Qasir al-Wasat

About

Qasir al-Wasat is a stealth action-adventure set in a mysterious 12th Century Syrian palace. Play as an invisible and fragile creature summoned from another world to complete an assassination mission inside an enigmatic palace. Search for hidden messages, eavesdrop the fortress' guards conversations and look for secret passages since not everything is as it seems and there are ancient treasures wa…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and engaging story set in an intriguing Arabic-inspired fantasy world, with rich lore and well-written characters.
Puzzles are well-designed and provide a satisfying challenge, with a good balance of complexity that keeps players engaged without becoming overly frustrating.
The art style is beautiful and atmospheric, drawing inspiration from Persian miniatures, which enhances the overall aesthetic experience of the game.

Controls are clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration during gameplay, especially with stealth mechanics that require precise movements.
The game lacks a proper tutorial, which can leave players confused about basic mechanics and controls, resulting in a steep learning curve.
Checkpoints are scarce, and the one-hit death mechanic can be punishing, forcing players to replay sections frequently and endure unskippable dialogue.

gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
70%
13%
The gameplay is primarily centered around simple yet effective stealth mechanics, which some players find lack depth and nuance, while others appreciate their clever implementation and integration into the story. Despite mixed feelings about the stealth elements, many reviewers highlight the game's intriguing narrative and atmospheric setting, suggesting that the gameplay, though not deep, is enhanced by puzzles and exploration that reward player intelligence. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy stealth and unique cultural themes, despite its limitations.
- “Though at its core, it's a simple stealth game with occasional puzzles, its unusual setting, excellent atmosphere, and the way its mechanics reward different ways to play truly make it shine.”
- “I’m a huge fan of how the stealth mechanic works. It also happens to be the most important mechanic in the game – present in almost everything that you do.”
- “Aside from the stealth mechanics, there is a plethora of puzzles, branching paths, and secrets that reward patience and observation.”
- “The scare Arab cultural references do not make up for the lackluster gameplay.”
- “Great ambiance and story but poor gameplay.”
- “Further, the actual stealth gameplay does not seem deep, with some of the areas being too tiny to actually do anything.”
story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
45%
14%
The game's story is praised for its intriguing and layered narrative, drawing players into a rich world filled with mystery and cultural references, particularly from demonology and Arabian tales. The unique setting and excellent writing enhance the immersive experience, encouraging exploration and puzzle-solving, while the plot evolves from a straightforward premise to a complex and dark tale. Overall, the story is a standout feature that captivates players and motivates them to engage deeply with the game.
- “The unique setting, the storytelling, the excellent writing, the stylish visuals, the rich lore drawing from demonology and Arabian tales, the exciting exploration – every key point about this game is remarkable.”
- “I highly recommend it and I really love the story.”
- “The developers set the story in Syria but decided to use Persian miniatures for their stylized characters and settings.”
- “Though I like the style, I don't see why they couldn't just set the story in Persia.”
- “The plot is very straightforward at the beginning but is much more intriguing and complex than it seems.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
27%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful aesthetic and polished art style, drawing inspiration from Persian and Arabic art, as well as real-life historical elements. The unique setting and stylish visuals enhance the storytelling and exploration, making it a standout experience for players who appreciate rich lore and artistic design. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its intelligent and elegant presentation.
- “The unique setting, the storytelling, the excellent writing, the stylish visuals, the rich lore drawing from demonology and Arabian tales, the exciting exploration – every key point about this game is remarkable.”
- “This game has a unique, beautiful, and polished art style, interesting lore, and an engaging plot.”
- “+ great visuals, taking their inspiration from Persian art.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The music in the game is described as minimal and effective in creating tension, though some reviewers feel it lacks authenticity and memorable tracks. While the sound design enhances immersion, there are calls for more culturally rich and distinctive musical elements to elevate the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is functional but not particularly standout.
- “I found the minimal music and the use of music cues to heighten the tension effective.”
- “Cool soundtrack.”
- “I would also recommend a good pair of headphones for the eerie sound design and music, which adds a lot of immersion and mood.”
- “The music is sort of occasionally pseudo-middle eastern-ish but in the most base and generic way.”
- “My only complaint about the game would probably be the music, or the lack of it really.”
- “The music works but doesn't have any tracks that stand out in my mind.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its detailed art direction and immersive audio, creating a rich and engaging environment. Set against a unique backdrop inspired by Islamic myths, it offers a refreshing departure from typical high fantasy themes, enhancing the overall exploration experience. Players appreciate how the atmosphere complements the gameplay mechanics, encouraging diverse playstyles.
- “I'd recommend this game for you if you enjoy artwork, atmosphere, and exploring in games.”
- “Though at its core, it's a simple stealth game with occasional puzzles, its unusual setting (I wish there were more games taking inspiration from Islamic myths; it would be a welcome change from common high fantasy tropes), excellent atmosphere, and the way its mechanics reward different ways to play truly make it shine.”
- “The art direction is atmospheric and full of details, showing a deep commitment to craft and research.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding mechanics frustrating due to poorly mapped controls and confusing interactions, which lead to tedious gameplay experiences. The lack of intuitive button assignments and frequent missteps in basic actions contribute to a sense of annoyance and hinder overall enjoyment.
- “Grinding in this game feels like an endless chore, with repetitive tasks that offer little to no reward, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The grinding mechanics are poorly designed, leading to a frustrating experience where progress feels painfully slow and unfulfilling.”
- “I find the grinding aspect to be a major drawback; it turns what could be an enjoyable experience into a tedious slog that tests my patience.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find that the inclusion of achievements enhances replayability, making the game more enjoyable to revisit as they strive to unlock new goals.
- “Achievements are fun to get and truly enhance replayability.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes makes me want to play through the game multiple times.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the different paths and strategies available.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is noted to be average, with decent character designs that may not fully engage players or contribute significantly to the overall narrative depth.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Overall, while users report occasional glitches such as unresponsive buttons and frozen dialogues, these issues are infrequent and do not significantly detract from the overall stability of the game.
- “Sometimes you won't be able to use certain buttons, like the examine button in a room, or the dialogue will freeze. Fortunately, these glitches don't happen too often.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without constant restarts.”
- “I've experienced several instances where the game just freezes, forcing me to restart and lose my progress.”