Return Of Egypt

Return of Egypt Review: A Surprising Castlevania Homage That Hits Most Marks

Overview

Return of Egypt emerges as an unexpected gem that captures the essence of classic Castlevania titles while carving its own identity in ancient Egyptian mythology. Despite some technical limitations and content gaps, this freeware adventure delivers satisfying exploration and combat that will delight fans of the genre. The game's strongest advocates praise its atmospheric design and nostalgic gameplay loop, while critics primarily note its short runtime and occasional rough edges. What it lacks in polish, it makes up for in heart and faithful execution of the Metroidvania formula.

A Love Letter to Castlevania

At its core, Return of Egypt functions as a passionate tribute to Konami's legendary franchise, particularly drawing inspiration from Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. The 2D side-scrolling action feels immediately familiar yet fresh thanks to its Egyptian setting. Players control Rania Gadishu, a Moses-like figure complete with staff and flowing white beard, who battles through intricately designed temple environments filled with mummies, demons, and supernatural creatures. The combat system emphasizes strategic staff strikes and well-timed dodges, creating satisfying encounters that reward precision.

The progression system shines through acquired abilities rather than traditional loot drops. As Evil Wraith notes:

Rania learns to dash, heal himself, summon different magical attacks and more. Whoever liked the castlevania series will also like this game - it's incredibly similar to the original.

Evil Wraith

This ability-gated exploration creates that classic "aha!" moment when new powers unlock previously inaccessible areas, maintaining the series' signature exploration-reward loop.

Atmospheric World Building

Where Return of Egypt truly excels is in its evocative environmental design. The pixel art brings ancient Egyptian architecture to life with impressive detail, from crumbling sandstone corridors to ornate burial chambers. Though some visual inconsistencies exist between areas, the overall aesthetic creates a cohesive sense of place that complements the mythological premise. The soundtrack further enhances the immersion with haunting melodies that wouldn't feel out of place in a classic Castlevania title.

The game smartly places save points and health-restoring stations at strategic intervals, preventing frustration during difficult segments. As Pixie observes:

This game is well designed, with save and HP/MP restoring points strategically placed, so if you do die, you won't have to redo too much of the game.

Pixie

Boss encounters stand out as particular highlights, featuring screen-filling monstrosities that demand pattern recognition and quick reflexes. These battles provide the adrenaline-pumping climaxes that genre fans crave.

Shortcomings in Scope and Polish

The game's most consistent criticism centers on its limited scope and occasional jank. Multiple reviewers note the surprisingly short runtime, with Kenny lamenting "the relatively short time this game takes to play through." This brevity feels particularly noticeable given the absence of traditional RPG elements like collectible weapons or armor sets. The inventory screen hints at unused item slots, suggesting either cut content or future expansion possibilities.

Technical presentation also shows some cracks. While not game-breaking, the Japanese dialogue (an odd choice for an Egyptian setting) creates narrative barriers. Vampier captures this sentiment: "if it would be in English it would be even better." Some graphical assets appear noticeably lower quality than others, creating visual dissonance in otherwise beautifully crafted environments. These limitations remind players of the game's freeware origins, though never completely undermine the experience.

Verdict

Return of Egypt succeeds as a loving homage that understands what makes the Metroidvania genre compelling. Its satisfying progression system, atmospheric Egyptian setting, and well-crafted boss battles overcome technical limitations and content gaps to deliver an experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh. While its short runtime leaves players wanting more, the game's freeware status makes it an easy recommendation for Castlevania enthusiasts seeking a solid genre entry with unique flavor.