Colossal Cave v1.0 (2023) Review - Classic Sierra game? Not quite.

Review of the new Ken & Roberta Williams (Sierra On-Line) remake of Colossal Cave, an old text adventure from 1976. Remade and updated w/ 3D graphics...but is it stuck in the past? www.colossalca...
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** DISCLAIMER: A review code was given to me by the publisher however all of the opinions are my own **

[@ThisIsPete]

Everything you criticised here is actually very authentic to the original text adventure version -- to a fault, arguably. But I think those who grew up with this game in its original incarnation will be happy with how it's been realised in 3D! It looks very much like Roberta and co haven't attempted to reinvent or reboot Colossal Cave -- rather, simply adapt it to a new format of game, making it more accessible to a modern audience.

[@Bo_Knows_Tecmo]

Very important point

[@foody569]

Everyone that grew up with the original version uses AARP.

[@mattpace1026]

@@hnewc1919 It also doesn't negate the fact that 1976 game design does not work for a modern game. The only ones I can see playing this longer than five minutes are obnoxious hipsters who don't even care about the original game.

[@TBMartin]

I find your opinion to be invalid. Bad GFX does not make a good game bad, not does a good GFX game make a bad game good. I guess SMB on the NES is considered a bad game to you because it's old and the GFX does not match up to your ideal? Who in their right mind would dismiss a game based on how it looks rather than how it plays?

[@louisewilliams1258]

@@foody569 AARP is Libtard Bull s h it.

[@rebjorn79]

The Sierra games from the early 90s was basically my English education, I'm born in 79. Back then I often struggled to understand everything but gaming opened up so many doors for me from an early age. I even sent them hand written letters from Norway genuinely asking for hints (yes, I had some of those 'Hint Books' too, still have them) and got a personal reply in return a couple of times. I played all the 'Quest' series. Good memories. Big thanks to Ken & Roberta Williams and the rest of the Sierra On-Line crew!

[@deaththink]

What's your favorite Sierra game of all time?

[@rebjorn79]

I'd have to say The Quest for Glory series, but I liked all of the 'Quest' game series. The ones that I remember most vividly are QFG I and II.

[@deaththink]

@@rebjorn79 I loved those 2 as well, especially 1

[@MrStatistx]

pretty similar for me with english education (plus later the internet and some cartoons). Also had a sierra adventure game collection and a big hint quest book with several series included

[@ArrestedDeveloper]

I’m just glad they are making stuff again. I have no nostalgia for Colossal Cave but think I’ll get it just to support them in the hopes they make an original adventure next.

[@maxque2841]

I appreciate the honest review that you didn’t let nostalgia cloud. You’re a real one, Jason

[@johnr3696]

He tried hard.

[@GraemeCree]

How could he possibly have let nostalgia cloud it? He said he'd never played the original.

[@Piernic]

I subscribed to your channel when it was very small (after I saw your Xenogears review). Time flies so fast. Now a few years later you have almost 900K subscribers. WOW, what an amazing achievement, congrats!

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Wow, thanks! I appreciate the support so much. Have a great weekend. 🤘

[@Cyberbully66]

yeah ! so cool I started watching in 2019 and got stoned one night and binge watched lol

[@WhatAboutZoidberg]

For not creating a game in over what, 20-25 years, not bad. I hope it does well enough to get another game, just to see their progress in a modern era. Really cool to see either way.

[@drowningin]

Yeah I have no problem supporting devs I like just because every game isn't 9/10+. They've had enough succeses and have been afk for a long time. They have my trust, respect, and customership

[@voidstar1337]

0:16 he forgot "and Softporn Adventure" - maybe that'd increase the trending-ness? :D

[@Mjblazer84]

Props MJ for being critical of a game you played a role in.

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Thanks. At the end of the day, I want people to understand what they get if they buy the game. 👍

[@johnr3696]

@@MetalJesusRocks XD

[@drummindog]

I’d like to see them return to doing games like they used to - with us moving a character around and trying to solve quests and puzzles.

[@johnr3696]

If only.

[@brianlauber]

It looks like this is actually a surprisingly good re-envisioning of the source material. As such, the majority of the criticisms are really just direct translations of the original game. I think I'm gonna grab a copy!

[@perezkoala]

To be honest, it seems like an authentic (very) old school adventure game.

[@Pixelmusement]

This very much feels like an almost TOO faithful port of the original game, because yeah, we've come a long way since the 70s and understand game design way better. That's not really a "bad" thing but it means the game is definitely going to appeal more-so to those who've played the original text adventure. The graphics also definitely look targeted to the Quest 2's specs which is a very underpowered device in terms of graphics capabilities, so yeah, that would explain that; could be way better for PC and such, even in VR, but then you'd need separate asset sets and everything which is just a ton more development cost. :P

[@OttoBittoSplatoon]

You were the one who made me discover this game last year and I was so pleased to read your name in the credits 😄 I think your review is fair and your criticisms are valid. I bought the VR version and I love it, but I don't know if I would've appreciated the flat version that much, because VR does wonders with simple graphics and still gives you that sense of immersion

[@mikedrennen7971]

Thanks for the review. I bought the game yesterday just to do my part to support Roberta Williams. I started the game blind and enjoyed the first hour of just exploring, but I couldn't figure it out. Looked up a walk through and realized I was over complicating it in my head. It was much more simple than expected with non-logical puzzles. I'm happy to support Ken and Roberta getting back into making games, but for depth and length of game, feel like I would have been happier supporting them for $20 instead of $40.

[@ataridc]

YEAH KID

[@captaincomedian6320]

LOL Paying Roberta Williams 40 bucks to "support" her is like dripping a drop of water into the ocean to re-hydrate it.

[@johnb4467]

@@captaincomedian6320 Perhaps they don't "need the money", but it definitely can make a difference in if they find it worth making another game after this (based on how it performs).

[@captaincomedian6320]

@@johnb4467 Respectfully, I wouldn't get my hopes up is all I'll say.

[@johnb4467]

@@captaincomedian6320 I'm most definitely not, because you're likely right -- I don't think they would have even done this one if Ken hadn't gotten bored during the pandemic (which he has stated was how this all started).

[@NixFanBoy007]

Dude, I loved the old sierra games. So stoked when I heard you used to work at the MECCA back in the day. They taught me puzzle solving, typing skills, quirky humour and sparked a love for history and fantasy. Those games were a huge part of my childhood, I remember my dad bringing home computers in the late 80's and early 90's with Sierra games that he used for 'training' at work. So happy to see your review of the game, looking forward to playing it and getting to experience Roberta's wonderful view of the world again.

[@GenerationPixel]

I was only 3 years old in 76, so I missed Colossal Cave Adventure 😉 I will definitely be looking at this because Sierra was a huge part of my gaming journey 😎🤘

[@scottfrenz]

Yup same age here! :) Grew up with Sierra games.

[@GenerationPixel]

@@scottfrenz they were great days 😁

[@tatitorodriguez376]

I loved seeing them during the video game awards,…and one of my fav series of all time are the leisure suit Larry games.

My impression here is that the game is a direct translation of the original Colossal Cave to a visual medium, or tries to stay very close to that. So, in a text adventure, a bird could be any type of bird that would scare a snake, and the snake could be huge, but a realistic sized snake (that can be quite enormous, but won't have that cartoony gigantic head), also, the text could convey directly that the bird saw the wand in your hand and was attracted to its shine or something. They probably replaced hold item in your hand with drop it to the floor, I guess. Indie games usually go for art style to compensate for lack of funds to do super realistic graphics too, so this, coupled with the VR thing (I think they or you mentioned in your other video that it was a VR game primarily, I could be wrong) could explain the PS2 era graphics thing.

[@Edenwaith17]

Still, using the bird to take care of a snake makes more sense than throwing a bridle at it or shaking a tambourine. 😉

[@why_i_game]

@@Edenwaith17 There are plenty of birds that hunt snakes, but it's not usually giant man-eating snakes, lol. Maybe if it was a poisonous snake and a bird that's an expert at hunting it without getting poisoned.

[@AdventureGameHotspot]

This is a fair review. In regards to the puzzles, I lucked into figuring out the bird puzzle by missing the rebar. Once I realized how the puzzles were made, they ended up being simple. The hard part was hitting 350/350. The lantern dying was a real pain.

[@BrD4GOD]

To release a game for all major platforms nowadays, bravo! I'm incredibly amazed at that. I'm glad they made this large endeavor!!! Congrats to them!

[@marklamutt]

Obviously you never played the OG text adventure @metaljesusrocks. This is an absolute love letter to that game, which was the first computer game I ever played. I am thrilled that Roberta stayed true to what the OG game and I can't wait to get through it all to see how she visualized all of the rooms and compare to how my 7 year old self visualized. I would play this game every weekend, all weekend when my dad brought home a dumb terminal that we could use to call in to his mini computer via 300 and then 1200 bps modem. I still remember to this day the weekend I got my first perfect score. I'll never forget that experience.

[@AbsoluteSkycaptain]

"I was pleasantly surprised at just how large this game is." Would you say it's... Colossal?

[@MetalJesusRocks]

😉

[@johnr3696]

In the end, I'd give it an 8.5 out of 10.

[@Mystemo]

Even if moon logic is not a good thing in theory I'm grateful that they're keeping it true to the old school. Many modern adventure games are way to simplistic and the puzzles often boil down to "use key on door". It's good to see something made for those of us who grew up with obtuse often infuriating PC games.

[@azop]

I think these kind of honest reviews with little bit of inside knowledge and some criticism are best adverts for indie games like this. Based on your review, I definitely buy this game. I know it's not perfect but I also know I'm going to be entertained. Also, I'm big old school adventure fan and I adore Roberta and Ken. Thank you!

[@TotalLevelYT]

This is why I love your channel and videos. I'm a 90s kid (born in 1990) so Colossal Cave was way before I was born, but I love hearing the history behind games like this. Even if this is something that I may not try myself, thanks for sharing as I appreciate the history and what games like this meant for the industry going forward

[@Robert-dv2ot]

Metal Jesus is criminally underrated. Have no idea why he doesn't have 1million subs. Love his Apple and Mac stuff too. Want to see an Apple Silicon video.

[@MalabarTheGreat]

I second this. I expected MJR to hit the million-subscriber mark years ago. Really odd that he hasn't.

[@pauls1555]

Who cares not everyone has to be big I like smaller things...like odd games like these

[@IRWPD]

It's nice to see that they got the game done and it's out.

[@TheRafaelRamos]

A great review MJR! I'm completely sure Ken and Roberta will consider your observations about the game, your opinion is honest and they know it is coming from a true friend. This game deserves to shine!

[@Pikaroth]

Roberta and Ken are gaming royalty, and I fully intended to buy this on the PS5 on day one. I then saw it was $40, and I truly expected it to be around $25 but no more than $30. I do still intend to get it and support them, but until a sale comes around, I’m holding off. Great and fair review!

[@voidstar1337]

If it was shipped in a box with a map and basic story -- I'd totally got for $40 - $50, which is like the 1980s game price. They needed to team up with the 8BitGuy to do a real modern box. Or consider a collectors edition - a cloth map like old Ultima-series style :D But otherwise, yeah, for a stream distribution - $10-$20 was more appropriate.

[@Pikaroth]

@@voidstar1337 Exactly. I'm with you 100%. I'd have paid even more than $50 if it came as you described. A great box, map, maybe a steelbook, etc. I still have yet to purchase it, but I'm finally close to pulling the trigger as it is down to $25 now. It also seems like they are continuing to update the game and "make it better" with some extras within the game, at least according to their mailing list. But yes, they missed the boat on what could have been a VERY cool retro "big box" release.

[@roadiethegamecat4124]

Great review MJ. "Save early and save often, try everything in your inventory with everything". Sounds exactly like the old school point and clicks.. lol. Will wait for a sale and get the Q2 version.

[@jimmygillard]

I loved this game on the commodore 16. Text adventures was how RPGs became by fave genre and still are to this very day.

[@schnozz5662]

MJ is a real one. He didn't let the bonds of friendship influence his review one iota. Mans absolutely savaged this game, I hope his mates have got thick skin lol

[@gairnokkillstryke3875]

Colossal Cave was the game that created interactive fiction, and led to Infocom, and it's long list of games. Glad to see it in VR, there was another remake of it not to long ago, a fan version of Zork for the PC. Zork is one of the greatest games of all time! Enjoy.

[@rs18000]

This was the first game I ever played as a kid when my dad worked at DEC and bought home a PDP11 (I remember having to type a long boot strap code to get it to boot as no HDD). I never got very far but I was only about 10

[@socrates0603]

I wish nothing but the best on Ken and Roberta’s new gaming venture. As a fan of their Sierra work, I would love to see what more they have in store for the gaming world. As far as CC is concerned, while I grew up during the text adventure days with Infocom games, I never played the original Colossal Cave. I did play the demo of this game at PAX Prime last year. I got a bit of motion sickness playing the demo, and I’m getting it again watching this video 😂 Maybe I will get it on the Switch and perhaps the smaller screen will help? 😂

[@thiagoauler]

Pretty promising to me… I’m really looking forward to it.

[@SteamPunk96]

For those first two puzzles you mentioned; perhaps the bird was actually attracted to the shiny wand, like a real bird would be, rather than being afraid of it. And there are many species of snakes that will purposely avoid conflicts with birds.

[@Cynbel_Terreus]

In the original text adventure the game is clear that the bird was unafraid when you entered, but as you approach it becomes disturbed and you can't catch it. It doesn't tell you why though.

[@deanolium]

@@Cynbel_Terreus Indeed. The idea is that the bird is scared of the 'black rod' (it's a little more obtuse that it's a magic wand in the original), so you have to drop it in order to get the bird.

[@magicknight8412]

I have been getting into this kind of game recently and the graphics don't really matter to me as it's more about the puzzling and atmosphere. I like the look of this, it feels like the original from what i can see.

[@VivaSuga]

Such an interesting and very fair review. It does seem weird to play a first person game like this with the mindset of an old school adventure game, but I love the creativity behind it. Graphics never bother me because I mainly play games from the 2000s anyway, but the game does seem rather clunky and outdated in several areas. I will keep my eye on this game though because it seems unique. Thanks for the review!

[@hat8918]

This game should have been a VR exclusive. That way, most of the commentary is on the vr portion, rather than pancake mode.

[@tdotsmooth]

Its cool the two of them are still making games I have fond memories of classic Sierra from my childhood PC gaming

[@sakusakusakuranyo]

I remember the bluebird of happiness was the enemy of the cobra of misery on an episode of the Conan late night show. That's what that puzzle made me think of.

[@silverian]

I remember earlier meeting when you met Ken and Roberta with Paul. I also noticed that this game is on Steam (35.09€). It is quite transformation of game, if you think that original version of this game was text based game.

[@eugenemorrison2720]

MJR - Interesting game! I remember seeing the video of you visiting with them and hearing about this game. I can imagine it put you in a bit of a tough emotional spot being friends with them and having to criticize a game they made that isn't really all that great. I know I would have really struggled with being objective and honest with my viewers, and at the same time trying to not hurt the feelings of Ken and Roberta. I know they are veterans in the industry and have faced much criticism, but still. I think you did a great job balancing what I assume was a tricky review to write. As always though, great content, dude!

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Thanks so much 👍

[@darktetsuya]

I saw the trailer over on Nintendo's site so definitely thinking about checking this out! tihs one was definitely a little bit before my time and I never super got into the text adventure stuff (but I did play part-way through torrin's passage) so I'm genuinely curious to try this one out!

[@cusman]

Here because this just released for the PSVR2 on PS5. Nice review. I would have liked to see how inventory is accessed / used in the VR version of it.

[@XRay44]

I'd like to see a Phantasmagoria reboot by Ken and Roberta.

[@redalchemy]

I'm personally excited to pick this game up! I may wait for a sale but it looks like it could be a lot of fun in VR and the Q2 can use more long form games just like this!

[@TheLastLineLive]

I didn’t realize this game already released. I will definitely look into it.

[@afzpuppet]

I seem to recall in my younger days my first experience with text adventure games was on a terminal connected to a mainframe system in 1980 or thereabouts playing Zork and Colossal Cave aka Adventure at a college. I finished both games there... and would later play most of the Infocom text adventure games in the 1980's..

[@FesteringRatSub]

What a pity we did not get another Sierra game😊

[@bothellkenmore]

Apparently Sierra had 3 games for the Colecovision, my 1st console I bought with my paper route money. But I do remember buying PC gaming mags in the 80's and filling out reader cards where you checked boxes on things you were interested in and I spoofed that I had a PC, which I didn't. I mostly got marketing materials like game catalogs or a poster of EA's then 20 or so steff. I do remember Sierra being very much a player then but by the time I got my Genesis and then a few years later in 97 they were more of a publisher. All that said, they have name recognition with me and anything else Roberta and Ken want to do I'll take a look at, this just doesn't seem it for me but might for others.

[@TEEN1DOL]

This game looks like a blast. Looking forward to playing it on my Switch

[@AdventureGameGeek]

I think this review is totally fair and not overly critical at all. It's an incredibly faithful reimagining of the original but also keeps some of the more frustrating aspects like the ones you mentioned. @6:52 "Don't drop the vase!!...Oh wait never mind you got the cushion there" 😉

[@GraemeCree]

There are illogical puzzles in the game, but the Bird Puzzle isn't one of them, at least not in the original game. In the original, when you run the HELP command (as everybody is advised to do), it explicitly says "The objects have side effects; for instance, the rod scares the bird." So, this puzzle was actually a gimme.

[@GraemeCree]

Checking the 2023 version, the same hint is right there in the instructions. "The rod scares the bird". Nobody has any excuse for getting stuck on this one.

[@DARK_KATACLYSM]

Sierra was my favorite game developer back in the day. Played most of their games. Loved everything I played from them. Now we just need kings quest, and space quest VR

[@bdre5555]

Wanted to say that I started my life in gaming with the original Sierra adventure games on PC. The Black Cauldron is actually the first game I ever played. And I loved basically every Sierra game as I was growing up. So it's always been special to me that you have this connection to Sierra, and that you are friends with Ken and Roberta. I will definitely be wish listing this game on PS5!

[@JamesRichardsPlays]

Yup. Very much the original text adventure with lots of graphics. I am honestly surprised, you are a tad bit older than me and you haven't played the original? I was exposed to classic text adventures, a lot of the Infocom games, at a young age. Maybe my experience is not normal? BUT Definitely a treat to see you review this. I would like to see more come from the Williams'. I miss their particular take/touch on the classic adventure genre games.

[@jimbuddy9142]

i love adventure games with points ... nice job Roberta!

[@khoid]

It's the only game where you get to beat a dragon to death with your own hands

[@arcaderacer586]

The game was masterfully designed to sale a million strategy guides! Brilliant move LOL

[@MetalJesusRocks]

I was kinda thinking that too! Very old school 😉

[@brandon17760]

To me that's bad game design, if you make a game that regular people don't have a shot at finishing without an instruction guide then as a developer you failed. There's a reason old games styles from the 70s and Atari days aren't around anymore.

[@stt5v2002]

My father told me about that nonsensical bird and snake puzzle in *1981*. He and some co-workers at General Electric had access to a Wang computer and could play this game on it. I wanted to play that game so badly, but of course I had no access to it at the time. I feel like I was told that a computer like that would cost $3000 at the time, which is approximately $10,000 in today's money.

[@amsbeats841]

"some of the puzzles are completely illogical" Ahhhhhh Roberta is back boys! It's just like the good old days of having to throw honey and emeralds on a random trail to escape a forest.

[@borgessa3]

I played this, nearly 40 years ago, had no idea they had added video to it. Amazing :)

[@kennymustdie8518]

Hello, grandma

[@merman1974]

Interesting review, it does remind me of a cross between a text adventure and Myst.

[@0525ohhwell]

"Some of the puzzles are completely illogical" Well, that is keeping with the fine Sierra tradition!

[@KevinBlue18]

I'm 28 and this is one of my first text adventure games I've ever played. I'm surprised you haven't played the original and I thought you would be the one to play before me, LOL!

[@puzzud]

That's just classic point & click: "use X on everything!"

[@MagicGreenSquid]

Pretty fair review, I reckon. The only criticism you made that puts me off is the random attacks. The rest, e.g. emphasis on puzzles over plot, are what I expect - and even want - from an old-school adventure game. Overall, I'm glad this new version of "C/C" exists and I intend to play it at some stage. Am also keen to see what K. and R. do next.

[@itsmadeofwaffles]

My wild guess as for why the little bird scared the giant snake, is that it was a Harry Potter reference, when Fawkes the phoenix attacked the basilisk(a giant snake) in the chamber of secrets. Probably I'm wrong but it's what it came to my mind.

[@robbyonthetrack4124]

I knew nothing about this game until you had mentioned in a earlier video that the couple were beginning a remake for the game then eventually did the interview with them. I was kind of excited the way she was explaining it but I think the product fell short of her imaginings.

[@styloroc2000]

Let's be fair, as a huge Sierra fan growing up, there were some puzzles that had solutions that didn't make a whole lot of sense. I can't think of any off hand because it's been a hot minute since I played any, but I remember there were quite a few in the early Kings Quest games.

[@RPRussell]

I'm just starting out this game on my Oculus - so far so good! I will point out that the intro text when you start a new game tells you "...for example, the rod scares the bird..." So don't feel bad for spoiling that one, they do it themselves.

[@DaemionBlackFire]

Thanks for the review. In all honesty, when I saw Roberta Williams... I got a bit excited and kinda hoped it would be a bit, I don't know... more. Sad that the game is pretty much exactly like the original, which I wasn't into either. Either way, I hope she has some success with it as she's a wonderful story-teller with the games she's involved in.

[@kingsuperbus4617]

I remember seeing her on TV for Phantasmagoria back in the 90's. I had never seen a developer before, she seemed like a regular person!

[@werdna_sir]

I mean, yeah. Did we really expect it to be competitive in today's market? The fact that it exists and is decent is great. Hopefully it inspires them to make more.

[@EDUB9X3]

I just got this for my 8 year old daughter, her reading skills isn't top notch yet but she is really enjoying just exploring the world, it isn't to freighting for her, the magic wand confused her a little for a while so I helped with that bit, I don't think she will complete it though but I think something like this is good for kids because it gets them thinking without getting their hand held all the way through like some in-depth AAA games of today.

[@darkowl9]

The puzzles of Colossal Cave are very much in line with the style Roberta went on to create during the heyday of Sierra. Rumplestiltskin? Oh sorry, I meant Ifnkovhgroghprm... of course.

[@champ666ZA]

We love you Ken & Roberta Williams!

[@rickyiglesias5384]

Is it weird that I watch Metal Jesus videos but I'm not even into gaming? I guess I just dig your personality, dude. Keep being you.

[@ddaymace]

Thanks for the honesty BTW, METALJ!!!

[@nightruler666]

Ah yes 90s cryptic puzzles

[@EvaFull]

Makes me wonder what other old school text based adventure games could/should be remade with a modern coat of paint.

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Infocom: Planetfall, Leather Goddess of Phobos & Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

[@EvaFull]

@@MetalJesusRocks I was thinking some of the Doctor Who games that where big in Europe throughout the ‘70’s, ‘80’s & ‘90’s. Definitely some classics you mentioned that could use some modern love.

[@danielcaetano5251]

I've been playing Excite bike in the NES Classic by your recommendation and it is amazing! So cool, very strategic.

[@Oldgames1000]

In the outro, nice footage of Jamestown. Very underrated game. One of the best shooters ever made.

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Couldn't agree more

[@epicpotatofiend]

I’m in a Discord server w/ the narrator, so you better believe I’ll make sure he knows you liked his performance

[@NeORomani]

When I saw it, my first impression was dissapointment, I was looking for something more attractive and fun like Larries

[@cormoran2303]

Nice, didn't realise this was out! Dropping an inventory item for a puzzle.... I'm not going to figure out these puzzles on my own 😅

[@tonyc3282]

Kudos on the honest review. I just hope your friendship survives it and you get a dinner invite! 😁

[@MakoyUnggoy]

You are in a room - there is nothing in the room but a chest - you try to open the chest - the chest is locked - you don't have a key - This was the start of my Spectrum 48k adventure days, Thank f... games like Atic Atak came along haha!

[@IamSimplyYOSH]

I always love when you upload :) always a good time! Love you MetalJesus!

[@fatimapalacios2292]

Seems to be quite close to the original game. I played recently the text based game on Linux and had lots of fun. And you are right. This game could have been aimed directly to VR, just by the way it looks. I want to play it anyway just to see the things I read on my text game.

[@alexanderfreeman]

It looks interesting! But it looks as though they didn't really take advantage of the 3D medium for the game. For instance, they could've completely revamped the combat instead of just making it random like the original. It could've made you take aim with your ax while evading the knives from the dwarfs. In a way, being slavishly faithful to the original defeats the purpose of making a remake. The remake should've been more of an adaptation. IIRC, the original game actually tells you in the instructions that the wand frightens the bird, so that puzzle is actually not so bad in the original. Their depiction of the snake makes the puzzle harder too because it makes the notion that the bird could scare away the snake look ridiculous. I don't think the snake is described as being so big in the original, making the solution seem more plausible.

[@stephens9772]

I could have sworn that in your interview with them they said this was going to be a brutal game.

[@TheMultiGunMan]

Thank you for the review.

[@Thunderpuddle]

A review that I bet you found hard to do. Thanks for doing so. The VR version does look much more immersive and therefore better.

[@holisticreviews]

Sure, sure, play it in VR, as if I needed Roberta Williams any more into my head than she already is.

[@voidstar1337]

Broke my heart when KQ5 started the mouse/click interface and did away with the text parser - since I knew the game was now just "click all items on all interactive objects on the screen." RNG attack dwarves does sound like a bummer - was that OG? Kudos though for making a complete product - from Ken "I was playing around with Unity one day" to "now available on every major modern platform", that's neat to see it done!

[@heyitsjay22]

I think you should actually play the text version of this game. We used to make maps and drawings of this game. Much of the problem solving was done during time when you could not get on the computer. Getting time to play this adventure was a big part of the fun. We would have notebooks with ideas to try the next time we got some computer time. Having a graphical display for this is absolutely amazing to people that went through the text world of that time. Thank you for your review.

[@aussieknuckles]

I remember watching a Documentary on these two devs and their story on the original game and their upcoming game (This game), a year or so ago. It was an interesting watch, I might just check this out one day, especially to support the Devs.

[@Eman-wj8gq]

I have to say seeing as MJR was a former employee of Sierra and having a previous working relationship with Roberta I was not expecting him to be bias and positively review the game but the review I felt IMO didn't highly the positive of the game. Idk maybe he could have explained certain things with a positive spin to be more welcoming. But in MJR defends he was trying to be fair and down the line which I can't fault anyone for doing. Thanks for all you lr work MJR you certainly rock.