Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes vs Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.


Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes is a 1992 fantasy RPG where you control four heroes on a mission to stop the evil arch‑mage Bronagh and save the world of Kalynthia. The game blends a 2D top‑down overworld with 3D real‑time dungeon crawling reminiscent of Dungeon Master, offering a sandbox feel and plenty of side activities beyond the main quest. The interface lets you travel to towns by clicking symbols for services like healing or hints, while combat is point‑and‑click: select a weapon or spell, then click the monster, with cooldown timers after each use. This mix of exploration, party management, and real‑time action creates a deep, nostalgic adventure for solo players.
Set in the exotic Al-Qadim world, you play the youngest son of a noble merchant, seeking fame, fortune, and the hand of the Caliph's daughter. Guided by the Master Corsair Sinbar, you explore hidden isles, battle sea serpents, and master unique combat moves. The game features a slant-overhead view, improved engine, and AD&D 2nd Edition rules, delivering a blend of role‑playing depth and semi‑arcade swordplay for a single‑player experience on Linux, PC, and Mac.
- Rich open‑world exploration
- Blend of 2D and 3D perspectives
- Simple yet engaging point‑and‑click combat
- Deep party customization
- Rich Arabian-themed world
- Semi‑arcade combat adds tactical depth
- Cross‑platform support
- Engaging single‑player storyline
- Dated graphics may not appeal to modern eyes
- Limited UI feedback during cooldowns
- No multiplayer or co‑op options
- Graphics are dated by modern standards
- Limited to a single character class
- Combat moves are few compared to modern RPGs
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Alternatives to Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth are classic 1990s single‑player RPGs, but Abandoned Places offers a party‑based open world with 2D/3D mix, while Al‑Qadim focuses on an Arabian‑themed solo adventure with cross‑platform support.
Key differences
- •Perspective: Abandoned Places uses 2D top‑down overworld + 3D dungeons; Al‑Qadim uses a slant‑overhead view throughout.
- •Party vs solo: Abandoned Places lets you control four heroes; Al‑Qadim is limited to a single character class.
- •Setting/theme: Abandoned Places is generic fantasy; Al‑Qadim features an Arabian‑inspired world and creatures.
- •Combat style: Abandoned Places has simple click‑to‑attack with cooldowns; Al‑Qadim uses a semi‑arcade system with learnable techniques.
- •Platform support: Al‑Qadim explicitly runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS; Abandoned Places only notes classic early‑90s PC hardware.
Gameplay & fun factor
Party of four and open‑world exploration give Abandoned Places broader tactical variety.
Platform availability
Al‑Qadim lists Linux, Windows, and macOS support; Abandoned Places only mentions classic PC hardware.
Price & value
Abandoned Places MSRP $49.99; Al‑Qadim price not specified, so no direct comparison.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only.
Content & replayability
Abandoned Places includes side quests, hidden items, and a large overworld; Al‑Qadim is a single story campaign.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both have dated UI/graphics; each has different limitations (cooldown feedback vs limited combat moves).
Graphics & performance
Both are described as dated by modern standards.
Choose Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes if…
Players who want a classic fantasy party RPG with open‑world exploration.
Choose Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse if…
Players who prefer an Arabian‑themed solo adventure and need modern OS compatibility.
Common questions
What is the cost of each game?
Abandoned Places lists an MSRP of $49.99; Al‑Qadim’s price is not specified in the provided data.
Can I play either game on current Windows, macOS, or Linux systems?
Al‑Qadim explicitly supports Linux, Windows, and macOS; Abandoned Places only mentions classic early‑90s PC hardware.
Do either of the games support multiplayer or co‑op?
Both titles are single‑player only.


