Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Age of Adventure presents a dual offering in one package by combining The Return of Heracles and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Both titles utilize a turn-based, top-down role-playing structure where you manage a party of characters through grid-based maps. Each turn, you issue commands—move, search, attack, or cast spells—to meticulously advance through dungeons, ruins, and open wilderness. This deliberate pace encourages strategic planning, careful resource management, and thoughtful exploration.

The engine at work here is a direct precursor to Stuart Smith’s Adventure Construction Set, offering rudimentary yet surprisingly flexible tools for scenario progression. You assemble your party from a pool of heroes, each with unique stats and abilities. As you collect treasures and vanquish foes, characters gain experience points and improve attributes such as strength, dexterity, and magical aptitude. The interface keeps combat and inventory handling straightforward with icon-driven menus and clear text descriptions.

One standout feature is the built-in cooperative mode. Whether tackling Heracles’ legendary labors or delving into Ali Baba’s cave of wonders, friends can divide characters among themselves and collaborate in real time. This shared control fosters camaraderie and tactical debate, making dungeon entrances, random encounters, and boss fights more dynamic. If you prefer solo play, AI handles the other party members, but the true charm arises when multiple players plot together against mythic adversaries.

Graphics

Visually, Age of Adventure embraces the aesthetics of early home computer RPGs, with crisp, block-colored sprites and tile-based maps. The Return of Heracles features a muted palette of earthy browns and sea-blue waters, evoking the ancient Mediterranean. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, by contrast, opts for richer hues—golden sands, lush oasis greens, and jewel-toned tapestries—to convey the Arabian Nights ambiance.

Character icons are simple but distinct enough to differentiate warriors, mages, and rogues at a glance. Monsters range from skeletal warriors and cyclopes in Heracles to scimitar-wielding bandits and giant scorpions in Ali Baba. While there’s no real animation beyond basic walking cycles and attack flashes, the minimalistic style keeps the focus on strategic positioning rather than flashy visuals.

The user interface integrates side panels displaying party stats, inventory, and action menus without cluttering the playfield. Mini-maps help orient you in sprawling labyrinths, and text prompts update you on quest objectives and event triggers. Though modern players may find the visuals retro to the point of nostalgic charm, the clear iconography and well-defined color schemes make navigation and combat intuitive.

Story

Age of Adventure spins two distinct mythological yarns. The Return of Heracles sends you across the Aegean and into the Underworld to complete the famed twelve labors—capture the Erymanthian Boar, cleanse the Augean Stables, and face off against the Nemean Lion, to name a few. Each labor unfolds as a semi-open quest, blending exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.

In Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, the tone shifts to Arabian intrigue. You join Ali Baba’s band of outlaws as they navigate desert strongholds, sought after caves, and rival tribes. Story events are triggered by finding hidden items—like the magic lamp or the forty-thieves’ treasure—and by dialogue with merchants, sultans, and sorcerers. A sense of wonder permeates every dungeon corridor, thanks to memorable set pieces like the magic door that only opens to the phrase “Open Sesame.”

Both narratives rely heavily on text descriptions to establish atmosphere and context. NPC encounters, scrolls, and in-game books flesh out world lore, hint at hidden side quests, and provide moral choices. Though the writing can feel sparse by modern standards, it captures the epic spirit of its source material, inviting players to fill in the gaps with their own imaginations.

Overall Experience

Age of Adventure is a compelling time capsule for fans of early computer RPGs and mythological storytelling. The dual-game format offers substantial content—each module can occupy dozens of hours—while the cooperative play option dramatically enhances replay value. Gather a group of friends, divvy up characters, and strategize your way through monsters and mazes for lively sessions that blend nostalgia with genuine challenge.

The learning curve is moderate: initial setup and character management require some patience, especially for newcomers to turn-based RPGs. However, the clear interface, guided labor lists in Heracles, and story cues in Ali Baba keep you grounded. Inventory micromanagement can feel tedious at times, but success often comes down to well-timed spellcasting, thoughtful party composition, and prudent use of healing resources.

For retro enthusiasts and history buffs alike, Age of Adventure stands out as a unique blend of Greek epic and Arabian legend. Its straightforward graphics, text-driven storytelling, and flexible co-op make it more than a mere curiosity. It’s a testament to early RPG innovation and remains an engaging adventure for those willing to embrace its old-school charm.