games taught me not just the rules of football, but how to spot when a title is coasting on nostalgia rather than innovation. And FACAI-Egypt Bonanza? It’s coasting.

Now, don’t get me wrong—the core gameplay loop isn’t a total loss. If you focus purely on the mechanics of uncovering artifacts or solving puzzles in the desert temples, it’s… fine. In fact, I’d say it’s improved marginally since its last update. Think of it like Madden NFL 25, which, for the third year running, has seen noticeable improvements on the field. Last year’s Madden was the best I’d seen in the series’ history, and this year’s managed to outdo that, at least in gameplay. Similarly, FACAI-Egypt Bonanza’s in-game actions—digging, decoding hieroglyphs, avoiding traps—are polished enough to keep you engaged for a session or two. If a game’s going to excel at one thing, it better be the core experience, right? Here, that’s passable, maybe even enjoyable if you’re new to the genre. But as someone who’s played roughly 50 similar titles over the years, I can’t help but feel underwhelmed.

The real issue, though, lies off the field, so to speak. Just like Madden’s recurring problems with menus, microtransactions, and repetitive modes, FACAI-Egypt Bonanza is plagued by flaws that feel like repeat offenders. The user interface is clunky, forcing you to navigate through endless screens just to access basic features. I timed it—on average, it takes about 12 seconds to load the inventory menu, which is absurd in 2023. Then there’s the monetization. The game pushes you toward in-app purchases from the get-go, with “bonanza boosts” costing anywhere from $2.99 to $19.99. I’d estimate that to unlock all the hidden treasures without grinding for weeks, you’d need to shell out at least $60, which is basically the price of a full AAA game. And let’s not forget the bugs. In my playthrough, I encountered three crashes and a glitch that reset my progress on a puzzle I’d spent 45 minutes solving. It’s frustrating, to say the least.

So, is it worth your time? Well, if you’re a casual player looking for a distraction, maybe. But if you’re aiming to “win big” as the title suggests, you’ll need patience and a high tolerance for repetition. Personally, I’d recommend skipping this one unless you’re deeply invested in Egyptian themes. There are simply better options out there—games that respect your time and intelligence. After all, life’s too short to dig through virtual sand for mediocre rewards.