Al Qaeda - The Genies Curse

[Wyrmlord]

I remember Andhaira reminscing about this terrorist game which is the only D&D game in an Arab setting.

A game set in Arabian sands and involving genies seemed interesting, until it seems to be based on playing one single character with preset class, statistics, and even *gasp* appearance.

Argh, so what was the point of having a D&D system at all? Why just throw the flexibility out of the window anyway?

WHY DO THEY DO THIS?

 

[Norfleet]

It's D&D in name only. For all practical purposes, it's a 2D overhead hack and slasher. Basically they had a game, owned a license, so they stapled the two together.

 

[Awor Szurkrarz]

Isn't it similar to Entomorph?

 

[Wyrmlord]

It's D&D in name only. For all practical purposes, it's a 2D overhead hack and slasher. Basically they had a game, owned a license, so they stapled the two together.

They did this way too often back in the day.

 

[sirfink]

I think I played this. I thought it was similar to the Dark Sun games. Maybe it used the same engine.

 

[rpgcodexusername]

i think it was called al qadim - lol

 

[JarlFrank]

It was an okay hack and slay game. Very linear, and not much RPG at all except for some stats (but not halfway as complex as real D&D stats). Mostly an action-platformer game. I liked the atmosphere, but it wasn't really a faithful representation of the Al Qadim pen and paper setting, which is one of my favourite D&D settings (2E had so many awesome settings) and should've gotten a proper RPG.

 

[Clockwork Knight]

i think it was called al qadim - lol

Yeah, i actually freaked out for a moment here

 

[Wyrmlord]

It was an okay hack and slay game. Very linear, and not much RPG at all except for some stats (but not halfway as complex as real D&D stats). Mostly an action-platformer game. I liked the atmosphere, but it wasn't really a faithful representation of the Al Qadim pen and paper setting, which is one of my favourite D&D settings (2E had so many awesome settings) and should've gotten a proper RPG.

I had a similar disappointment with the so-called Conan the Barbarian RPG which was really just a crude fighting game.

Genre labels for superficial similarities were so common even back then.

 

[Sceptic]

I think I played this. I thought it was similar to the Dark Sun games. Maybe it used the same engine.

Yep same engine as the DS games.

It was an okay hack and slay game. Very linear, and not much RPG at all except for some stats (but not halfway as complex as real D&D stats). Mostly an action-platformer game. I liked the atmosphere, but it wasn't really a faithful representation of the Al Qadim pen and paper setting

It's good for what it is

Seriously, it was a good game. Not an RPG, more like platform-adventure with RPG elements, but it was fun, good gameplay, good story with a couple of nice twists (sadly spoiled by the manual) and very nice atmosphere. Dealing with the genies and finding out about the curse was well done. The game was short though and if you go in expecting a Dark Sun-like CRPG in the PnP Al-Qadim setting it'll make you rage, as it's nothing like either of them.

 

[relootz]

You heard it first on the codex guys, Magic Carpet is a terrorist game.

 

[Stabwound]

I liked Al Qadam back in the day, but I was probably about 14 when I played it and for all I know it was horrible. I do remember enjoying it at the time though.

 

[Luzur]

thanks for reminding me guys, i dont own Al Quadim yet.

 

[Sceptic]

SHAME ON YOU. GO GET IT. NOW.

Then scan the manual.

 

[Elhoim]

One of the first games I played, and I really, really enjoyed it back then. Of course, I knew nothing of RPGs and games in general, so everything was new and pretty. I had some very good memories of the game, though.

 

[Zomg]

Pre- video game Al Qadim was one of the TSR D&D settings that came out at about the same time as like Dark Sun and Spelljammer, they were on an alternative settings kick before they realized everyone wanted splatbooks with overpowered rules in them to beat their DM over the head with.