Islands of the Caliph

Islands of the Caliph deliberately recreates the limitations of 1980s computer RPGs, keyboard-only input and all, in service of a setting rooted in Middle Eastern folklore and Islamic spiritual tradition. Solo developer Schmidt Workshops drew on Might and Magic, Questron and Alternate Reality, then blended grid-based movement with real-time combat into a hybrid pace.

The bestiary pulls from Arab, Persian, African and other regional folklore - giant spiders and scorpions sit alongside ghouls, jinn and other supernatural beings rarely featured in mainstream RPGs. Weapons include scimitars, shamshirs and jambiyah alongside more familiar gear.

The open world updates an automatic map as you explore, with a corner mini-map and a full world view available on demand. There is no quest log holding your hand - the primary quests must be discovered through exploration, and choices may lead toward spiritual awakening or catastrophe for all the islands.