(re: re: re: Leave plot/storyline/puzzles unaltered in a remake, otherwise it’s an entirely different game) I found the AGDI reinterpretation of King’s Quest II very enjoyable. The obviously tremendous care and hard work that went into the game, as well as an ever present sense of respect for and lots of often very funny cross references to the original games should make it an enjoyable experience for every Sierra fan. For me, the game added to the enjoyment of the original, it didn’t take away from or even destroy it.
I love the original King’s Quest II; it was one of the first adventure games I’d ever played on a hercules amber m/c monitor back in the late eighties when I could hardly read German (Yeah, you taught me how to read – English, too – but that’s a different story ;o) I remember how the PC Beeper Greensleaves music in the intro made for a fantastic (as in “fantasy”) atmosphere and how frightening that old hag Hagatha was. However, when I started playing the AGDI remake I had played the original often enough to know all hidden treasure locations, all the dangers, all the hidden jokes (I still love the Space Quest ad and was amused by the way AGDI adapted this). It was one of the first adventure games I’d ever played on a hercules amber m/c monitor back in the late eighties when I could hardly read German (Yeah, you taught me how to read – English, too – but that’s a different story ;o)
So when I found that this game could be relived – and with a wildly expanded story that is much more eccentric and audaciously complex than the original – I was overjoyed! Playing this little gem of a fan game (there’s a LOT of fan adventures out there, but few are THAT good) that so wonderfully combines the old and the new takes you in a well known world – and fills it with so many new things to explore and to experience that while all seems very familiar, it’s really a completely new game – and that should appeal especially to fans of the original who should know it by heart by now.
Admittedly, I don’t care overly much for originality as long as I find something overally enjoyable. Although KQII RTS *is* original in many aspects it lends a lot from other games but I still see that in the hommage light. Some story elements reminded me a lot of QFG4 – which was great, because I loved QFG4! I was also intrigued by the way the “Black Cloak Society” was woven into the story (kind of a conspiracy theory that developed on a KQ fan forum. It’s all about all the evil wizards in KQ games wearing black cloaks, which is of course a symbol for dark magic – in the perception of the theory’s followers, however, this uniform indicates a secret conspiracy – don’t ask me how uniforms go along with secret conspiracies, however – I still like the idea :o)
Bottom line: in my opinion this game is up to par with the games produced and commercially distributed by good old Sierra in the early nineties (some ten years ago but aren’t we all hopelessly nostalgic anyway? ;o)
It gives you the chance to explore Kolyma in 256 colors and a whole new challenge on its own at the same time.
And last but not least: You’ll always be able to go back and play the original KQII RTT which unalteredly remains the enjoyable classic adventure game it has always been. You might add to it by trying out someone else’s reinterpreation or keep it in fond memory, just as you wish. I would suggest to do the former (widening your horizon on that which you hold dear can’t be wrong, can it?), but anyone should pursue happiness as they see fit.