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Qasir al-Wasat

For anyone interested in a stealth action title, or simply something different with a great core, Qasir al-Wasat is certainly gets a recommendation from me.
Qasir al-Wasat Game Cover
68%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
music, grinding
78% User Score Based on 32 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCMac OSWindows
Qasir al-Wasat Game Cover

About

Qasir al-Wasat is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Aduge Studio and was released on January 19, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

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…

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78%
Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions

  • The game features a unique and beautiful art style inspired by Arabic culture, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
  • Puzzles are engaging and well-designed, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating.
  • The story is intriguing, with rich lore and character development that keeps players invested in the narrative.
  • Controls are clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration during stealth gameplay and puzzle-solving.
  • The game lacks a proper tutorial, making it difficult for players to understand mechanics and controls at the start.
  • Checkpoints are scarce, resulting in repetitive gameplay when players die, as they must redo sections without the ability to skip dialogue.
  • gameplay
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by simple yet effective stealth mechanics that some players find lacking in depth, while others appreciate their clever implementation and the game's atmospheric setting. Although the mechanics are straightforward, they are complemented by a variety of puzzles and branching paths that encourage exploration and reward player intelligence. Overall, the game offers a unique experience with a strong narrative, despite mixed opinions on the complexity of its gameplay.

    • “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
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is praised for its intriguing and layered narrative, filled with mystery and complexity that encourages players to think deeply about the plot and its puzzles. Set against a unique backdrop, the writing is described as excellent, with a compelling blend of fantasy realism and hidden secrets that enhance the immersive experience. While the art style complements the story well, some players question the setting choices, yet overall, the narrative drives engagement and exploration throughout the game.

    • “Its like an onion - it has multiple layers, and the more you delve into the story, the more it fills with mystery.”
    • “The story was intriguing enough for me to spend some of my non-game time thinking about it, or a puzzle I was stuck on.”
    • “The plot is very straightforward at the beginning but becomes much more intriguing and complex than it seems.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is described as minimal and effective in creating tension, though some reviewers feel it lacks authenticity and memorability. While the soundtrack is generally considered cool and immersive, there are suggestions for incorporating more culturally relevant and distinctive musical elements to enhance the overall experience.

    • “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.”
  • graphics
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful aesthetic and polished art style, drawing inspiration from Persian and Arabic influences. Players appreciate the detailed environments, including accurately modeled historical items and settings, which enhance the immersive atmosphere and storytelling. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's unique charm and appeal for those who enjoy artistic exploration.

    • “This game has a unique, beautiful, and polished art style, interesting lore, and an engaging plot.”
    • “I'd recommend this game for you if you enjoy artwork, atmosphere, and exploring in games.”
    • “+ great visuals, taking their inspiration from Persian art.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its detailed art direction and immersive audio, creating a unique and engaging environment that stands out from typical high fantasy settings. Its unusual inspiration from Islamic myths adds depth, while the mechanics encourage exploration and varied gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “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
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 the need for constant trigger presses contribute to a sense of annoyance, making basic actions feel cumbersome and unresponsive. Overall, the grinding aspect detracts significantly from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “Grinding in this game feels like a never-ending chore, with repetitive tasks that offer little to no reward.”
    • “The controls are frustratingly unresponsive, making the grinding process even more tedious and unenjoyable.”
    • “The lack of variety in grinding activities leads to a monotonous experience that quickly becomes boring.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find that the inclusion of achievements enhances the game's replayability, making the experience more enjoyable and encouraging them to revisit the game.

    • “Achievements are fun to get and truly enhance replayability.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes makes each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “With multiple paths and endings, I find myself coming back for more every time.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report occasional stability issues, such as unresponsive buttons and frozen dialogues, but these glitches are infrequent and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.

    • “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 unexpectedly, which can be frustrating during critical moments.”
    • “I've experienced frequent lag and stuttering, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character designs are generally considered decent, indicating a satisfactory level of creativity and visual appeal, though they may not stand out as exceptional.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Qasir al-Wasat is a action adventure game.

Qasir al-Wasat is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

Qasir al-Wasat was released on January 19, 2016.

Qasir al-Wasat was developed by Aduge Studio.

Qasir al-Wasat has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its music.

Qasir al-Wasat is a single player game.

Similar games include Omensight, Forgotton Anne, Lust from Beyond, Call of Cthulhu, Röki and others.