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King's Quest

Go back to Sierra On-Line, Inc.


King's Quest: Quest for the Crown

Type:
Moving character graphics/Sound Written 1984 (written 1983; rereleased 1987) by Roberta Williams.
Runs on:
Notes: This was originally a demonstration product for the PCjr, commissioned by IBM, and also published and distributed by them. The real original version was for PCjr only. This first version had a manual written by IBM and came with a keyboard overlay with a scene from the game on it that was designed for the IBM "chicklet" keyboard. Since the PCjr wasn't a blockbuster, neither was KQ, so Sierra also released separate versions for Tandy and CGA. All three were booting and all three versions used different kinds of copy protections. The original version was either four (CGA) or 16 colors (EGA; supported by the PCjr and Tandy versions).


The game was later re-released for DOS, supporting CGA/EGA/PCjr/Tandy. (and re-re-released later...).

It was the first adventure game to feature object blocking to allow a moving character on screen to go behind and in front of objects, thus creating Sierra's "3-D Animated Adventure".

An AGI IBM version came on one 5 1/4" disk and one 3 1/2" disk. In 1984 the game was packaged in a grey box with a plastic insert tray, in 1987 it was repackaged with a slipcover gold case and a tan Sierra box. Both versions include a 12 page parchment manual.

Comments: As Sir Graham, help King Edward recover the three lost treasures of Daventry - a magic mirror, a treasure chest of gold, and an enchanted shield, while meeting Rumplestiltskin, the Leprechaun Kingdom, Goliath, and the witch from Hansel and Gretel.


King's Quest: Quest for the Crown (Enhanced Version)

Type:
Moving character graphics/Music Written 1989 by Roberta Williams.
Runs on:
Notes:
This is the same game as the above, but with improved graphics (but still only 16 colors). A few puzzles changed slightly, like the location of the pebbles and the name of Rumplestiltskin. The Amiga version takes up four disks instead of the original one. The IBM version came on nine 5 1/4" disks, three 3 1/2" disks. It was originally released in the same box as the 1987 version of the original and with the same manual. A sticker was placed on the box stating it had "enhanced graphics". Later rereleased in its own box in the post-1990 type Sierra slipcovers.

Comments: Not an improvement over the original version.


King's Quest II: Romancing the Throne

Type:
Moving character graphics/Music Written 1985 by Roberta Williams and Annette Childs [story].
Runs on:
Notes: 16 color graphics in AGI. The IBM version came on two 5 1/4" disks and one 3 1/2" disk and features a 12 page parchment manual. It was released in 1985 in a grey box with a plastic insert tray and repackaged in 1987 with a gold slipcover and a tan Sierra box.

Comments: Sir Graham, who is now king, searches the land of Kolyma for the keys to unlock the three doors that will lead him to the maiden Valanice, held captive in a tower. Along the way, he meets King Neptune, Little Red Riding Hood, Count Dracula, and of course, Batman.


King's Quest III: To Heir is Human

Type:
Moving character graphics/Music Written 1986 by Roberta Williams, Annette Childs [story], Al Lowe [programming], Bob Heitman [programming] and Bob Kernaghan [programming].
Runs on:
Notes: This is the first game in the series to feature spell casting. 16 color graphics. In 1986 it was packaged in a grey box with a plastic insert tray. In 1987 it was repackaged in a gold slipcover case with a tan Sierra box. The IBM version is on three 5 1/4" disks and two 3 1/2" disks. It includes a 16 page parchment manual featuring the recipes for 7 spells.

Comments: As Gwydion, discover your true identity and find a way to escape captivity by the evil wizard Manannan. You must also save the land of Daventry from the ravages of an evil dragon while meeting Medusa, the three bears, pirates, and the abominable snowman.


King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella

Type:
Moving character graphics/Music Written 1988 by Roberta Williams and William Goldstein [music].
Runs on:
Notes: 16 color graphics with professionally composed midi music. Supports mouse and sound card. King's Quest IV exists in two versions released simultaneously, one using the old AGI game system and another which is Sierra's first release in SCI (higher resolution than KQ III). Sierra were afraid that the SCI version wouldn't run on many computers, but it turned out that almost everyone bought the SCI version so the AGI version was cancelled quickly.

It includes a 23 page parchment manual. The IBM version comes on eight 5 1/4" disks and four 3 1/2" disks. It was rereleased in 1989 with different cover artwork and a slighly revised manual.

Comments: Princess Rosella, daughter of Graham and Valanice, travels to the land of Tamir in search of the magic fruit that will ail her dying father and the talisman that will restore the fairy Genesta's power. Along the way, meet the Seven Dwarves, Cupid, the Frog Prince and Pan before your final battle with the evil Lolotte.


King's Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart go Yonder!

Type:
Moving character graphics/Music Written 1990 (around 1991 on CD) by Roberta Williams.
Runs on:
Notes:
16 color graphics on disk, 256 color graphics on disk, 256 color graphics on CD. The IBM disk version in 16 colors contains six 5 1/4" disks and ten 3 1/2" disks. The IBM CD on one CD-rom with a redesigned box. This is Sierra's first game with 256 color graphics and their first using the now familiar icon system which is also employed in KQ VI. It contains a 36 page manual featuring symbols to cast spells.

Comments: King Graham and new sidekick, Cedrick the talking (and annoying) owl, travel the land of Serenia looking for the evil wizard Mordack who has kidnapped Graham's family and his castle. Meet a talking willow, gypsies, the Yeti, and the Ice Queen on your way to find them.


King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow

Type:
Moving character graphics/Music Written 1992 (1993 on CD) by Revolutions Software, Roberta Williams and Jane Jensen.
Runs on:
Notes: The IBM floppy version comes on eleven 5 1/4" disks and features a short opening sequence with spoken dialogue. The IBM CD-rom version comes on one CD and features an elongated opening sequence and revoiced dialogue. Voice work by Robby Benson as Alexander. Both versions are done in 256 colors. The disk version contains a 52 page parchment manual, Guidebook to the Land of the Green Isles. The CD version contains a 32 page manual, Guidebook to the Land of the Green Isles, and a 16 page technical manual (both in jewel case). The Game is icon based, like KQ V and features some spells like KQ III and V. It was simultaneously released in three different slipcover case boxes - in red, blue and white. It features "The Girl in the Tower" theme song, composed by Mark Seibert opening cartoon by Kronos. It is also available in German.

Comments: Prince Alexander of Daventry traverses to the four lands of the Green Isles - Isle of the Crown, Isle of the Beast, Isle of Wonder and Isle of the Sacred Mountain in search of Cassima, the girl in the tower he sees in the magic mirror. Meet Beauty and the Beast, the Winged Ones, a talking garden, and an evil genie as you try to rescue her.


King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride

Type:
Moving character graphics/Music Written 1994 by Roberta Williams and Lorelei Shannon.
Runs on:
Notes: Released 1994 on CD for Windows 3.1 only. Rereleased around 1995 on CD for Windows and DOS (PC version) with a new box. The IBM version is on one CD and contains a 16-page manual in jewel case. Contains a universally hated simplified icon system - that is, one icon that lights up, telling you you're supposed to do something at that part of the screen. What fun. The only improvement over VI is the higher resolution, which doesn't necessarily make the graphics look any better.

Comments: Sappy Saturday morning cartoon fluff brings the King's Quest series to a grinding halt as Rosella and Valanice get separated and search for each other. In their journeys, they encounter the Troll Kingdom, the strange town of Falderal and the evil Malicia, who you might recognise as Cruella when she was in Disney's 101 Dalmatians (Disney should sue).


King's Quest VIII: Mask of Eternity

Type:
3D Written 1998 by Roberta Williams.
Runs on:
Notes: This comes on one CD. Package contains an instruction bookled and a quick reference card.

Comments: This is a mix of adventure and role-playing game with combat sequences.


King's Quest 15th Anniversary Collector's Edition

Written 1994.
Notes: Contains KQ1 (both the old and the enhanced version), KQ 2-4, KQ 5 (English and French), KQ 6 (English and German), and a preview of KQ 7.


King's Quest Collection Series

Written 1997 or 1998.
Notes: Collection contains the games King's Quest 1-7, the two Laura Bow games and Mixed-Up Mother goose.


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