Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes vs The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles
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.
Shivering Isles is the award‑winning expansion for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, transporting players to the dreamlike, ever‑shifting world ruled by the Daedric Prince Sheogorath. Explore two contrasting provinces—Mania, a vibrant land of excess, and Dementia, a bleak realm of decay—each filled with unique quests, characters, and lore. The expansion adds new spells, weapons, and a deep storyline that intertwines with the main game, offering hundreds of hours of additional content. Its rich atmosphere, voice‑acted dialogue, and extensive mod support make it a standout experience for RPG enthusiasts.
- Rich open‑world exploration
- Blend of 2D and 3D perspectives
- Simple yet engaging point‑and‑click combat
- Deep party customization
- Stunning dual‑world design with contrasting aesthetics
- Rich voice‑acted dialogue and memorable characters
- Extensive new quest lines and lore
- Strong modding support and community content
- Dated graphics may not appeal to modern eyes
- Limited UI feedback during cooldowns
- No multiplayer or co‑op options
- Requires the base Oblivion game to play
- Some quests can feel repetitive after long sessions
- Graphics are dated compared to modern titles
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataThe Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (B) offers richer content, modern mod support, and lower price, but requires the base Oblivion game; Abandoned Places (A) is a standalone retro title with simpler gameplay and higher cost.
Key differences
- •B requires the Oblivion base game to play, A is standalone.
- •B includes over 200 voice‑acted NPCs and 70+ new quests; A has limited side quests and no voice acting.
- •B supports a robust modding framework; A has no mod support.
- •Price: B $19.99 vs A $49.99.
- •Graphics era: B (2007) is newer than A (1992), though both are dated by modern standards.
Gameplay & fun factor
B offers two distinct provinces, 200+ voiced NPCs, and 70+ quests, providing more varied experiences.
Platform availability
Both are PC‑only single‑player titles; no platform differences are specified.
Price & value
B costs $19.99 versus A's $49.99, delivering more content for less money.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only.
Content & replayability
B adds extensive quests, voice acting, and modding; A has limited side quests and no mods.
Difficulty & accessibility
A’s simple click‑to‑attack combat and retro UI may be easier for newcomers than B’s larger quest load.
Graphics & performance
B’s 2007 graphics are newer than A’s early‑90s retro style, though both are dated by today’s standards.
Choose Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes if…
Fans of retro, standalone RPGs who prefer simple combat and don’t own Oblivion.
Choose The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles if…
Players who already own Oblivion and want more quests, voice acting, and modding at a lower price.
Common questions
Do I need any other game to play Shivering Isles?
Yes, it requires the base game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Which game offers more content for the price?
Shivering Isles (B) provides more quests, NPCs, and mod support for $19.99 versus $49.99 for Abandoned Places (A).
Is either game multiplayer?
Both are single‑player only.