Part 1

Hello everyone, welcome to King's Quest IV.



Well, no. Admittedly it is not. I think we should watch the ten minute introduction all the same. It does cover all the five pertinent questions.



: With the return of his long-lost son, Alexander, and the rescue of his daughter, Rosella, from the terrible dragon, old King Graham decides it's time to pass on his adventurer's hat to younger blood. With a flick of his wrist, the hat flies toward both children, while his wife, Queen Valanice, proudly looks on.



: All eyes are on the hat as it all-too-slowly flies toward both children. In the moment, nobody notices the growing distress on Graham's face.





: The adventurer's hat lies, unclaimed, upon the floor... forgotten.





: I'm not reading that out loud. Who even says Father Death?





: Oh, father! You're still young; you should have many years ahead of you! Oh, I wish I could help you!
: Do you really mean that?
: Who's speaking to me?
: Rosella looks up but sees no one.
: I am. Look in the magic mirror.



: Who are you?



: I am the fairy, Genesta. In my land of Tamir there is a remarkable tree. This tiny tree needs one hundred years to bear a single fruit. But, this is no ordinary fruit; for if a person were to eat it, they would find that good health and well-being would be theirs for many years.



: Where is the land of Tamir?
: Rosella thought this was the best news she had heard since she had been rescued, just hours before.
: Tamir is very far away. But with my magic, I can bring you here.
: Rosella was no fool. Graham and Valanice both raised her to use her brain. She could see the mother of all catches coming.
: But, I suppose there are some problems?



: Yes, you are correct, Rosella. If you are willing to come to Tamir, I will explain the situation. However, once I bring you here, I can't send you back; you will have to help me first.



: I don't know! What if I can't help you; or find the tree?
: You must decide NOW, Rosella. My powers are growing weaker by the minute.



: The image of the fairy has reduced to just a faint glimmer.
: If you care for your father, say "yes" now!
: With that final emotional twist, the image fades from the magic mirror.
: What choice did Rosella have? With her teeth firmly set, she called out to the empty room.
: YES!



: I am the fairy, Genesta. Welcome to Tamir!



: Rosella frowns at the fairy.
: What is the matter?
: You offer me the promise of a magical cure for my dying father, but won't tell me anything about the task you want me to accomplish in return. Instead you try to make it sound like any doubts I had were just me being an uncaring, unfeeling monster. At the very least, you owe me answers.
: That's... fair.



Close up portraits are not King's Quest IV's strength. Good lord.

: I'm losing my magical powers. Yesterday as I was strolling through the woods, Lolotte, the evil fairy, caught me unawares and stole my magic talisman. She yanked it from my neck and raced away screeching with laughter. Immediately I felt my powers diminishing and my body weakening. I will die in 24 hours if my talisman is not returned.
: Lolotte is very evil and will use the talisman to bring more evil to Tamir. Now I fear it will contaminate my whole country! Further, I cannot send you home without my talisman.
: I already made my decision to help, but how?
: You can do more than you think, Rosella. I believe you will be able to penetrate Lolotte's domain.



These portraits are not very flattering. Thankfully after this intro, they're gone until the end of the game.

: Can you tell me where to find the magic fruit?
: It will not be easy to reach the tree. It grows on a tiny island within a vast swamp on the other side of the great mountains.
: And Lolotte, where can I find her?
: The fairy points eastward, at the ominous mountains in the distance.
: Lolotte's castle overlooks Tamir from the great mountains. There is not much more I can do, Rosella. As it is, it will be difficult for me to fly home again. There is one thing I must do for you, though. I shall disguise you as a peasant girl so as not to attract attention.



: Thanks... I think.
: It will be easier for you this way. Well, I must be off while I can still fly. I KNOW you can do it!





: Well, you're on your own Rosella.

Now, I could cut it there. But let's have a little fun...



First off, the menu is much the same as it ever was. Speed is now an analog scale instead of four discrete settings.



I like to leave speed at two marks from the top. That way Rosella moves decently quick without feeling like she's out of control.





A screen north, there's a small cliff. So let's see how Rosella handles a 10 foot drop...





I already said portraits are not this game's strong suit. Meet the game over screen, where a really awful 16 color bitmap of Roberta Williams grins at you and tells you to "next time... be more careful."

NEXT TIME: We'll actually get started by wandering around.

Register of Deaths

Cliff diving