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| + | [[File:1347825-wizard and princess 001 a on line yellow folder.jpg|thumb|First Release (Apple II)]] |
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| + | [[Image:wizardprincesscover1.jpg|thumb|Atari 400/800 release]] |
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| ⚫ | The '''Wizard and the Princess''' (aka Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess) is [[Roberta Williams]]' precursor to the [[King's Quest]] series on the Apple II and Commodore 64 |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | The '''Wizard and the Princess''' (aka Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess) is [[Roberta Williams]]' precursor to the [[King's Quest]] series on the Apple II & Atari 400/800 and ported over to Commodore 64, and the PCjr.<ref>http://www.cnet.com/news/kings-quest-to-make-an-epic-return/</ref>According to Interaction Magazine, Fall 1994, "Wizard & Princess can be considered the 'prequel' to King's Quest I, since Roberta took many of her fantasy visions from this game and put them into the landmark series. King [[Graham]] even returns to [[Serenia]] in [[King's Quest V]]." The game is a non-animated graphic adventure, which uses a simple parser system. Chronologically it is set several years before King's Quest V.<ref>King's Quest Companion, 2nd Edition, pg </ref> |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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| − | + | You are a hero who is sent into the past by Harlin, becoming the [[wanderer]] of legend. Entering the village of Serenia, you discover King [[George IV]]'s daughter Princess [[Priscilla]] has been kidnapped from Serenia by an evil wizard named [[Harlin]]. Harlin holds her inside his castle far in the mountains. The King offered half of his kingdom to anyone brave enough to travel to the Wizard's castle, defeat him and return his daughter. You are the happy wanderer who answers this challenge. |
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| − | ==Prologue== |
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| − | You are a happy wanderer passing through a village in the land of Serenia when you notice a large crowd. Being a curious wanderer, you saunter over to see what is going on. From the middle of the chaos you hear a bell ringing. AS you get closer, you see the town cryer with a proclamation from the King of Serenia. |
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| + | Enter the world of computer adventure. Each Sierra On-Line adventure |
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| − | "HEAR YE" "HEAR YE", he cries. "His Magesty King George, has just suffered a terrible loss. His fair daughter, the Princess Priscilla, has been abducted by the great and dreadful wizard, Harlin, to his castle beyond the Great Mountains. The crowd is now hushed, waiting ot hear more. The town cryer then shouts, "His Magesty offers half his kingdom to anybody who can bring the princess back safely." That is all he has to say, but it leaves you shaking. Not only are you a happy wanderer, but you have an adventure as well and half a kingdom is a great reward. You decide to find her. But where are the great mountains? As you look around you see no mountains. Just a vast desert that seems never to end. You ask a villager where the great mountains are located, and he points to the north and tells you, "there are a great many dangers on the way to the great mountains, and the Wizard Harlin is very powerful and bad." |
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| + | takes several weeks to master, providing hours of fascination and |
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| + | intrigue. The player must use their imagination and logic to unlock |
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| + | the mysteries of each adventure. |
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| + | Map skills are a must since our adventure games contain over a |
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| + | hundred full-color computer-generated images which lead you in every |
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| + | direction. So, muster up all your wit, logic and perseverance for |
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| + | this is a Sierra On-Line adventure and a challenge to your ingenuity. |
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| + | Become the hearty and steadfast adventurer who rescues the fair |
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| − | You thank the villager for his information and start off to the north. As you enter the desert, you check your belongings. You are carrying a flask of water, a small knife, a loaf of bread and a blanket. Not much for such a long journey, but it would have to do, for you have no money. And so, you are on your way....... |
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| + | princess from the dreadful wizard, Harlin. He has taken her to his |
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| + | towering castle beyond the [[Great Mountains]]. You must outwit and |
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| + | outmaneuver the mystical power of the wizard which has grown dark and |
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| + | potent through time. Begin your adventure in the small village of |
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| + | Serenia, but take heed, everything is not as it may appear...<ref>Back of Box PCJR and C64 versions</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | "Sets a standard by which future graphic adventures will be judged." |
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| + | |||
| + | ==Endings== |
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| + | There is text for two different endings depending on the version of the game. One leads to the junior-master adventurer ending which seems to be the main ending. Another that mentions the hero marrying the princess and received half the kingdom (which seemingly ties into the introduction plot better). But its not clear if the latter is used, and it doesn't necessarily appear in every version of the game. |
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| + | |||
| + | ==Behind the scenes== |
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| + | The Apple II version has a 21 color palette made through the use of [[wikipedia:dithering|dithering]] the Apple II's standard 6 colors, in which patterns of multiple colors create the illusion of additional solid colors. In the first screen, for example, the village of Serenia has the illusion of six colors on screen at once, or seven if the player drops the flask. Some screens have upwards or 9 colors through dithering (for example the scene with the little gnome). |
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| + | |||
| + | [[file:WatPvillageC64.png|thumb|left]]Since the C64 was less limited in colors, the C64 version uses solid colors and no dithering; this makes most of the colors seem lighter and more pastel. Many of the colors are a different palette as well. Some rooms such as the Village of Serenia have up to 8 colors on screen at once, the gnome for example has 10 real colors. It is overall more colorful than the original. The C64 allowed for a higher resolution as well. The game takes advantage of this by having more detailed items to pick up for the inventory. For example gold coin found at the end of the rainbow has a face on it, and the locket has a 'heart' on it. |
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| + | |||
| + | Despite having the option of more colors on screen and hi-res inventory items, some of the artwork became less detailed, such as the random snakes, the king of the snake, and the snake in the hole all looking more like grey featureless worm-like masses. |
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| + | |||
| + | Some Atari versions use monochrome graphics, with dithering to create texture and shading (which appeared differently on different colored monitors[http://www.atariarchives.org/creativeatari/The_Wizard_the_Princess_and_the_Atari.php]). |
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| + | |||
| + | Later re-releases added an additional prologue in the updated manual, that leads into the original prologue on the back of the box of the Atari and Apple versions. The Atari version was extended by a few pages. |
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| − | ==Notes== |
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The adventure takes place in the land of [[Serenia]], a land that Roberta would later use again and expand on in [[KQV]]. Several concepts are similar in both games. Both games include a desert, a town, a green forest area, and an ocean to cross, an island in the ocean, etc. There are even a few puzzles in the game that are similar to future KQ puzzles. For example, having to patch a a hole at the bottom of a boat. |
The adventure takes place in the land of [[Serenia]], a land that Roberta would later use again and expand on in [[KQV]]. Several concepts are similar in both games. Both games include a desert, a town, a green forest area, and an ocean to cross, an island in the ocean, etc. There are even a few puzzles in the game that are similar to future KQ puzzles. For example, having to patch a a hole at the bottom of a boat. |
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| − | The events told in the game are mentioned and expanded upon in [[An Encyclopedia of Daventry]].<ref>The King's Quest Companion, 2nd Edition</ref> It expands on the background of the [[Wanderer]] and Priscilla. It discusses their fates after the game. |
+ | The events told in the game are mentioned and expanded upon in [[An Encyclopedia of Daventry]].<ref>The King's Quest Companion, 2nd Edition</ref> It expands on the background of the [[Wanderer]] and Priscilla. It discusses their fates after the game. |
| − | The game was later |
+ | The game was later ported over to the IBM as [[Adventure in Serenia]]. |
Chronologically speaking as related in the King's Quest Companion, Second Edition, the game must only take a few years to decades at the most before KQV, as Princess Priscilla is still alive at the time of KQV, having become the ruler of Serenia. |
Chronologically speaking as related in the King's Quest Companion, Second Edition, the game must only take a few years to decades at the most before KQV, as Princess Priscilla is still alive at the time of KQV, having become the ruler of Serenia. |
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| + | Wizard and the Princess was included as a bonus with the Apple IIe/c versions King's Quest. |
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| − | The C64 version uses solid colors and no dithering, this makes most of the colors seem lighter and more pastel. Many of the colors are a different palette as well. |
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| − | On the C64 version the coin found at the end of the rainbow has a face on it. Many of the inventory item graphics are different than in the Apple II and PC versions. |
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| − | ==King's Question== |
+ | ===King's Question=== |
''The Wizard and the Princess'''s connection to King's Quest lore is referenced in "[[King's Questions]]" involving a question asking about the alternate name for the game. |
''The Wizard and the Princess'''s connection to King's Quest lore is referenced in "[[King's Questions]]" involving a question asking about the alternate name for the game. |
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| − | "The Wizard and the Princess" was made for the Apple computer. What was it called when released for the IBM PC? |
+ | "The Wizard and the Princess" was made for the Apple computer. What was it called when released for the IBM PC? |
| − | a. Hello, Daventry! |
+ | a. Hello, Daventry! |
| − | b. Adventure in Serenia |
+ | b. Adventure in Serenia |
| − | c. Hi-Res Adventure #2 |
+ | c. Hi-Res Adventure #2 |
d. The Princess and the Wizard |
d. The Princess and the Wizard |
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| + | |||
| + | ==See also== |
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| + | *[[Wizard and the Princess prologues]] |
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| + | *[[Wizard and the Princess (C64) artwork]] (screenshots of the digital artwork in the game) |
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| + | *[[Wizard and the princess artwork]] (screenshots of the digital artwork in the game) |
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| + | *[[Wizard and the Princess (Starcraft)]], the unique Japanese port of the game with original artwork. |
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| + | *[[Adventure in Serenia]], the IBM port of the game. |
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| + | |||
| + | ==External Links== |
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| + | *[http://www.atarimagazines.com/v2n8/wizardprincess.html Roberta Interview] |
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| + | *[http://www.atariarchives.org/creativeatari/The_Wizard_the_Princess_and_the_Atari.php Review of Atari version] |
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==References == |
==References == |
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| − | <references/> |
+ | <references /> |
[[Category:King's Quest Games]] |
[[Category:King's Quest Games]] |
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[[Category:Adventure in Serenia/The Wizard and the Princess]] |
[[Category:Adventure in Serenia/The Wizard and the Princess]] |
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[[Category:King's Questions]] |
[[Category:King's Questions]] |
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| + | [[Category:games]] |
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| + | [[Category:Original Canon]] |
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Revision as of 19:38, 27 September 2019
First Release (Apple II)
Atari 400/800 release
Apple II, Atari 400/800 (re-releases), C64 port
The Wizard and the Princess (aka Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess) is Roberta Williams' precursor to the King's Quest series on the Apple II & Atari 400/800 and ported over to Commodore 64, and the PCjr.[1]According to Interaction Magazine, Fall 1994, "Wizard & Princess can be considered the 'prequel' to King's Quest I, since Roberta took many of her fantasy visions from this game and put them into the landmark series. King Graham even returns to Serenia in King's Quest V." The game is a non-animated graphic adventure, which uses a simple parser system. Chronologically it is set several years before King's Quest V.[2]
Background
You are a hero who is sent into the past by Harlin, becoming the wanderer of legend. Entering the village of Serenia, you discover King George IV's daughter Princess Priscilla has been kidnapped from Serenia by an evil wizard named Harlin. Harlin holds her inside his castle far in the mountains. The King offered half of his kingdom to anyone brave enough to travel to the Wizard's castle, defeat him and return his daughter. You are the happy wanderer who answers this challenge.
Enter the world of computer adventure. Each Sierra On-Line adventure takes several weeks to master, providing hours of fascination and intrigue. The player must use their imagination and logic to unlock the mysteries of each adventure. Map skills are a must since our adventure games contain over a hundred full-color computer-generated images which lead you in every direction. So, muster up all your wit, logic and perseverance for this is a Sierra On-Line adventure and a challenge to your ingenuity.
Become the hearty and steadfast adventurer who rescues the fair princess from the dreadful wizard, Harlin. He has taken her to his towering castle beyond the Great Mountains. You must outwit and outmaneuver the mystical power of the wizard which has grown dark and potent through time. Begin your adventure in the small village of Serenia, but take heed, everything is not as it may appear...[3]
"Sets a standard by which future graphic adventures will be judged."
Endings
There is text for two different endings depending on the version of the game. One leads to the junior-master adventurer ending which seems to be the main ending. Another that mentions the hero marrying the princess and received half the kingdom (which seemingly ties into the introduction plot better). But its not clear if the latter is used, and it doesn't necessarily appear in every version of the game.
Behind the scenes
The Apple II version has a 21 color palette made through the use of dithering the Apple II's standard 6 colors, in which patterns of multiple colors create the illusion of additional solid colors. In the first screen, for example, the village of Serenia has the illusion of six colors on screen at once, or seven if the player drops the flask. Some screens have upwards or 9 colors through dithering (for example the scene with the little gnome).
Since the C64 was less limited in colors, the C64 version uses solid colors and no dithering; this makes most of the colors seem lighter and more pastel. Many of the colors are a different palette as well. Some rooms such as the Village of Serenia have up to 8 colors on screen at once, the gnome for example has 10 real colors. It is overall more colorful than the original. The C64 allowed for a higher resolution as well. The game takes advantage of this by having more detailed items to pick up for the inventory. For example gold coin found at the end of the rainbow has a face on it, and the locket has a 'heart' on it.
Despite having the option of more colors on screen and hi-res inventory items, some of the artwork became less detailed, such as the random snakes, the king of the snake, and the snake in the hole all looking more like grey featureless worm-like masses.
Some Atari versions use monochrome graphics, with dithering to create texture and shading (which appeared differently on different colored monitors[1]).
Later re-releases added an additional prologue in the updated manual, that leads into the original prologue on the back of the box of the Atari and Apple versions. The Atari version was extended by a few pages.
The adventure takes place in the land of Serenia, a land that Roberta would later use again and expand on in KQV. Several concepts are similar in both games. Both games include a desert, a town, a green forest area, and an ocean to cross, an island in the ocean, etc. There are even a few puzzles in the game that are similar to future KQ puzzles. For example, having to patch a a hole at the bottom of a boat.
The events told in the game are mentioned and expanded upon in An Encyclopedia of Daventry.[4] It expands on the background of the Wanderer and Priscilla. It discusses their fates after the game.
The game was later ported over to the IBM as Adventure in Serenia.
Chronologically speaking as related in the King's Quest Companion, Second Edition, the game must only take a few years to decades at the most before KQV, as Princess Priscilla is still alive at the time of KQV, having become the ruler of Serenia.
Wizard and the Princess was included as a bonus with the Apple IIe/c versions King's Quest.
King's Question
The Wizard and the Princess's connection to King's Quest lore is referenced in "King's Questions" involving a question asking about the alternate name for the game.
"The Wizard and the Princess" was made for the Apple computer. What was it called when released for the IBM PC?
a. Hello, Daventry!
b. Adventure in Serenia
c. Hi-Res Adventure #2
d. The Princess and the Wizard
See also
- Wizard and the Princess prologues
- Wizard and the Princess (C64) artwork (screenshots of the digital artwork in the game)
- Wizard and the princess artwork (screenshots of the digital artwork in the game)
- Wizard and the Princess (Starcraft), the unique Japanese port of the game with original artwork.
- Adventure in Serenia, the IBM port of the game.
External Links
References
- ↑ http://www.cnet.com/news/kings-quest-to-make-an-epic-return/
- ↑ King's Quest Companion, 2nd Edition, pg
- ↑ Back of Box PCJR and C64 versions
- ↑ The King's Quest Companion, 2nd Edition