Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Abandoned Places 2 picks up the torch of classic dungeon-crawling by placing you in command of a four-member party on a quest to storm the fortress of Pendugmalhe and rescue the kingdom of Kalynthia. Drawing heavy inspiration from titles like Dungeon Master, the game retains that satisfying first-person, grid-based descent into labyrinthine corridors. Each dungeon is thoughtfully laid out with hidden traps, puzzles that require keen observation, and strategically placed enemies that force you to balance offense and defense.

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The real-time combat sections stand out as the heart of the action. You’ll rapidly toggle between steel and sorcery via a mouse-driven interface, launching spells or swinging weapons with split-second timing. Outside of the claustrophobic halls, you’ll also find yourself clashing with bears and other wild creatures in open-air arenas, giving a welcome breath of fresh air to the underground grind. The seamless transition between tight dungeon fights and freer outdoor skirmishes keeps the pacing brisk and the tension high.

Resource management and exploration are equally crucial. Along your journey through misty forests and torchlit catacombs, you’ll stumble on villages where you can gather vital clues, recruit secondary NPCs, and stock up on healing potions or magical reagents. These settlements are lifelines—neglect them at your peril, as restocking gear and gathering intel are essential when the difficulty scales up to challenge even experienced role-players. Party continuity—especially importing heroes from the first Abandoned Places—rewards veteran players with boosted stats and unique dialogue options.

Graphics

Graphically, Abandoned Places 2 delivers a nostalgic yet polished visual style. Dungeons are rendered in moody, low-light palettes that capture the claustrophobic dread of delving too deep. Flickering torches cast dynamic shadows on rough-hewn walls, and environmental details—like moss-covered bricks or dripping water—lend authenticity to every corridor. In contrast, the open-air battlefields feature brighter tones, with verdant foliage and rolling hills providing a stark, refreshing backdrop to your skirmishes.

Character sprites are crisply animated, and spell effects dazzle with colorful light bursts, crackling runes, and kinetic energy lines that emphasize each cast. Enemy designs range from hulking bears with bristling fur to skeletal knights that clatter down hallways in search of intruders. User interface elements—health bars, spell icons, inventory screens—are cleanly laid out and intuitive, ensuring you spend less time fumbling through menus and more time in the thick of combat.

Performance remains stable even in graphically dense encounters. Load times between outdoor zones and dungeon levels are brief, and frame rates hold steady on mid-range hardware. Though not cutting-edge by today’s blockbuster standards, Abandoned Places 2’s visuals strike an effective balance between nostalgic charm and functional clarity, making it easy to stay immersed for hours on end.

Story

The tale centers on the beleaguered realm of Kalynthia, threatened by the dark wizard Pendugmalhe and his legions of undead and monstrous minions. You assemble a fellowship of four seasoned fighters—warriors, mages, and rogues alike—to infiltrate enemy strongholds and uncover the secrets behind Pendugmalhe’s rise to power. The narrative unfolds through a mixture of in-game dialogue, village rumors, and cryptic scrolls found in hidden chambers.

NPC interactions in villages are a highlight, offering side quests that flesh out local politics, bandit raids, and mysterious disappearances. These diversions not only reward you with rare loot and additional experience but also weave a larger tapestry of intrigue, making the world feel lived-in. Returning characters from the original game receive nods and cameos, providing continuity and emotional stakes for longtime fans.

Pacing is deliberate: the story alternates between tense dungeon dives and quieter moments of investigation or character banter. Key plot twists—such as betrayals within your ranks or revelations about ancient prophecies—are well-timed, injecting fresh urgency into your mission. While the overarching narrative follows familiar fantasy tropes, its execution is solid, with enough depth to keep seasoned RPG enthusiasts invested.

Overall Experience

Abandoned Places 2 is a triumphant return to old-school dungeon-crawling RPGs, tailored for players who relish real-time, mouse-driven combat and meticulous exploration. Its blend of claustrophobic dungeons, open-air battles, and thoughtful resource management yields a gameplay loop that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. If you cut your teeth on Dungeon Master or enjoyed the first Abandoned Places, you’ll feel right at home.

Replay value is high thanks to variable difficulty settings, multiple character builds, and the ability to import a veteran party from the previous installment. Side quests and hidden secrets encourage thorough exploration, while the steep learning curve ensures that every victory feels hard-won. Despite occasional back-tracking and the absence of in-game tutorials, mastery of the combat interface becomes increasingly satisfying over time.

Certain rough edges remain—namely, a punishment-heavy save system and a scarcity of mid-dungeon checkpoints—but these only heighten the sense of achievement when you finally overcome a particularly grueling gauntlet. Overall, Abandoned Places 2 stands out as a compelling, old-school RPG experience that rewards patience, strategic thinking, and a thirst for adventure.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10