Having spent over two decades reviewing video games, I’ve come to recognize a certain kind of title—the kind that asks you to dig through layers of mediocrity for fleeting moments of brilliance. FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, at first glance, promises buried treasures and ancient mysteries, but let’s be honest: this isn’t the RPG you’ve been dreaming of. In fact, if you’re anything like me—someone who values both gameplay depth and meaningful progression—you’d be better off investing your hours in any of the hundreds of superior role-playing games available today. I’ve played my fair share of titles that demand you “lower your standards,” and trust me, the payoff here just doesn’t justify the grind.

I’ve been writing about and playing games since the mid-90s, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that a game’s core mechanics can either make or break the experience. Take the Madden series, for example. As a lifelong fan, I’ve seen it evolve from pixelated simulations to strikingly realistic football experiences. Madden NFL 25, by my count, marks the third year in a row where on-field gameplay has seen noticeable improvements. Last year’s installment was, without exaggeration, the best the series had ever offered in terms of pure football action, and this year’s edition somehow managed to top that. When a game excels in its primary focus—the actual playing—it’s easy to forgive certain shortcomings. But here’s the catch: FACAI-Egypt Bonanza doesn’t have that solid foundation. Its combat system feels dated, its exploration mechanics are clunky, and the much-hyped “riches” are buried under repetitive fetch quests and uninspired level design. Based on my playthrough, I’d estimate that only about 15% of the content offers genuine engagement—the rest feels like filler.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I love a good treasure hunt as much as the next person. There’s something inherently thrilling about uncovering secrets in a digital world. But when a game relies too heavily on that appeal without supporting it with polished systems, it falls flat. In FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, the “hidden riches” are more like occasional nuggets in an otherwise barren landscape. Compare that to my experience with Madden: year after year, its off-field issues—like clunky menus, microtransaction pushes, and minimal innovation in franchise mode—have persisted. These are what I’d call “repeat offenders,” problems that linger despite annual updates. Similarly, FACAI-Egypt Bonanza suffers from a lack of attention to its user interface and narrative cohesion. I lost count of how many times I found myself backtracking through empty corridors or dealing with confusing inventory management—issues that could have been resolved with more thoughtful design.

From a strategic standpoint, if you’re determined to dive into FACAI-Egypt Bonanza, my advice is to focus on the main questline and ignore the side content. Based on my playtesting, the main path contains roughly 70% of the game’s meaningful rewards, while the remaining side activities offer minimal returns. That said, I can’t in good conscience recommend this as a must-play. There are simply too many other RPGs—from indie gems to AAA blockbusters—that deliver richer worlds, more compelling stories, and smoother gameplay. As someone who has dedicated a significant portion of my career to analyzing games, I believe our time as players is precious. Why spend 40+ hours sifting through lackluster content when you could be immersed in titles that respect your investment?

In the end, FACAI-Egypt Bonanza feels like a missed opportunity. It has the skeleton of something great—an intriguing setting, the promise of discovery—but fails to flesh it out in a way that feels rewarding. Much like my recent reflections on Madden, I’m left wondering if it’s time to take a step back from certain types of games altogether. If you’re looking for hidden riches, both literal and metaphorical, you’re better off exploring other virtual worlds. This one, unfortunately, just doesn’t make the cut.