Description
A typical adventure game in the Myst-style (static rendered backgrounds that switch as you take each 'step'), Riddle of the Sphinx places you in the role of a close friend of Sir Gil Blythe Geoffreys, an archaeologist who as recently uncovered some remarkable finds about the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx. His discoveries have doomed him with a curse, however, and its your duty to right the wrongs he has uncovered. Taking place in the near future (after the Egpytian Antiquities Organization apparently closed off the sites to the public), you will uncover secrets that have been buried for ten millenia.
Rendered in 3-D, the game tries to reasonably copy the sites and monuments surrounding the Sphinx and the Pyramids of the Giza Plateau, allowing you to explore the area without ever leaving your chair, much less sweat out the heat of the desert. Gameplay consists of moving the cursor around, taking note of the highlights that can be selected, which include walking in directions and picking up/using items. Occassionally, you'll be treated a Quicktime VR panoramic scene that will allow you to freely turn and look around, but the majority of the game is static views that allow you to take 'steps' of varying sizes in different directions. Those familiar with games like the original Myst should feel at home.
The puzzles are fairly easy to an experienced gamer and the game tends to emphasize exploration of well-rendered ancient Egyptian structures and their passageways, both real and fabricated.
Alternate Titles
- "Загадка Сфинкса" -- Russian Title
Part of the Following Groups
User Reviews
The Press Says
| UHS (Universal Hint System) |
Feb 20, 2001 |
 |
100 |
| Just Adventure |
2000 |
A |
100 |
| Computer Games Magazine |
Feb 02, 2001 |
 |
80 |
| Adrenaline Vault, The (AVault) |
Jan 18, 2001 |
|
80 |
| Adventure Gamers |
Jan 06, 2005 |
|
80 |
| GameZone |
Dec 27, 2000 |
7.5 out of 10 |
75 |
| GameSpot |
Jan 18, 2001 |
7.4 out of 10 |
74 |
| Quandary |
Jan, 2001 |
 |
70 |
| Adventurearchiv |
Jun 21, 2001 |
65 out of 100 |
65 |
| IGN |
Jan 19, 2001 |
5.3 out of 10 |
53 |
Forums
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Trivia
Much of the history the game mentions early on, from Edgar Cayce's predictions to the habit of the Egyptian authorities to close down foreign investigations of structures just when those involved feel they are near a breakthrough are historically accurate. (The latter is most probably done for preservation of the ancient buildings, rather than any attempt to hide some deep, dark secret.)
Those interested with much of what the game entails may want to further investigate the works of such New Age 'pyramidologists'. It should be noted, however, that such is based on very limited evidence and much speculation and is therefore frowned upon by conventional investigators.
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Although they couldn't be entered into MobyGames' database as such, there are some additional credits in the manual:
Created by:
God
Special Thanks to
Jesus Christ
This entry to the MobyGames database was contributed by
Ray Soderlund (3509) on Dec 17, 2000.
