What style of story
After reading much of this board, and especially the points raised from Mr. Freeze's list of recommendations: http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22991 It's become clear that there are a few differing opinions about when King's Quest was really in it's stride, story wise. In order to get a approximation of what the majority of us want, I tried to encapsulate the main options in a poll; hopefully it works alright, giving how many variables there are in story creation.
In detail (since the poll can't handle more then 100 characters each):
In terms of story, character and tone, what do you see as the style the series should maintain?
Option 1. This series has strayed from it's path many entries ago, it's not meant to be more then
simple fairy tale, nursery rhyme and mythological characters brought to life with other
purely archetypal heroes and villains as seen in KQ1 and KQ4. Story and dialogue don't
need to be dwelled upon longer then is needed to set up good atmosphere and puzzles.
Option 2. Jane Jenson was on the right track, stories like KQ6, KQ7 and KQ2+ are the plateau of
perfection for the series. Each land we explore should have political intrigue, dark drama
and deeply passionate yet still archetypal characters. Mythology is still there, but we go
into it a little deeper. Ideas like the Black Cloak society are nice because they explore
connection and reason between the games (and not getting carried away with it).
Option 3. Give it the world changing epicness of Lord of the Rings, combined with the complex
interconnectedness of Harry Potter (provided you can write so well). Many old
characters return and classical myth is still drawn from, but now it's time to analyze who
these people are in black, white and gray. Expect to be shocked! (The Silver Lining)
Option 4. Give it a mixture between options 1 and 2 (clarify)
Option 5. Give it a mixture between options 2 and 3 (clarify)
Option 6. Something else which this poll fails to cover (definitely clarify)
P.S. To be clear, even though I mention titles in the poll, this isn't about what game is best directly, rather what type of story-telling. If someone can think of a better way to present this without it being really cluttered, please feel free!
In detail (since the poll can't handle more then 100 characters each):
In terms of story, character and tone, what do you see as the style the series should maintain?
Option 1. This series has strayed from it's path many entries ago, it's not meant to be more then
simple fairy tale, nursery rhyme and mythological characters brought to life with other
purely archetypal heroes and villains as seen in KQ1 and KQ4. Story and dialogue don't
need to be dwelled upon longer then is needed to set up good atmosphere and puzzles.
Option 2. Jane Jenson was on the right track, stories like KQ6, KQ7 and KQ2+ are the plateau of
perfection for the series. Each land we explore should have political intrigue, dark drama
and deeply passionate yet still archetypal characters. Mythology is still there, but we go
into it a little deeper. Ideas like the Black Cloak society are nice because they explore
connection and reason between the games (and not getting carried away with it).
Option 3. Give it the world changing epicness of Lord of the Rings, combined with the complex
interconnectedness of Harry Potter (provided you can write so well). Many old
characters return and classical myth is still drawn from, but now it's time to analyze who
these people are in black, white and gray. Expect to be shocked! (The Silver Lining)
Option 4. Give it a mixture between options 1 and 2 (clarify)
Option 5. Give it a mixture between options 2 and 3 (clarify)
Option 6. Something else which this poll fails to cover (definitely clarify)
P.S. To be clear, even though I mention titles in the poll, this isn't about what game is best directly, rather what type of story-telling. If someone can think of a better way to present this without it being really cluttered, please feel free!
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This isn't about what game is best so much as the type of story-telling, but if someone can think of a better way to present this without being really cluttered, please feel free!
point, but I found the depth of story Mrs. Jenson brought to the table only sweetened the framework of basic fairy tales and myth. I'm much more intrigued when the characters reference their history, ie: the game takes the time to mention Alex's sympathy about Beauty because due to his own enslavement, his reluctance to give up the ring that represents his new family, little things like that go a long way. And I'm much more interested in the characters and the land they inhabit when they're are inclined to talk about themselves and their history. The King Calliphim, the pawn shop owner, Count Caldaur, Possum and Edgar (KQ7) shared more with the protagonist, and their relationship with him/her altered over the game.
In KQ5, as much as I love it's atmosphere, the people are mostly just about business and pleasantries. The music and art project a fair bit about their personality, but it can only go so far IMO. Queen Iceibella is shrouded in intrigue and could be very interesting, and I have to say what the game gave on her presentation made my childhood memory certain that was a lot more information was given about her and everyone else, but when I played as an adult I found it...lacking. As mere puzzle/plot functionaries, the Hermit, the Elf, the Witch, Mordack himself all have solid presence, but I just want more just cleches. The most interesting thing about KQ5's story, for me, was that in a way Alexander was responsible for what was happening to his family, and might have to undo what he did to Mananan or else loose them one by one. But they did not capitalize on that, Mananan was all but ignored, and once Mordack was gone, Cedric came back to life ruining his sacrifice, and everything just went back to normal, exactly as before (save that the seed of the Casima romance was planted). Another thing I want in a story, KQ or no, I want it to change things permanently.
But I do still love KQ5 as a game.
If the drama and details go to the level of TSL, I can get into that, but we shouldn't have to deal with that level of menstruation (good analogy Lambonius) too often. I can also appreciate that it can stretch our credulity as a fan base, so to have that from an official game could be quite risky.
"Well, we have an intelligent animal standing on two legs that is half of the duo in Sam and Max already, so we gotta cut the dog in this one."
Yes, Fables will be a much more realistic approach to Fairy Tales, but it's still fairy tales nonetheless.
Old English like in MOE? As much as I appreciate MOE for what it is, that was kind of a bother to hear all the time. I'd rather have contemporary vernacular.
This. apart from that I like KQ7 and I really like what I have seen of TSL until now. (started the first episode this week)
Whenever you have the chance, you should watch these YouTube videos which were entries for a comedy contest that took place last year in July. There's more information about it here. http://www.postudios.com/blog/?paged=9
You'll have to scroll down towards the bottom of the page to see it.
My favorite is this one because it's like a silent movie, and it has Cedric in it too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEUm7TqiD_w
This one is a poem that's all about mints. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpVTYj3Kjdc
This one isn't that funny because this is the original opening with the music being altered when Alexander starts feeling dizzy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLHD42AY2yI
This one explains why Alex felt so weak. He was smoking pot and was in need of V8 juice because of the lack of vegetables in his diet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFjFWhvIsIc
This one is just the opening scene with the narration from the actual gameplay in the background. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHnQro9FyFA&feature=related
I haven't seen this one. It's basically a lecture about the F-word. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB45YJTa3Gw
There was another one that's no longer available. It basically had a lot of toilet humor in it.
My brother and I developed a running joke about Conor's "Shakespearean speech impediment". After the other games featured relatively commonplace contemporary dialogue, we couldn't help but laugh at Conor's first outburst of "Whence came this foul tempest?!"
"'Tis beyond my reach!!"
"'Tis empteh."
lol