Summary
- Release Year: 1990
- Genres: Adventure, Point-and-click, Puzzle
- Platforms: Amiga, DOS, FM Towns, Mac, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC (Microsoft Windows), PC-9800 Series
- Developers: Sierra On-Line
- Publishers: Activision, Konami, Sierra On-Line
King’s Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder! (1990)
Introduction:
King’s Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder! is the fifth installment in the groundbreaking King’s Quest series of graphic adventure games. Developed and published by Sierra On-Line in 1990, King’s Quest V continues the epic adventures of King Graham, beloved ruler of the kingdom of Daventry.
Story:
The story of King’s Quest V begins with King Graham setting out on a perilous quest to find his missing family. The royal family has vanished without a trace, and Graham is determined to bring them home safely. His journey takes him across treacherous lands, where he encounters magical creatures, solves challenging puzzles, and faces deadly dangers.
Along the way, Graham meets a colorful cast of characters, including the mischievous gnome Griswold, the wise old wizard Manannan, and the beautiful princess Cassima. With their help, Graham must overcome a series of obstacles, including treacherous mazes, enchanted forests, and a perilous sea voyage.
Gameplay:
King’s Quest V is a point-and-click adventure game. Players control King Graham as he explores the world, interacts with objects and characters, and solves puzzles. The game features a variety of puzzles, ranging from simple inventory puzzles to complex logic puzzles.
One of the unique features of King’s Quest V is its branching storyline. Depending on the choices players make, the story can unfold in different ways. This replayability factor adds to the game’s overall depth and longevity.
Graphics and Sound:
For its time, King’s Quest V featured cutting-edge graphics and sound. The game’s colorful and detailed environments brought the world of Daventry to life, and the enchanting soundtrack set the perfect mood for adventure.
The game’s voice acting was also top-notch, with veteran voice actor Rob Paulsen providing the voice of King Graham. The voice acting added a new level of immersion to the game, and helped to bring the characters to life.
Critical Reception:
King’s Quest V was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its engaging story, challenging puzzles, and beautiful graphics. It won numerous awards, including Adventure Game of the Year from Computer Gaming World.
King’s Quest V is still considered one of the greatest adventure games ever made. It is a classic example of the genre, and its influence can still be seen in adventure games today.
Legacy:
King’s Quest V had a profound impact on the adventure game genre. Its branching storyline, challenging puzzles, and memorable characters set a new standard for adventure games. The game also helped to popularize the point-and-click interface, which became the standard for adventure games in the years that followed.
King’s Quest V has been ported to numerous platforms over the years, including the PC, Amiga, and Macintosh. It has also been re-released on modern platforms, such as Steam and GOG.com.
Conclusion:
King’s Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder! is a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by adventure game fans around the world. Its engaging story, challenging puzzles, and beautiful graphics make it a must-play for any fan of the genre.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the King’s Quest series or a newcomer to the genre, King’s Quest V is sure to provide hours of enjoyment. So grab your sword and shield, and embark on an epic adventure with King Graham!
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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