Questron

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Questron
Outside Geraldtown in the Commodore 64 version of Questron.
Outside Geraldtown in the Commodore 64 version of Questron.
Scene from the Commodore 64 version of Questron II.
Scene from the Commodore 64 version of Questron II.

Developer(s) Strategic Simulations, Inc.
Publisher(s) Strategic Simulations, Inc.
Platform(s) Commodore 64, Apple II, Amiga
Release date 1984, 1988
Genre(s) Computer role-playing game
Mode(s) Single player

Questron is a fantasy RPG computer game series produced by Strategic Simulations, Inc.

Contents

[edit] Questron

In Questron the player takes on the role of a young serf who tries to make a name for himself by traveling the realm in order to gain the power and experience necessary to defeat the wicked "Mantor", ruler of the "Land of Evil".

The gameplay and graphics are very simple. The view is mostly in top-down style for the world maps and town encounters, but switches to a 3D first-person style in the dungeons of the Land of Evil.

Some features were novel for a game of its type at the time of its release. First there are two "games within a game" that allow the character to permanently increase dexterity or intelligence attributes if completed successfully . Also, various casinos about the towns allow the player to gamble for gold pieces in games of Blackjack, Roulette or "Double or Nothing".

Another aspect of the game is that various monsters and foes are immune or more vulnerable to different weapons. The player would occasionally have to switch weapons depending on which enemy they faced in order to defeat them. Magic spells can also be cast, but only in the dungeon levels.

The original game was written by Charles Dougherty and Gerald Wieczorek and published in 1984 for the Commodore 64 and Apple II computer systems. The structure and style of the game were licensed from Richard Garriott, author of Akalabeth and Ultima.[1] This game was the first foray by SSI into the fantasy RPG genre and its release was followed by the more expansive Phantasie series.

[edit] Questron II

In 1988 a sequel was made for the Apple II, Commodore 64 and Amiga computers. It featured gameplay of a similar style with improved graphics and features. This game's programming and artwork are credited to Westwood Associates, while the storyline and original design are credited to Quest Software. This game was also produced by Strategic Simulations, Inc.[2]

The premise of this game is that the player's character has been sent back in time to defeat six "Mad Sorcerers" before they can create the "Book of Magic" featured in the original game.

[edit] Related games

John and Charles Dougherty also made two other games which were credited to Quest Software. The brothers produced Legacy of the Ancients in 1987 for the Apple II & Commodore 64 (and later the PC), followed by its sequel Legend of Blacksilver in 1988. Both games used an updated version of the engine used by Questron and Questron II.

Scene from Commodore 64 version of Legend of Blacksilver
Scene from Commodore 64 version of Legend of Blacksilver

[edit] References

  1. ^ From Questron in-game menu screen, Apple II and Commodore 64 versions. (screenshot)
  2. ^ From Questron II in-game menu screen, Commodore 64 version.

[edit] External links

Game Theorist web page:
http://www.msu.edu/~wieczor8/questron2.htm