Lacking originality but still worth your time. Think Resident Evil meets the Mummy and you pretty much got it.
The Eye of Isis’s atmosphere does a great job in reminding you that the game takes place somewhere is the early 1900’s, with periodically correct weapons and items (well, most of them). The characters dress and talk in a convincing manner, and are all well voiced.
The starts out like so many other Survival Horror games, with the main character Derian entering a spooky looking museum, all alone at night (maybe not the wisest of choices), looking for a lady friend of his, Victoria. Soon enough he discovers that the museum has been overrun with the undead, and little by little a family secret is uncovered.
The gameplay itself is pretty standard; you collect various items, such as keys and health, and basically explore the environment for the next clue or cut-scene that will allow you to carry on with the game. Speaking of exploring, one thing that really takes a huge chunk of fun right out of the game is the map. There is no way of knowing where anything is, and you will find yourself wondering around the whole museum (or any other environment for that matter) just to find the right door for the right room, and match the right key. The only things you can go by are in-game signs that direct you to the main rooms of the level, which are mostly useless.
One other thing that is broken in Curse is the controls; if you don’t own a gamepad I’d suggest you get one before you play the game. The keyboard-only interface is so uncomfortable it’s almost impossible to play the game without one.
One gameplay element where the game shines is the saving mechanism; from time to time this large fallow name Abdul with pop out in specific rooms to allow you to save your game and store some of your items (since there is a limit to how much you can carry). Although it’s a bit odd for him to appear in a room you had to fight countless zombies and mummies to reach, most of the time you’ll be grateful to see him (and for the chance to save your game).
Another nice touch is the fact that from time to time the control will switch over from Derian to Victoria, and you get to play her. Unfortunately the gameplay experience is pretty much the same with both characters, but it’s a nice treat for the eyes.
Let’s talk graphics. For a game that came out in 2003, “Curse: the Eye of Isis” look really out dated, with characters that move more like robots and no physics whatsoever, the game is no eye candy. Even the combat is clunky and awkward. Maybe it has to with the fact that it’s a straight port from the Xbox. Whatever the reason, two years ago the game would have felt right at home.
The sound in Curse is the only department in which there is no much to complain about; the only with wrong with it is the music you get every time you open up the inventory. It can drive you insane in a matter of minutes, and since you open up the inventory quite a lot during the game, it can get really annoying. Other then that everything is great; the voices are good, the in-game soundtrack does a fine job, and the sound-effects are well made.
The major drew back of “Curse: the Eye of Isis” is the lack of any replay value. Since you can’t choose which main character you’ll get to play during the different levels, and the straight forward gameplay, you won’t need a second run; after the first time it’s pretty much done for.
Bottom line is, “Curse: the Eye of Isis” is a fun game with a few set backs, but worth playing. If you can get your hands on a copy, you should take the time and check it out.