The King's Quest series is well worth your time. These games actually require thought! Continue the adventure with KQ4.
In the introduction of KQ4, we learn that King Graham has given up his adventuring because Daventry is finally at peace. However, he is suddenly struck by a mysterious illness and collapses. His daughter Rosella goes to Daventry’s Magic Mirror and learns that the Faerie Genesta is also ill. Genesta transports Rosella to her land, Tamir, and tells Rosella that the faeries can save her father, but she must first save Genesta. Genesta is ill because the evil faerie Lolotte has stolen her magical talisman, and without it, Genesta will die in 24 hours. Using the last of her strength, Genesta disguises Princess Rosella in the clothes of a pauper to safeguard her from Lolotte, and then Genesta vanishes to her castle where she rests. So begins Rosella’s journey.
KQ4 was the first game featuring a female heroine. It was also one of the first adventure games to set a time limit; that time being the 24 hours you have before Genesta dies. The addition of the mouse isn’t very beneficial – it is usually easier to move Rosella using the keyboard, where you can have finer control over each of her steps. The fact that the text box stops all background action is a great benefit for slow typists.
Mythology and fairy tale references are present as usual, in this case even more often. How would you like to meet the Seven Dwarves, or see Cupid in a Roman pool? And this time around, puzzles really don’t have alternate solutions – there is generally only one way to do things. You know what I’m going to say, don’t you… Save early and save often!! The game is more difficult in this respect, and can be frustrating, so it’s all the better if you have a recent saved game to return to.
KQ4 was the first game I ever played in the King’s Quest series (when I was only 10), and it is still my favorite today. It was also my introduction to adventure games and I’ve never stopped loving the genre. While I do recommend playing them in order, if you could only play one, this is the one I’d recommend. I think all the fairy tale/mythology really drew me in and helped lighten the mood when a puzzle was particularly difficult. It’s especially great for children as the game, this time, specifically forbids violence – attempt to “kill” or “hit” something, and the game responds with, “You are NOT a violent girl, Rosella!” I highly recommend King’s Quest 4 to people of all ages. It is a wonderfully timeless story that makes you really think to solve the puzzles.