In your opinion...

[jbltecnicspro]

... What is the most underrated Sierra adventure game? 

For me, it's the Laura Bow series.  I love both games equally for different reasons.  The Colonel's Bequest, for example - is INCREDIBLY fun to play, and probably the best SCI0 game - in my opinion, of course.    The secluded world has tons of depth, and the fact that you don't have to travel to another world means that it's pretty much impossible to get stuck.

[jharris01]

I got stuck very quickly playing CB. Then again I always got stuck playing any Roberta Williams game. I remember avoiding any game made by her. KQ6 was the only game I was able to beat (and with the help of the sierra bbs).

I think the Ecco series got past under the radar for many gamers. I also think the Manhunter series should have been given another chance with VGA graphics and a mouse interface.

[Marten]

Ecco was a series of SEGA Genesis games   Though I suspect you meant Eco Quest.

One series I haven't seen mentioned here - the Conquests series (Camelot, Longbow).  I tried Camelot once and got stuck on a bug in the game and gave up... but I heard it was quite a good game.

I'll admit though, I agree with bjl, there's a special place in my heart for the Laura Bow mysteries and I wished there had been more of them. 

[jharris01]

I don't see how anyone could possibly think I was referring to a different game seeing that this is clearly a Sierra topic, but since you seem to have misunderstood, let me clarify I meant Sierra's.

[jbltecnicspro]

I think he was just pulling your leg.     I almost made mention of it too, but decided not to.   

I've never played the Conquest games - might have to try them out.  But yes, Laura Bow is probably my favorite series.  In all fairness, I like the first one better than the second one.  The first one positively creeped me out as a kid.  Haha - I still remember jumping out of my seat whenever the "Duh, duh... DUH!!"  music played at the discovery of a dead body.  That game had so much atmosphere and personality!

And I LOVE the fact that the game world is confined, and that virtually all of the rooms are available from the start.  Because of this, it's impossible to get into a situation where you'd get "stuck."  That is, it's always possible to complete the game from start to finish.  And the amount of depth to the first game is just great.  There are side plots everywhere, and they actually ADD to the main plot.  Man, I really can't say enough good things about Laura Bow.  If there ever was a game that needs to be remade, it's definitely the Colonel's Bequest.

On a side note, my favorite Kings Quest game is probably 4 or 6.  The sixth game just took the series to new heights.  And so did 4 (with the support of higher resolution graphics and the MT-32).  It's a toss up for me, honestly, and could go either way.  Recently, I played Kings Quest 4 again.  Man, that game is so fun.  For some reason, I think that Kings Quest 4 just has a timelessness to it, you know?  I still feel emotional whenever I hear the music, and I still get "that feeling" whenever it turns to night.  Obviously, gamers these days would really have no respect for the classics.  Everyone's used to hand-holding and viewing the imaginations of the developers.  These old games required some more give on the player's part. 

[jharris01]

Yeah man. Good times. Even without the roland synths the music was still memorable in many cases. * impersonating old man's voice * I played LSL3 on Tandy 3 voice and loved it! LOL ^__^

I don't share your love for the Laura Bow series, but I do appreciate it's theme, setting, music and appeal. I don't think it's underrated. Would love to see it remade too. Must be a tremendous effort though! Can imagine the amount of work involved. It would need someone like you who likes the game enough to commit to the work. A labor of love.

[Nytegard]

I'd also have to say one of the Conquest games.  The Laura Bow games seemed to be significantly more promoted than the Conquest games, which were always hidden behind every other game.

[Alistair]

Nytegard.. haven't seen that name in a long time. How are you, good Sir? (Prithee?)


Perspective's a funny thing, isn't it.

Jharris thinks Tandy 3 is retro, which it is. But from my perspective, LSL3 came out only a little after I was born, so I only played it for the first time in the early 2000's.

Bringing this round full circle, Nytegard hasn't been round for a while, so this made me think of a thread 'long long ago', before I was a member here, and posting about a CotL thread. Or possibly a QFG3 thread where CotL got a mention.
Geez, that was almost 10 years ago..



Anyhoo, I agree about LB and Conquests both. LB never really had a shot with all the established 'Quest' games, most had already a second or third title by the time Colonel's Bequest came out, same goes for Camelot.


I wasn't around in '89, but I wouldn't think either were getting as much promotion as other series.

I think Codename: Iceman is one of the more underappreciated individual games, but probably the Conquests series and Willy Beamish are up there too. All 3 should have had more in the series (WB and Iceman were going to).

My logic? Great graphics for the era, amazing soundtracks, and really good plot and characters (OK, Iceman and WB might have had a lot of archetypes, even somewhat delibarately, but still).

Seibert is never going to get his dues for 'Iceman', sadly enough. Superb stuff.

In fact I'll email him and tell him real quick. Thanks for reminding me inadvertantly to email him, QuestStudios forums! lol.

[Great Hierophant]

I'd also have to say one of the Conquest games.  The Laura Bow games seemed to be significantly more promoted than the Conquest games, which were always hidden behind every other game.

The Laura Bow series were better promoted because Roberta Williams was behind it.  However, Christy Marx did get a cover of Sierra/Interaction for Conquests of Camelot. 

I think that Laura Bow series probably showcases the best of Roberta, who developed her strengths as a story teller well over the course of her gaming design career.  The games are also sort of puzzle light, which was not one of her strongest suits. 

[jharris01]

EDIT: Well it was her husband's company! he he he just kidding, but who knows? I do remember Conquest of Camelot being pretty much under the radar.

@Alistair: I played Larry 3 on a Tandy 1000 SL back then in 3-voice "glory". That was my default music hardware for a couple of years. These were pre sound blaster days, and it was fine. Of course I didn't have the choices I have now.

In regards to Iceman: I don't think it was underrated. The game just plain sucked! LOL There I said it. At least to me it did. The music however was nice, even on a Game Blaster (again perspective being key here).

Conquest was a good game. There are two scenes that somehow always stuck in my head. One is that part where your horse (or camel or whatever) gives you a very important clue in regards to potable water. The other is the Mad Monk sequence. The music made it memorable for me.

Mark Siebert FTW! PQ2 theme > PQ3  he he he ^__^

[Nytegard]

Nytegard.. haven't seen that name in a long time. How are you, good Sir? (Prithee?)

Doing alright, and you?  I try to have at least one post year year here.  J/K, I know it's fewer than that:P  Honestly, I visit the site quite often, but I just don't really post much.  The old Sierra adventure games tend to be becoming forgotton.  I mean, just the other day, I was browsing reddit, and someone mentioned how King's Quest was an obscure PC game:(  But I digress...

@Jharris:  Shame on you!  I kind of liked Codename: Iceman.  Actually, I tended to like most of the games Jim Walls was a designer for, even Blue Force.  We each have our own taste.

I'd say though that Longbow was definitely more underrated than Camelot, albeit I liked Longbow more.

A couple other underrated titles: Gold Rush and Pepper's Adventures in Time.

[endre1952]

I enjoyed Codename: Iceman. I played it through the end after getting my MT-32 (that was 12 years ago). I first "beat" Camelot on an XT with a Hercules monitor and PC speaker sound. That was more than 20 years ago!

[jharris01]

Green monochrome!

I bought Iceman back then. Played it through and beat it, not because I liked it, but because I was stuck with it. I remember how frustrating it was, having to restore all the time just because you didn't follow procedure to the letter or because you didn't do something at the precise, exact time. There is also a place where if you miss something you are pretty much screwed later on (though I don't remember now what it was). People usually are impressed by the initial setting at the beach, dancing to Whitney, and getting laid. After I finished it I didn't feel accomplished, I felt relieved. What a chore! I decided from there on not to buy any more games made by Jim Walls. Later when PQ3 came out I avoided it completely.

EDIT: I propose Codename: Iceman to get a remake! Make the game accessible but still true to Jim Walls procedural style.

[Cloudschatze]

While not a Sierra-developed game, The Bizarre Adventures of Woodruff and the Schnibble seems relatively unknown/underrated, which is a shame, for despite the obscurity, and lack of a "proper" soundtrack, the game delivers a remarkably detailed story, wickedly difficult puzzles, and, to this day, fantastic pixel art.

Admittedly, if it hadn't been thrown in as a freebee when I made a purchase from Sierra way back in the day, I'd probably still be a Woodruff ignoramus... But I did play it, and what's more, I liked it.

[Freddy_Pharkas]

IMO, Manhunter series was quite underrated. It had a great storyline, too!

[MusicallyInspired]

Goblins 3. Everyone seemed to hate it. I thought it was the best of them all.