"The Legend of Kyrandia: Fables & Fiends" Review

RLacey · 07-22-2005, 03:33 PM

Nice review, Michael. Whilst I'm not actually a huge fan of the original (the sequel, Hand of Fate, is much better if you ask me; which you don't!), you did persuade me to dig out my CD collection of these games to give them a whirl. So thanks for that

.

imichaelj · 07-22-2005, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLacey

Nice review, Michael. Whilst I'm not actually a huge fan of the original (the sequel, Hand of Fate, is much better if you ask me; which you don't!), you did persuade me to dig out my CD collection of these games to give them a whirl. So thanks for that

.

Hehe, no problem. Hope you have fun reliving some artifacts of classic adventure gaming... Until I did this review, it had been years since I last played an "oldie."

Starflux · 07-23-2005, 05:42 AM

I's nice to see how this series actually got better as it went along, instead of the usual scenario where sequels just get worse. Hand of Fate was a definite improvement, and Malcolm's Revenge was, arguably, the best of the series*

I always lamented that Westwood didn't do more adventures (and RPG's, though unfortunately the later Lands of Lore games were not at all that good I'm afraid!). And now they're dead. Sad turn of events, that. At least we've got some mighty fine titles thanks to them!

*Arguably, because it's quite a departure from the established themes, but very qualitative overall.

*chapter11studios* · 07-24-2005, 03:52 AM

Wow, four stars for Kyrandia I? That's, um, very generous.

imichaelj · 07-24-2005, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chapter11studios

Wow, four stars for Kyrandia I? That's, um, very generous.

What can I say? I guess I'm a very generous kind of guy...

AGA · 07-24-2005, 01:00 PM

Kyrandia 1 was great. 2 was a bit better, and I never really got into the third at all. 3 1/2 or 4 stars is justified, I think.

imichaelj · 07-24-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGA

Kyrandia 1 was great. 2 was a bit better, and I never really got into the third at all. 3 1/2 or 4 stars is justified, I think.

Thanks AGA. Although I can see how not everyone would have been fans... and, of course, we are all entitled to our opinions. I'm looking forward to continue delving into the series. I'm curious as to whether or not the games get better or worse.

*chapter11studios* · 07-24-2005, 04:45 PM

Well, it's an interesting discussion. Kyrandia II is generally regarded as a superior game than Kyrandia I. And, since Kyrandia I got 4 stars, that should in theory make Kyrandia II a 5-star masterpiece. Except it's not. Which is just another way of saying that 4 stars for Kyrandia I seems inflated. I mean, 4 stars should be reserved for a nearly flawless game--and Kyrandia I doesn't approach that. It's a nice little game that tried to mimic King's Quest at a time when King's Quest was the bestselling series of all time. It succeeded in some areas and failed miserably in others. Two, maybe 2.5 stars, tops. My two cents.

***Jackal*** · 07-24-2005, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chapter11studios

4 stars should be reserved for a nearly flawless game

I can't say that I agree with this statement. Our own policy defines a 4-star game as "a game of very high quality." That certainly allows for a superior game with some notable weaknesses. I haven't played the Kyrandia games myself, so I have no opinion about whether the game actually deserves even that, but the review justifies its score.

As for another game being better, well, there are two ratings above a 4, but even another 4-star game could be considered better. The stars represent a range, and having the same score doesn't mean those games are equal.

Ariel Type · 07-25-2005, 04:20 AM

It's a nice little game that tried to mimic King's Quest at a time when King's Quest was the bestselling series of all time.

Kyrandia was not only one of the most beautiful and breathtaking adventures for its time, it was also innovative. It's silly to say that it was a clone of KQ games, because both have very little in common. Of course, there is a kingdom, based on fantasy universe, and you have to save it. That's all. The same senario was in Simon the Sorcerer, in Death Gate and Shannara, in Dragon Sphere, Redguard, Eternam and many more. Where they all clones of KQ (which, by the way, was more of a fairy tale, then fantasy)? Not, for sure.

Ninth · 07-25-2005, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariel Type

It's a nice little game that tried to mimic King's Quest at a time when King's Quest was the bestselling series of all time.

Kyrandia was not only one of the most beautiful and breathtaking adventures for its time, it was also innovative. It's silly to say that it was a clone of KQ games, because both have very little in common. Of course, there is a kingdom, based on fantasy universe, and you have to save it. That's all. The same senario was in Simon the Sorcerer, in Death Gate and Shannara, in Dragon Sphere, Redguard, Eternam and many more. Where they all clones of KQ (which, by the way, was more of a fairy tale, then fantasy)? Not, for sure.

And they are all among the very best AGs.

Adventurous One · 07-25-2005, 07:25 AM

Very good review. I think you gave it a good rating. This was one of the first adventure games I played and I loved it, although I never managed to find the sequels.

Ninth · 07-25-2005, 07:32 AM

About the rating...
Granted, Kyrandia 1 is heavily flawed, but it still has got something magical, especially the graphics: even though the game is old, they don't look outdated, and give the game a special atmopshere, much better in my opinion than any King Quest.

samIamsad · 07-25-2005, 04:16 PM

I played a bit of Hand Of Fate years ago at a friend's computer. Blonde bland chick running through the woods. At least, that was my impression of it.

I'll give it another try.

Ninth · 07-26-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samIamsad

I played a bit of Hand Of Fate years ago at a friend's computer. Blonde bland chick running through the woods. At least, that was my impression of it.

I'll give it another try.

Erm. Jaz? I'm in need of an extra large frying pan, possibly with some spikes under it or something...

Seriously, even though you begin in woods, you end up visiting the whole world and beyond (well, some small part of it, anyway). And Zanthia is not bland

, and she not running.

*chapter11studios* · 07-26-2005, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninth

About the rating...
Granted, Kyrandia 1 is heavily flawed, but it still has got something magical, especially the graphics: even though the game is old, they don't look outdated, and give the game a special atmopshere, much better in my opinion than any King Quest.

Wait, a heavily flawed game with good graphics is 4-star worthy? Oy...

*chapter11studios* · 07-26-2005, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariel Type

Kyrandia was not only one of the most beautiful and breathtaking adventures for its time, it was also innovative. It's silly to say that it was a clone of KQ games, because both have very little in common.

Innovative? Enlighten me, please. You walk around collecting random jewels in the woods, you get lost in a maze, etc. It had a bland hero with zero personality. It had a predictable plot. The only thing it had in its favor, really, was its graphics. And when it was released, it was billed as Westwood's response to the KQ phenomenom. It was meant to be a King's Quest clone.

Ninth · 07-26-2005, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chapter11studios

Wait, a heavily flawed game with good graphics is 4-star worthy? Oy...

It's not just the graphics, it's the whole atmosphere, graphics, music, interface, story...
The only really big flaw in Kyrandia is the gameplay, and more precisely the puzzle design is stupid.

Starflux · 07-26-2005, 08:34 AM

Haha, I only now suddenly realized I didn't even LOOK at the ratings. Seriously, it's all so redundant. Read the text and you'll get a far better grasp of the reviewer's intention than some silly rating. That's only good for rather pointless debate over comparisons between stars or percentages.

*chapter11studios* · 07-26-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flux

Read the text and you'll get a far better grasp of the reviewer's intention than some silly rating. That's only good for rather pointless debate over comparisons between stars or percentages.

But, but, but... that makes WAY too much sense!

07-22-2005, 03:33 PM	#1
RLacey The Thread™ will die. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 22,542	"The Legend of Kyrandia: Fables & Fiends" Review Nice review, Michael. Whilst I'm not actually a huge fan of the original (the sequel, Hand of Fate, is much better if you ask me; which you don't!), you did persuade me to dig out my CD collection of these games to give them a whirl. So thanks for that . Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ RLacey \| Killer of the Thread™ I do not change to be perfect. Perfect changes to be me.

07-23-2005, 05:42 AM	#3
Starflux A Servicable Villain Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: the ocean spire Posts: 1,730	I's nice to see how this series actually got better as it went along, instead of the usual scenario where sequels just get worse. Hand of Fate was a definite improvement, and Malcolm's Revenge was, arguably, the best of the series* I always lamented that Westwood didn't do more adventures (and RPG's, though unfortunately the later Lands of Lore games were not at all that good I'm afraid!). And now they're dead. Sad turn of events, that. At least we've got some mighty fine titles thanks to them! Arguably, because it's quite a departure from the established themes, but very qualitative overall. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Visit my webcomic Captain August!*

07-24-2005, 03:52 AM	#4
chapter11studios Dread Pirate Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beverly, Massachusetts, USA Posts: 452	Wow, four stars for Kyrandia I? That's, um, very generous. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Josh Roberts Project Coordinator Rise of the Hidden Sun

07-24-2005, 01:00 PM	#6
AGA AdventureGameAficionado Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Cardiff, Wales Posts: 1,968	Kyrandia 1 was great. 2 was a bit better, and I never really got into the third at all. 3 1/2 or 4 stars is justified, I think. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Berian Williams - [SIZE=1]Visit agagames.com for free adventure games!

07-24-2005, 04:45 PM	#8
chapter11studios Dread Pirate Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beverly, Massachusetts, USA Posts: 452	Well, it's an interesting discussion. Kyrandia II is generally regarded as a superior game than Kyrandia I. And, since Kyrandia I got 4 stars, that should in theory make Kyrandia II a 5-star masterpiece. Except it's not. Which is just another way of saying that 4 stars for Kyrandia I seems inflated. I mean, 4 stars should be reserved for a nearly flawless game--and Kyrandia I doesn't approach that. It's a nice little game that tried to mimic King's Quest at a time when King's Quest was the bestselling series of all time. It succeeded in some areas and failed miserably in others. Two, maybe 2.5 stars, tops. My two cents. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Josh Roberts Project Coordinator Rise of the Hidden Sun

07-25-2005, 04:20 AM	#10
Ariel Type LA-S-LE Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Snow Country Posts: 549	It's a nice little game that tried to mimic King's Quest at a time when King's Quest was the bestselling series of all time. Kyrandia was not only one of the most beautiful and breathtaking adventures for its time, it was also innovative. It's silly to say that it was a clone of KQ games, because both have very little in common. Of course, there is a kingdom, based on fantasy universe, and you have to save it. That's all. The same senario was in Simon the Sorcerer, in Death Gate and Shannara, in Dragon Sphere, Redguard, Eternam and many more. Where they all clones of KQ (which, by the way, was more of a fairy tale, then fantasy)? Not, for sure. Share Share this post on Twitter

07-25-2005, 07:25 AM	#12
Adventurous One Rogue Agent Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 122	Very good review. I think you gave it a good rating. This was one of the first adventure games I played and I loved it, although I never managed to find the sequels. Share Share this post on Twitter

07-25-2005, 07:32 AM	#13
Ninth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 6,409	About the rating... Granted, Kyrandia 1 is heavily flawed, but it still has got something magical, especially the graphics: even though the game is old, they don't look outdated, and give the game a special atmopshere, much better in my opinion than any King Quest. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ ...It's down there somewhere. Let me have another look.

07-25-2005, 04:16 PM	#14
samIamsad capsized. Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,534	I played a bit of Hand Of Fate years ago at a friend's computer. Blonde bland chick running through the woods. At least, that was my impression of it. I'll give it another try. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Look, Mr. Bubbles...!

07-26-2005, 08:34 AM	#19
Starflux A Servicable Villain Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: the ocean spire Posts: 1,730	Haha, I only now suddenly realized I didn't even LOOK at the ratings. Seriously, it's all so redundant. Read the text and you'll get a far better grasp of the reviewer's intention than some silly rating. That's only good for rather pointless debate over comparisons between stars or percentages. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Visit my webcomic Captain August!

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