Summary
- Release Year: 1986
- Genres: Adventure, Point-and-click, Puzzle
- Platforms: Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Mac, TRS-80
- Developers: Sierra On-Line
- Publishers: Sierra On-Line
King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human (1986)
King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human is a graphical adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line in 1986. It is the third installment in the King’s Quest series, and was designed by Roberta Williams. The game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 50,000 units in its first six weeks of release.
King’s Quest III is set in the fictional kingdom of Daventry, and follows the story of Gwydion, the adopted son of King Graham and Queen Valanice. Gwydion is framed for the murder of his father, and must travel the world to find the three pieces of the Mask of Eternity in order to prove his innocence and reclaim his rightful place as heir to the throne.
The game is notable for its groundbreaking graphics, which were some of the most advanced seen in an adventure game at the time. The game also features a complex and engaging story, with multiple puzzles and subplots.
Gameplay
King’s Quest III is a point-and-click adventure game. The player controls Gwydion, and must explore the world of Daventry, solve puzzles, and interact with characters in order to progress the story.
The game features a number of innovative gameplay features, including:
- A pull-down menu interface, which made it easier for players to interact with the game world.
- A self-mapping feature, which allowed players to create a map of the game world as they explored it.
- An advanced parser, which allowed players to enter complex commands.
Story
King’s Quest III begins with Gwydion being framed for the murder of his father, King Graham. Gwydion is thrown into prison, but is able to escape with the help of a friendly guard.
Gwydion sets out on a journey to find the three pieces of the Mask of Eternity, which will prove his innocence and allow him to reclaim his rightful place as heir to the throne. Along the way, he encounters a variety of challenges, including:
- Escaping from a slave camp
- Defeating a pirate captain
- Mastering powerful magic
Graphics
King’s Quest III was one of the first adventure games to feature high-resolution graphics. The game’s graphics were praised for their detail and realism.
The game also features a number of animated sequences, which were used to bring the game’s characters and environments to life.
Sound
King’s Quest III features a well-composed soundtrack, which helps to create the game’s atmosphere. The game also features a number of sound effects, which help to bring the game’s world to life.
Critical reception
King’s Quest III was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its groundbreaking graphics, innovative gameplay, and engaging story.
The game was named “Adventure Game of the Year” by the Software Publishers Association, and was nominated for “Best Music in Computer Software” by the Software Publishers Association.
King’s Quest III is considered to be one of the greatest adventure games of all time. The game is still enjoyed by fans today, and is considered to be a classic of the genre.
Legacy
King’s Quest III has had a significant impact on the adventure game genre. The game’s innovative gameplay features have been adopted by many other adventure games, and the game’s story and characters have inspired many other games.
King’s Quest III is also notable for its role in the development of Roberta Williams’ career. Williams is one of the most successful and influential game designers in history, and King’s Quest III is one of her most important works.
Conclusion
King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human is a classic adventure game that is still enjoyed by fans today. The game’s groundbreaking graphics, innovative gameplay, and engaging story make it a must-play for any fan of the adventure game genre.
Review Score
9.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
