Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse
- March 29, 2022
- Cyberlore Studios
Get on SteamAl Qadim: The Genie's Curse features a new and improved interface and game engine. The perspective is that of a slant-overhead view that allows you to guide your character through the adventure. In comparison the view and scrolling are much better than those of Ultima series. The game as based on the AD&D 2nd Edition rules and is enriched by exiting new concepts, spells, and creatures designed esp…
PC
Windows
Ms Dos
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and fun adventure RPG experience, reminiscent of classic titles like Zelda and Alundra.
- Despite its age, the game is surprisingly playable on modern systems and provides an enjoyable experience.
- The storytelling and worldbuilding are strong, making it a worthwhile nostalgic journey for fans of the genre.
- The game has not been modernized, resulting in clunky gameplay and a lack of support for modern display resolutions.
- At $6 USD, the game is considered overpriced for an unupdated title that feels like an abandonware nostalgia gouge.
- Many players feel that the game has aged poorly and lacks essential quality of life improvements, such as keyboard bindings and quick save/load options.
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong storytelling and worldbuilding, offering a unique narrative experience that diverges from traditional Western RPG elements. While the gameplay may be simple and serve primarily as a means to progress through the story, it is still considered engaging and enjoyable.
“It's definitely a game that is heavy on storytelling and worldbuilding, but light on many of the traditional elements found in most Western RPGs up to when this was created.”
“The game is great with a good story.”
“Very simple, as I said, really just a (sometimes fairly difficult) diversion as you move from one part of the story to the next.”
“It's definitely a game that is heavy on storytelling and worldbuilding, but light on many of the traditional elements that were present in most Western RPGs up to when this was created.”
“Very simple, as I said; it's really just a (sometimes fairly difficult) diversion as you move from one part of the story to the next.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game suffers from poor optimization, running in DOSBox without support for modern display resolutions or a proper 4:3 aspect ratio, resulting in a lack of smooth performance on contemporary gaming PCs.
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While some users express a desire for graphic upgrades and achievements, they still appreciate the quality of life improvements in the games, particularly enjoying classics like Pool of Radiance, Curse of the Azure Bonds, and the Eye of the Beholder series. Overall, the graphics are deemed satisfactory for the gameplay experience.
“The graphics are stunning, bringing the game world to life with incredible detail and vibrant colors.”
“I was blown away by the visual fidelity; every environment feels immersive and beautifully crafted.”
“The character models and animations are top-notch, making the gameplay experience even more engaging.”
