Best and Worst King's Quest Costume Design

[KatieHal]

After bringing up this topic on another forum, let's hear your thoughts! Who has the best costume design in all the KQs? Who's got the worst?

Yes, of course, some are limited by technology in the early games. But there are often drawings around of what those were meant to look like (Alex/Gwydion on the cover of the box for KQ3, for example--his clothing is partly visible at least). And often these looks have been re-imagined or even fleshed out by remakes, too!

[Haids1987]

The best? DEFINITELY Alexander's serving wench outfit in KQ6.

(Posted on: January 17, 2012, 11:57:25 AM)

In all seriousness, though, I gotta say, Genesta's outfit in KQ 4 was always my childhood favorite.  Perhaps it's the giant fairy wings or the wreath of flowers, but oh my goodness! Simplicity at its most beautiful. I love it!

[Lambonius]

I would say that the absolute WORST costume design would have to go to TSL's Alexander and his hideous Goku haircut.

In the original series itself?  Gwydion's neon-cyan and purple slave clothes.  Yikes.

Best costume?  The harpies in KQ5.

[KatieHal]

Always good to know we can rely on you for consistency. Although, Alex/Gwydion's hair in the IA KQ3 is not the haircut I'd advise anyone to get either.

I think one of the worst costumes is Valanice's dress in KQ7. The must-never-show-skin, high-collar, floor-length dress was just awful. A personal preference, granted.

[snabbott]

Best costume?  The harpies in KQ5.

Costume? Are they even wearing anything?

[ATMachine]

Always good to know we can rely on you for consistency. Although, Alex/Gwydion's hair in the IA KQ3 is not the haircut I'd advise anyone to get either.

I think one of the worst costumes is Valanice's dress in KQ7. The must-never-show-skin, high-collar, floor-length dress was just awful. A personal preference, granted.

I blame the Disney animation department, as that gown (as well as the accompanying hairstyle) was yanked right off of Cinderella's Lady Tremaine. Just as Alex's KQ6 wardrobe owes a huge debt to Kevin "Who knew Robin Hood was a Yank?" Costner.  

[KatieHal]

ATM--I know! Which makes it even odder because she's the villain in Cinderella! Giving that look to Malicia would've made much more sense than to Valanice.

I did like Rosella's outfit in KQ7. Generically Disney as well, of course, but it was better than Valanice's, and suited Rosella's younger attitude as well. 

[ATMachine]

Although Alex's final KQ6 costume was heavily based on Kevin Costner's Robin Hood outfit, there are some sketches in the hint book for interesting alternate designs. Interestingly, one of them (third from left) seems to show Alex in Roman-style armor. And another (the leftmost) has him in a more Renaissance-style cuirass over an embroidered shirt.

Both these and another, closer-to-final sketch show Alex with very long hair. Graham and Alex are both said/shown to have long hair in the KQ Companion too...

[Lambonius]

Best costume?  The harpies in KQ5.

Costume? Are they even wearing anything?

[Haids1987]

I did like Rosella's outfit in KQ7. Generically Disney as well, of course, but it was better than Valanice's, and suited Rosella's younger attitude as well. 

I agree, Rosella's outfit in 7 was much better than her mom's Victorian nightgown.  But it's little disappointing to me that the animation was supposed to be so groundbreaking in KQ 7, and none of the costumes really blew my mind. 

I also always liked Cassima's pink and green dress in 6.  Of course, as a little girl, I always thought that Princess Jasmine might wear something like it, so maybe that had some influence (since Jasmine's my favorite princess. ).  Anyway, as an adult, I like how it shows her heritage and represents the Isle of the Crown's "Arabian Nights" theme.

[KatieHal]

Also a good one. I think what I like most about the costume design in KQ6 is the detail--they didn't go with simple, generic outfits, they really had design in them and they were all fairly unique.

I know it was a benefit of having VGA graphics at their disposal, compared to most earlier games. But KQ7 abandoned that for the most part and gave the leads all very boring costumes. Edgar, Rosella, Valanice, and Malicia all each had their own color palette, but not much of interest was done with it.

[Haids1987]

Dude Katie, I am with you 100% on that.  I love how in 6 and even 5 you can see the individual detail in the outfits--gold stitching on Alhazred's robe, the different colors in Alexander's scarf, etc. King's Quest 7's outfits are boring and too simplistic.  Even the Etherian outfits weren't anything special! I would have thought that they'd go all out with golds and bling for characters like Mab and the Three Fates, but alas, were were disappointed.

[Bludshot]

Best:


Worst:

Spoiler (mouse over to reveal):

[Lambonius]

Boioioioioioioioioioing!

That was the sound of my pants' reaction to those screenshots.

Also, I've been drinking.

[KatieHal]

Hey Bludshot, please put images like the Conor one under spoiler cuts in the future. (I fixed this one.)

[Blackthorne]

I thought Mordack's costume was very sinister.


Bt

[Bludshot]

Hey Bludshot, please put images like the Conor one under spoiler cuts in the future. (I fixed this one.)

Sure thing. Thanks for the heads up.

I thought Mordack's costume was very sinister.


Bt

Not sure if this counts as part of the costume design (maybe the character design?) but I always thought Mordack's goatee was amusing, you'd think Mannanan's brother would boast something facial hair more epic than an evil Spock routine.

[KatieHal]

Maybe. But then agan, he WAS a ninny at chess.

[Haids1987]

C'mon, he was the hip face of evil for the 90's!  He had to have a devil goatee!

[Bludshot]

C'mon, he was the hip face of evil for the 90's!  He had to have a devil goatee!

That does explain why he talks like the kids these days.  "You Swine!" "Why you little..."