King's Quest
Cover art
Developer(s)The Odd Gentlemen
Publisher(s)Activision[lower-alpha 1]
Director(s)Matt Korba
Producer(s)Lindsey Rostal
Designer(s)Matt Korba
Artist(s)Evan Cagle
Nathan Fulton
Writer(s)Matt Korba
Lindsey Rostal
Composer(s)Ben Stanton
David Stanton
SeriesKing's Quest
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Xbox 360
Xbox One
Release
Chapter I
  • Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 & PlayStation 4
    • WW: July 28, 2015[1]
    Xbox 360 & Xbox One
    • WW: July 29, 2015[1]
Chapter II
  • PlayStation 3 & PlayStation 4
    • WW: December 15, 2015[2]
    Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 & Xbox One
    • WW: December 16, 2015[2]
Chapter III
    • WW: April 26, 2016[3]
Chapter IV
    • WW: September 27, 2016[4]
Chapter V
    • WW: October 25, 2016[5]
Epilogue
    • WW: December 20, 2016
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

King's Quest is an episodic video game series developed by The Odd Gentlemen and published by Activision under the Sierra Entertainment brand name for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. It is a new re-imagining of the long-running King's Quest series. While it is an adventure game like the previous games in the series, the interface is not fully point-and-click (the PC version only uses point-and-click for the dialogue and first person scenes).[6]

The game is one of several attempts at resurrecting or rebooting the King's Quest franchise since 1998, and its first chapter was released some 32 years after King's Quest I. The new chapters are seen as neither a remake nor necessarily a sequel but a "re-imagining" (the original games are considered to be part of the canon of the new series, as each chapter will take place between those games, but previous games may be reinterpreted in completely new ways).[7][8]

Gameplay

Unlike the classic King's Quest video games, the new King's Quest is not a point-and-click adventure. Instead, it is an adventure game that tasks players to control Graham, who ventures to different places to become a knight. The movement of Graham can be completely controlled by players.[6] According to Matt Korba, the game's creative director, the game's controls focuses on "one-button context". As a result, the game does not have any complicated interfaces or controls.[7] Throughout the game, players can interact with different objects in the environment. For instance, players can pick up, gather, and inspect different scenery items.[9] They can switch to first-person perspective when inspecting them.

The game is narrated by the elderly King Graham and his granddaughter Gwendolyn. Players' actions in the game change the narrative. For instance, performing certain actions unlocks additional dialogue. When players make wrong decisions and die, Graham replies with phrases such as "That's what would have happened if I did that", before players re-spawn. Players also make decisions throughout the game that are divided into three different approaches, bravery, wisdom, and compassion.[9] Actions performed by players have consequences and impact the game's story, and as a result, change the game's overall experience. Most of these choices are game play-based. According to Korba, all the choices made by Graham are heroic, and there is no way for players to build a "bad" Graham.[7]

The first section of the game is linear, i.e., levels open sequentially. Players are free to explore levels, and the game does not feature any prescribed or predetermined paths.[7] Players can also use a variety of methods to complete their objectives, and are tasked to solve various puzzles in the game, even though there are no fixed solutions to these puzzles.[10] Players can also have conversations with anyone in the game.[9] The game features branching dialogue.[7] In addition, the game features some action sequences, quick-time events, and on-rail platform elements.[11]

Plot

In King's Quest, King Graham shares his previous adventures with his curious granddaughter, Gwendolyn. It is through these tales that Gwendolyn learns about the life led by her grandfather.

Along with new stories, the series re-imagines certain events, elements and backstories from previous games.[12] Some of Graham's backstory even differs from that given in Sierra's previous material. Rather than having grown up in Daventry, he is now an outsider that has recently come to the land. The main tale of Chapter I, according to Graham, is from the time when he was but a lad, before he was a knight, and before he came to Daventry for the first time from Llewdor.[13] He has only read about Daventry from travel guides he used to read as a child, and could not wait to see its famous landmarks for himself (the kingdom is reimagined as a bustling walled city surrounding Castle Daventry, where as in the original game the castle was a lonely keep, surrounded by mostly wilderness).

Classic games as well as The King's Quest Companion are reused for references and reimagined events including places from the expanded universe. Chapter 1's prologue reimagines events from King's Quest I: Quest for the Crown and focuses on the Mirror of the three treasures as the main treasure Edward sent Graham on to become king of Daventry (as it had been the only treasure stolen from him), the events of the dragon's lair from the King's Quest I are completely reimagined as an action sequence involving being chased by the dragon, and having to make a final choice on how to distract the dragon to escape back up the well to the surface. Later chapters put further focus on the mirror, and point out that he went on separate adventures throughout his life for other treasures as well (including the Shield and Chest), and wants to go on adventures to find even more lost treasures of Daventry even in his old age to save his legacy.

The main is about Graham coming to the kingdom to take part in a Knight Tournament to become a Knight of Daventry, and the winner will also be in the running to become the next king. The story involves Graham having to defeat each of the other knights at various challenges. He befriends one of the knights Achaka, who teaches him how to properly use his bow, but witnesses his death to the dragon (Achaka is often seen to be his 'best' and lost friend throughout the series, even as much as seeing his ghost in the final chapter). Ultimately he defeats the last knight Manny at a game of Wits, and banishes the evil knight from the kingdom.

Chapter 3: Once Upon A Climb completely reimagines the events from King's Quest II: Romancing the Throne by taking the story of the princess trapped in the tower by an evil witch Hagatha, but now there are two princesses trapped in the same tower, trapped along with the witch who is herself a princess as well. Graham himself becomes trapped with them in the tower, and has to figure out how to escape. The player ends up choosing between the two princesses (both who will end up the 'canon' Valanice for the player based on whoever is chosen) to be his wife. The synopsis suggests that the original story players may remember was only a fairy tale, and that the new series tells the real and more complicated story.[3]

Chapter 4: Snow Place Like Home reimagined elements of King's Quest III: To Heir Is Human, including the details of how Alexander was stolen with the Royal Family (in the original story it is said Alexander had 'disappeared', and no one knew what had happened to him or who had taken him), as well as elements of Alexander's stay in Llewdor. Manannan fled there soon after the kidnapping, with Alexander imprisoned in a mansion. Alexander and Mordon were trained in magic in preparation to conquer Daventry, and usurp the throne.

Alexander eventually escaped by turning his master into a cat, and returned to a relatively peaceful Daventry. Surprising the royal family as they discuss vacation plans, they decide to allow Alexander to accompany them, and ultimately end up travelling to a mysterious Ice Labyrinth. The princess whom the player did not choose turns out to be Icebella (reimagining some of the details from King's Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder). Icebella is ultimately killed by Manny (in the form of a Sphinx). Manny is defeated again by Alexander, who uses a magic cookie to transform him back into a cat. In the end, one of Icebella's ice guardian creations picks up her crown and declares herself the new Icebella (foreshadowing the Icebella Graham would later encounter during his quest in King's Quest V). Mordon ends dropping his "slave name", and changes his name to Mordack, further foreshadowing King's Quest V. Some of Alexander's dialogue also foreshadows events of King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow; he mentions that a crystal ball predicted that he would encounter a minotaur in a labyrinth in the future, and that he would encounter a woman with olive skin and green eyes.

Chapter 5: The Good Knight takes place late in Graham's life as an elderly man. He has one last encounter with Manny—a chance to prove he is still healthy and sound of mind. The events of King's Quest V are revised, as well; rather than stonework, the location where Graham and Mordack had their magical duel had wooden floor boards, which he hid under after casting a fire spell. Similar references are made to King's Quest VI, including the idea that Graham is contemplating his mortality, and his travels to the Realm of the Dead to stand before Samhain (rather than Daventry's afterlife Dimension of Death from King's Quest: Mask of Eternity). One reference in particular shows the gates to Realm of the Dead in their classic digitized-watercolor style. Graham manages to save his kingdom, but is poisoned in the process, and Manny tries to exact his final revenge; Mordack takes pity on Graham (as he had been manipulated and abused by Manannan as well) and saves the king. The former rivals become friends.

The framing story takes place in the last weeks or months of Graham's life while he is bedridden from the poison in Chapter 5. King Graham is relating the tales of his life to his grand-daughter, Gwendolyn, to assist her in becoming a wise and just ruler when he passes on. To ensure that Gwendolyn will be allowed to assume the throne, Graham revises the laws of Daventry, which previously stated that only a male heir could take the throne. As the poison takes its toll, Graham sees the ghost of his old friend Achaka, and begins to forget the details of many of his adventures; Gwendolyn fills in the gaps where possible, and eventually concludes Graham's story by interpreting the events he had already related. Graham passes away later that night, leaving a letter for Gwendolyn to read that urges her to build her own legacy, rather than relying on his.

In the Epilogue, Gwendolyn (presumably the heir to the throne) embarks on her own adventure: the hunt for a yarblesnoof (a turkey-like lizard/dinosaur creature). Along the way, she encounters Achaka's own granddaughter, Taskia, who arrived in Daventry to defeat a dragon and avenge Achaka. When the two located the dragon, they discover that it's still an infant, innocent of any involvement in Achaka's death. The two befriend the dragon and return to the castle.

Development

There were multiple attempts to reboot the franchise following 1998's King's Quest: Mask of Eternity, none of which went past the announcement or concept stages. In August 2014, Activision revived the Sierra brand and had passed development responsibilities for a new game to The Odd Gentlemen.[14] Due to its length, the game was split into multiple chapters with a staggered release schedule.[15] The script for the first chapter alone was 640 pages long, and included branching paths, Easter eggs, narration, object use and interaction, and dialogue trees.[12] Each chapter of the series was longer and more complex than some similar episodic series, such as those made by Telltale Games.[16] The game includes vocal performances by actors Christopher Lloyd, Wallace Shawn, Cherami Leigh, Tom Kenny, Josh Keaton, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, and Zelda Williams.[17][18]

Release

The game was released in five parts in 2015 and 2016, with an optional playable Epilogue only included in King's Quest: The Complete Collection edition. If the first series with Graham does well, future King's Quest series (similar to "seasons") by The Odd Gentlemen would follow other members of the royal family.[6]

Chapter Directed by Written by Episode release date
Chapter I: "A Knight to Remember" Matt Korba Matt Korba, Additional Writing Lindsey Rostal July 28, 2015[1]
Graham's journey to knighthood begins in this chapter. It takes place before the original King's Quest as memories of the present day Graham (who is now aged), narrated to his granddaughter Gwendolyn.
Chapter II: "Rubble Without a Cause" Matt Korba Matt Korba, Additional Writing Lindsey Rostal December 15, 2015[2]
Graham recounts his first adventure as the newly crowned king of Daventry saving the kingdom from invading goblins.
Chapter III: "Once Upon a Climb" Matt Korba Matt Korba, Additional Writing Lindsey Rostal April 26, 2016[3]
Graham recounts the tale of how he met his beloved Valanice. Climbing a tower, Graham finds two princesses - Vee and Neese - trapped by the witch Hagatha.
Chapter IV: "Snow Place Like Home" Matt Korba Matt Korba, Additional Writing Lindsey Rostal September 27, 2016[4]
After Graham's son, Alexander, escapes his life of enslavement to Manannan they celebrate by taking the family on vacation. However, they find the resort has been transformed into a snowy palace of lethal traps by an icy queen and a sphinx.
Chapter V: "The Good Knight" Matt Korba Matt Korba, Additional Writing Lindsey Rostal October 25, 2016[5]
As the elderly King Graham reaches the end of his life he has enough time to tell Gwendolyn about his final confrontation with Manannan.
Epilogue Matt Korba Lindsey Rostal December 20, 2016

Reception

Aggregate review scores
Game Metacritic
Chapter I: A Knight to Remember PC: 82/100[19]
PS4: 77/100[20]
XONE: 80/100[21]
Chapter II: Rubble Without a Cause PC: 67/100[22]
PS4: 68/100[23]
XONE: 71/100[24]
Chapter III: Once Upon a Climb PC: 78/100[25]
PS4: 79/100[26]
XONE: 80/100[27]
Chapter IV: Snow Place Like Home PS4: 67/100[28]
Chapter V: The Good Knight PS4: 78/100[29]

Chapter I: A Knight to Remember

Chapter I: A Knight to Remember received positive reviews. Aggregating review website Metacritic gave the Microsoft Windows version 82/100 based on 23 reviews,[19] the PlayStation 4 version 77/100 based on 22 reviews[20] and the Xbox One version 80/100 based on 26 reviews.[21]

Chapter II: Rubble Without a Cause

Chapter II: Rubble Without a Cause received mixed reviews. Metacritic gave the Microsoft Windows version 67/100 based on 7 reviews,[22] the PlayStation 4 version 68/100 based on 12 reviews[23] and the Xbox One version 71/100 based on 11 reviews.[24]

Chapter III: Once Upon A Climb

Chapter III: Once Upon A Climb received positive reviews. Metacritic gave the Microsoft Windows version 78/100 based on 4 reviews,[25] the PlayStation 4 version 79/100 based on 10 reviews[26] and the Xbox One version 80/100 based on 8 reviews.[27]

Chapter IV: Snow Place Like Home

Chapter IV: Snow Place Like Home received mixed reviews. Chris Carter from Destructoid gave this chapter a 9/10 for being "a hallmark of excellence. It may have some flaws, but they are negligible to what is otherwise a supreme title", while Chandler Wood from PlayStation Lifestyle had some mixed feelings about the chapter, giving it 5.5 being happy with "some great cultural references and lines/seeing Graham continue to grow" but generally disliking the "cold and dull environment/boring and dated puzzle design/lack of meaningful choices/underplays capabilities showcased in prior chapters".

Chapter V: The Good Knight

Chapter V: The Good Knight received generally positive reviews. Chris Carter from Destructoid gave this chapter 8.5/10 for an "impressive effort with a few noticeable problems holding it back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth most people's time and cash". Chandler Wood from PlayStation Lifestyle was pleased with this chapter this time around, giving the game 8/10, praising the "deep subjects of mortality, life accomplishments, and what we leave behind/Callbacks to King's Quest through the years/Conclusion that pulls the whole saga into context and finishes it out nicely" although being unhappy with the "sudden memory loss" and "some puzzle design is flawed".

The Complete Collection

During the 20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated King's Quest: The Complete Collection for "Adventure Game of the Year".[30]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Porter, Matt (June 30, 2015). "King's Quest: A Knight to Remember Release Date Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Sarkar, Samit (December 1, 2015). "King's Quest finally gets second chapter in mid-December, here's why it took so long". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 4, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Porter, Matt (March 14, 2016). "King's Quest Chapter 3 Coming Next Month". IGN. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Dunning, Jason (September 21, 2016). "King's Quest Chapter 4: Snow Place Like Home Launches on September 27". PlayStation LifeStyle. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Perez, Daniel (October 14, 2016). "King's Quest tells the final chapter of Graham's story on October 25". Shacknews. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Futter, Mike (August 16, 2014). "[Update] Sierra's New King's Quest Won't Be Point-And-Click, Will Be Adventure". Game Informer. Archived from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Juba, Joe (March 6, 2015). "Passing The Hat: An In-Depth Look At The New King's Quest". Game Informer. Archived from the original on March 8, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  8. ↑ Morganti, Emily (March 13, 2015). "King's Quest preview". Adventure Gamers. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Todd, Brett (July 28, 2015). "King's Quest Chapter 1: A Knight to Remember Review". Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  10. ↑ Sarkar, Samit; McElroy, Justin (July 28, 2015). "King's Quest: 'A Knight to Remember' Review: My Kingdom for a Horse". Polygon. Archived from the original on July 28, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  11. ↑ Carter, Chris (July 28, 2015). "Review: King's Quest: A Knight To Remember". Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  12. 1 2 Hryb, Larry (July 25, 2015). "MNR 549 Gamescom and King's Quest Interview". Archived from the original on August 2, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  13. ↑ "ErrorPage". Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Sierra And King's Quest Are Coming Back From The Dead". The International House of Mojo. August 12, 2014. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  15. ↑ Calandra, Nick (June 17, 2015). "King's Quest - Recapturing the Magic and Charm of the Original Game Interview". Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  16. ↑ Samit Sarkar (December 2015). "King's Quest finally gets second chapter in mid-December, here's why it took so long". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016.
  17. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (May 11, 2015). "King's Quest Revival Has a Seriously Impressive Voice Cast". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 14, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  18. ↑ Lemne, Bengt (May 11, 2015). "Behind the scenes with King's Quest voice cast". Gamereactor. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  19. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 1: A Knight to Remember for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 31, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  20. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 1: A Knight to Remember for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 31, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  21. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 1: A Knight to Remember for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  22. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 2: Rubble Without a Cause for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  23. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 2: Rubble Without a Cause for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 15, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  24. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 2: Rubble Without a Cause for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  25. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 3: Once Upon a Climb for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  26. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 3: Once Upon a Climb for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  27. 1 2 "King's Quest Chapter 3: Once Upon a Climb for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  28. ↑ "King's Quest Chapter 4: Snow Place Like Home for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  29. ↑ "King's Quest Chapter 5: The Good Knight for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  30. ↑ "2017 Awards Category Details Adventure Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  1. ↑ Released under the Sierra Entertainment brand name
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