The Odd Gentlemen's King's Quest has a hard time determining what it wants to be at the start. By the end of the series, it's the story that stands out more than the gameplay, and the story they have to tell is an excellent one.
In King's Quest, players become the brave knight, Sir Graham, on a journey to save his kingdom. Through vibrant graphics and challenging puzzles, explore diverse landscapes, encounter magical creatures, and make decisions that impact the story's outcome. This captivating reimagining of the classic adventure game series brings a delightful fairytale experience to life.
Charming art style and spectacular voice acting make this game engaging and fun.
The story is well-written, humorous, and emotionally impactful, with clever puzzles that encourage exploration.
The game successfully captures the nostalgia of the original King's Quest series while introducing new elements.
Later chapters feel rushed and less engaging, with some puzzles being overly simplistic or tedious.
The lack of manual save options and inability to skip dialogue can lead to frustration during gameplay.
Some character portrayals and story elements diverge significantly from the original series, which may disappoint long-time fans.
story
2,222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
65%
1%
The story of "King's Quest" (2015) is a heartfelt and whimsical retelling of King Graham's adventures, narrated by an older Graham to his granddaughter, Gwendolyn. While it captures the charm and humor of the original series, some fans feel it strays too far from the established lore and characterizations, particularly in its treatment of beloved characters. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging storytelling, beautiful visuals, and clever puzzles, making it a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both new players and long-time fans.
“The story is well crafted, emotionally mature while still having plenty of lighthearted jokes.”
“It's a wonderful story crafted with love.”
“The story is engaging, it's funny, witty, the puzzles are fun and logical, the interface is easy and intuitive and it reminds me of good old adventure games back in my day.”
“This tries to do the Telltale game thing with previous chapter effects on the story, but it doesn't really, and it forgets past stuff sometimes.”
“While the modern King's Quest brings much of the charm and whimsy that fans have loved for decades, it stumbles where it matters most—its treatment of beloved characters.”
“The story is forced and at times confusing since there is no time spent on background or character development.”
graphics
475 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
35%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful, hand-painted art style and vibrant, cartoonish visuals that evoke a sense of nostalgia while appealing to modern aesthetics. Many reviewers noted the fluid animations and charming character designs, which enhance the storytelling experience and create an immersive atmosphere reminiscent of classic animated films. Overall, the visuals are considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing significantly to its appeal and enjoyment.
“The artwork is unique and beautiful; I've played the game since it first released back in 2015, and the graphics still stand well today.”
“The graphics are beautiful, the voice acting is incredible, the storyline is mesmerizing, and the ability to play in different ways throughout the chapter is wonderful.”
“The graphics are fantastic, the voice acting superb, and the music score and cues are incredible and timed perfectly to the action on screen.”
“Overall, I give the entire game 7 out of 10 as Activision could have done better with graphics.”
“The graphics while charming and pleasing for the most part are not the greatest for a game released in 2015/2016.”
“It's like a good book - you just want to continue (even with the ... suboptimal graphics).”
humor
434 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
1%
1%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness, charm, and abundance of puns, often evoking laughter through witty dialogue and amusing character interactions. While many players appreciate the light-hearted and whimsical tone reminiscent of classic adventure games, some critiques point to moments where the humor feels forced or overly childish. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging storytelling, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.
“It's like chess, but the pieces are laughing at you!”
“The characters are amazing, the references are amazing, the jokes are hilarious, the art style is gorgeous, the story is super fun and interesting, and I have nothing but good things to say about all the voice actors.”
“This game is delightfully charming with a really funny sense of humor (so many puns...).”
“Painfully unfunny voice acting, and horribly boring, repetitive puzzles.”
“Characterization and comedy are mostly unfunny and overdone.”
“The jokes are mostly forced and unfunny.”
gameplay
287 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
63%
5%
The gameplay of the new King's Quest is a blend of classic adventure mechanics and modern design, featuring a mix of puzzles, exploration, and decision-making elements. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and humor, others criticize the linearity and simplicity of the gameplay, noting that it can feel repetitive or lacking in challenge. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing experience with engaging storytelling, though opinions vary on the depth and complexity of its gameplay mechanics.
“A comical adventurous classic with simple, relaxing gameplay, but rewarding and thought-provoking progression.”
“The gameplay loop has a lot of puzzles that are carefully thought out.”
“The gameplay is simple but engaging enough to keep your attention.”
“By chopping up the game into five distinct parts, the pacing and gameplay are all over the place.”
“There is a lack of cohesion overall as the structure necessitates splitting the game up into chunks, and in chapters 4 and 5 you really feel it as they just add a bunch of samey puzzles so that you could have enough 'gameplay' in these sections.”
“The gameplay is incredibly linear and patronizing (a bit simple even by Telltale standards), the tone is forcefully schmaltzy, and I can only begin to express how brutal it is that the game lacks a dialogue/animation skip.”
music
193 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful, immersive quality, often evoking nostalgia through familiar melodies from the original series while also introducing new compositions. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere, with many praising the exceptional voice acting that complements the musical score. Overall, the music is described as charming, uplifting, and integral to the game's enchanting experience.
“The soundtracks are magical; it gives hints of the classic original soundtracks but with a twist. Everything about this game is nostalgic to people who played the original.”
“The music is beautiful, as is the art, and the characters are so amazing.”
“The music pairs up with this very well, and really immerses you into the game world.”
“Soundtrack is ok, it doesn't hurt your ears, but there's nothing worth remembering either.”
“This laziness was made worse by an irritating soundtrack during the puzzles; lazy, busy work 'rock climbing' that added nothing to the gameplay, and truly maddening, whiny characters.”
“The music is very well done in this new game, but I feel it lacks melodies that would really make it a hit.”
emotional
147 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and touching narrative, often evoking strong feelings and nostalgia among players, particularly those familiar with the original King's Quest series. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to balance humor with poignant moments, leading to tears and deep emotional investment in the characters and their journeys. Overall, it is described as a beautifully crafted experience that resonates with themes of family, legacy, and the passage of time, making it a memorable adventure for both new and returning fans.
“This game is as comforting and heartwarming as a home-cooked meal prepared by someone you love.”
“The story is well crafted, emotionally mature while still having plenty of lighthearted jokes.”
“I absolutely adored this game and the ending is heart-breaking but in a good way, if that makes sense.”
replayability
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
54%
8%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability due to its branching narratives and multiple choice paths that affect character development and story outcomes. Players can explore different routes and make varied decisions, enhancing the experience across multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers noted that while there are many choices, the core story remains largely unchanged, which may limit replay value for some players.
“The character development is superb even for the minor characters, you'll have the choice to side with some of them at some point, and you can choose your bride as well as who to save. There are multiple choices and consequences in each chapter that carry over to the next one, which gives the game a high replay value.”
“The replay value of this title is off the charts, not only because of the story elements you will miss the first time through and gasp at when you see them for the second time with greater understanding, but because of the degree to which your choices unlock different events in the game.”
“The game has some great puzzles with a storyline that changes depending on your choices, which means that you can easily do multiple playthroughs to see all this game has to offer. This is a nice way to fix the replayability problem that many old school point-and-click games had.”
“No replayability unless you want to work on achievements.”
“There's not a lot of replay value since the outcome is pretty much the same it seems!”
“The only negative I have for replayability is the inability to skip either unwanted narration or the extended cutscenes.”
atmosphere
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
45%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful graphics, immersive music, and charming environmental design, evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic titles like King's Quest. Players appreciate the lighthearted and whimsical tone, which enhances the exploration experience, while the attention to detail in art and sound contributes to a captivating and engaging world. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance successfully captures the essence of a fairytale-like adventure, appealing to both newcomers and veterans of the series.
“The music and environmental artwork are beautiful and atmospheric, giving the game an immersive feeling despite the cartoony characters.”
“I find the game's graphic style very beautiful, very warm and atmospheric, which suits perfectly the fairytale-like story the game is telling.”
“The art is beautiful, the atmosphere and music are outstanding, and the gameplay is extremely fluid.”
“The world itself was also confined to what felt like a cramped atmosphere after the openness of the first chapter; and the mechanic of having to go repeatedly to sleep and wake up, and then have to try to keep your friends alive day after day only reinforced that feeling.”
“It's not exactly authentic to the original games in some ways, but in atmosphere it certainly is and then adds tons of its own charm that was surprisingly not unwelcome, to a hardcore old-school King's Quest adventure game fan like me.”
“I am always looking for a game to challenge my mind and make me feel enthralled by the world and atmosphere of the game.”
grinding
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in chapters two and four, where backtracking and repetitive puzzles detract from the experience. While some appreciate the story and visuals, many express frustration with unskippable cutscenes and the slow pacing of gameplay, leading to a sense of monotony. Despite these criticisms, some players still enjoy the humor and narrative, suggesting that the tedious elements may be a personal preference rather than a universal flaw.
“The only complaint I have is that the gameplay in the second chapter is very tedious, and can be irritating if you miss something, but even so the story is still super fun, the scenery is beautiful, and as always the characters are the absolute best.”
“Chapter 4 is perhaps the most tedious of the chapters due to its design.”
“It's tedious, lacking any fun, depth, or engagement.”
character development
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
37%
13%
Character development in the game is widely praised, with even minor characters receiving significant attention and depth, allowing players to make impactful choices that affect the narrative and relationships throughout the game. The storytelling is complemented by vibrant character designs and engaging dialogue, although some episodes experience pacing issues and inconsistent development. Overall, the combination of strong character arcs, beautiful visuals, and replayability enhances the game's appeal.
“The character development is superb even for the minor characters; you'll have the choice to side with some of them at certain points, and you can choose your bride as well as who to save. There are multiple choices and consequences in each chapter that carry over to the next one, which gives the game a high replay value.”
“The thing that really got me was the character development and storytelling.”
“From the artwork to the story to the beautiful character development, I was entranced by King's Quest the moment I saw it!”
“Those games had some very serious flaws, like the bad pacing, insane puzzles with extremely strange solutions, lack of any real character development, etc... but I loved them in spite of those flaws.”
“The series does falter somewhat in episodes 2 + 4 (especially 4) mainly due to either very little story development or in the case of episode 4 just repeated use of the same puzzle and forced/badly explained character development that leaves you feeling confused/annoyed at the mishandled storytelling.”
“The story is forced and at times confusing since there is no time spent on background or character development.”
optimization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
54%
14%
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with smooth performance reported even on lower-end systems, and no major bugs or crashes noted. However, it is optimized primarily for controller use, which may detract from the experience for keyboard players. Overall, the game showcases high production values and excellent voice acting, contributing to a polished experience.
“Still great fun and optimized for playing with a controller.”
“The controls are also clearly optimized for the gameplay you would have with a console system's remote, not a keyboard.”
“Performance - of course, it's not good to get a game if it won't run on your machine, and sad to say this is probably the most lacking area of King's Quest.”
“The game seems optimized for a controller.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
6%
76%
The game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting noticeable glitches in 3D rendering and occasional gameplay issues, while others experienced smooth performance with minimal bugs. Overall, while there are minor glitches that can detract from the experience, many users found the game to run well without major crashes or game-breaking issues.
“The game looks and runs great on my old PC.”
“It's hilarious, well made, not buggy, and has beautiful artwork.”
“Playability is very smooth; I couldn't find any glitches.”
“There are some very noticeable glitches in the 3D rendering that can be observed at various times throughout the game.”
“I'm sorry to say this, but while graphically it's awesome and the story is good, the constant glitches are ruining the experience.”
“Game freezes at this point.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers express frustration with the monetization strategies in the game, highlighting the reuse of old licenses as uninspired cash grabs that lack creativity and depth.
“There are old licenses that get reused as cheap cash grabs with no soul.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience.”
“In-game purchases are heavily pushed, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”