King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride

The previous two games in the King's Quest series, featuring King Graham & Prince Alexander, took a more realistic, "epic" feel to point-and-click adventure gaming. This seventh installment, however, goes over to the lighter side for simpler gameplay and more appeal to children. By and large, this move turns out to be a good one, as it truly is just a simple, fun game to play!

For a basic plot summary of "The Princeless Bride", this time you are put in control of two characters. Sometimes you are Valanice (wife of Graham), while other times you are her daughter Rosella. Both characters have fallen into a magic pool of water outside their castle and must struggle to find each other through many strange, exciting worlds.

The hallmark of this game is its simplicity. Whereas in the other KQ games you could often (and sometimes even easily) "play yourself into a corner", requiring multiple saved games and often lots of lost time, this effort does away with that. True, the puzzles/situations are "easier" because of it, but there is nothing too simple about this game. It still takes a sharp mind and a lot of exploring to complete.

"Princeless Bride" also ratchets up the appeal to children, who will love the goofy characters and colorful locales. Though the puzzles themselves may be a bit too difficult for the kiddie set, this makes it a perfect game to port over to the big screen and play with the whole family.

Overall, KQ7 is a successful (and actually ends up being the last successful) entry into the King's Quest series. The only reason I can't give it the full five stars is because of a little bit of personal bias being a hardcore KQ fan. The fifth and sixth games of the series were just so good that this cartoon approach took all of us "Questers" by surprise. Other than that, though, it is a solid game that would garner a 4.5 rating if able.

I found this game at a library benefit sale for $3 (it was used). A very good deal for me. I was very entertained by the fantasy environment of this. It was a true escape from reality. Sure the graphics were quite cartoony. But nevertheless, I had a lot of fun with this. I recommend this to people who love a good challenge.

I saw this game at a local store for around 15$, a few years after it came out, so i decided to buy it. I didn't know much about the series, so i had no real idea of what to expect. The game plays similar to other p&c adventure games. The graphics are great, the sound isn't bad either. The game makes you think a lot too. You even control 2 characters that are trying to find each other (mother and daughter) and it's interesting to see how they react in the same places. You explore many places such as a maze-like desert, goblins' ghost town, and grassy cities. One of the things i remember most was the grim reaper/skeleton guy chasing you around the city. That was a great part of the game that sometimes would surprise me. If you like good adventure games, then pick up KQ 7, it's your money's worth, and a lot more.

I've always liked the King's Quest adventure game series, but this game is my #1 favorite. The game may look like a Disney cartoon (not that there's anything wrong with Disney), but it's a wonderful fantasy game and not a game just for kids.

I love the fact that it continues an abandoned storyline from KQ4. And Roger Jackson, the three-headed talking plant, is the voice of the killer from the Scream movies!

The seventh in the ultra-classic King's Quest series is a must-have for all fans of good adventure games. You control both Princess Rosella and her mother, Queen Valencia in this fantastic, under-rated little game.

The story: Princess Rosella falls into a magic pool in her garden. Through This she travels to a magic land far away, and has only one quest: To get out of it. Her mother then jumps in after her in search of her daughter, and also lands in this land of magic, fantasy and the unknown...

The title is now out as a "Sierra Original", which means it's available at a very low price for those of us who have to keep a budget! The title is most definitely worth every penny, and if you see this game in stores (it's pretty rare, so keep your eyes open!) I just want to tell you one thing: BUY!