Quest 64
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Quest 64 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | Imagineer |
| Publisher(s) | THQ(North America) Konami(Europe) Imagineer (Japan) |
| Release date(s) |  June 11, 1998 September 30, 1998 May 31, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Media | Cartridge |
| System requirements | Memory card |
Quest 64 (released as Holy Magic Century in Europe, Australia and New Zealand and Eltale Monsters in Japan) is a single player action RPG developed by Imagineer and published by THQ. It was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998 and was the first RPG released for the system in the United States.
Contents |
[edit] Story
The game's story takes place in a typical fantasy world. The playable character is an apprentice mage named Brian (Aryon in the European version). Brian sets off to find his father who has left the monastery of the mages—the player learns later that his father is looking for a thief who has stolen the "Eletale Book". The player must also collect elemental amulets, which have been hoarded by powerful criminals and are integral in the defeat of the game's final boss.
The game's world is very colourful and open to exploration. This notwithstanding, the game is a very straightforward RPG. There are few surprises for the character and absolutely no cutscenes, puzzles, or mini-games.
[edit] Characters (Spoilers)
The game's main characters and bosses are:
Brian- A young boy who has set out to save his father. He lives at Melrode Monastary, and is an apprentice magician.
King Scottfort - King of Kenneshire, rules from Dondoran Castle in Dondoran
Queen Deanna- Queen of Carmagh, rules from Limelin Castle in Limelin
King Beigis- Greedy king of Highland, rules from Brannoch Castle in Brannoch Castle Town
Fargo- Thief who steals the fire ruby
Nepty-Thief who steals the water crystal
Zelse- Thief who steals the wind jade
Solvaring- Thief who steals the earth orb
Mammon- A demon who attempts to trick Brian into releasing him from his prison.
Shilf- Mammon's assistant, hiding in Baragoon Tunnel
Guilty- King Beigis' apprentice in Brannoch Castle, has made Brannoch Castle Town a living mess with his magic experiments
[edit] Places
Holy Plain- Located in Kenneshire, home of Dondoran and Melrode
Dondoran Flats- area between Dondoran Castle and Loch Kilderey
West Carmagh- Western portion of Carmagh bordered in the south by the Dindom Dries, in the east by Loch Kilderey, in the southeast by East Limelin, and in the north by Kenneshire. Home to Larapool and Normoon, as well as Cull Hazard and Blue Cave.
East Limelin- area between Highland in the south and West Carmagh to the northwest. Home to Limelin and Baragoon Tunnel's north gate
Dindom Dries- Desert wasteland in northern portion of Highland bordered in the north by East and West Carmagh. Home to Greenoch, Boil Hole's north gate, and Baragoon Tunnel's south gate.
Baragoon Moor- Located at the south-central end of Highland. Home to Brannoch Castle Town, capital of Highland, and Boil Hole's south gate.
Loch Kilderey Giant lake in the center of Celtland.
Isle of Skye- Island in the center of Loch Kilderey.
Cull Hazard- Cave linking Normoon to West Carmagh
Boil Hole- Cave linking the Dindom Dries to Baragoon Moor
Baragoon Tunnel- Mine shaft linking Dindom Dries to East Limelin
Blue Cave- Cave linking West Carmagh to Dondoran Flats
Glencoe Forest- Lies between Dondoran Flats and West Carmagh, east mouth of Blue Cave is here
Windward Forest- Forest in West Carmagh separating it from Normoon
Connor Forest- Forest between the Dondoran Flats and the Holy Plain
Crystal Valley- Cavern under Blue Cave, home of Epona.
Connor Fortress-Fort in Connor Forest, hiding place of Solvaring
[edit] Gameplay
The game is unique in that the experience system is not based upon a traditional "level-up" model. The character gains experience in the four classical elements of earth, wind, fire and water. As experience increases in each of these areas, the power and selection of spells the player can cast in each area grow.
The game's difficulty could be regarded as beginner-level for the genre. Of note, the game has no money system. Every item in the game is either found in a treasure chest or given to the player free of charge. Nor does the game deal harshly with the death of the player; when the player runs out of HP, the game will return him to the last inn at which he saved. He will have 1 HP, but that can be restored by saving inside that very inn. He will be allowed to retain all items, spells and experience he has gained.
[edit] Criticism
Critics of the game call attention to a number of issues. The 3D graphics are noticeably low in polygon count in comparison with other N64 titles of the era. The only way to save game progress is to talk to the owner of an inn in a town. This latter can be particularly tedious for a player who is stuck in a forest and needs to stop playing. The game can only be saved to a separate memory card rather than to the game-pak itself; many N64 games of the time allowed the player to save games directly to the cartridge.
