At first glance, Run From Mummies looks like a typical fast-paced dungeon crawler filled with traps, mummies, and ancient secrets. And it absolutely delivers on that front. But beneath the action lies a cozy sense of discovery, a welcoming basecamp vibe, and a variety of modes that keep you coming back—even after you’ve outwitted the pharaoh. Here’s what makes this game click, what needs polish, and why both casual players and hardcore runners should give it a shot.
Overall Impressions
Run From Mummies blends thrilling action with light puzzle-solving to keep your mind engaged. It feels like a playful mashup of Resident Evil’s corridor tension (without the gore) and Zombies Ate My Neighbors, but drenched in Egyptian flair. The variety truly stands out—you can take it slow in Standard Tour, race in Penny Pinchers, or dive into the chaos of Ascend mode. The pacing starts brisk, but once you master the controls, the game rewards precision and reflexes. If you love sprinting past traps and weaving through danger, this game hits the mark.
Gameplay Mechanics
The controls feel tight and satisfying. You’ll often dodge a trap by inches just as a blade snaps out. While you can play casually, mastering character combos (shoutout to Asuka and Ricardo mains) offers a real skill ceiling. Early levels challenge your timing, but that makes the victory sweeter.
A standout feature is the Fun House in basecamp, packed with minigames like Mummy Blasters—a great way to decompress between runs. Local couch co-op supports up to four players, and online play uses Steam Remote Play Together. It mostly works, though occasional hiccups mean you should plan ahead for group sessions.
Story and Characters
The story doesn’t aim for epic scale—it stitches your runs together with charm. You begin at sunny basecamp, chat with fellow explorers, and follow whispers of the pharaoh’s tomb. Each character brings small lore tidbits, but the real fun comes from exploring. I even found an NPC named after an early backer (hi, Katie)—a delightful nod for Kickstarter fans. The final showdown with the pharaoh may not shock, but it still feels earned.
Visuals and Graphics
The art style is one of the game’s biggest charms. Bright, blocky character sprites mix with detailed hieroglyphic-lined walls and shadowy corridors that really sell the “ancient pyramid” vibe. I love the way torches jitter in the darkness, casting little dancing lights on walls. It’s cartoonish, but not too cutesy—just enough to keep the mood adventurous instead of grim. The UI is polished too: menus have playful icons, tooltips pop up in the corner without blocking your view, and those little loading screens share developer sketches and trivia about Lost Turnip, LLC (the indie team behind the game).
Sound and Music
Run From Mummies has an infectious soundtrack. Drumming percussion kicks in whenever you trigger traps or get chased, instantly boosting your heart rate. Between runs you’ll hear more laid-back tunes in basecamp, a gentle reminder to unwind before diving back in. Sound effects are crisp—the *click* of a pressure plate, the *whoosh* of a descending blade, and the moan of an angry mummy all feel satisfyingly weighted. There’s no voice acting, but character dialogue bubbles and short text quips pack plenty of charm.
Difficulty and Replayability
If you just want to explore, Standard Tour has an easy mode that’s perfect for newcomers. Penny Pinchers tests your speed and timing, letting you bank time bonuses and race toward free tours. Then there’s Ascend with stackable modifiers—Chaos mode, Eclipse (limited light makes you really think about every step), double damage, exploding photographs, you name it. I found myself hopping between modes, chasing medals or just goofing off in the Fun House. The difficulty ramps up nicely without feeling punishing, and those modifiers keep it fresh even after dozens of runs. If you’re someone who gets bored grinding the same levels, the variety here is a big plus.
Developer Trivia and Behind-the-Scenes
Lost Turnip, LLC launched this title after a successful Kickstarter, and you can actually spot backers in the basecamp as NPC cameos. The team has said they focused on polish—UI snappiness, tight controls, and little details like unique minigame unlock animations. They also opted out of a full online lobby to avoid rewriting core systems, which is why co-op leans on Steam Remote Play. It’s a trade-off, but it let them ship a highly polished game without sacrificing performance.
Final Thoughts
Run From Mummies feels both familiar and fresh. It’s fast when you want it, cozy when you don’t, and brimming with neat extras that make every run feel worthwhile. Whether you’re a casual explorer or a speedrun enthusiast, there’s something in those dusty corridors for you.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Run From Mummies is a must-try for fans of light dungeon crawlers, puzzle-runner hybrids, or anyone who enjoys a good co-op challenge. A few minor hiccups with remote co-op keep it from perfection, but the art, music, and sheer joy of discovery make this a treasure worth digging up.
