Hero Quest (Game)

Hero Quest

GAME » on 1991

Acorn Archimedes (Platform)Amiga (Platform)Amstrad CPC (Platform)Atari ST (Platform)Commodore 64 (Platform)PC (Platform)ZX Spectrum (Platform)

An isometric turn-based fantasy RPG and computer adaptation of the dungeon-crawling board game of the same name.

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Overview

The game features a mouse-driven isometric interface reminiscent of the game Populous.

HeroQuest (also known as Hero Quest, not to be confused with Hero Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero) is a high-fantasy isometric turn-based strategy-RPG developed and published by Gremlin for the MS-DOS PC, Amiga (Platform), Atari ST (Platform), Acorn Archimedes (Platform), Amstrad CPC (Platform), Commodore 64 (Platform), and ZX Spectrum (Platform), all exclusively in Europe in 1991.

Based on the 1989 Milton Bradley and Games Workshop board game of the same name, HeroQuest has players engaging in scenarios with up to four nameable heroes (a barbarian, a dwarf, an elf, and a wizard), each with their own strengths and weaknesses, against a variety of chaotic beings (such as orcs, goblins, undead skeletons, and gargoyles). Similar to the base game, the lore follows a group of adventurers trained by the Mentor as they face off against the chaotic forces of the wizard Morcar.

Much of the gameplay is faithful to the original board game, although some parts are simplified (such as a computerized "gamemaster"). The game includes 14 scenarios of varying difficulty, and players can play these in any order with a persistent set of heroes (who can use the Gold they earned to purchase equipment for later scenarios).

The game later received an expansion pack, known as HeroQuest: Return of the Witch Lord. Based on the board game's expansion, it adds 10 additional scenarios. The game later received a full-fledged sequel, titled HeroQuest II: Legacy of Sorasil. A similar game adaptation was made for this game's "sister game" Space Crusade (Game).

Gameplay

There are fourteen levels, or "missions", and every character rolls to establish move order. Every round the player will have a dice roll which will decide how many move/action points they will get. These points are spent to move, fight monsters, and cast spells.

The player characters can also find potions and treasures around the map which can be traded at the shop after each level. To do this they must "search" the current room at either the start or the end of their turn, and this has an equal chance of spawning enemies and traps as well as producing treasure. Searching for secret doors instead will reveal hidden exits as well as traps.

Combat uses a rudimentary dice system in which both combatants roll special dice to attack and defend, depending on who initiated the encounter. Each skull the attacker rolls is nullified by each shield the defender rolls. If there's more skulls than shields, the defender takes that many body points: most creatures in the game have only one. If there's a greater or equal number of shields, or the attacker fails to roll a single skull, then combat concludes with both participants unharmed. On the next action turn, the other participant can then initiate combat and switch roles.

To beat a scenario, the player must locate the exit and leave. They ideally will have completed the objective posited by the mission overview, which can involve assassinating a specific monster, rescuing an NPC or collecting a certain item. By reaching the exit with the main mission completed, they earn a cash reward and the mission is listed as completed on their record. If they survived, the same character can then be used again for subsequent missions. The missions do not have to be completed in a specific order: rather, they're listed in a loose order based on difficulty.

Items

Staff (100 gold)
Short Sword (150 gold)
Broad Sword (250 gold)
Battle Axe (400 gold)
Crossbow (350 gold)
Hand Axe (150 gold)
Spear (150 gold)
The Shield (100 gold)
The Helmet (120 gold)
Chain Mail (450 gold)
Plate Armour (850 gold)
Tool Kit (250 gold)

Scenarios

The Maze
The Rescue of Sir Ragnar
Lair of the Orc Warlord
Prince Magnus' Gold
Melar's Maze
Legacy of the Orc Warlord
The Stone Hunter
The Fire Mage
Race Against Time
Castle of Mystery
Bastion of Chaos
Barrow of the Witch Lord
Quest for the Spirit Blade
Return to Barak Tor

Added in the Return of the Witch Lord expansion:

The Gate of Doom
The Cold Halls
The Silent Passages
Halls of Vision
The Gate of Bellthor
Halls of the Dead
The Forgotten Legion
The Forbidden City
The Last Gate
Court of the Witch Lord

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