Featured Game of the Week

This week’s featured game is Curse of Mermos, a free game developed as a student project by Team 101.

Why I have chosen it

It’s fun, quirky and looks good.  Also I think the fact it is a student project should be promoted, particularly as the game is actually really good.

Summary of the game

The game starts with an explanation of the main elements of gameplay – combat, strafing and souls, as well as the controls.

You then see your character have a short conversation with Ebo, who is a mummy trapped in this tomb, cursed by Mermos.  He tells you to kill all the monsters in the tomb to help free him.

The game then descends in to fighting off waves of monsters with either your melee or ranged attacks.  Every monster you kill gives you souls which you can use to improve your character over time.

Although a simple enough game to play, I found it very challenging the first time through to stay alive!  Mind you, that’s probably just because I suck…

Despite me being awful at the game, it is really good fun and I highly recommend everyone to check this out.  Download links are further below.

Other things to note

• Cool Egyptian music
• Controller recommended

Strengths

Simple and good fun – reminds me of a simpler version of Torchlight

It is free!

Very good atmosphere

Weaknesses

Harder than I expected

Combat is very simple

Current State and Availability - This game has been developed as a student project and is already available for free on Indie DB and Itch.

Greenlight Link

Game Website

Further Information (from Press Release)

Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. – January 15, 2015 – TEAM101 and the twofour54º Gaming Academy are today releasing Curse of Mermos, the adventure of young Abdu, an Egyptian explorer in search for the lost tomb of Pharaoh Ebo. Curse of Mermos is a free game developed by students.

Curse of Mermos features Abdu, an adventurer searching for fame and fortune in the ruins of Ancient Egypt. One of the greatest mysteries still standing is the location of Pharaoh Ebo, once a great ruler of the land. Abdu is on the brink of a great discovery but he will find out that Ebo’s tomb hides more mysteries than he thought.

Curse of Mermos is a lighthearted hack and slash game with fast paced action and challenging combat. Players wield the Hammer of Horus or shoot the Crossbow of Neith to defeat hordes of monsters in the tomb of Ebo. The game features unlockable abilities and skill upgrades for personalized combat. Special game modifiers allow players to customize each playthrough.

TEAM101 is an indie game development group founded in 2014 in the U.A.E. They strive to add value to the existing Arab game development community and help place the region on the map of international game development.