QUEST FOR GLORY I
SO YOU WANT TO BE A HERO REVIEW
(SCI VERSION)
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YEAR: 1989
SIZE: 30 MB (includes SCI and VGA Versions)
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+ 3 different classes means 3 different ways to solve puzzles
+ Wonderful blend of Adventure & RPG elements
+ Freedom to try anything you want to
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- Can take some time to build up your skills
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STORY
Having just arrived in the quaint little town of Spielburg, you want nothing
more than to prove yourself a hero. The question is… how are you gonna do
that?
Well, fate, it seems, has brought you to Spielburg for a reason. As you
explore the town, and talk to people, you soon realise that Spielburg is
cursed. It all began when the evil witch Baba Yaga decided to set up home in
Spielburg. Shortly after that, the Baron’s son and daughter went missing.
The Baron, devastated by the loss of his children, shut himself off in the
castle, and refused to see anyone. Then a band of brigands began
terrorizing the townspeople. It’s never-ending!
Baba Yaga’s curse has plagued Spielburg for over a decade now. Thankfully,
all curses have a counter curse. And this counter curse prophesises that a
‘Hero From The East’ will save the town and lift the curse.
You are that hero!
Only you can face the evil that has gripped Spielburg for so long, and bring
peace back to it’s people.
　
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GAMEPLAY
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Quest For Glory I: So You Want To Be A Hero is the first Quest For Glory
game, and it is a wonderful mix of adventure with some RPG elements.
Before you begin the game, you have to create your character. You can
choose if you want to play as a Fighter, a Magic User, or a Thief. Each of the
3 types allows you to overcome puzzles in a different way. For example,
opening a locked box - the Fighter would choose to smash it open, while the
Thief would pick the lock, and the Magic User would cast a spell. This gives
so much replay ability to the game, and will have you coming back to try the
other types you haven’t played yet.
The game uses a combination of the traditional text parser (meaning you
type in commands through your keyboard), and a menu-based system (click
your mouse at top of the screen) to interact with the game world.
The text parser controls your actions, and you have the freedom to try
anything you want. For example, if you want to ‘Dance With Ogre‘, go
ahead. Or how about ‘Sing On Table‘ in the Hero‘s Tale Inn, or ‘Hit Brigand‘,
or ‘Eat Mushrooms‘. You can try anything you want, although you may not
always like the result. Since you need to ask the townspeople about
various topics, ‘Ctrl & A’ is a shortcut for ‘Ask About’, which is VERY handy.
You can also check the game time, by pressing ‘Ctrl & T’.
Press the Tab key on your keyboard gives you a list of items you are carrying,
while ‘Examine [Inventory Item]’ gives more of a description of it. Pressing
F3 on your keyboard repeats the last thing you typed, which is very handy if
you weren’t quite in the correct position.
Movement is controlled by using the Cursor keys, or by clicking your mouse
where you want to move. When you are fighting an enemy, use Left & Right
arrows to dodge, and the Up arrow to attack.
The menu-based system (click your mouse at top of the screen to see it)
allows you to Save, Restore, Restart, or Quit your game. I recommend you
Save your game often, using different Save slots, because you can die in this
game. A lot. The game speed can be changed at any time by pressing ’+’ or
’-’ to speed up or slow down. Most of the time, you’ll probably want your
hero to walk a bit faster, but there are some occasions where going slower is
the better option. The menu also gives you access to other information
during the game, which is crucial. You’ll frequently be checking your
character sheet to see what skills have improved and what skills still
need to be improved. It also allows you to Cast Spells (if you are a Magic
User), and various other things. You’ll soon get used to all the various option
available to you.
Like I said, it’s a wonderful mix of adventure with RPG elements. However, it
can be frustrating and time consuming, trying to build up your skills.
　
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GRAPHICS
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I love the SCI graphics in this game, with it‘s strong colours. It’s fairly blocky
by today’s standards, but it gives the game a lovely feel to it. And the
animation is incredibly smooth.
You can tell when the hero is carrying too much, because he struggles to
walk. And there are so many lovely touches, such as the way the gargoyle
above Erasmus’s house rubs his nose, or the magic tree glistening in Erana’s
Peace, or fairies dancing in the mushroom ring at night.
I love how the characters get on with their own lives, and stop to talk to you
when you approach them. Shameen & Sheema, who own the Hero’s Tale
Inn, really make you feel welcome. And Baba Yaga, with her habit of turning
you into a frog, is very creepy. Baba’s chicken hut is very impressive, with it’s
long chicken legs.
One of the best things I love about Quest For Glory, is the Day\Night cycles.
When night time comes, everything goes dark, and an eerie glow spreads
over everything. The townspeople go home for the night, but for a hero like
you, some puzzles can only be solved at night.
There is so much to explore and love about Quest For Glory!
　
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SOUND AND MUSIC
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There is not much sound in the game, but considering it was made in 1989, I
think it’s done very well for itself. Flames above the Magic Shop roar
mysteriously every so often, and the castle gates creak as they are raised
and lowered. The Meeps squeak to each other, and it is so adorable to listen
to them. You can also hear the Antwerp boing up & down, which makes
me chuckle.
There is also some music in the game. My favourite is definitely Erana’s
Peace - it’s just so calming, and beautiful to listen to. Music in the Goblin
Camp is very different, and you can really imagine the goblins sneaking
around. Yorick’s room has cheerful carnival music, which really suits him.
Give the game a try - you won’t be disappointed!
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