Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes centers around a party of four heroes on a quest to save the realm of Kalynthia from the evil arch mage Bronagh. The overworld exploration unfolds in a charming 2D top-down perspective, granting players the freedom to wander beyond the main storyline. You can stray off the beaten path to uncover hidden treasures, secret side quests and NPCs with useful tips—there’s more here than a linear progression from point A to point B.

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When you enter towns, the game switches to a menu‐driven interface. Icons represent locations such as churches for healing, sages for guidance and shops for supplies. This static interface is intuitive: click an icon, and your party instantly travels to that sub-area. It speeds up downtime and keeps your focus on heroics rather than endless backtracking.

Dungeon crawls shift to a first-person 3D view reminiscent of classic titles like Dungeon Master. You explore winding corridors in real time, with a small viewport displaying the dungeon and character portraits to the right. Combat takes place seamlessly—click a weapon or spell icon, then target an enemy. After each action, you wait a short cooldown before attacking again, which adds a tactical layer as you juggle offense, defense and resource management under pressure.

Graphics

The overworld’s 2D pixel art brings nostalgic appeal, with colorful sprites, lush forests and detailed tilework. Characters are easily distinguishable, and towns have enough visual variety to make each settlement feel unique. While the graphics won’t compete with modern standards, they evoke the charm of early ’90s RPGs and retain a warm, handcrafted look.

Switching to dungeons reveals a distinct 3D aesthetic. Walls and floors are textured simply but effectively, with each dungeon boasting its own color palette and ambiance. Flickering torchlight, trap animations and dynamic monster sprites contribute to a tense atmosphere. Although resolution is modest by today’s measures, the real‐time rendering keeps you immersed in every step.

Menu screens and icons are clean and functional, with clear symbols for healing, magic and inventory. Text is legible and well‐placed, even on smaller displays. The overall presentation reflects a cohesive artistic vision: you always know where you are and what tools are available without needless clutter or confusing overlays.

Story

The narrative in Abandoned Places starts simply: the arch mage Bronagh threatens Kalynthia, and only four courageous heroes can halt his dark ambitions. As you progress, you uncover Bronagh’s motivations, the history of Kalynthia’s kingdoms and the personal backstories of each party member. The dialogue is earnest and occasionally humorous, balancing epic stakes with human moments of camaraderie.

Quests range from retrieving sacred artifacts to investigating haunted ruins, each adding layers to the overarching plot. Side missions frequently tie into local lore, offering context for smaller characters and regional conflicts. These diversions enrich the world and give each hero a chance to shine, whether through moral choices or momentary role-playing flourishes.

While the main storyline follows familiar RPG tropes, its pacing keeps you engaged. Major plot twists arrive at well-timed intervals, and character interactions feel genuine. You invest in the fate of Kalynthia and the bonds between your heroes—culminating in a final confrontation that lives up to the journey you’ve undertaken.

Overall Experience

Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes is a love letter to classic RPG enthusiasts. It blends free-roaming 2D exploration with immersive 3D dungeon crawling, offering two distinct gameplay modes that complement one another. The balance between open-world discovery and structured dungeon challenges keeps fatigue at bay.

Despite its retro roots, the game remains accessible. Controls are responsive, menus are straightforward and save points are plentiful. The real-time combat demands quick decision-making without overwhelming newcomers, while veteran players will appreciate the strategic cooldown system and resource management.

For those seeking a nostalgic adventure with modern sensibilities, Abandoned Places delivers. Its graphics, music and storytelling may feel dated to some, but its engaging mechanics and heartfelt world-building stand the test of time. If you’re ready to assemble your quartet of heroes and embark on an unforgettable quest through Kalynthia, this game is well worth your attention.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10