Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes vs Anachronox
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.
Join Sylvester "Sly Boots" Bucelli, a down‑on‑his‑luck private investigator, as he navigates the alien artificial planet Anachronox, a hub of thieves, lowlifes, and mystery. Together with six unlikely heroes, he uncovers a plot that threatens to destroy the entire universe. The game blends puzzle‑solving, stealth, and role‑playing elements in a richly detailed science‑fiction world, offering turn‑based combat, branching dialogue, and a quirky sense of humor that keeps players engaged from start to finish.
- Rich open‑world exploration
- Blend of 2D and 3D perspectives
- Simple yet engaging point‑and‑click combat
- Deep party customization
- Engaging sci‑fi storyline with humor
- Strategic turn‑based combat system
- Varied puzzles and stealth sections
- Memorable cast of characters
- Dated graphics may not appeal to modern eyes
- Limited UI feedback during cooldowns
- No multiplayer or co‑op options
- Aged graphics compared to modern titles
- Occasional clunky UI navigation
- Limited save slot flexibility
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Alternatives to Anachronox
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataAnachronox offers a cheaper, sci‑fi turn‑based RPG with puzzles and humor, while Abandoned Places delivers a retro fantasy mix of 2D/3D exploration at a higher price.
Key differences
- •Genre & setting: sci‑fi turn‑based (A) vs fantasy 2D‑top‑down with 3D dungeons (B).
- •Combat style: strategic turn‑based (A) vs real‑time click‑to‑attack (B).
- •Price: $19.99 (A) versus $49.99 (B).
- •Release era: 2001 (A) versus 1992 (B), affecting graphics and hardware expectations.
- •Content focus: puzzles & stealth (A) vs open‑world exploration and party customization (B).
Pricing & value
A costs $19.99, half the $49.99 price of B, offering better value for a full game.
Gameplay & fun factor
A provides turn‑based strategy and puzzles; B offers real‑time combat and larger open world—different but equally engaging.
Platform availability
A is optimized for modern PC resolutions and controller input; B runs on classic early‑90s PC hardware only.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only.
Content & replayability
B features a large overworld, four‑hero party, side quests, and hidden items, offering broader exploration.
Difficulty & accessibility
A’s turn‑based combat allows planning, generally more accessible than B’s real‑time cooldown‑based system.
Graphics & performance
A’s 2001 3D graphics are newer than B’s early‑90s retro graphics, though both are dated by modern standards.
Choose Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes if…
Buyers who prefer retro fantasy, large open‑world exploration, and deeper party customization.
Choose Anachronox if…
Buyers who want a sci‑fi story, strategic turn‑based combat, puzzles, and lower price.
Common questions
Which game offers better value for the money?
Anachronox at $19.99 is half the price of Abandoned Places ($49.99) while still delivering a full RPG experience.
Do either of these games support modern PC hardware?
Anachronox is optimized for modern PC resolutions and controller input; Abandoned Places runs on classic early‑90s PC hardware.
What type of combat should I expect?
Anachronox uses turn‑based combat; Abandoned Places uses real‑time click‑to‑attack combat with cooldown timers.



