Part 11: Finale: Wherein the Land is Saved

Since we're so close to the end, and the last update for the main game is so short, let's not beat around the bush!

Last time, we were standing on the doorstep of the Kyra-Vault. Only a thick iron door stands between us and all the magic in the land. How do we get it open? Well, there are three conspicuous red velvet cushions, and we have three golden items that look pretty significant.



You'd think so, Brandon, but you'd be wrong. There is a specific order to the regalia that will open the door. Fortunately there are only so many ways you can rearrange three items, so even though it's another case of trial-and-error, the solution is pretty easy to figure out. The correct order is scepter, crown, chalice.





Excellent!

The door is open, and the Kyragem awaits. Let's not waste any time.



On second thought let's punch this guy in the face first.

Video: Malcolm at the Kyra-Vault (Youtube)

My, you are clever. What gall you show to break my rule! Do you wish to fight me now? Or will you heed your mommy's plea?

What's that about our mum?

Did your Grandpa knit that vest?



Don't push, old man! I'm warning you!
You're warning ME? At last, a joke!



Move aside, I'm going in!
I told you no, and still you must?



Don't push me again, old man!
An ultimatum? Here's the push!




Jerk.

Finally! Good job growing a spine, Brandon. Should've done that ages ago.



Music: The Kyra-Vault (Tindeck)

This must be the Kyragem!

There it is: the Kyragem, source of all magic in the land. Uh, actually, now that we're here, what are we supposed to do exactly?



Now I think he's really mad!

No time to think. Malcolm's awake, and he looks pissed off. What do we do? And what's that red ball he just summoned?





Defeated at the cusp of victory! This is the final puzzle in the game. We have to dodge Malcolm's spell, or we're done for, and Kyrandia will be nothing but a mad jester and a bunch of statues.

Our inventory is empty. All we have to help us get out of this sticky situation is the magic amulet and whatever is in the room. Other than the Kyragem, though, nothing can be interacted with. When I first played this game as a kid, I got kinda stuck here for that reason. We can give the various jewels a try, but as it turns out, none of them will help us avoid stony death. Healing does nothing, Dispel Magic doesn't stop and the spell, and Invisibility or Will-o-Wisp just revert when the spell hits and Brandon gets petrified anyhow.

One of those spells is actually the right answer. We just have to be standing in the right spot first.



First, we go stand by the mirror on the right. Then, when Malcolm comes in and throws his spell...



... we use the red jewel on our own amulet, turning invisible. The spell misses, bounces off the mirror and strikes Malcolm instead, turning him to stone!



The curse is lifted, and the Kyragem - along with the vault - is restored to its true form. We did it, guys! Sit back and enjoy the final cutscene.


Video: Finale + Credits (Youtube)




It's great to be alive! Brandon!



No! YOU did it! Long live King Brandon!
Long live the Royal Mystics! Now, let's go put Kyrandia back together!
Good idea!
As my first Royal Proclamation...





The Land no longer weeps, and your friends have been restored!



The rest is credits. They are included in the video above if you want to see them and enjoy the music.

Well, that's it for the main game. We came a long way, solving many bullshit puzzles and suffered much trial and error. My thoughts on this game after replaying it well over two decades since it first came out are kind of mixed. This game is full of perversely annoying puzzles, but when it comes down to it, this was pretty much the standard at the time (at least among Sierra games - Lucasarts were already building a reputation around not doing this sort of thing as much). Compulsive hoarding of items, trial-and-error and save-scumming was just how point-and-click adventure games were expected to be played at the time. Even so, this game manages to sneak in a puzzle or two that are just downright awful, the fireberry labyrinth being the most notorious. Still, the game was well enough received for there to be a sequel, and did get 5/5 stars in Dragon Magazine somehow.

The game is over, but there are a few more things to show off. Stick around for next time, when we'll take a look at some of the items in the game we didn't see in this playthrough, and some additional items that are impossible to get without cheating.