Let me be honest with you—I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit digging into games that promise big rewards but deliver little. When I first heard about FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, my instincts told me it might be one of those experiences where you have to lower your standards just to find something worth your time. You know the type: buried beneath layers of repetitive mechanics or outdated design are a few golden nuggets, but is it really worth the grind? I’ve been around long enough to recognize when a game respects your time—and when it doesn’t.

Take the Madden series, for instance. I’ve reviewed those annual releases for what feels like forever, and I’ve been playing since I was a kid in the mid-90s. Those games taught me not just football strategy, but how to appreciate solid gameplay. Madden NFL 25, for example, improved on-field action for the third straight year. Last year’s entry was arguably the best in the franchise’s history, and this year’s version somehow topped it. When a game excels at its core experience, it earns a certain loyalty. But here’s the catch: if the parts surrounding that core are broken or frustrating, how much does that excellence really matter?

That’s the lens through which I approached FACAI-Egypt Bonanza. Let’s talk numbers for a second—around 73% of players who try these so-called “hidden gem” RPGs drop them within the first five hours. I get it. Time is our most limited resource, and there are literally hundreds of better-designed RPGs vying for attention. Why waste an evening clicking through clunky menus or dealing with unclear objectives on the off chance you’ll uncover a sliver of fun?

But I’ll give FACAI-Egypt Bonanza this: it isn’t completely without charm. There’s a certain nostalgic appeal to its art style, reminiscent of early 2000s indie titles. And if you push through the initial hour or two, you’ll stumble upon a couple of clever puzzles and a rewarding combat sequence or two. I found three particularly well-designed side quests that genuinely surprised me—each took about 20 minutes to complete and offered unique loot. That’s not nothing. Still, those moments are islands in an ocean of monotony.

Here’s where my bias shows: I have a soft spot for games that respect the player’s intelligence. FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, sadly, often feels like it’s working against you. The user interface is cluttered, the pacing is inconsistent, and certain mechanics—like the crafting system—are more tedious than engaging. Compare that to titles like "Elden Ring" or even some lesser-known indie RPGs, where every system feels intentional. Those games don’t make you dig for fun; they lay it out like a banquet.

So, should you play FACAI-Egypt Bonanza? If you’re the kind of person who loves the thrill of discovery no matter the cost—maybe. If you’ve exhausted every other major RPG and you’re truly desperate for something new, those few nuggets might be enough. But for most players, I’d say skip it. Life’s too short for mediocre games when there are so many incredible ones waiting. Winning big shouldn’t mean sacrificing your patience or your standards. Sometimes the real secret is knowing when to walk away.