Welcome Hivers and especially gamers to my retro PC games section. I'm Shandalar and this is a topic close to my heart, as memories always take me back to my childhood years. I have been playing games for over 30 years and would love to share with you the early days of video game history.
This content is for you. I hope you enjoy my stories, reminisce with me, and the quickest of you can win a 10 Hive in the contest question posted at the end of the topic.
Sit back and relax, we're starting...
I couldn't decide on a theme for the first episode of the series for a long time. In almost every retro game, the developers brought us something new, unorthodox and absolutely great projects were created like mushrooms after rain. Legend of Kyrandia is one of them, and as a fan of strong stories I want to tell you how special this game is. I'm deliberately not stating "was", as even after 30 years it still manages to impress with beautiful pixel-art graphics, a great script and originality of NPC characters, their funny catchphrases, varied puzzles, elaborate animations and a luxurious sounds for its time. It is the masterpiece of the Westwood studio and saw the light of day in 1993. I had the privilege of getting my hands on the game the following year and these are my memories.
The island becomes the target of Malcolm's malice from start the game. He was a popular jester at court in his day and became a close friend of King William and his wife, Queen Katherine. But one day, under the weight of greed and lust for power, he decides to murder the royal couple. In response, Kallak, the leader of the Order of Royal Mystics, used a magical seal to imprison him in the castle. Thanks to the magical barrier, no one could use the power of Kyragem. No one but Malcolm can, becouse he was imprisoned with him.
Kyragem is a huge gemstone that was given to Kyrandia by the neighbouring kingdom of Albion, and members of the Order of Royal Mystics could draw on its magical powers. This was depleted over time due to the magical seal, and after 18 years Malcolm managed to break Kallak's spell. He's free to pursue his long-planned revenge.
The main protagonist of the story is Brandon. Kallak's grandson, heir to the royal crown and son of a murdered royal couple. But Brandon is unaware of his parents' fate and noble blood, as Kallak has chosen to raise him far from the court and noble traditions, in the middle of the Kyrandian forest. Kallak was the first target of Malcolm's revenge, and when Brandon returns to their forest dwelling one day, he finds his grandfather turned to stone. He was the last one to manage to write out a warning letter to the members of the Order of Royal Mystics that Malcolm had managed to free himself. Specifically mentioned in the letter is a member of the order named Brynn.
Already on the way to the tample we find out how much evil Malcolm is doing all around him and we meet the first inhabitants of the island. You meet your younger friend, Merith, who wants to play with you.
You meet Hermann, the carpenter, whom you help by lending him a saw so he can fix the bridge. However, he complains that it is dull and forgets to return it to you.
Finally, we meet Brynn. She asks you for a magical lavender, which she uses an incantation to turn into a royal amulet. With it, you can finally start gathering magical powers to fight Malcolm. Brynn wishes you luck and directs you to the next member of the mystic guild - Darm. You will never see Brynn in the temple again. You're not sure, but you suspect Malcolm is involved again.
On your way to see Darm, you'll appreciate the repaired bridge. You'll find he lives just down the road, in a hut with no door, along with the dragon Brandywine.
Darm's getting a bit senile and very untidy. His first task is to bring you a quill.
In our search for the bird's feather we go through many fairy-tale places, often as if cut out of biblical texts.
Surprisingly, you can walk across Kyrandia and not find the quill. You will, however, come across a bird's nest with an obviously injured bird. You use the amulet to heal it, help it take flight, and in return it gives you a feather for Darm, who then directs you to the last member of the Order of Royal Mystics, Zanthia
She lives on the other side of the island, and to get to her we have to go through the serpent cave.
We also meet Malcolm for the first time outside the entrance and go in pursuit of him in the underground catacombs.
Inside awaits the first real challenge for real gamers, which will not do without pencil, paper and notes about the journey.
As we wander, we collect fireberries to illuminate the space. But we must collect them wisely. When they go out, Brandon's life goes out with them. One wrong turn and we're done.
It would seem that the setting is somewhat monotonous and, coupled with the constant repetition, feels depressing compared to the enchanted forests where danger was rarely hidden.
From time to time you will find beautiful places even in these unforgiving parts. After the endless shades of red cast on the walls by the fireberries, it is always a balm to the soul.
Once we make it through, we are once again faced with beautiful forest scenery and Malcolm's havoc to fix.
We also finally meet Zanthia in her alchemy lab.
Near her home you find the Royal Chalice, which you attach to yourself with a magical amulet, but it is stolen right before your eyes by the tree-dwelling satyr Faun.
Zanthia explains its origins to Brandon, and like any member of the Royal Mistics, is disappears without a trace. Unfortunately, it's no longer enough to help you enchant the amulet and replenish the last of its magical powers.
And that's where the fun begins. There's a fire under the cauldron, empty vials scattered around the room. Let's get cooking.
Deeper in the magical forest, we find alchemical crystals that we can use to combine the effects of the brewed potions.
Use the orange to reach the last location - the inaccessible mountains near the castle.
On the way, Brandon talks to the spirit of his mother, Queen Catherine, after placing a magical orchid on her grave.
You then slip through the gate and are greeted in the entrance hall by none other than Malcolm, who is constantly on top of things and feeling in control throughout.
You walk through the chambers of the castle, where you find more royal relics. The stone trio that helped you - Brynn, Darm and Zanthia. And also the enchanted Hermann, who wants to return your saw, saying that he sharpened it for you.
Once you've found the two carefully hidden keys to the chamber with Kyragem and placed the royal artifacts on the pedestals, all that's left is to fist confront Malcom and then use the amulet to avoid his insidious spell. It bounces off the mirror, Malcolm turns to stone, and the game ends with a happy ending.
The contest question is: what is the name of the first location where Brandon can die if he makes a bad decision?
The first comment with the correct answer wins 10 Hive!
