Islands of the Caliph

cool, le jeu vous encourage à ne pas déranger les animaux pacifiques pour rien et vous invite à la charité et l'humilité

Developed and published by Schmidt Workshops, Islands of the Caliph is a nostalgic first-person role-playing game that pays tribute to the formative years of PC RPGs while presenting a fantasy world rooted in Middle Eastern culture instead of the traditional Western medieval setting. Inspired by the exploration-driven adventures of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the game delivers an experience centered on curiosity, discovery, and player freedom rather than cinematic storytelling or streamlined mechanics. Its unique blend of Arab, Persian, and African folklore gives the world a distinctive identity, making it feel fresh even while embracing old-school design principles. Rather than following current RPG trends, the game confidently commits to a classic formula that rewards patience and careful exploration. The core gameplay revolves around traversing an interconnected world of islands filled with towns, hidden ruins, dangerous dungeons, and mysterious landmarks. Exploration is the primary attraction, encouraging players to chart unfamiliar territory, uncover secrets, and piece together the larger narrative at their own pace. The movement system follows a grid-based structure reminiscent of vintage dungeon crawlers, while combat unfolds in real time, creating an interesting balance between deliberate navigation and more dynamic encounters. Instead of constantly directing players with objective markers or scripted events, the game allows natural exploration to drive progression, making every new discovery feel genuinely earned. One of the game's greatest accomplishments is the richness of its setting. Drawing heavily from Islamic traditions and regional mythology, the world is inhabited by legendary creatures including jinn, ghouls, giant scorpions, spiders, and numerous other supernatural beings inspired by folklore rather than conventional fantasy literature. This cultural inspiration extends to the equipment as well, with traditional weapons such as scimitars, shamshirs, and jambiyah replacing many of the familiar swords commonly found in fantasy RPGs. These design choices help establish a cohesive identity that distinguishes Islands of the Caliph from countless other retro-inspired adventures, allowing players to experience a fantasy universe that feels both authentic and refreshingly different. The game also demonstrates thoughtful design through several modern conveniences that complement its retro philosophy without compromising it. An automatically updating map helps players keep track of explored regions, while a minimap and larger world map reduce unnecessary backtracking during lengthy expeditions. Although the experience remains intentionally challenging, these features eliminate much of the frustration associated with classic RPGs while preserving the excitement of venturing into the unknown. Story progression is similarly open-ended, with player decisions influencing both personal outcomes and the future of the islands themselves. Multiple narrative paths and endings provide meaningful consequences that encourage replayability and reinforce the importance of individual choices throughout the adventure. Visually, Islands of the Caliph embraces a retro presentation that favors atmosphere over technical realism. The environments successfully evoke ancient cities, forgotten temples, isolated islands, and mystical landscapes through colorful artwork and classic first-person visuals. While the graphics intentionally avoid modern graphical complexity, they effectively support the game's nostalgic identity and complement its slower, exploration-focused gameplay. The soundtrack and ambient audio further enhance the sense of mystery, encouraging players to immerse themselves in a world filled with hidden dangers and forgotten legends. Its commitment to old-school mechanics, however, means the game will not appeal equally to everyone. Keyboard-focused controls, methodical pacing, minimal hand-holding, and a willingness to let players become lost are all deliberate design decisions that may discourage those accustomed to modern quality-of-life features. Success often depends on observation, experimentation, and persistence rather than quick reflexes or heavily scripted guidance. Players seeking constant action or a heavily directed narrative may find the experience demanding, but fans of classic computer RPGs will likely appreciate the authenticity and respect shown toward the genre's roots. Overall, Islands of the Caliph stands as a remarkable independent RPG that successfully combines nostalgic gameplay with an original cultural perspective rarely explored in fantasy gaming. Its rewarding exploration, distinctive mythology, meaningful player choices, and unwavering commitment to classic role-playing mechanics create an experience that feels both timeless and unique. While its deliberately retro approach may limit its appeal to a broader audience, those who enjoy thoughtful exploration, challenging adventures, and richly realized worlds will find an experience that delivers countless memorable moments. Schmidt Workshops has crafted a passion project that honors the legacy of classic RPGs while confidently establishing its own identity. Rating: 8/10