Islands of the Caliph is an old-school inspired action RPG based on Middle Eastern folklore and Islamic spiritual tradition. A KEYBOARD ONLY 1980s style Dungeon Crawler with an open world.
Players freely navigate and discover multiple distinct islands, each with its own unique ecosystems and environments. As they explore, the map automatically updates, helping them keep track of their location and find new routes. The open-ended nature of the world design allows players to take different paths and make choices that impact the story's outcome, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
The real-time combat system relies on the keyboard, with players using simple but satisfying actions like attacking, blocking, and interacting with enemies. Survival elements, such as managing hunger and curing status ailments like poison, add an extra layer of strategy and resource management. Players must acquire and use items like food and antidotes to maintain their character's well-being.
While player progression focuses more on exploration and questing rather than extensive character customization, players can still increase their character's stats, though the impact of these upgrades is not as pronounced as in some other RPGs. The emphasis on exploration and meaningful choices is praised by many players.
Designed to evoke the feeling of classic 1980s dungeon crawlers, the game features a "keyboard only" control scheme. This retro-inspired approach is appreciated by many players, as it contributes to the overall atmosphere and authenticity of the experience, though some may need time to adjust to the control scheme.