Ankh Heart of Osiris is not your typical adventure game. Not only are the game?s characters over the top and verging on crazy, but none of them takes their role seriously, which creates a comical atmosphere throughout the game. Heart of Osiris is the second game in the Ankh series, continuing the story where the first game left off. The comical adventure takes a new turn when Assil, the game?s main character, wakes up in a dark alley to find that his Ankh, which he is to protect, is missing. The wacky journey to find the Ankh takes players all over a slightly modernized version of Cairo, solving quirky puzzles and meeting strange, but humorous, townsfolk.

From the onset, the game contains sexual references both in text and speech. These references aren?t explicit, but could be deemed as inappropriate. Some of the female characters are also given skimpy clothing comparable to the dress of the saltine?s daughter, Jasmine, in Disney?s animated film, Aladdin. There are several quests and references to alcohol in Heart of Osiris, going as far as requiring players to help the wine seller create a proper mixed drink.

For being such a short game, Ankh has quite a bit of profanity taking the form of variations of phrases involving the words hell and d***. The game is also sacrilegious at times, referencing God as a burning bush, which is displayed as a wimpy, barren bush with voice to match. Moses is also referenced and happens to be a star soccer player in the game and is portrayed in a more positive light.

Ankh Heart of Osiris is a more enjoyable adventure game than most due mainly to its interactive and entertaining characters. The game takes a lighthearted approach where many games in the industry take on a darker storyline. Even with some minor graphical problems, the game is still fully playable. The game?s storyline definitely caters to a younger audience; but due to content, parents need to be aware of the content to which their children will be exposed.

» By Stephan Mack, Plain Games. Published 5/5/2007 6:36:06 PM.