Summary
Malcolm’s Revenge closes the Kyrandia trilogy by offering an intriguing twist on the narrative, humor-filled adventures, and puzzles that challenge and entertain. It’s a testament to Westwood Studios’ legacy in the adventure game genre.
- Release Year: 1994
- Genres: Adventure, Point-and-click, Puzzle
- Platforms: DOS, Mac
- Developers: Westwood Studios
- Publishers: Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe) Ltd.
Introduction
In The Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm’s Revenge, players are given the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of the series’ villain, Malcolm, in a quest for redemption and revenge. This 1994 release challenged the conventions of the point-and-click genre with its complex character development, humor, and multiple endings.
Synopsis
“The Legend of Kyrandia: Malcolm’s Revenge” is the third and final installment in the Fables & Fiends series, developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment in 1994. This 2D point-and-click adventure game offers a unique twist by allowing players to step into the shoes of the antagonist from the first game.
The game begins with Malcolm, the protagonist, being freed from a spell that had turned him into a statue. This spell was cast on him by Brandon, the hero of the first game. After being struck by lightning, Malcolm is liberated from the spell and embarks on a quest for revenge against Brandon and Kallak.
Malcolm’s journey is not a solitary one. He is accompanied by his evil conscience, Gunther. Together, they seek to uncover truths about Malcolm’s past. The game reveals that Malcolm had a simple childhood, guided by his good conscience Stewart and his evil conscience Gunther. As Malcolm grew older, he began to play tricks and become unruly, actions that Stewart disapproved of but Gunther encouraged.
The gameplay in “Malcolm’s Revenge” is based on the same point-and-click interface used in previous games in the series. Players can interact with objects, the environment, and people by simply clicking on them. Objects can be stored within an inventory for use in solving puzzles. The game also introduces a point-based system, which awards points for performing specific actions during the game.
One unique feature of “Malcolm’s Revenge” is the ability for the player to switch Malcolm between three personalities – truthful, normal, and deceitful. The right personality can help in solving some of the game’s puzzles. At a specific point in the game, the player has to make a choice out of three, with two of these fixing the personality to a specific one as a direct result.
Despite the game’s innovative features and engaging storyline, “Malcolm’s Revenge” received mixed reviews upon its release. It achieved less sales due to Westwood’s decision to focus on Command & Conquer by the mid-1990s. However, the game’s legacy lives on, with GOG.com releasing an emulated version for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X in 2013.
“The Legend of Kyrandia: Malcolm’s Revenge” offers a unique perspective by allowing players to control the antagonist. Its innovative features, such as the ability to switch between personalities, contribute to its enduring appeal. Despite mixed reviews and less sales, the game remains a classic in the point-and-click adventure genre.
Characters
The game features Malcolm, the misunderstood jester; Brandon, the previous protagonist; Zanthia, a powerful sorceress; and an array of new faces including pirates, the denizens of the Underworld, and magical creatures.
Gameplay
Malcolm’s Revenge offers classic point-and-click adventure gameplay with a twist. Players can make choices that affect the story’s outcome, explore diverse settings, and solve puzzles that range from straightforward to devilishly complex.
Conclusion
The Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm’s Revenge is a memorable conclusion to a beloved series. It stands out for its unique protagonist, storytelling, and gameplay innovations. Despite its flaws, it remains a cult classic among adventure game enthusiasts.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
Fan Art
Fan Art Style: Normal
Fan Art Style: Retro
Fan Art Style: Modern
