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The Royal Archives => TSL General Archives => Topic started by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 20, 2011, 08:00:15 PM

Title: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 20, 2011, 08:00:15 PM: If KQ6 is your favorite KQ game, why is that? What sets it above the rest for you?
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: KatieHal on March 20, 2011, 08:29:56 PM: Better story, better gameplay, better voice-acting, better graphics, better music...better everything. basically. :)
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: atec123 on March 20, 2011, 08:40:18 PM: it's not. kq5 is.

however, better graphics, better voice acting, better gameplay, and better music are certainly true. the story is very well developed too. logically it should be my favorite KQ game. maybe it's the nostalgia factor. i enjoy the less developed kq5 though. there isn't much backstory. i played it without knowing anything about kings quest or even watching the intro the first time i played it. i will post again tomorrow after i get some sleep and actually think about it a bit, i'm tired.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: wilco64256 on March 20, 2011, 09:37:34 PM: I think 6 felt like the most "complete" world to me. I wasn't wandering in perpetual circles through a grid world looking for things. Never had to wonder, "would it be shorter for me to go north or south to get to this place?" And I felt it had more depth to the story than any other game in the series.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Lambonius on March 20, 2011, 10:17:52 PM: Personally, I loved the melodrama and the wordy dialog. I only wished Alexander had opened up a little more about his feelings throughout the game. Oh well...hindsight, I guess.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: akkratte on March 20, 2011, 11:12:16 PM: The Green Isles. I just wished it was a real place!
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: kindofdoon on March 20, 2011, 11:42:42 PM: I could mention the excellency of setting, music, dialogue, etc., but the real reason is probably that it was my first KQ.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: MusicallyInspired on March 21, 2011, 05:37:18 AM: Quote from: atec123 on March 20, 2011, 08:40:18 PM
it's not. kq5 is.

however, better graphics, better voice acting, better gameplay, and better music are certainly true.

Disagree with everything but this as it's the only thing that isn't entirely subjective.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: KatieHal on March 21, 2011, 06:08:25 AM: I suppose I should clarify for my post--by better gameplay, I'm really referring to the flow of the game and the puzzle design. Obviously the actual interface was exactly the same as KQ5.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: snabbott on March 21, 2011, 08:19:12 AM: I liked the fact that KQ6 was (somewhat) nonlinear and had multiple endings depending on what you did.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Lambonius on March 21, 2011, 09:04:17 AM: Quote from: snabbott on March 21, 2011, 08:19:12 AM
I liked the fact that KQ6 was (somewhat) nonlinear and had multiple endings depending on what you did.

Pretty much all the KQ games are non-linear (at least to the degree that KQ6 is), with the exception perhaps of KQ7. You can solve the puzzles in pretty much any order you please for most of the games. Of course, certain areas and story elements are closed off to you until you solve a certain puzzle or get certain items, but this is also true for KQ6 so it's really not that different.

I'll give you the multiple endings/paths though. It was basically a nice way of making the secondary goal of getting full points have a more tangible effect on the story itself. Though technically, KQ4 did the whole multiple ending thing first.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: snabbott on March 21, 2011, 11:29:24 AM: That's a good point. I guess what I meant is that it felt more open than some of the other games - though I'm not really sure why. There were probably fewer screens in KQ6 than in some of the previous games. Maybe because of how different the islands were from each other?
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Haids1987 on March 21, 2011, 12:36:30 PM: Quote
Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Hmmm, there's not much more I can say that hasn't already been said, but I really like the storyline of King's Quest 6. I love that it's based from Alexander's perspective, and that it was an adventure game with a love story at its center. Plus, it was deep--you can take hours and hours to get through it, and there are different endings depending on which path you choose. And you can click on almost anything and get a description of some kind, how cool is that?

I also loved the voice acting. It was more like watching a movie than playing a game--plus the sound of Robby Benson's voice makes me melt into my shoes. ::) Abdul sounded like a bad guy, Jollo sounded like a clown, Shamir sounded like a doofus...etc. They perfectly matched the voices to fit the characters, and it was actually enjoyable to listen to them instead of wanting to punch through the monitor listening to some guy ramble about POIsonous snakes.

Overall it was just a great game. The nostalgia factor always plays a role in how much I love it, too. Playing it just feels like childhood. <3
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: razor436 on March 21, 2011, 03:02:22 PM: KQ6 is the first computer game i ever played and it came with my computer. When my sister and I were kids, we played it together, coming home from school each day trying out something new to progress through the story. I'm not sure how many years later I began to appreciate it for its well told story, and the mythologies of the isles and worlds traveled to greatly added to the appeal.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Rado on March 21, 2011, 07:11:19 PM: Quote from: Lambonius on March 21, 2011, 09:04:17 AM
Though technically, KQ4 did the whole multiple ending thing first.

I can think of these endings to KQIV:

- You really, really lose. (the wedding)
- You kind of win, but still lose. (no fruit)
- You win.

In contrast, KQVI has:

- You win.
- You really win.
- You really, really win - have a cookie!

Not sure what my point is, though ;)
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Haids1987 on March 21, 2011, 07:23:04 PM: Quote from: Rado on March 21, 2011, 07:11:19 PM
- You really, really win - have a cookie!

Not sure what my point is, though ;)
Cookies are good, that's what! :pleased:
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: wilco64256 on March 21, 2011, 08:23:22 PM: I officially approve of the cookie comments in this thread.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: kindofdoon on March 21, 2011, 09:02:11 PM: Quote from: Haids1987 on March 21, 2011, 12:36:30 PM
...plus the sound of Robby Benson's voice makes me melt into my shoes.

I heterosexually agree.

Quote
Playing it just feels like childhood. <3

Well said.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Arkillian on March 21, 2011, 09:17:49 PM: Do I need to justify why it's my favorite game? It's pre-established that I'm 100% fangirl of Alexander, and Hole in the Wall, I also love Dangling Participle, and also that everyone agrees that Alexander's voice acting is dreamy. I've also mentioned in other threads that I'm a BIG fan of the Green Isles. The cliffs of logic annoy me, but most of the puzzles are great fun to play, and I'm a hopeless romantic. Then there's all the mentioned reasons in this thread

I... I can't see how any of the other games could compete with the first spot against KQ6 for this reason ^^; Second place however is difficult O.o I REALLY don't know which I'd chose, cause I really like the plots of all of them. KQ6 stands out just that much further though
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Blackthorne on March 21, 2011, 10:38:39 PM: King's Quest VI is not my favorite.

I remember looking forward to KQV much more than VI - V was such an amazing leap..... I had just bought IV, and soon I was seeing pictures from the upcoming V - and man! Was that artwork beautiful!

I remember playing VI shortly after it came out, and I was kinda underwhelmed by the experience. I lost interest shortly thereafter - I never even beat the game until I was much older. I beat it for the first time during the production of IA's KQ3.

Bt
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Lambonius on March 21, 2011, 11:08:05 PM: The way I see it, being a KQ fanboy/girl because of KQ6 is kind of like saying you're a Miles Davis fan but only owning Kind of Blue. ;)
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Cez on March 22, 2011, 07:15:21 AM: Quote from: Lambonius on March 21, 2011, 11:08:05 PM
The way I see it, being a KQ fanboy/girl because of KQ6 is kind of like saying you're a Miles Davis fan but only owning Kind of Blue. ;)

Not everyone can live up to your high standards, I suppose :P

I played KQ6 first (I had played 3 a while before when I was a kid but only at my cousin's house.) It was such an involving game that I just couldn't stop playing it. KQ5 may have been pretty and all, but the game was crappy --it frustrated me at best. Liking KQ5 over KQ6 is a matter of nostalgia and preferring King Graham, because there's nothing subjective about KQ6 being a better game. KQ5 is the perfect Sierra fan dream. But heck, any other King's Quest was better gameplay wise than 5. 5 is just very special in people's heart because it started the VGA era. I, on the other hand, experienced the start of the VGA era with SQ4 (which is why I love it so much).

Great music, very different characters, very different lands, a sense of the world as it was built by levels, two different paths to the end, a great love story, and exciting ending sequence that starts once you disrupt the wedding. What's there not to like?
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 08:40:25 AM: Quote from: Cez on March 22, 2011, 07:15:21 AM
Quote from: Lambonius on March 21, 2011, 11:08:05 PM
The way I see it, being a KQ fanboy/girl because of KQ6 is kind of like saying you're a Miles Davis fan but only owning Kind of Blue. ;)

Not everyone can live up to your high standards, I suppose :P

I played KQ6 first (I had played 3 a while before when I was a kid but only at my cousin's house.) It was such an involving game that I just couldn't stop playing it. KQ5 may have been pretty and all, but the game was crappy --it frustrated me at best. Liking KQ5 over KQ6 is a matter of nostalgia and preferring King Graham, because there's nothing subjective about KQ6 being a better game. KQ5 is the perfect Sierra fan dream. But heck, any other King's Quest was better gameplay wise than 5. 5 is just very special in people's heart because it started the VGA era. I, on the other hand, experienced the start of the VGA era with SQ4 (which is why I love it so much).

Great music, very different characters, very different lands, a sense of the world as it was built by levels, two different paths to the end, a great love story, and exciting ending sequence that starts once you disrupt the wedding. What's there not to like?

Actually, I'd think there WAS something subjective about KQ6 being a better game. Art isn't something easily defined in any real objective sense. For example, an action gamer might argue the MERITs of action games over adventure games, but that doesn't make action games better in any real sense; simply better in his/her perspective.

I think saying that the only reason one would prefer KQ5 is "nostalgia" kind of belittles the people--Like most of the people over at IA, for example, myself, and others who DO prefer KQ5, and not simply because it started the VGA era. Personally while KQ5 is probably my all time favorite KQ game, I consider SQ1VGA one of the best games of the VGA era, after it coming Conquests of the Longbow.

Any other KQ game was better than KQ5? Really? So, the original KQ2 was better? KQ7 with all of it's non-interactivity? KQ8?

I would argue that KQ5 had great music and could even name many of the game's pieces of music which I feel outshine any KQ6 music. KQ5 also has a wild variety of characters--from the fun and bright to the dark and strange and everything in between. Serenia is one Kingdom, yes, but each part of the realm is VERY different from any other. One part of the land is a desert wasteland, the other a realm of ice and snow; There's the beach; the Dark Forest; the Harpie Island, and finally Mordack's castle--All perhaps the most fascinating places in any of the KQ games. Two paths to the end? Meh the whole multiple ending thing is kind of silly and reminds me of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books. I think a story has one, definitive ending.

A great love story? I'm not a big fan of romance stories, personally. And for all the writing in KQ6, the love story could've been written better IMO. The ending? I find the whole ending of KQ5 to be exciting and thrilling--Silently searching around Mordack's creepy castle, in danger of being grabbed any minute by the Blue Beast, having to evade the eyes of Manannan and bag him, and finally that magical battle--For me the ending of KQ5 with it's almost poetic quality; Winged Creature against Lion; Dragon against rabbit; Snake against Mongoose; and finally, fire against water. It's almost poetic in that sense and it ends triumphant, yet not overdone. KQ6's best ending kind of reminds me of the "Mega Happy Ending" of Wayne's World.

I also feel the world in KQ5 FEELS larger than in KQ6. It may not be bigger by screens, but it feels like you're a little man in a large world. I always wanted to know more about Serenia, more about the little islands off in the distance, more abut the little hut village just beyond the snowy mountains that we see but never interact with. There is nothing in KQ6 that in terms of the lands that really captures and fires the imagination. KQ6 is largely contained in a small environment, and all o the islands are rather small themselves, and travelling back and forth from island to island throughout the game gets repetitive and a bit boring after a while. I like going from Point A to Point B to Point C, not going from Point A to Point C to Point A to Point B to Point C to point A again.

Also, I love the fact that KQ5 is so random. It doesn't take itself too seriously and is enjoyable by both kids and adults alike in this matter. It's incredibly original. I mean what other game has something the character defeating a monster by throwing a pie in it's face? It's just so random that it's brilliant. The game throws everything that's possibly random at you and challenges you again and again.

The lighter moments in KQ6 feel too structured, the puns and whatnot make a little too much sense, it's a little too calculated. I mean you slay the Minotaur by showing him the red scarf...How..um clever? The Hole in the Wall is LITERALLY a living hole in a wall. The Book Worm is LITERALLY a worm who lives in books. It's a little too overwrought and overthought---which is a flaw I find common with a lot of Jane Jensen's games.

Also, I feel in the larger context of the series, KQ6 with it's darkness sticks out like a sore thumb, especially if you take each game at face value. Every KQ game at face value is generally more or less lighthearted, with some serious moments. Every KQ game has an element of surprise and randomness; Random encounters and creatures, whereas in KQ6 it feels all planned out, thought out, and thus a little sterile. KQ6 sticks out with it's political intrigue, murders, and overall VERY serious tone. I mean we go from throwing pies at Yetis in one game...To making Death himself cry in the next. That's a pretty big jump.

It's like one of those old math problems: "Which of these is not like the others?"
A) An evil witch driving around in the batmobile with the batman theme music playing
B) Every character both good and bad showing up at the end, despite whether they're dead or not.
C) Defeating a yeti with a pie and activating a magical machine with Cheese
D) You help out Dwarves by cleaning their house for them and share soup with them and a minstrel plays horrid out of tune songs.
E) Meeting the Lord of the Dead and making him cry.

The light hearted moments in KQ6 end up feeling a little disconcerting as the game breaks it's serious atmosphere by having light hearted moments which are painfully lighthearted, and feel forced; It feels like those light hearted moments were just shoved in there since lightheartedness is expected in a KQ game. It makes the game feel uneven, as if it doesn't know whether it wants to be a dark, serious, mature game...or a family friendly childish game. It feels kind of bipolar in that respect.

Case in point, the Isle of the Dead. You have a creepy, spine tingling realm full of restless spirits, rotting shuffling zombies who are obviously in some cases murder victims, the land you're standing on looks like it's made of flesh and an ominous full moon hangs over the sky. You've got a great, dark, spooky atmosphere worked up here...And it's shattered in one moment by the Dem Bones gag which detracts from the overall seriousness of the scene. It feels like it was thrown in there at the last minute to lighten things up a bit. Like somebody perhaps thought, "You know, this is getting a bit too dark for a KQ game, don't you think we should lighten up a little?"

It and KQ8 are two very big breaks in the formula of the series; KQ6 in tone and writing; KQ8 in tone and gameplay. Even KQ8 for all of it's non-traditional elements retains a fairly simple yet grand plot. KQ6's plot is a little too Byzantine for my tastes.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Rado on March 22, 2011, 08:52:47 AM: While V is my favorite as far as tone goes (and there's no nostalgia involved as I played it after KQVI), I don't understand why VI is considered to be the darkest of the series or even dark at all. To me, it has a tone of a fable, or rather a collection of fables, each different than the last. I'm not sure what in KQ VI is "worse" than the haunted house or the witches from IV, not the mention the entirety of III, which was depressing as hell and had entirely different structure and pacing than any other game in the series.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 09:18:39 AM: Quote from: Rado on March 22, 2011, 08:52:47 AM
While V is my favorite as far as tone goes (and there's no nostalgia involved as I played it after KQVI), I don't understand why VI is considered to be the darkest of the series or even dark at all. To me, it has a tone of a fable, or rather a collection of fables, each different than the last. I'm not sure what in KQ VI is "worse" than the haunted house or the witches from IV, not the mention the entirety of III, which was depressing as hell and had entirely different structure and pacing than any other game in the series.

I'll agree with you that III has a different structure and pacing from the other games; I think this was intentional--Roberta wanted to confuse people and get them to think, "Huh?". She was challenging herself here. And it worked because She received angry letters from customers who hadn't complete the game complaining that it wasn't a real KQ game--"Who is this Gwydion, and why should we care about him? He's not a King, or connected with King Graham. Speaking of which, where is King Graham? Where's Daventry? Magic spells? This ain't King's Quest!" Roberta later claimed she even got some flack from religious groups who felt KQ3 promoted Satanism by having you make spells.

Remember, this was the mid 1980s--The time period when Dungeons & Dragons was being blamed for kids becoming murderers and cultists and there was the minor (now nearly forgotten) public hysteria over Satanism by the religious right and a furor over Heavy Metal music with claims it promoted suicide, violence and Satanism. For it's time, KQ3 was a bit risque in that regard.

But I disagree about it being depressing. Yes, if you really take a critical and analytical eye to the plot, it's a dark one with it's themes of slavery, a kingdom in ruins, etc. A lot of the KQ games are actually dark if you look them analytically, with an adult sort of mind, even the bright and sunny KQ5. If you really think about the plots, some of them are quite dark. But the same goes for the original fairy tales the games were based on, too. But that's the whole point--King's Quest was never meant to be taken all that seriously, and was never meant to be serious material. It's played largely for laughs and is, at face value, a light hearted, family friendly experienced. It's only Rock N' Roll, you know? It's only King's Quest, not Lord of the Rings.

When playing KQ3 and taking it at face value, the atmosphere/tone conveyed conveyed isn't really one of darkness. The idea of Manannan being a slave isn't played too seriously or too darkly (I mean one of Manannan's punishments is to make you exercise and campy 80s style exercise music plays; I always thought him turning you in a snail was funny, even at a young age) and you've got happy, funny moments like the three bears and the town and being on the ship, and the triumphant ending.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: snabbott on March 22, 2011, 09:36:37 AM: Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 08:40:25 AM
The light hearted moments in KQ6 end up feeling a little disconcerting as the game breaks it's serious atmosphere by having light hearted moments which are painfully lighthearted, and feel forced; It feels like those light hearted moments were just shoved in there since lightheartedness is expected in a KQ game. It makes the game feel uneven, as if it doesn't know whether it wants to be a dark, serious, mature game...or a family friendly childish game. It feels kind of bipolar in that respect.
Ever heard of catharsis?

I do see where you're coming from. Obviously, different people have different tastes. I thought KQ5 and KQ6 were both great games, but I did prefer KQ6.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 10:00:39 AM: Quote from: snabbott on March 22, 2011, 09:36:37 AM
Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 08:40:25 AM
The light hearted moments in KQ6 end up feeling a little disconcerting as the game breaks it's serious atmosphere by having light hearted moments which are painfully lighthearted, and feel forced; It feels like those light hearted moments were just shoved in there since lightheartedness is expected in a KQ game. It makes the game feel uneven, as if it doesn't know whether it wants to be a dark, serious, mature game...or a family friendly childish game. It feels kind of bipolar in that respect.
Ever heard of catharsis?

I do see where you're coming from. Obviously, different people have different tastes. I thought KQ5 and KQ6 were both great games, but I did prefer KQ6.

Yeah, I just think it was kind of a incongruous mix of styles, which play out roughly against each other. Roberta and Jane are two VERY different writers with two very different visions, very different influences and mindsets, and even two very different ways of going about designing a game. Basically you had two women who seem to be for all intents and purposes, polar opposites designing the same game. And it kind of not works here because you can tell it's sort of a push and shove between these two styles clashing. Jane wanted it her way, Roberta wanted it her own but kept her distance as she was tired of KQ and was busy writing Phantasmagoria.

KQ7 works better in terms of it being a collaboration between Roberta and another designer because Lorelei Shannon tried in many ways to emulate Roberta, and did exactly what Roberta intended: Created a Disney-esque KQ game. She didn't try to inject her own very different style, story ideas and writing into a well established series which had it's own tone and "rules". There's a certain amount of respect on Lorelei's part for what was established by the original creator which I feel Jane lacked.

It kind of feels like KQ6 was as much a testing ground for GK on Jane's part as it was an experience as being a co-designer. There's some elements which KQ6 has in common with GK in terms of pacing, gameplay and tone which is only held in place by Roberta's influence and the brand name and the expectations that came with it. It's just an uneven game, a nice experiment in a different style. Kind of like Temple of Doom was for Indiana Jones.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Cez on March 22, 2011, 12:00:19 PM: Everything else is subjective, but gameplay wise, yes, I do think KQ5 is one of the worse, even worse than MoE. MoE didn't frustrate me by having me reload a 3 hours ago game because I ran into a dead end. KQ5 did.

And that just stained whatever good experience I could have had of the game.

As for everything else, I won't argue. Those are the reasons why I loved KQ6. I'm not going to debate them because it's all very subjective.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: wilco64256 on March 22, 2011, 01:38:39 PM: I have to agree that KQ5 is the worst in the series for dead ends (in my opinion, anyway). If not for those it would be much more popular.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Blackthorne on March 22, 2011, 01:55:12 PM: I think the Miles Davis analogy is a good one. Mostly because I love Live/Evil, Bitches Brew and On The Corner more than I like Kind of Blue. They're all very different. Kind of Blue is a 180 from Bitches Brew - one's a very standard Jazz album - the kind one thinks of when they think of "Jazz". And ones is a crazy, cacophanous experiment to the broad edges of fusion - rock and jazz meeting in a jam with a huge amount of musicians. Just majorly different - and both Miles.

I think Kind of Blue is good, but a little safe and bland compared to something like "On The Corner". It's how I feel about KQVI. It seems like its this deep, dark, intense tale - but it relies so much on standard "dark" cliches, that it comes off as lame to half the time. For an intense game, it's pretty safe.

Bt
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Lambonius on March 22, 2011, 02:18:12 PM: Quote from: Blackthorne on March 22, 2011, 01:55:12 PM
I think the Miles Davis analogy is a good one. Mostly because I love Live/Evil, b****es Brew and On The Corner more than I like Kind of Blue. They're all very different. Kind of Blue is a 180 from b****es Brew - one's a very standard Jazz album - the kind one thinks of when they think of "Jazz". And ones is a crazy, cacophanous experiment to the broad edges of fusion - rock and jazz meeting in a jam with a huge amount of musicians. Just majorly different - and both Miles.

I think Kind of Blue is good, but a little safe and bland compared to something like "On The Corner". It's how I feel about KQVI. It seems like its this deep, dark, intense tale - but it relies so much on standard "dark" cliches, that it comes off as lame to half the time. For an intense game, it's pretty safe.

Bt

Ha! I was hoping at least ONE person would get the Miles analogy. Kind of Blue is a great, great album, but it only scratches the surface of what makes Miles great. And in a lot of ways, like you said, it's one of his safest and most accessible albums to the casual listener. Personally, I'm a big fan of Sketches of Spain and In a Silent Way, but yeah B:tch's Brew is awesome, too. I also have a sh:tload of his live performances, too. Good stuff.

BTW, I also played KQ5 after KQ6, and let me just say, I've ALWAYS liked it best. Always. For most of the reasons listed above. Percival summed a lot of my feelings up pretty well, though I think I hold less animosity towards KQ6 than he does. :)

I just think KQ6 is the safe choice. Personally, I love that you can get screwed in KQ5. I love that the game doesn't pull any punches, doesn't lead you by the hand, and isn't afraid to check you in the balls when you least expect it. For people looking for a kinder, gentler experience, I can see why they like KQ6 more. It's just not my own preference. I relish the challenge of a game like KQ5.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Arkillian on March 22, 2011, 03:29:31 PM: Quote from: Lambonius on March 22, 2011, 02:18:12 PM
I just think KQ6 is the safe choice. Personally, I love that you can get screwed in KQ5. I love that the game doesn't pull any punches, doesn't lead you by the hand, and isn't afraid to check you in the balls when you least expect it. For people looking for a kinder, gentler experience, I can see why they like KQ6 more. It's just not my own preference. I relish the challenge of a game like KQ5.

I don't mind dead ends either. There isn't that many dead ends- mostly surprise deaths. I think the worst is not getting the cheese. Cedric and the Harpies requires the most back tracking, but really, if people didn't see that Graham is not meant to be a heartless ass then they deserved to get zotted by Mordack. I must admit, KQ5 had more epic moments in it, but that doesn't mean that KQ6's storyline wasn't as epic. It's like telling a story of 2 different genres. If you told me a western story about cowboys and indians, I'd be bored to tears. Tell me a fantasy romance story and I'd be fawning. That is the difference to me. KQ5 was a very action story, and KQ6 was romantic. If you're not into a more romantic story then you wouldn't like it. I loved both. I just love KQ6 abit more :)

(And Cedric is SO much more tolerant without a voice. Do KQ5 text only and Cedric is actually an entertaining companion to have. Sadly you miss out on Graham, and Mordack's voice, but I'd happily sacrifice that)
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Big C from Cauney island on March 22, 2011, 04:01:35 PM: Kq6 is my favorite in the series, though for a long time it was kq5. As to why? Good question. I think that kq6 did a better job with building up the characters, and making you want to follow them. In kq5, it was mostly graham focused, if this makes sense. The genie, alhazred, and others seemed more distinct, and therefore the game seemed bigger to me. The characters felt like they had more to them. Also, the music played a big role like it does in TSL.

Technically, I still think KQ3 was a better adventure, due to finding out so much at the end, and knowing so little to begin with. It REALLY challenged you. KQ6 did as well, I just think 3 did more so. However, as mentioned above, KQ6 felt better in terms of how everything came together.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: MusicallyInspired on March 22, 2011, 04:10:58 PM: I never ran into a dead end in KQ5. I guess I'm just a very observant adventurer.

KQ6 was better developed, and I guess that can mean it's the better game. But I don't favour KQ5 for it's nostalgia. I favour it because it was a great experience for me (dead end-less). It really seemed like a bigger and longer journey than KQ6 ever did. It started with one large locked-in area and once you solved all the puzzles of that area you moved onto another one. And then when you solved that one you moved to another one. It was fantastic. It really was a journey and a true adventure and I loved that about the game.

And it has the best King's Quest soundtrack out of all of them. KQ6 does come close, though. With KQ1SCI following behind in third.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Cez on March 22, 2011, 05:18:56 PM: I actually rank very low.

For me it would be something like this:

KQ6
KQ7
KQ4
KQ1
And then everything blurs, so KQ5 is here somewhere.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 05:29:02 PM: For me:

KQ5
KQ4
KQ7
KQ1SCI
KQ8/KQ2
KQ1AGI
KQ6
KQ3

I'm not really fond of Alex as a hero and I feel his adventures tend to be the weakest entries.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Lambonius on March 22, 2011, 05:38:06 PM: Why do I feel like this thread is devolving into a Cez vs, Sir Percival grudge match?
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Cez on March 22, 2011, 05:46:44 PM: lol, actually I find it funny that we both agree on everything else and then KQ5 and KQ6 are exchanged.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Klitos on March 22, 2011, 05:47:42 PM: I like that KQ5 feels more epic. And there's a couple of themes in KQ5 which are just awesome, the weeping tree is one of my favorite pieces of music. I'm with MI on this one, I never had a problem with dead ends. Even when I encountered them. As I always say, if you don't want random deaths and dead ends, play a LucasArts game. I think complaining about them in Sierra games is like King Canute commanding the sea. Okay, that analogy doesn't make sense, but I've been saving it for a long time.

I love KQ5.

I love KQ6 too.

Why can't we all just get along?
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: KatieHal on March 22, 2011, 05:51:21 PM: Quote from: Klitos on March 22, 2011, 05:47:42 PM
Why can't we all just get along?

Because this is the INTERNET, dammit! :furious:

;D
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Arkillian on March 22, 2011, 05:51:37 PM: Quote from: Klitos on March 22, 2011, 05:47:42 PM
I love KQ5.

I love KQ6 too.

Why can't we all just get along?

Word. It'd be nice if people didn't have a dying need to make everyone hate the games they hate.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 06:00:36 PM: Quote from: Klitos on March 22, 2011, 05:47:42 PM
And there's a couple of themes in KQ5 which are just awesome, the weeping tree is one of my favorite pieces of music.

I love the weeping willow's tune. Did you know that it was probably based on the melody from Les Miserables' "Castle on a Cloud (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhd8NuvxfKI)"?
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Cez on March 22, 2011, 06:34:03 PM: The Weeping Tree is one of Sierra's best themes, I completely agree on that.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Haids1987 on March 22, 2011, 06:41:36 PM: Though KQ6 is my favorite King's Quest game, I think that Princess Cassima's theme in KQV is the absolute most beautiful piece of music in the series. I used to have Graham stand in the kitchen just so I could listen to it. :)
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 06:45:43 PM: Can you find a link to it? I didn't make it that far in KQV and I'd like to hear it.

I also love the Village theme from KQVI. Oh, and Beauty's theme, one screen to the left.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Cez on March 22, 2011, 06:50:52 PM: Beauty's theme was really pretty, yes.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:51:38 PM: Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 06:45:43 PM
Can you find a link to it? I didn't make it that far in KQV and I'd like to hear it.

I also love the Village theme from KQVI. Oh, and Beauty's theme, one screen to the left.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iom1vtRpmFM&feature=related
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Haids1987 on March 22, 2011, 06:52:52 PM: Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 06:45:43 PM
Can you find a link to it? I didn't make it that far in KQV and I'd like to hear it.
Click here. (http://www.queststudios.com/quest/kq5.html) It's the penultimate song, aptly named "Princess Cassima." It's pretty much an instrumental "Girl in the Tower," but there are some definite changes. It's beautiful.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Lambonius on March 22, 2011, 06:55:04 PM: Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:51:38 PM
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 06:45:43 PM
Can you find a link to it? I didn't make it that far in KQV and I'd like to hear it.

I also love the Village theme from KQVI. Oh, and Beauty's theme, one screen to the left.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iom1vtRpmFM&feature=related

It's at around 3:55 in the above playthrough.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:55:38 PM: Quote from: Haids1987 on March 22, 2011, 06:52:52 PM
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 06:45:43 PM
Can you find a link to it? I didn't make it that far in KQV and I'd like to hear it.
Click here. (http://www.queststudios.com/quest/kq5.html) It's the penultimate song, aptly named "Princess Cassima." It's pretty much an instrumental "Girl in the Tower," but there are some definite changes. It's beautiful.

My favorite version of her theme is when Sing Sing delivers the letter from Alexander to Cassima.
I also love Sing Sing's theme. So pleasant and pretty, very nostalgia inducing (for me).

It's kind of ironic that a sweet, pretty bird is named after a horrible prison in real life.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Blackthorne on March 22, 2011, 06:57:09 PM: Don't get me wrong; KQVI is a GREAT game! Now King's Quest 7.... I don't like that game at all! I pretend it doesn't even exist, honestly!

Bt
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Haids1987 on March 22, 2011, 06:58:57 PM: Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:55:38 PM
My favorite version of her theme is when Sing Sing delivers the letter from Alexander to Cassima.
Oh my gosh, I LOVE that song. :) I can't find it for download anywhere, though, which is frustrating.

PS--Mods, we already have a "King's Quest music" thread, right? Perhaps some of these more recent posts would be better suited there. ;)
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:59:12 PM: Quote from: Blackthorne on March 22, 2011, 06:57:09 PM
Don't get me wrong; KQVI is a GREAT game! Now King's Quest 7.... I don't like that game at all! I pretend it doesn't even exist, honestly!

Bt

=O

Not even the desert or Vulcanix Underground or Eldritch forest bits?
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 07:00:01 PM: Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:55:38 PM
It's kind of ironic that a sweet, pretty bird is named after a horrible prison in real life.

Woah, I never realized that. What do you figure it signifies? Does it just allude to the fact that Cassima is locked away, as if in prison?

Quote from: Haids1987 on March 22, 2011, 06:52:52 PM
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 06:45:43 PM
Can you find a link to it? I didn't make it that far in KQV and I'd like to hear it.
Click here. (http://www.queststudios.com/quest/kq5.html) It's the penultimate song, aptly named "Princess Cassima." It's pretty much an instrumental "Girl in the Tower," but there are some definite changes. It's beautiful.

This is indeed beautiful, and much better than GitT. I think it also plays during KQVI's opening cutscene, where Alexander is moping about Cassima, appropriately.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 07:00:47 PM: Quote from: Haids1987 on March 22, 2011, 06:58:57 PM
Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:55:38 PM
My favorite version of her theme is when Sing Sing delivers the letter from Alexander to Cassima.
Oh my gosh, I LOVE that song. :) I can't find it for download anywhere, though, which is frustrating.

PS--Mods, we already have a "King's Quest music" thread, right? Perhaps some of these more recent posts would be better suited there. ;)

I actually think all of the instrumental versions are so much better and much prettier than the actual Girl in the Tower vocal song. I know what they were trying to go for, and it was a nice attempt...but it came off really cheesy
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Haids1987 on March 22, 2011, 07:05:47 PM: I completely agree. :yes: I'll put Princess Cassima's theme on repeat while I clean/do homework/etc, but I simply cannot listen to the actual "Girl in the Tower" song more than once in a row. I love it for its nostalgia, but...definitely not the greatest song ever written.

(Posted on: March 22, 2011, 06:04:42 PM)

Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 07:00:01 PM
This is indeed beautiful, and much better than GitT. I think it also plays during KQVI's opening cutscene, where Alexander is moping about Cassima, appropriately.
It sure does! :) Not for very long, but it's definitely there.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 07:05:53 PM: Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 07:00:01 PM
Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:55:38 PM
It's kind of ironic that a sweet, pretty bird is named after a horrible prison in real life.

Woah, I never realized that. What do you figure it signifies? Does it just allude to the fact that Cassima is locked away, as if in prison?

Perhaps, and also I guess a clever allusion (I think that's the right word here) to her being a songbird.
I kind of wish we could've heard Sing Sing talk. Her role in KQ6 is underplayed; it could've been bigger.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Haids1987 on March 22, 2011, 07:07:44 PM: Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 07:05:53 PM
I kind of wish we could've heard Sing Sing talk. Her role in KQ6 is underplayed; it could've been bigger.
"It's not that kind of [bird,] Graham..." ;)

Magic dough could help. But I don't think that Sing Sing was intended to talk. I like that she's just a sweet, loyal companion to Cassima, and does her job as messenger when needed. AND she has babies in TSL. <3
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 07:11:45 PM: Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 07:05:53 PM
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 07:00:01 PM
Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:55:38 PM
It's kind of ironic that a sweet, pretty bird is named after a horrible prison in real life.

Woah, I never realized that. What do you figure it signifies? Does it just allude to the fact that Cassima is locked away, as if in prison?

Perhaps, and also I guess a clever allusion (I think that's the right word here) to her being a songbird.
I kind of wish we could've heard Sing Sing talk. Her role in KQ6 is underplayed; it could've been bigger.

Very interesting...We should a KQVI Analysis thread somewhere.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Arkillian on March 22, 2011, 07:17:08 PM: Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 07:05:53 PM
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 07:00:01 PM
Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:55:38 PM
It's kind of ironic that a sweet, pretty bird is named after a horrible prison in real life.

Woah, I never realized that. What do you figure it signifies? Does it just allude to the fact that Cassima is locked away, as if in prison?

Perhaps, and also I guess a clever allusion (I think that's the right word here) to her being a songbird.
I kind of wish we could've heard Sing Sing talk. Her role in KQ6 is underplayed; it could've been bigger.

Why is this? She's pretty important to me. She passes messages to Cassima to reassure her that Alexander is there to save her. It opens up the perfect ending as an option too. That's pretty important to me :)
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Blackthorne on March 22, 2011, 07:37:22 PM: Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:59:12 PM
Quote from: Blackthorne on March 22, 2011, 06:57:09 PM
Don't get me wrong; KQVI is a GREAT game! Now King's Quest 7.... I don't like that game at all! I pretend it doesn't even exist, honestly!

Bt

=O

Not even the desert or Vulcanix Underground or Eldritch forest bits?

Nope. I just do not care for it.

Bt
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: chucklas on March 23, 2011, 07:54:18 AM: Quote from: Cez on March 22, 2011, 07:15:21 AM
Quote from: Lambonius on March 21, 2011, 11:08:05 PM
The way I see it, being a KQ fanboy/girl because of KQ6 is kind of like saying you're a Miles Davis fan but only owning Kind of Blue. ;)

Not everyone can live up to your high standards, I suppose :P

Of course you can. Try it. You might even like it. :)

I think one of the issues with deciding which game is "best" is that most people are looking at the game by itself and not the series. I think the first few games in the series set the tone for the series as a whole and some people are put off by anything that goes away from the original tone. Others love KQVI because it does have the addition of Jensen's writing that changes the tone...etc. I am trying to imagine 7 different games with different unrelated characters and looking at each game on its own. I think when doing this, many people that were not fans of the original games would jump right on with KQVI. I can't really look at it from this perspective because I grew up with the games. KQVI was a great game, but it wasn't my favorite. It just felt like it was trying too hard. My favorite in the series is probably the first due to the simplicity and lightheartedness of the game (amongst other reasons).
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: snabbott on March 23, 2011, 10:16:54 AM: Quote from: Arkillian on March 22, 2011, 07:17:08 PM
Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 07:05:53 PM
Quote from: kindofdoon on March 22, 2011, 07:00:01 PM
Quote from: Sir Perceval of Daventry on March 22, 2011, 06:55:38 PM
It's kind of ironic that a sweet, pretty bird is named after a horrible prison in real life.

Woah, I never realized that. What do you figure it signifies? Does it just allude to the fact that Cassima is locked away, as if in prison?

Perhaps, and also I guess a clever allusion (I think that's the right word here) to her being a songbird.
I kind of wish we could've heard Sing Sing talk. Her role in KQ6 is underplayed; it could've been bigger.

Why is this? She's pretty important to me. She passes messages to Cassima to reassure her that Alexander is there to save her. It opens up the perfect ending as an option too. That's pretty important to me :)
I think he meant "bigger" in a quantitative sense. Obviously, she has an important role - just not a big one.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: glottal on March 24, 2011, 06:30:26 AM: Interesting question.

KQ6 does happen to be my favourite. Yet I do not think it has the best music, graphics, world (I prefer Daventry over the Green Isles), or even story. And frankly, I was much more frustrated by dead ends in KQ6 than in KQ5.

I do, however, think it has the best puzzle design. Which, in an adventure game, is extremely important.

But I think the main reason why it's my favourite is the richness of little details. That was not possible in early KQ games because of technological constraints, and I think I read somewhere about how Roberta would have made more detailed games from the get-go if sufficient memory had be available back then. Don't get me wrong, I love KQ1 being simple the way it is, but...

I played the KQ games for the first time in order, as an adult (never played them as a kid), and after playing KQ12345, even though they are a pretty diverse set of games (and I'm glad they are - who wants to play a clone of an earlier game) I figured that I had a pretty good idea what to expect from KQ6. And to some extent, I did. But I was blown away by all of the little touches. And it wasn't an occasional touch. It was tons of little touches ... and so many things that seemed coincidental at first turned out to be related. For example, I am one of those people who like death in adventure games. In KQ6, you die over and over again figuring out stuff and see the death sequence, but then you finally manage to enter the death sequence without dying. And it's not even obvious that was possible at the beginning of the game! How cool is that? And who knew that a metal nightingale could be so useful ... and I could go on and on. That's the point.

I finished KQ6 feeling like I had a more significant experience than when I first played KQ1. That is in spite of the fact that I first played KQ1 when KQ was totally fresh to me, whereas I first played KQ6 when KQ (in general) was much less fresh to me.

I don't get why some people think that KQ6 is more accessible than other KQs. Okay, I can understand why people may consider parser games less accessible to those unfamiliar with parsers, but what makes KQ6 more accessible than KQ5?
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Rado on March 24, 2011, 08:15:55 AM: Quote from: glottal on March 24, 2011, 06:30:26 AM
And frankly, I was much more frustrated by dead ends in KQ6 than in KQ5.

Could you elaborate, please? Do you think that dead ends in KQ6 are more frustrating than those in 5, or were you simply personally more frustrated by them because you had the bad luck to run into them?

Quote from: glottal on March 24, 2011, 06:30:26 AM
Okay, I can understand why people may consider parser games less accessible to those unfamiliar with parsers, but what makes KQ6 more accessible than KQ5?

I was about to say less obscure puzzles, but then I realized that's just some myth that stuck to KQ5. I was playing the game for the first time fairly recently and I only got stuck in two places - once in
dark forest because I couldn't hit a hotspot and gave up, coming to an incorrect conclusion that the glowing eyes are only window dressing
and the second time at the end, because it didn't occur to me that I should
do nothing for a few minutes in the villain's library
(that one solved itself after I went to make myself a sandwich ;)). Other than that, I was making constant progress because contrary to popular opinion, the puzzles make a lot of sense.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: atec123 on March 24, 2011, 08:51:45 AM: Quote from: Rado on March 24, 2011, 08:15:55 AM
Quote from: glottal on March 24, 2011, 06:30:26 AM
And frankly, I was much more frustrated by dead ends in KQ6 than in KQ5.

Could you elaborate, please? Do you think that dead ends in KQ6 are more frustrating than those in 5, or were you simply personally more frustrated by them because you had the bad luck to run into them?

Quote from: glottal on March 24, 2011, 06:30:26 AM
Okay, I can understand why people may consider parser games less accessible to those unfamiliar with parsers, but what makes KQ6 more accessible than KQ5?

I was about to say less obscure puzzles, but then I realized that's just some myth that stuck to KQ5. I was playing the game for the first time fairly recently and I only got stuck in two places - once in
dark forest because I couldn't hit a hotspot and gave up, coming to an incorrect conclusion that the glowing eyes are only window dressing
and the second time at the end, because it didn't occur to me that I should
do nothing for a few minutes in the villain's library
(that one solved itself after I went to make myself a sandwich ;)). Other than that, I was making constant progress because contrary to popular opinion, the puzzles make a lot of sense.
most of them do, yes. even the weird ones are easy enough to figure out after a few minutes, just by trying everything. i always hated the one with the cat and rat though.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: Haids1987 on March 24, 2011, 12:03:04 PM: Quote from: atec123 on March 24, 2011, 08:51:45 AM
i always hated the one with the cat and rat though.
That one still scares me when I play five! I'm always afraid I'm not going to make it in time to rescue her.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: glottal on March 24, 2011, 08:05:37 PM: Quote from: Rado on March 24, 2011, 08:15:55 AM

Could you elaborate, please? Do you think that dead ends in KQ6 are more frustrating than those in 5, or were you simply personally more frustrated by them because you had the bad luck to run into them?

I was simply less lucky in KQ6 than in KQ5 ... the only dead end I ran into in KQ5 is the one around

the moldy cheese

... which isn't even a very long dead end.
Title: Re: Why is KQ6 your favorite KQ?
Post by: kyranthia on March 25, 2011, 09:55:08 AM: The puzzles and story were very good and the art (especially in the Windows version) were amazing for their day. I liked how the game did have some variation of how you could complete it too.

Land wise, yeah, I prefer Daventry too. But I did enjoy the Land of the Green Isles.