Let me be honest with you—I've spent more time digging through mediocre RPGs than I'd care to admit. We've all been there, scrolling through endless digital storefronts, hoping to stumble upon that one hidden gem. But here's the hard truth I've learned after two decades in gaming journalism: sometimes, the "hidden treasure" isn't worth the excavation. That's exactly the dilemma we face with FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, a game that markets itself as an archaeological adventure but feels more like digging through sand with a teaspoon. I've played roughly 150 RPGs over my career, and I can say with confidence that this isn't where you should invest your 40-60 hours.
The parallel that immediately comes to mind is my long relationship with Madden NFL. I've been playing that series since 1995—back when John Madden himself was still providing commentary—and reviewing it professionally for twelve years. Just like Madden NFL 25 showed us last year, some games perfect their core mechanics while completely neglecting everything else. FACAI-Egypt Bonanza falls into this exact trap. Its excavation mechanics are genuinely innovative, with a physics-based digging system that had me genuinely excited during the first two hours. The problem? That's where the innovation ends. Everything surrounding that core gameplay—the storytelling, character development, side quests—feels like it was developed in 2008 and never updated.
What frustrates me most is seeing the same issues year after year, whether we're talking about annual sports titles or supposed "hidden gem" RPGs. In Madden's case, it's the neglected franchise mode and predatory microtransactions. With FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, it's the repetitive tomb design and laughable AI companions who can't pathfind their way out of a paper bag. I tracked my playtime meticulously—by hour 15, I'd encountered the same "puzzle chamber" layout seven times. By hour 25, I'd stopped counting. The game's marketing claims "over 100 unique tombs," but my experience suggests maybe 15-20 actual designs with minor variations.
Here's where I differ from some reviewers—I actually think there's a solid 10-hour experience buried here. The problem is finding it requires sifting through 30 hours of filler content. The economic system is particularly egregious; I calculated that upgrading your primary tool to maximum would require approximately 47 hours of grinding unless you purchase the "Time Saver" microtransaction pack for $14.99. This isn't just poor design—it's disrespectful to players' time. We've seen this pattern before in games like 2017's Shadow of War, and it remains just as frustrating today.
If you're determined to play this despite my warnings, here's what I learned through painful trial and error. Focus entirely on the main story quests until you reach level 15—the side content before that point gives negligible rewards. Save all your currency for the "Anubis' Blessing" pickaxe rather than wasting it on temporary buffs. Most importantly, play with the minimal HUD settings—the default interface is cluttered with so many microtransaction prompts that it actively detracts from the atmospheric environments the artists clearly worked hard on.
Ultimately, my advice mirrors what I've started telling Madden fans questioning their annual purchase—sometimes the healthiest relationship with a game series means walking away. There are at least two dozen better archaeological RPGs released in the past three years alone that deserve your attention more. FACAI-Egypt Bonanza isn't fundamentally broken, but it's the video game equivalent of a pyramid scheme—promising vast riches while delivering mostly empty chambers. After 35 hours with it, I uninstalled with more relief than satisfaction, and that's perhaps the most telling review metric of all.
