Very much agree with your assessments. Not the King's Quest we grew up with, but that's not a bad thing. In fact I'd say it's excellent, as it's a clever mixing of the story and charm of the old games with more modern adventuring (a la Telltale.) Never felt too overwhelmed, but certainly challenged, which is exactly what I look for in games like this! And that's just part 1!
Lazy Game Reviews I'm still not thrilled with the saving options, made even more frustrating when I needed to go back and grab footage that got messed up, only to realize...I couldn't. Oy. That's a major criticism for me.
True I do wish the paid chapters were more full length... But it seems the game is only 3* the intro chapter if you wanna speedrun ... You're insane but go ahead
I played through this with my 6 year old daughter for the first time when it came out. We had a wonderful time laughing together and figuring out the puzzles. When I was a kid I grew up with the original kings quest, but this version now means more to me than the original ever could. Thank you for the review - it brought back some wonderful memories!
There are two fun easter eggs in the game, that I only recently discovered. 1. Two of the tapestries in the castle depict the cover arts for King's Quest 4 and 6. 2. In episode 1, when Graham and Achaka crawl through a tunnel in the dragon's cave, it looks very similar to the one that Graham crawls through to escape the dark forest in King's Quest 5.
My grandfather died last month after a battle with cancer. I didn't know him as well as I would have liked--his and my father's relationship was complicated, and he lived halfway across the country--but I cherish the time I did spend with him. Because of the relationship complications, and because of other mental health shit I was going through at the time, I didn't cry for him until a few hours ago, when I finished chapter 5 of this game, which I never would have touched were it not for this video. I know you probably won't read this--it's one comment among many on an old video--but on the off-chance you do, thank you Roses.
I went into the game expecting to like it, but I think what surprised me the most was just HOW much I liked it. I'm with you, I have a few gripes (I REALLY wish you could skip dialogue...) but overall, I loved it. I loved the writing, and the chime, oh the chime made me so happy. I was excited to hear your thoughts on this because you're honestly one of the people who got me into Sierra games in the first place. I'd never played them as a kid, and it was only fairly recently through GOG that I got into them. I'm thrilled to experience this alongside Sierra veterans and just see it for what it is, and what it is is...good.
Strain42 My god, the CHIME. Seriously, I love adventure game chimes like that. I should do a video on it! ...it'd...be a really short video. But it'd have a lot of heart.
Strain42 The music in this game made me tear up, I am honestly worried about what may happen as the chapters continue, it certainly gives of the feeling of "imminent sadness ahead ". But you know, if that does happen I think I would be okay with it, because the game gave me chime. I love you chime.
PushingUpRoses Dew it! Zat wood be amazel! And while your at it, thou might answer yon olde riddle, do the Sierra Success chimes join together to make the Quest Anthem?
Strain42 As a "Sierra veteran" of a sort, I want to welcome you to the light side of the farce. Good luck on your quests. There's still a thriving welcome fan community for this weirdness.
Reading on Twitter about how you struggled for days to get this edit done makes me all the more appreciative of the final result. Great review! Looks like King's Quest (2015) is a worthy homage and proper sequel to a great series.
Such vibrant graphics! And it's a good thing this game seems to have some of the things the fans miss while also incorporating ideas to give it a new feeling.
Its a King's Quest game with the death system of 7 and the humor of Gravity Falls MUST... BUY.... IMMEDIATELY Edit: Did not buy immediately and regretted it, this is easily one of the best point-and-click games I have ever played
Honestly, i never played the serria games growing up (it was the 3 disc world point & clicks, lemmings and the "Theme" management games for me) but seeing Roses and Paw nostalgia over them over the years makes me happy. i'm glad that the this new episodic series is shaping up to be good. i might just try it :P
Re the spacebar randomly not working: I had the same problem when I was playing through. What I discovered was that it wasn't an issue with the game, but with the keyboard I was using. It was the el cheapo standard generic keyboard, using a corresponding el cheapo controller chip, and it was limited in how many keys it could report being pressed simultaneously. King's Quest tends to have parts where it it needs a lot of keys being pressed at once, so sometimes that limit would get hit, particularly on climbing puzzles where you're hitting like four keys at once. After I got a much better gaming keyboard with true N-key rollover (basically, it will report any number of keys all being held down at the same time), those keypress dropouts stopped.
I'm years too late, and you probably won't see this comment, but I finally got around to playing this game and just completed Chapter 5 tonight (still an Epilogue to go). Roses, you NEED to revisit this and complete it if you haven't already. There is so much stuff crammed into this game that is just for hardcore King's Quest fans, from music to subtle references... even in major plot points and characterization, it will mean so much more if you're already familiar with the history of the series. There is almost nobody who covers this game beyond the firs chapter, but I think you would be the perfect person to do so. I can't say the game is perfect -- in fact, a couple chapters are pretty disappointing -- but I never regretted playing them, and the story is truly captivating. Also, this might be one of the few games in existence that actually uses the episodic format to its own benefit. Little details here and there bothered me, but in the end, the game is much more than the sum of its parts and it is a tale that is told excellently.
Holy shit, the minute I saw Graham's "weenieness" and Whysper, just, in GENERAL, I knew I wanted this. Whysper's voice is so perfect. Great video! Can't wait to get it myself and check it out!
ADAMNATOR He's hilarious. I find him a tiny bit annoying, but the writing is so sharp in this game that he doesn't get TOO over the top. He is very much a "Dreamworks animation" character. Much of the game is, really.
You know what? This video kinda made me feel more at ease with the idea of the Final Fantasy 7 remake, they will change things but what of it? Maybe the changes will be for the better and if they aren't I can still play the original.
TheAlbion They also made Deus Ex Human Revolution, Sleeping Dogs, Tomb Raider, Bravely Default, Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn and Final Fantasy Type 0.
***** Play it on the PC with the Bootleg mod. You will thank me later. You must consider the fact that FF7 Remake is well... a remake and not a reboot. If they rebooted Final Fantasy 7 (which would equate a blatant cash grab in my eyes), then there would be the expectancy of changes and "innovations". The best they should do is enhance the experience and not try to alter too much, unless they plan to include anything that may have been ripped from the game. They made Advent Children and The Spirits Within as well.
Dr. Steve Brule They said they would make some changes here and there, but I assume it will be to cover up some of the plot holes created by the other games in the canon. And they have already said we are getting Cloud in a dress, so I think people are worrying to much.
PushingUpRoses So, I never played any of the King's Quest games growing up, or even now as an adult, but after I watched this video, I decided to buy the first chapter on my Xbox 360. I played it in one night, beat it, and am replaying it now. Ehrmergerd I *love* this game so so so much!!! I love Graham's puns, how excitable he is, the humor in this game, the fact that you really don't use a weapon or get into combat at all, you have to think your way out of situations. I also love the implementation of a Mass Effect style choice wheel, which is more fun when replaying the game and seeing the results of the different choices you make! My only complaints with the game are: The autosave feature, as you mentioned. It would've been nice if they allowed for you to save whenever you wanted, in case you make the wrong choice and wanted to go back and choose something else. The lack of a "skip" option for cutscenes and dialogue. As you pointed out, it is a bit frustrating when you repeatedly die, and when you respawn, you have to re-watch or re-listen to certain scenes and bits of dialogue over and over again, when you just want to jump back in and play the game. This is more of a personal nitpick, but I sort of wish you could press a button and make Graham run faster than the jog he seems to have. I'm used to playing adventure/RP games like Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Jade Empire, even Final Fantasy VIII, where you got the option to press and hold a button to activate a quick sprint, or just run faster than you just were. I wish the game was longer, or, the chapter was. I'm guessing once the full game is released, it'll hopefully clock in ten hours or more, but when I was playing the game last night, it took me about 5 - 6 hours to beat it. Although I'll readily admit that it's because I was so sucked into the game, I didn't want it to be over when I finished the first chapter! :P Other than that, I LOVE this game, and now I'm all kinds of excited for the next four chapters to be released!
I know Valanice is canon but I kinda wished Graham and Amaya had gotten together. She is the opposite of Graham and it would've been an interesting energy seeing those two work off each other.
Maybe I've become too much of a softie since MLP, but I loved that game. Sure, Chapter 2 had a bit of a tone problem and the other chapters after that were too linear, but I just enjoyed the characters on an emotional level. They feel like family. Also loved Valanice (both versions).
Also Richard White (Gaston from Beauty and the Beast 1991) is the voice of Whisper. Whom I found annoying yet hilarious too. Great voice actors in this.
Great review as usual, Roses. I honestly just numbed myself to this one and decided not to even play it. I caved and tried it out and was very pleasantly surprised. It's so obviously made by people who loved and respected the original games, but with their own modern twist. As far as the lighter tone...something tells me that this game my get progressively darker, but hopefully it will hold on to the whimsy of this first chapter.
Great review. I LOL'd at LGR cameo voice overs, they were great. :D I have yet to finish the first episode. This new King's Quest may not be the King's Quest that I wanted, but it is a King's Quest that I am enjoying. I grew up with this series and it feels really good to play a well made new chapter in King's quest lore. Mr Fancycakes is great, I hope we will see more of him in future episodes.
I was cautiously optimistic about this game when I heard it was being developed as well. I heard a lot of mixed reviews of it over the past few weeks and it seemed to break down along nostalgia lines. Fans of the old series seemed mostly charmed while people who disliked King's Quest, or Sierra games in general, were unimpressed. Being in the former category, I gave it a shot and I'm glad I did. Your review is pretty spot on, and your initial words about it on Twitter convinced me to buy the game. The little character moments they gave for Graham were some of my favorite parts of the game, and I really liked his interactions with Achaka. I also hope we get to play as Gwendolyn at some point in the series. Great review, Roses.
I didn't grow up on the King's Quest games, but having watch the Game Grumps/Steam Train vids of them playing it, the games have ALWAYS have light hearted silly tones
I definitely went into this with bated breath. I loved the art style and the presentation and everything from the trailers, but those didn't give much of a sense of the game. Hearing that chime early on did pull me in and a bunch of the callbacks made me smile, but it wasn't until around 2 hours that it hit me all of a sudden - I'm playing a new King's Quest game... More than 20 years since VII and I'm actually playing a brand new King's Quest game! I was downright giddy wandering around and trying to figure out what to do in the second half of it. Can't wait for the rest of the chapters. Oh yeah, I had that space bar issue too. I thought something was wrong with my keyboard.
I was so worried when I saw the first screenshots and trailers for this game. It didn't look anything like King's Quest at all. And as you, and many others, point out: that first section doesn't paint a pretty picture for those looking for the traditional Sierra experience. But, overall, this game looks like it has promise. I really want to pick this up soon!
This game had a very monkey island vibe to me, not just because it's almost exactly the same style as the new telltale Monkey Island game, but because they've pretty much given Graham Guybrush's personality.
Great timing this. I went to gamestop and saw this title on the shelf. Which was a complete surprise to me. For some reason i thought it was a remake of the first 3 kingsquests and th ere gamestop employee seemed to think so as well. I had no idea what this was or when a kingsquest title was announced. I come home and this is here. Yay for mama roses to guide me on this new kq journey.
Solid, and fair review! I was so nervous about this game not living up to my expectations... since it had some huge boots to fill. But honestly I just had so much fun playing this. Like you said... its something familiar... but at the same time new. And it makes me happy. :-)
Really liked this review. Your feelings mirrored my own. I'd love to know what you think about the later chapters, too, even if it was just as a reply-comment. I found the final couple of chapters surprisingly affecting.
I gotta say, I really enjoy the contagious and irrepressible enthusiasm of this young Graham. I mean what, was the world really groaning that we weren't given ANOTHER Link carbon copy? This Graham reminds me of Louie from Rune Soldier, an excitable doofus that may not know what he's in for, but is feeling giddy and trepidatious as all hell for the adventure that is to come. It also ironically roots him a bit in reality because an adventure into wonder IS exciting, and so are meeting fantastic new people in breath-taking new landscapes. Don't be blasé, you've stumbled into the kingdom of perpetual fall! Sometimes the audience needs to draw from the energy of an excitable protagonist to know how special this new twist or turn really is.
I just completed the first chapter last night! Overall I enjoyed the game, as you briefly touched on in this review I sorta found Graham's excitable nature to be a bit cringe inducing at times, but I can accept it knowing that Graham's younger than we've ever seen him before so of course he's going to act differently than what we're used to. I'm curious to see how he'll change/grow in the future chapters. I do wish there was the option to save to a different slot as you mentioned, mostly because I would like to more easily explore some of the alternative puzzle solutions/hear the alternative dialogue. I was surprised by how fast some of the new characters grew on me. Seeing Graham win over the other Knight hopefuls was nice too. Whisper was great, but Achaka was my favourite out of all of them.
Shawinigan Handshake I'm going to like your comment just for Achaka. I still get a swell of emotion every time I start a new game and have to do the bow part in the tutorial.
10:10 I agree! The game felt to me as a Monkey Island game with a King's Quest jacket (and some Space Ace thrown in. Yeah, I literally thought "Space Ace!" instead of Dragon's Lair despite the action sequence happening in an actual Dragon's Lair) But I loved it! I love this game so much!
EvilPlagueDoctor People in the middle ages couldn't blaspheme, so they would work around it by swearing on individual parts of Christ's body, like his blood. They just started running them together eventually.
Thanks for sticking up for this game Roses :D I love this game and its changes to, the voice actors done a great job playing as each character. I did have a bit of a fanboy OMG hype moment when I found out Christopher Lloyd voiced Old Graham XD. The new visual design is perfect for KQ because the whole series was always full of comedy, goofy characters, colourful visuals, fariytale characters and light hearted fantasy. But sweet jesus the best part of this game besides the lovely adventuring after the cave section was the knights, oh sweet jeebus I fucking loved seeing these guys especially W.H.I.S.P.E.R. My only gripe on this game is... well graham already said this when he was talking about the Hatchet. But I was a bit annoyed that you cannot keep on abusing items on your surroundings. Deaths are a bit limited unless you fail an arcade section, the arcade sections I've always hated in adventure games but in this game they are pretty easy and not stupidly hard like the other quest games or manhunter. I cant wait to get the later chapters. Good to see Sierra back
I got to the last fight with Wallace Shawn and kept messing up the quick time event. So it kept playing over and over. I sat through the same "actually I think it was edict 1.21!" Joke like 20 times before I just stopped and never came back 😅
Did this fail? Anyone know what the future does hold for Sierra? I so wish they would take the easy but very great way of doing the old games. I so want KQ4 like this.
It's funny, I think the only King's Quest title that wasn't seeping with child like _WhiMsy_ was that blackest of sheep called MOE,! From what you say, this sounds, looks and tastes very close to form, just so long as I still want to take it seriously. I look forward to trying this now. Maybe it's less like Queste for Glory and more like Space Quest's or Conquests of occasional arcade sequences. See, I like the sound of this a lot, as that aspect made for my favorite Sierra titles! Heck, the earlier AGI games all had bits with something like action sequenses, but the mechanic was typing a basic " throww cantine at orat" or "kill wolf with trident" (that doesn't work BTW).
The lack of save/reload feature is especially annoying in Chapter 2 where Graham can lose townsfolk depending on his choices, and if you don't want that you gotta restart the entire Chapter until you figure out the quirks or watch a walkthrough.
I actually really liked it, despite (as you and others have said) that initial action sequence. I think what sold it to me to keep going was accidentally clicking on one of the beds near the beginning and seeing the narrative jokes. I'd have played it anyway if had been nothing but platforming QTE's but I'd probably not recommended it. My other friends who also grew up with Kings Quest games also greatly enjoyed playing it. I have, and have played all the Kings Quest games (yes including 8), and I'd say that I'd probably want to put off final judgement on this until all the pieces of it are released. It's nice hearing some professional voice acting right from the beginning. I mean the voices in the early talkie KQ (or all the Sierra games really) were kinda all over the place in terms of consistency. This KQ game feels like a lot of care was put in to making the voices fit.
I've been playing this recently with my lil brother on xbox and thought, I wonder is Roses is aware of this reimagining, and I'm like 5 years late but hey great video. Sorry I just discovered you a couple months ago and thought I'd seen all your videos a couple times heh but I now and then stumble across one I somehow missed. Sooooo, new comments on old videos. Sorry!
UGH! That freaking space bar prompt. Thankfully, Enter always works. I was stuck on one puzzle ( no, not even a puzzle, just a sequence of obvious events ) for ten minutes until I started mashing buttons and found an alternate button.
I really liked what I saw from this new kings quest game and I think is very faithful to the original games. And remember that in the context of the story it a story retold. So it makes sense that there would be some differences. It is a smart way of doing it. Capturing the old feel of the games yet innovating enough to make it is own thing rather then getting stuck in the past. Do agree on the critique you had Roses. Would have been nice if they had a slight different save system.
I know your list of references isn't complete but I couldn't get over how many references there were. I'm sure I missed a ton but 1)Cape is based on the cape from KQ5 2)The three solutions to defeat the Dragon in the opening are based on KQ1. (kill him, sneak by, douse his flames) 3)The icons are based on KQ5 4)Graham's drowning ruse is (I think) a joke on his flailing drowning animations in previous KQ games. 5)When asked his name, Graham replies "Graham C...." referencing the joke from KQ2 where the text parser tells you Graham's last name is "Cracker". 6)The pie in the bakery is the pie in KQ5. 7) The baker is, (I think) based the visage of Roberta Williams. (That hair and bangs combo isn't something you see everywhere...) 8)If you manage to find your way to castle Daventry, the moat and knights are straight out of KQ1 9)The game keeps referring to Graham as an Archer, despite the fact that when the game begins, he can't shoot. I think this "Archer" qualification began as an explanation for why Graham, a knight, never wore armor or used a sword. 10)It's a common fairy tale cliche that trolls live under bridges, and this was an element of KQ1. KQ2015 decided to buck the trend and have them be under the bridges in the most literal sense. I'm sure I'm missing a ton.
No mouse controls, or just no point and click for movement? I'm fine with the Teltale style movement (though I prefer point and click) but I want to use a mouse.
I couldn't agree with you more! I love silly teen Graham, and the general tone of this game. I think my favorite would have to be the old couple, so many great one liners.
Graham's cape. O_O. I know this is silly, but despite all the beautiful backgrounds, the incredible character animations, that cape dazzled me the most. I've always been fascinated with capes in games for whatever reason, and that cape is the most goddamn magnificently animated capes I've seen. I wonder how long it took to make, I know that when Batman: Arkham Asylum came out they said a programmer took nearly a year to program it, even though it got easier when their team got bigger. But still.
Kaye Faye I know, I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Cape physics! Lookit them cape physics all over the place, it's beautiful. I didn't even see much clipping. Most capes I've seen in games are either super stiff and obviously tethered to the character's ankles or flop around like physics isn't their problem and clip liberally. (I'm currently playing One Piece: Unlimited World Red in which the capes swish in a very satisfying manner but clipping is often and obvious. Most notably Brook loses his cravat straight through his ribcage every time he does his running over water animation, and the camera zooms right up so we can see.) A bit of wonkiness is fine with me because I am amused by silly physics. But yes, props to the King's Quest capes!
I can't remember in which episode of the game it is but whenever you see Mr Fancy Pants keep using different objects from your inventory on him several times and hilarity ensues!
Why are there so many mattresses in this game? Because it's a reference to the Princess and the Pea maybe? I mean, those mattresses only had 1 use to test the princess, and they weren't to be used in a bed afterwards I assume.
I just got this series. - so far I am enjoying it very much. Even though I never played the originals, I bought the Kings Quest series on Gog years ago but still never played it. I was always into Space Quest growing up - similar yet different by Sierra - I hope they eventually do similar for that series like they did for this. Maybe once I finish all the chapters I'll actually play the original Kings Quest games lol.
I didn't even know there was a new King's Quest series. Has SpaceVenture, the follow on from the Space Quest games been released yet? Anyway, the new King's Quest does seem interesting I admit. The original King's Quest games were quite serious weren't they? I remember hearing Scott Murphy say that the humour of Space Quest was a bit of a reaction to the seriousness of the King's Quest games. The new Graham definitely reminds me of previous game heroes. I'm tempted to say Dirk the Daring, but that might just be because of the river ride scene shown in this video. I guess the company that made this new King's Quest grew up with Roberta Williams' Kings Quest and wanted to pay tribute to it or reimagine it. I didn't recognize Christopher Lloyd's voice as Old Graham, until Roses pointed it out.
Very much agree with your assessments. Not the King's Quest we grew up with, but that's not a bad thing. In fact I'd say it's excellent, as it's a clever mixing of the story and charm of the old games with more modern adventuring (a la Telltale.) Never felt too overwhelmed, but certainly challenged, which is exactly what I look for in games like this! And that's just part 1!
Lazy Game Reviews I'm still not thrilled with the saving options, made even more frustrating when I needed to go back and grab footage that got messed up, only to realize...I couldn't. Oy. That's a major criticism for me.
Lazy Game Reviews i agree with u
PushingUpRoses i agree with u too
That's why it has a clone function... Um so you can use multiple slots for play
True I do wish the paid chapters were more full length... But it seems the game is only 3* the intro chapter if you wanna speedrun ... You're insane but go ahead
I played through this with my 6 year old daughter for the first time when it came out. We had a wonderful time laughing together and figuring out the puzzles. When I was a kid I grew up with the original kings quest, but this version now means more to me than the original ever could. Thank you for the review - it brought back some wonderful memories!
Fantastic review as usual. Loved all the fun b-roll and silly touches.
There are two fun easter eggs in the game, that I only recently discovered.
1. Two of the tapestries in the castle depict the cover arts for King's Quest 4 and 6.
2. In episode 1, when Graham and Achaka crawl through a tunnel in the dragon's cave, it looks very similar to the one that Graham crawls through to escape the dark forest in King's Quest 5.
My grandfather died last month after a battle with cancer. I didn't know him as well as I would have liked--his and my father's relationship was complicated, and he lived halfway across the country--but I cherish the time I did spend with him. Because of the relationship complications, and because of other mental health shit I was going through at the time, I didn't cry for him until a few hours ago, when I finished chapter 5 of this game, which I never would have touched were it not for this video. I know you probably won't read this--it's one comment among many on an old video--but on the off-chance you do, thank you Roses.
I went into the game expecting to like it, but I think what surprised me the most was just HOW much I liked it. I'm with you, I have a few gripes (I REALLY wish you could skip dialogue...) but overall, I loved it. I loved the writing, and the chime, oh the chime made me so happy. I was excited to hear your thoughts on this because you're honestly one of the people who got me into Sierra games in the first place. I'd never played them as a kid, and it was only fairly recently through GOG that I got into them.
I'm thrilled to experience this alongside Sierra veterans and just see it for what it is, and what it is is...good.
Strain42 My god, the CHIME. Seriously, I love adventure game chimes like that. I should do a video on it! ...it'd...be a really short video. But it'd have a lot of heart.
PushingUpRoses I would totally Like, Comment on, and Share that video.
Strain42 The music in this game made me tear up, I am honestly worried about what may happen as the chapters continue, it certainly gives of the feeling of "imminent sadness ahead ".
But you know, if that does happen I think I would be okay with it, because the game gave me chime.
I love you chime.
PushingUpRoses Dew it! Zat wood be amazel! And while your at it, thou might answer yon olde riddle, do the Sierra Success chimes join together to make the Quest Anthem?
Strain42 As a "Sierra veteran" of a sort, I want to welcome you to the light side of the farce. Good luck on your quests. There's still a thriving welcome fan community for this weirdness.
Reading on Twitter about how you struggled for days to get this edit done makes me all the more appreciative of the final result. Great review! Looks like King's Quest (2015) is a worthy homage and proper sequel to a great series.
Such vibrant graphics! And it's a good thing this game seems to have some of the things the fans miss while also incorporating ideas to give it a new feeling.
Roses, have you played any of the other chapters? I would love to see reviews on Chapter 2 and 3 from you! :)
Fun fact, I live near(ish) the town of Daventry from which KQ gets the name.
It's an absolute shithole xD
This is what I was waiting for before deciding to buy the game or not: a credible review from a fellow King's Quest lover. Thanks for the vídeo!
Its a King's Quest game with the death system of 7 and the humor of Gravity Falls
MUST... BUY.... IMMEDIATELY
Edit: Did not buy immediately and regretted it, this is easily one of the best point-and-click games I have ever played
Zelda Williams you said? im glad she got into game industry heh
Oscar Velazquez She definitely has the name for it.
That's for sure.
+Dr. Steve Brule "Williams"?
Yeah Robin Williams daughter RIP Robin you are already missed 💔😥 ahem Whisper can do it 😎
Honestly, i never played the serria games growing up (it was the 3 disc world point & clicks, lemmings and the "Theme" management games for me) but seeing Roses and Paw nostalgia over them over the years makes me happy. i'm glad that the this new episodic series is shaping up to be good. i might just try it :P
Re the spacebar randomly not working: I had the same problem when I was playing through. What I discovered was that it wasn't an issue with the game, but with the keyboard I was using. It was the el cheapo standard generic keyboard, using a corresponding el cheapo controller chip, and it was limited in how many keys it could report being pressed simultaneously. King's Quest tends to have parts where it it needs a lot of keys being pressed at once, so sometimes that limit would get hit, particularly on climbing puzzles where you're hitting like four keys at once.
After I got a much better gaming keyboard with true N-key rollover (basically, it will report any number of keys all being held down at the same time), those keypress dropouts stopped.
I'm years too late, and you probably won't see this comment, but I finally got around to playing this game and just completed Chapter 5 tonight (still an Epilogue to go). Roses, you NEED to revisit this and complete it if you haven't already. There is so much stuff crammed into this game that is just for hardcore King's Quest fans, from music to subtle references... even in major plot points and characterization, it will mean so much more if you're already familiar with the history of the series. There is almost nobody who covers this game beyond the firs chapter, but I think you would be the perfect person to do so. I can't say the game is perfect -- in fact, a couple chapters are pretty disappointing -- but I never regretted playing them, and the story is truly captivating. Also, this might be one of the few games in existence that actually uses the episodic format to its own benefit. Little details here and there bothered me, but in the end, the game is much more than the sum of its parts and it is a tale that is told excellently.
Graham is like Anne of Green Gables: very imaginative, articulate, and excitable. So silly.
I love how with the voice actors in this game, your rival knights are essentially Rex the Dinosaur, Louis the Alligator, and Gaston. XD
Ok I get 2 of those but if you are talking about Manny........well, he turns out to be much darker later...........
Also Whisper's voice actor was actually the guy that played Gaston. So many refrences.
I loved this game so much!!! I can't wait for the rest of the chapters!!! I really hope this series has a future, it really was fantastic!
Holy shit, the minute I saw Graham's "weenieness" and Whysper, just, in GENERAL, I knew I wanted this. Whysper's voice is so perfect. Great video! Can't wait to get it myself and check it out!
ADAMNATOR He's hilarious. I find him a tiny bit annoying, but the writing is so sharp in this game that he doesn't get TOO over the top. He is very much a "Dreamworks animation" character. Much of the game is, really.
Great review! Definitely peaked my interests in giving this game a shot.
It’s “piqued” - just so you know!
You know what? This video kinda made me feel more at ease with the idea of the Final Fantasy 7 remake, they will change things but what of it? Maybe the changes will be for the better and if they aren't I can still play the original.
*****
thing is, this wasn't made by the company that made lightning returns...
TheAlbion And still, if it sucks I can always play the original.
TheAlbion They also made Deus Ex Human Revolution, Sleeping Dogs, Tomb Raider, Bravely Default, Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn and Final Fantasy Type 0.
***** Play it on the PC with the Bootleg mod. You will thank me later.
You must consider the fact that FF7 Remake is well... a remake and not a reboot. If they rebooted Final Fantasy 7 (which would equate a blatant cash grab in my eyes), then there would be the expectancy of changes and "innovations". The best they should do is enhance the experience and not try to alter too much, unless they plan to include anything that may have been ripped from the game.
They made Advent Children and The Spirits Within as well.
Dr. Steve Brule They said they would make some changes here and there, but I assume it will be to cover up some of the plot holes created by the other games in the canon.
And they have already said we are getting Cloud in a dress, so I think people are worrying to much.
PushingUpRoses So, I never played any of the King's Quest games growing up, or even now as an adult, but after I watched this video, I decided to buy the first chapter on my Xbox 360. I played it in one night, beat it, and am replaying it now. Ehrmergerd I *love* this game so so so much!!! I love Graham's puns, how excitable he is, the humor in this game, the fact that you really don't use a weapon or get into combat at all, you have to think your way out of situations. I also love the implementation of a Mass Effect style choice wheel, which is more fun when replaying the game and seeing the results of the different choices you make!
My only complaints with the game are: The autosave feature, as you mentioned. It would've been nice if they allowed for you to save whenever you wanted, in case you make the wrong choice and wanted to go back and choose something else.
The lack of a "skip" option for cutscenes and dialogue. As you pointed out, it is a bit frustrating when you repeatedly die, and when you respawn, you have to re-watch or re-listen to certain scenes and bits of dialogue over and over again, when you just want to jump back in and play the game.
This is more of a personal nitpick, but I sort of wish you could press a button and make Graham run faster than the jog he seems to have. I'm used to playing adventure/RP games like Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Jade Empire, even Final Fantasy VIII, where you got the option to press and hold a button to activate a quick sprint, or just run faster than you just were.
I wish the game was longer, or, the chapter was. I'm guessing once the full game is released, it'll hopefully clock in ten hours or more, but when I was playing the game last night, it took me about 5 - 6 hours to beat it. Although I'll readily admit that it's because I was so sucked into the game, I didn't want it to be over when I finished the first chapter! :P
Other than that, I LOVE this game, and now I'm all kinds of excited for the next four chapters to be released!
You were the right person for this review. Covered everything exactly the way a true fan of the series should.
Best line: "Whisper does truly love Whisper!"
I know Valanice is canon but I kinda wished Graham and Amaya had gotten together. She is the opposite of Graham and it would've been an interesting energy seeing those two work off each other.
Also Richard White, aka original Gaston, was the voice of Whisper
5:49 < one of my favourite lines from this review ^_^
I love the tone of this so much, wow. Fantastic video!
Maybe I've become too much of a softie since MLP, but I loved that game. Sure, Chapter 2 had a bit of a tone problem and the other chapters after that were too linear, but I just enjoyed the characters on an emotional level. They feel like family.
Also loved Valanice (both versions).
Also Richard White (Gaston from Beauty and the Beast 1991) is the voice of Whisper. Whom I found annoying yet hilarious too. Great voice actors in this.
The series far from perfect but I do believe they were trying to honor the source material- and that is important for game like this.
Great review as usual, Roses. I honestly just numbed myself to this one and decided not to even play it. I caved and tried it out and was very pleasantly surprised. It's so obviously made by people who loved and respected the original games, but with their own modern twist.
As far as the lighter tone...something tells me that this game my get progressively darker, but hopefully it will hold on to the whimsy of this first chapter.
Great review. I LOL'd at LGR cameo voice overs, they were great. :D
I have yet to finish the first episode. This new King's Quest may not be the King's Quest that I wanted, but it is a King's Quest that I am enjoying. I grew up with this series and it feels really good to play a well made new chapter in King's quest lore. Mr Fancycakes is great, I hope we will see more of him in future episodes.
I was cautiously optimistic about this game when I heard it was being developed as well. I heard a lot of mixed reviews of it over the past few weeks and it seemed to break down along nostalgia lines. Fans of the old series seemed mostly charmed while people who disliked King's Quest, or Sierra games in general, were unimpressed. Being in the former category, I gave it a shot and I'm glad I did. Your review is pretty spot on, and your initial words about it on Twitter convinced me to buy the game. The little character moments they gave for Graham were some of my favorite parts of the game, and I really liked his interactions with Achaka. I also hope we get to play as Gwendolyn at some point in the series. Great review, Roses.
I didn't grow up on the King's Quest games, but having watch the Game Grumps/Steam Train vids of them playing it, the games have ALWAYS have light hearted silly tones
I definitely went into this with bated breath. I loved the art style and the presentation and everything from the trailers, but those didn't give much of a sense of the game. Hearing that chime early on did pull me in and a bunch of the callbacks made me smile, but it wasn't until around 2 hours that it hit me all of a sudden - I'm playing a new King's Quest game... More than 20 years since VII and I'm actually playing a brand new King's Quest game! I was downright giddy wandering around and trying to figure out what to do in the second half of it. Can't wait for the rest of the chapters. Oh yeah, I had that space bar issue too. I thought something was wrong with my keyboard.
There are many teenagers who aren't weenies, I was not one of them. God I was a tool.
Zanite I was "cool." And of course, when I say cool, I do in fact mean "weenie."
Yay, weenies!
Zanite A...tool?
I just remember watching a walkthrough and seeing the scene where her skull get literally split in half. I was so traumatized
Yay! Excited to see this one.
5:25 Why does that knight have such a tiny head?
Still one of my favorite games. The narrative and the humor are fantastic!
I was so worried when I saw the first screenshots and trailers for this game. It didn't look anything like King's Quest at all. And as you, and many others, point out: that first section doesn't paint a pretty picture for those looking for the traditional Sierra experience. But, overall, this game looks like it has promise. I really want to pick this up soon!
Aww, we wish we could have watched you play this game >.<
I LOVE the artwork and animation! I like games like these! Reminds me of Avalon Code
This game had a very monkey island vibe to me, not just because it's almost exactly the same style as the new telltale Monkey Island game, but because they've pretty much given Graham Guybrush's personality.
Wonder if she'll do the other chapters
Great timing this. I went to gamestop and saw this title on the shelf. Which was a complete surprise to me. For some reason i thought it was a remake of the first 3 kingsquests and th ere gamestop employee seemed to think so as well. I had no idea what this was or when a kingsquest title was announced. I come home and this is here. Yay for mama roses to guide me on this new kq journey.
6:50 I still whistle a KQ5-like chime sound in real life whenever I figure something out.
its been my notification chime for years.. had to splice the sound file myself when i was younger
I wonder if this'll get revisited now its out fully, altho it has been a while I doubt it will :(
Solid, and fair review! I was so nervous about this game not living up to my expectations... since it had some huge boots to fill. But honestly I just had so much fun playing this. Like you said... its something familiar... but at the same time new. And it makes me happy. :-)
Really liked this review. Your feelings mirrored my own.
I'd love to know what you think about the later chapters, too, even if it was just as a reply-comment. I found the final couple of chapters surprisingly affecting.
Okay, you've convinced me to give this game a chance. I rescind my knee-jerk reaction of "It will never be the same." Well done!
I fall on the fence of LOVING THIS GAME SO MUCH. Thanks for selling it for me!
I gotta say, I really enjoy the contagious and irrepressible enthusiasm of this young Graham. I mean what, was the world really groaning that we weren't given ANOTHER Link carbon copy? This Graham reminds me of Louie from Rune Soldier, an excitable doofus that may not know what he's in for, but is feeling giddy and trepidatious as all hell for the adventure that is to come. It also ironically roots him a bit in reality because an adventure into wonder IS exciting, and so are meeting fantastic new people in breath-taking new landscapes. Don't be blasé, you've stumbled into the kingdom of perpetual fall! Sometimes the audience needs to draw from the energy of an excitable protagonist to know how special this new twist or turn really is.
I just completed the first chapter last night! Overall I enjoyed the game, as you briefly touched on in this review I sorta found Graham's excitable nature to be a bit cringe inducing at times, but I can accept it knowing that Graham's younger than we've ever seen him before so of course he's going to act differently than what we're used to. I'm curious to see how he'll change/grow in the future chapters.
I do wish there was the option to save to a different slot as you mentioned, mostly because I would like to more easily explore some of the alternative puzzle solutions/hear the alternative dialogue.
I was surprised by how fast some of the new characters grew on me. Seeing Graham win over the other Knight hopefuls was nice too. Whisper was great, but Achaka was my favourite out of all of them.
Shawinigan Handshake Affa natta.
Shawinigan Handshake I'm going to like your comment just for Achaka. I still get a swell of emotion every time I start a new game and have to do the bow part in the tutorial.
GenericSupervillain3 Agreed! I watched a friend play through the game blind and had to bite my tongue during the scene where we pick up the bow.
My only gripe is that I can’t find any merch of the Majestic mister fancycakes
10:10 I agree! The game felt to me as a Monkey Island game with a King's Quest jacket (and some Space Ace thrown in. Yeah, I literally thought "Space Ace!" instead of Dragon's Lair despite the action sequence happening in an actual Dragon's Lair)
But I loved it! I love this game so much!
I've never played a King's Quest game, but I really like the look of this one. I might try it out at some point in the near future.
one thing.. does he say 'zounds' ?
EvilPlagueDoctor Yes. :)
SOLD!
EvilPlagueDoctor It means 'Christ's wounds'
Crocmaster McGeezax
I didn't know that. but makes sense, (sounds like a variation of 'holy moley' (and it's equivalents))
EvilPlagueDoctor
People in the middle ages couldn't blaspheme, so they would work around it by swearing on individual parts of Christ's body, like his blood. They just started running them together eventually.
OH.
MY.
FUCKING.
FLUXCAPACITOR.
CHRISTOPHER FUCKING LLOYD IS ELDERLY GRAHAM!!!
"Marky Mark" Markus Gaming/LurkingFan4 It is incredible. But is it a good thing?
Magus Marquillin YES!
Thanks for sticking up for this game Roses :D
I love this game and its changes to, the voice actors done a great job playing as each character.
I did have a bit of a fanboy OMG hype moment when I found out Christopher Lloyd voiced Old Graham XD.
The new visual design is perfect for KQ because the whole series was always full of comedy, goofy characters, colourful visuals, fariytale characters and light hearted fantasy.
But sweet jesus the best part of this game besides the lovely adventuring after the cave section was the knights, oh sweet jeebus I fucking loved seeing these guys especially W.H.I.S.P.E.R.
My only gripe on this game is... well graham already said this when he was talking about the Hatchet. But I was a bit annoyed that you cannot keep on abusing items on your surroundings.
Deaths are a bit limited unless you fail an arcade section, the arcade sections I've always hated in adventure games but in this game they are pretty easy and not stupidly hard like the other quest games or manhunter.
I cant wait to get the later chapters.
Good to see Sierra back
I got to the last fight with Wallace Shawn and kept messing up the quick time event. So it kept playing over and over. I sat through the same "actually I think it was edict 1.21!" Joke like 20 times before I just stopped and never came back 😅
4:50 That guy looks a lot like Gwyn for Dark souls, and the girl is Gwyndolin. Hmm...
even without ever playing the old King's Quest games, this one looks really good. I didn't even know about it until now.
Please do a review of Mask of Eternity.
Whisper was voiced by the guy who played Gaston.
This looks good but I wonder if Space Quest could be due an update next.
I didn’t know this was a thing, and now I’m definitely going to get this game.
I would like to see a review on the "The Silver Lining/King's Quest 9" from you
As soon as I heard Tom Kenny,s voice I reacted. I've been playing Spyro for a few days so I'm hyper aware of his voice.
Please do a video about the complete collection.
Did this fail? Anyone know what the future does hold for Sierra? I so wish they would take the easy but very great way of doing the old games. I so want KQ4 like this.
I'm very happy this exists . . . I just wish someone would do the same for Quest for Glory.
It's funny, I think the only King's Quest title that wasn't seeping with child like _WhiMsy_ was that blackest of sheep called MOE,! From what you say, this sounds, looks and tastes very close to form, just so long as I still want to take it seriously. I look forward to trying this now.
Maybe it's less like Queste for Glory and more like Space Quest's or Conquests of occasional arcade sequences. See, I like the sound of this a lot, as that aspect made for my favorite Sierra titles! Heck, the earlier AGI games all had bits with something like action sequenses, but the mechanic was typing a basic " throww cantine at orat" or "kill wolf with trident" (that doesn't work BTW).
The lack of save/reload feature is especially annoying in Chapter 2 where Graham can lose townsfolk depending on his choices, and if you don't want that you gotta restart the entire Chapter until you figure out the quirks or watch a walkthrough.
I actually really liked it, despite (as you and others have said) that initial action sequence. I think what sold it to me to keep going was accidentally clicking on one of the beds near the beginning and seeing the narrative jokes. I'd have played it anyway if had been nothing but platforming QTE's but I'd probably not recommended it.
My other friends who also grew up with Kings Quest games also greatly enjoyed playing it.
I have, and have played all the Kings Quest games (yes including 8), and I'd say that I'd probably want to put off final judgement on this until all the pieces of it are released.
It's nice hearing some professional voice acting right from the beginning. I mean the voices in the early talkie KQ (or all the Sierra games really) were kinda all over the place in terms of consistency. This KQ game feels like a lot of care was put in to making the voices fit.
Thanks, ProJared. I can see why you directed us here.
I SHIP IT
I've been playing this recently with my lil brother on xbox and thought, I wonder is Roses is aware of this reimagining, and I'm like 5 years late but hey great video.
Sorry I just discovered you a couple months ago and thought I'd seen all your videos a couple times heh but I now and then stumble across one I somehow missed. Sooooo, new comments on old videos. Sorry!
UGH! That freaking space bar prompt. Thankfully, Enter always works. I was stuck on one puzzle ( no, not even a puzzle, just a sequence of obvious events ) for ten minutes until I started mashing buttons and found an alternate button.
I really liked what I saw from this new kings quest game and I think is very faithful to the original games. And remember that in the context of the story it a story retold. So it makes sense that there would be some differences. It is a smart way of doing it. Capturing the old feel of the games yet innovating enough to make it is own thing rather then getting stuck in the past.
Do agree on the critique you had Roses. Would have been nice if they had a slight different save system.
I know your list of references isn't complete but I couldn't get over how many references there were. I'm sure I missed a ton but
1)Cape is based on the cape from KQ5
2)The three solutions to defeat the Dragon in the opening are based on KQ1. (kill him, sneak by, douse his flames)
3)The icons are based on KQ5
4)Graham's drowning ruse is (I think) a joke on his flailing drowning animations in previous KQ games.
5)When asked his name, Graham replies "Graham C...." referencing the joke from KQ2 where the text parser tells you Graham's last name is "Cracker".
6)The pie in the bakery is the pie in KQ5.
7) The baker is, (I think) based the visage of Roberta Williams. (That hair and bangs combo isn't something you see everywhere...)
8)If you manage to find your way to castle Daventry, the moat and knights are straight out of KQ1
9)The game keeps referring to Graham as an Archer, despite the fact that when the game begins, he can't shoot. I think this "Archer" qualification began as an explanation for why Graham, a knight, never wore armor or used a sword.
10)It's a common fairy tale cliche that trolls live under bridges, and this was an element of KQ1. KQ2015 decided to buck the trend and have them be under the bridges in the most literal sense.
I'm sure I'm missing a ton.
No mouse controls, or just no point and click for movement? I'm fine with the Teltale style movement (though I prefer point and click) but I want to use a mouse.
Is that Kings Quest VII music in the background? Love it!
I couldn't agree with you more! I love silly teen Graham, and the general tone of this game. I think my favorite would have to be the old couple, so many great one liners.
I find that Gram (hopefully I'm spelling that right) is sort of like Ruby from RWBY (by RoosterTeeth)
I'm surprised you haven't done a video on disc World noir yet. Seams right up your street
Do you think we will get a physical copy game!! I hope so!!
I lost it when you said "serving castle realness". Yes gawd mama.
feeling my oats Weeeeerrrrrrk.
PushingUpRoses the house down. boots.
Graham's cape. O_O. I know this is silly, but despite all the beautiful backgrounds, the incredible character animations, that cape dazzled me the most. I've always been fascinated with capes in games for whatever reason, and that cape is the most goddamn magnificently animated capes I've seen. I wonder how long it took to make, I know that when Batman: Arkham Asylum came out they said a programmer took nearly a year to program it, even though it got easier when their team got bigger. But still.
Kaye Faye I know, I couldn't take my eyes off of it. Cape physics! Lookit them cape physics all over the place, it's beautiful. I didn't even see much clipping. Most capes I've seen in games are either super stiff and obviously tethered to the character's ankles or flop around like physics isn't their problem and clip liberally. (I'm currently playing One Piece: Unlimited World Red in which the capes swish in a very satisfying manner but clipping is often and obvious. Most notably Brook loses his cravat straight through his ribcage every time he does his running over water animation, and the camera zooms right up so we can see.) A bit of wonkiness is fine with me because I am amused by silly physics. But yes, props to the King's Quest capes!
Kaye Faye more games need capes. in a lot of games you clothing doesn't really move
Great review Roses. I'll probably try this when I have an actual working PC.
I can't remember in which episode of the game it is but whenever you see Mr Fancy Pants keep using different objects from your inventory on him several times and hilarity ensues!
Why are there so many mattresses in this game? Because it's a reference to the Princess and the Pea maybe? I mean, those mattresses only had 1 use to test the princess, and they weren't to be used in a bed afterwards I assume.
Thanks for this review! The game looks gorgeous and I've been looking for something to get me into the kings quest games
I just got this series. - so far I am enjoying it very much. Even though I never played the originals, I bought the Kings Quest series on Gog years ago but still never played it. I was always into Space Quest growing up - similar yet different by Sierra - I hope they eventually do similar for that series like they did for this. Maybe once I finish all the chapters I'll actually play the original Kings Quest games lol.
This game is now on my "need to buy"-list! :D
Thanks for reviewing!
Will you review Mask of Eternity?
Am I crazy, or does Gwendolyn have the same VA as Lupe from Grim Fandango?
Only ep1 is out and yet I can't stop playing it
I just found your channel and have loved your KQ reviews! Just subscribed - any chance you'll review other chapters?
Another awesome review by the ravishing, riant Roses. Looking forward to the next one.
I didn't even know there was a new King's Quest series. Has SpaceVenture, the follow on from the Space Quest games been released yet? Anyway, the new King's Quest does seem interesting I admit. The original King's Quest games were quite serious weren't they? I remember hearing Scott Murphy say that the humour of Space Quest was a bit of a reaction to the seriousness of the King's Quest games. The new Graham definitely reminds me of previous game heroes. I'm tempted to say Dirk the Daring, but that might just be because of the river ride scene shown in this video. I guess the company that made this new King's Quest grew up with Roberta Williams' Kings Quest and wanted to pay tribute to it or reimagine it. I didn't recognize Christopher Lloyd's voice as Old Graham, until Roses pointed it out.