Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes vs Tales of the Unknown: Volume I - The Bard's Tale

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.

Tales of the Unknown: Volume I, better known as The Bard's Tale, is a pioneering role‑playing game released in 1985 by Interplay Productions and published by Electronic Arts. It introduced early 3D graphics and animated character portraits, delivering a deep fantasy adventure on the Apple II and later on many other platforms. The game follows a band of young warriors, magic users, bards, and rogues as they battle the evil wizard Mangar, who has cast an Eternal Winter over the town of Skara Brae. Players explore labyrinthine dungeons, solve puzzles, and upgrade equipment to gain experience and defeat Mangar’s minions.

• Rich open‑world exploration
• Blend of 2D and 3D perspectives
• Simple yet engaging point‑and‑click combat
• Deep party customization

• Groundbreaking 3D graphics for its era
• Deep party and equipment customization
• Engaging puzzle and combat mix
• Rich fantasy storyline

• Dated graphics may not appeal to modern eyes
• Limited UI feedback during cooldowns
• No multiplayer or co‑op options

• Limited save system compared to modern standards
• Graphics appear dated on current hardware
• Steep learning curve for new players