Horror and mythology movies offer the best of both worlds for history buffs and horror lovers. And when you do your research, there’s hardly a shortage of them. Taking something as popular as mythology and transforming it into something unique is an art in itself, and there are plenty of movies that have pulled this off. We look at The Mummy (1999) and its strong influence on gaming.
We’re not talking about the latest Tom Cruise reboot from 2017. We’re talking about the classic one. The one from 1999 that features our beloved Brendan Fraser. It was a commercial success, what with its awe-inspiring Egyptian setting and horror-fueled adventure.
This movie throws some horror elements into the mix. There’s a scene in the movie that involves live mummification. And while it’s certainly a gruesome concept that has you nail-biting, it’s also a direct acknowledgment of the culture of ancient Egypt. Mummification was a prominent part of ancient Egyptian life, so this scene blended the horror and mythology aspects perfectly together.
Imhotep, the main villain in the movie, makes his first appearance in nail-biting fashion. With Rick O’Connell’s (Brendan Fraser) stunned reaction, you see Imhotep without his eyes or tongue – it makes for a pretty unsettling image that’ll satisfy classic horror fans.
This stylish blockbuster certainly contributed to a newfound obsession with ancient Egypt. The influence of this historical period is particularly prominent within the entertainment industry, as countless sectors, such as video gaming and online casinos, have gone on to create titles eerily similar to that of The Mummy…
Let’s consider, for example, the Book of Dead slot by Play’n GO. This is one of the most acclaimed titles on the slot game market, which is evidenced by the fact there are so many offers and promotions attached to the title. For example, players can benefit from perks like casino free spins no deposit. This is just one of the reasons that the Book of Dead franchise, especially this ancient Egypt-inspired title, is massively popular with players.
The title is part of the highly engaging adventure/horror genre, has a riveting narrative, an alluring protagonist (Rich Wilde), and plenty of competitive prizes. You’ll also notice how there are glaring similarities with The Mummy, including the likeness of the titular character, who’s wearing practically the same outfit as Rick O’Connell!
Meanwhile, in the console gaming arena, titles like Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation, Arcana Sands Of Destiny, and Assassin’s Creed Origins have allowed keen players to enjoy ancient Egypt. From battling fierce monsters to solving mysteries or exploring the open-world, sandy setting, these titles are merely an ode to one of the best examples of a mythology-based horror movie we’ve seen in the last few decades.
Assassin’s Creed Origins was released in 2017 and still receives updates to this day. Sporting a stunning open world, the overall premise of the game is certainly a haunting one, and the tombs that you can explore throughout the game aren’t for the faint of heart as you traverse your way through snakes and crocodiles that’ll provide you with some jump scares.
The success of The Mummy is a testament to the perfect mixture of horror and adventure – with moments of flirtatious charm and comedy thrown in for good measure, too. The success of this blockbuster has meant that it’s gone down in the books as an iconic title in the ancient Egypt-related media canon. However, The Mummy has also defined itself as a major influence on video and casino games that remain popular today.
