THE SILVER LINING: EPISODE 1
WHAT IS DECREED MUST BE
REVIEW
​
​
YEAR: 2010
SIZE: 1.67 GB (includes all 4 episodes currently available)
​
PLATFORM: Windows
​
DEVELOPER: Phoenix Online Publishing
​
​
+ A true labour of love
+ Spectacular graphics & music
+ It’s lovely to re-visit familiar characters and locations
​
​
- Short first episode
- Characters’ mouths move oddly
​
​
​
​
STORY
Today is a day for celebration! It’s Princess Rosella‘s, and her twin
brother, Prince Alexander’s 21st birthday. But this is a double-
celebration - Rosella has chosen this day to marry her true love, Edgar.
The wedding, and the birthday celebrations are taking place in The
Land Of The Green Isles, where Alexander, and his bride Cassima rule
over all the isles. King Graham & Queen Valanice - parents of Rosella
and Alexander - have travelled here to join in the celebrations, and
everyone is delighted at the news.
​
Then… tragedy strikes!
​
Without warning, a cloaked stranger appears at the wedding
ceremony, just as Rosella & Edgar are sealing their vows. With a wave
of his hand, he casts a dark spell over Alexander and Rosella, sending
them both into a deep coma.
​
Now you, as King Graham, must find a way to break the evil curse and
save your children. The only clue you have, is the black cloak left
behind by the mysterious stranger.
​
It’s time to don your adventurers outfit once again!
​
​
​
​
TECHNICAL NOTE
​
If you are not able to save your game, it may be a Permissions
problem. Make sure you are playing as Administrator.
　
​
　
GAMEPLAY
​
The Silver Lining is a fan made game, and a true labour of love from
the developers, Phoenix Online Publishing. They had to fight tooth
and nail to get the game released, so kudos to them for sticking with
it! However, while they were not given permission to use the ‘King’s
Quest’ name, it definitely is a KQ game at heart.
​
The game uses the Point & Click interface, and you can interact with
Graham’s world by using the menu at top of the screen. The menu is
neatly tucked away, until you move your mouse up there. Icons allow
Graham to Walk (double-click to run), Look, Pick Up\Use, or Talk to
another character. A bag in the top right section holds all your
inventory items, and you can manipulate your items (get a better look
at them, open your bag of coins, rotate them etc) by clicking on them
in the display panel.
​
The Coat Of Arms at the top centre gives you access to the game
menu. From here, you can Save\Restore\Go Back To Game\Quit. The
game itself is very customisable, and you can set things entirely to
your own preference via the Options Menu. You can select how much
detail you want, and even take out specific special effects. You can
choose whether you want to hear the Narrator’s voice or not, and you
can choose if you want to have subtitles or not. Many commercial
games don’t give you as many options as this!
​
This is the first episode of a 5-episode story, and as such, is rather
short. But it introduces you to the main characters, setting things up
nicely for future episodes.
　
​
​
　
GRAPHICS
​
Graphics are very impressive! So much detail has been lovingly
crammed in. Just look at that floor in the Main Hall of the castle! It’s
so polished and shiny, you can see Graham’s reflection in it, as well as
reflections of the pots, the stairs, the door, and everything else.
Torches on the walls flicker realistically. Graham’s shadow moves as
he does - you can even see the shadow turn his head when Graham
does! Things are just as impressive outside the castle! Raindrops
splashing in puddles, trees and plants blowing in the wind, the way the
lighthouse beam spins round, Hassan’s boat bobs up & down in the
water. It’s just a gorgeous game to look at, and it’s wonderful to re-
visit The Land Of The Green Isles (KQ6). Having said that, I do have a
small gripe about characters talking - when they talk, their mouth
moves… awkwardly. But that’s just one small detail in an otherwise
fantastic game!
​
When talking to other characters, a list of topics is shown at the
bottom, and you can choose what to talk about. Inventory items are
shown as pictures, so it’s easy to see what you’re carrying. Inventory
items can also be rotated, giving you a better look at them.
　
​
​
　
SOUND AND MUSIC
​
Beautiful, atmospheric music is heard throughout the game, and
changes depending on what location you’re in. All the characters are
fully voiced, which helps to bring the game to life. Everyone sounds
just right. I especially like Graham’s concerned voice, and the
Narrator’s mischievous sarcastic voice.
​
Sound effects are equally impressive. Rain pouring down around you,
thunder clapping, church bells in the distance in the town, the sign on
Hassan’s hut squeaking, Sing-Sing chirping, and more. Even Graham
whistling to himself is a pleasure to listen to.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​