Something that I noticed

[kindofdoon]

Up until a year ago, I had only played KQVI. In the last year, I played KQI, II, III, and V.

The whole reason I know about KQ in the first place is because it was bundled with an old Windows 95 computer we bought eons ago. I don't know if other KQ games were bundled as well, but if they weren't, it would mean that many people have played only KQVI.

[Lambonius]

You might be surprised - quite a few people have played KQ6 and not all of the others, but very few people have played other games in the series but never 6.  I have yet to speak with anybody who has only played 6, but I have chatted with a number of people who have only played 6 and one or two of the others.

That doesn't surprise me at all actually, I was just playing devil's advocate.  

And yes we could have come up with an entirely new location, but that would make even less sense for the wedding (why are they getting married someplace nobody in the family has ever been before??) and using an existing location that people are familiar with gives us a basic outline of areas to work with from a game design standpoint.  At least we picked what most would likely agree is the best game in the series to build on.

I don't think anyone's suggesting that it would make sense for Rosella and Edgar to get married in an entirely new location, just that it would make a lot more sense for them to get married in one of their respective kingdoms, and that it would be more in keeping with the formula of the series if from there, the game moved on to an entirely original land.  Design choices aside, you can't really deny that it presents something of a plot oddity, if not a hole.  

(Posted on: August 08, 2010, 10:28:40 PM)

You are so right.  This was one of my biggest concerns when I first played the demo.  I felt like I was playing KQ6... total deja vu... but a KQ6 with more limited gameplay.  Let's hope future eipsodes have more new characters and locations to explore.

I understand why they chose to do it this way, I just think that there is a very fine line between homage and unoriginality.  If it's just a few scenes, it's a nice homage.  If you recreate 90% of the Green Isles exactly as it was shown in KQ6, I think it jumps over the line and starts to be uninspired.  I mean, if I wanted to explore the Green Isles I saw in KQ6, I'd just play KQ6.  I want to see new locations, or, if they have to be old locations, I want to see them from different angles and in entirely new ways.  So far, the Isle of the Crown in particular feels like an exact copy of KQ6, even with the few additional "new" areas.

[wilco64256]

So far, the Isle of the Crown in particular feels like an exact copy of KQ6, even with the few additional "new" areas.

Even with the castle explorable in full 3D?  We've gotten quite a bit of positive feedback specifically about that and how people love that even though it's pretty much the exact same castle, it's a totally different way of exploring it.  And it has a garden now.

[Lambonius]

No no, that's nice, but to be honest, I think the castle in KQ6 feels a lot bigger and more mysterious (what with all the rooms in the basement, and the secret passages behind the walls and such.)  And a big part of that is that there were actually a lot of things to DO in those areas, whereas in TSL you have really just a few added hallways with doors you can't open, with only Graham's room and the garden to break things up.

Also, I wouldn't really call it a "totally different way of exploring it."  You're still basically walking around in third person view with a fixed camera (meaning that the player has no control over it--I realize it does pan and move.)  And as I said, there are actually a lot LESS areas available to explore than even in KQ6.

[wilco64256]

Well in Episode 1 there are a lot less areas, true, but it is only the first episode and you didn't exactly get to explore the entire castle the first time you visited in KQ6 now did you?  Perhaps more will open up in time.

[Lambonius]

Well in Episode 1 there are a lot less areas, true, but it is only the first episode and you didn't exactly get to explore the entire castle the first time you visited in KQ6 now did you?  Perhaps more will open up in time.

Indeed you couldn't.  Fair enough. 

[Baggins]

The way I'm looking at it, Alexander was a brand new King and probably still had to heal the relations between the isles, and couldn't afford to travel around like King Oberon and King Graham.

Ahh, well actually in classic fairy tale style, if you successfully get the good ending, we are told "the islands are no longer fueding, already the wounds are starting to heal. Discovering the stolen treasures has brought more peace to the land than anything else."

As Alexander says, "With Shamir's powers we can visit often." Of course in King's Questions they do have one of their visits back to Daventry.

Here a shot from the King's Quest Companion;

[kindofdoon]

Even with the castle explorable in full 3D?  We've gotten quite a bit of positive feedback specifically about that and how people love that even though it's pretty much the exact same castle, it's a totally different way of exploring it.  And it has a garden now.

Yes, this was completely awesome. Even though it's the same castle, it definitely felt like a new way of experiencing it.

[Baggins]

It's definitely cool, although I went "huh" about certain aspects where the blueprints in KQ6 and TSL differed in potrayal of the castle and its layout.

Like for example that door under the stairs was the Kitchen itself in KQ6, rather than a hallway. During the "short path", Alexander opens the door looks in sees its the kitchen, and can even go inside the kitchen  (the game describes a bit of what is in the kitchen). Plus that alcove on the top floor was circular in KQ6 rather rectangular.

Its also interesting bit of trivia that Graham's bedroom on the top floor, is described as being a "storage room" in KQ6.

[Fierce Deity]

Its also interesting bit of trivia that Graham's bedroom on the top floor, is described as being a "storage room" in KQ6.

Only the best for the King of Daventry.

[B'rrr]

could be changed since then though 

[wilco64256]

The castle didn't have a garden at all before, Alex decided he wanted one and so Shamir added a hallway leading to the garden he also created and then moved the kitchen further into the hallway.

He also converted what used to be a storage room into a rather nice guest room with a balcony and a view.

Or something like that.

[Lambonius]

Yes, Shamir is a genie who can poof the layout of the castle into something entirely new, but can't be bothered to help Alexander's father save his master's life. 

[KatieHal]

How do you know he isn't? Like I said, Shamir's been busy...you'll find out what he's been up to.... 

[Baggins]

Getting drunk on Mint Julep and Mojitos, and York Peppermint Patties.

Interesting bit of trivia, go into the game script, and it describes Shamir as "drunk" from the mints he's been eating, LOL

[Fierce Deity]

How do you know he isn't? Like I said, Shamir's been busy...you'll find out what he's been up to.... 

I'm speculating that he went after Shadrack. When Graham asked if Shamir knew anything, he said it's like nothing he's ever seen. Shamir is probably trying to find out more about who the man was and what magic he used, while Graham is trying to wake up his kids. Seems reasonable. 

[TheReturnofDMD]

How do you know he isn't? Like I said, Shamir's been busy...you'll find out what he's been up to.... 

He wasn't busy in the intro. He was standing right next to Graham. He could've helped him then.

[wilco64256]

Graham isn't Shamir's master.

[kindofdoon]

Shamir is "busy" after the incident, while Graham tries to save his children, and therefore not a feasible means of transport of means for Graham.

He could have transported Graham the first time, but he is not a permanent means of transport. Therefore Graham must use the ferry.

[Fierce Deity]

Shamir is "busy" after the incident, while Graham tries to save his children, and therefore not a feasible means of transport of means for Graham.

He could have transported Graham the first time, but he is not a permanent means of transport. Therefore Graham must use the ferry.

Very true. Shamir could have teleported Graham to the Isle of the Sacred Mountain, but if Shamir was busy doing other things, Graham would have been stuck on the island. His only way of getting off the isle would be imbibing the Nightshade berries.