Video games based on movies usually suck. It is a universal truth we’ve all accepted since the days of E.T. on the Atari. So, when WayForward announced they were making a tie-in for the 2017 Tom Cruise reboot of The Mummy, nobody expected a masterpiece. People expected a rushed, buggy mess designed to squeeze a few extra bucks out of a failing cinematic universe. But then something weird happened. The movie flopped—hard—yet The Mummy Demastered turned out to be one of the best Metroidvanias of the decade.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle.
While the Dark Universe was collapsing under the weight of its own ambition, this 16-bit throwback was quietly perfecting the art of the 2D side-scroller. It didn't try to be a 3D action epic. It didn't try to recreate Tom Cruise’s face with uncanny valley graphics. Instead, it leaned into a retro aesthetic that felt more like Super Metroid or Castlevania: Symphony of the Night than a modern blockbuster. It’s gritty. It’s difficult. And it has a death mechanic that will make you want to throw your controller out the window while simultaneously marvelling at how clever it is.
Why The Mummy Demastered Outlived the Dark Universe
You remember the 2017 film, right? Probably not. It was supposed to kick off a massive franchise featuring Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein’s Monster. It didn’t. But The Mummy Demastered didn't care about the cinematic stakes. It put you in the boots of an unnamed Prodigium soldier. You aren't a superhero. You’re just a grunt with a gun sent into the woods to hunt down Princess Ahmanet.
The game feels heavy. Your character doesn't have a double jump immediately. You can't just dash through enemies. Every encounter with a giant bat or a shambling corpse feels like a genuine threat to your life. WayForward, the developers behind the Shantae series, clearly knew exactly what they were doing here. They swapped their usual bright, bubbly colors for a muted, oppressive palette of deep purples, grays, and sickly greens.
One of the coolest things about this game is the scale. The map is huge. It takes you from the London Underground to clock towers and ancient tombs. Because it’s a Metroidvania, you’re constantly finding gear—grenades, high-jump boots, C4—that lets you backtrack and find secrets you missed. It’s a loop that works. It’s addictive.
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That Brutal Death Mechanic
We need to talk about what happens when you die. In most games, you just respawn at a checkpoint. Not here. In The Mummy Demastered, when your health hits zero, your soldier is gone. They become a zombie.
You wake up as a brand-new recruit at the last save point. But here’s the kicker: your old character is still out there, wandering the spot where they died, and they have all your gear. If you want your high-end weapons and health upgrades back, you have to track down your undead former self and kill them. It’s stressful. There is nothing quite like being a low-level grunt with a pea-shooter trying to take down a fully-kitted zombie version of yourself that is spamming the grenades you worked so hard to find.
It adds a layer of "corpse-run" tension that feels very Dark Souls. It forces you to play carefully. You can’t just rush a boss because if you die, the boss fight gets ten times harder because now you have to fight a zombie soldier and a giant monster at the same time.
The Sound of 16-Bit Horror
A huge part of why this game sticks in your brain is the soundtrack. It was composed by Monomer, and it’s a synthwave masterclass. It doesn't sound like a movie score. It sounds like an abandoned Sega Genesis game found in a haunted basement.
The tracks are moody, rhythmic, and incredibly atmospheric. "Providence" and "The Encampment" are genuine bangers. The music does a lot of the heavy lifting in making the world feel dangerous. Even though the sprites are small, the soundscape makes everything feel massive and intimidating.
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Performance and Platforms
If you’re looking to play this today, you have options. It’s available on:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4 and 5
- Xbox One and Series X/S
- PC (via Steam)
On the Switch, it’s a perfect handheld experience. The pixel art looks crisp on the small screen. Initially, there were some performance hiccups—frame rate drops when too many enemies were on screen—but patches have smoothed most of that out. If you’re playing on PC or a modern console, it runs like a dream.
What Most People Get Wrong About Licensed Games
Usually, a license is a shackle. Developers are told they have to include specific actors or follow a script that doesn't fit a game's pacing. WayForward basically ignored the script. Sure, Ahmanet is the villain, and Prodigium is the organization you work for, but the game is its own beast.
It proves that if you give a talented studio a license and then get out of their way, they can create something that stands on its own. You don't even need to like the movie to love the game. Honestly, it’s probably better if you haven't seen the movie.
There are no microtransactions. No "live service" nonsense. Just a solid 6-to-8-hour campaign that respects your time and challenges your skill.
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Is It Too Hard?
Some critics complained about the difficulty spikes. Yeah, it’s tough. The bosses are huge and have complex patterns. Some of them occupy half the screen. But the difficulty feels fair because the controls are so tight. If you die, it’s usually because you got greedy or panicked.
The zombie mechanic can feel punishing if you die in a hard-to-reach area, but that’s the point. It’s supposed to be a survival horror Metroidvania. It’s not a cozy platformer.
Actionable Tips for New Soldiers
If you’re jumping in for the first time, don't play hero.
- Farm Health Early: Don't ignore the breakable crates. You’ll need every bit of health scrap you can find.
- The Map is Your Friend: If you see a ledge you can't reach, mark it. You’ll get the jump upgrade eventually.
- Save Your Ammo: Your basic rifle has infinite ammo, but the heavy stuff (like the assault rifle or flamethrower) is limited. Don't waste it on bats. Save it for the things that actually want to eat your face.
- Don't Fear the Death Loop: If you die and your zombie is in a spot that’s too hard to reach, it’s sometimes better to explore a different area to find a new weapon before going back for your gear.
The Legacy of a Flop
It’s funny to think that The Mummy Demastered is the only successful part of a multi-million dollar movie franchise attempt. It’s a cult classic now. While the movie is a footnote in Tom Cruise’s career, the game is a staple recommendation in the Metroidvania community.
It’s a reminder that good game design beats big budgets every single time.
If you want to experience it, go find it on a digital storefront. It’s often on sale for under $10. For that price, you’re getting a world-class soundtrack, beautiful pixel art, and a challenge that most modern AAA games are too scared to give you.
Next Steps for Players:
Start by checking the Steam or Nintendo eShop for the latest version of the game. If you’re a fan of physical media, Limited Run Games did a release a while back, though you’ll have to hunt the secondary markets like eBay for those copies now. Once you start, focus on finding the "Transfusion" upgrades first—they increase your maximum health and are the single most important items for surviving the early game. Keep an eye on the ceiling; many of the best weapon upgrades are hidden behind breakable tiles that aren't immediately obvious.