Probably right, we are looking at this game with Nostalgia tinted glasses, but it is still magical for me.
I still remember the first time i laid my eyes upon it, on an Argentinian Magazine called PC JUEGOS back in the day. The intro sequence, when Malcolm spies Kallak trough the window conviced me instantly. I´ve never seen anything like that before. Although i loved Indy and Guybrush, this game opened a new world for me.

Nothing wrong with that

I'm sure many view them through the nostalgia filter. I just replayed them a few months back. I guess because I've long since memorized everything there is to do, I've learned to overlook its design shortcomings. It's the look and feel of everything that keeps drawing me back in.

These games seem to be held in high regard generally. I'm just wondering how many of those admirers have actually played them in the last ten years or so and how many are just quoting from memory.

The basic plot of the third is similar to the first, yes (Malcolm escapes from somewhere, wants revenge). What sets the third apart is the wildly sillier tone, plus Malcolm wanting to prove his innocence, not just wreak havoc.

I enjoy reading all the different points of view here. I know the Kyrandia games are not for everyone, and admittedly it's the characters and environments that keep me coming back to them more than the game design. It's nice to have places to compare opinions like this.

Ah, so they both share the same plot in fact. My opinion of these games has taken yet another blow.

I like your comparison with old text adventures, by the way. Seeing many of the design choices, this seems spot on.

No, the third one has Malcolm escaping from the statue that Brandon turned him into. The first game had Malcolm escaping from the castle after 18 years of imprisonment. The mystics put him there for murdering the king and queen.

Hm, my memory is a bit hazy on this one, but isn't this the setup of the 3rd part rather than the first one?

I was surprised by the fierce review, too. I thought Kyrandia was the best game I've ever played. I was charmed by the setting and the characters and the plot line. (Oh, to live on Kyrandia.) And I particularly enjoyed the lack of cumbersome interface that allowed just a click to initiate action.

The graphics were mouth-watering and enticing and the music added another dimension to this already fulfilling experience.


Still, I was interested to read a contrasting opinion.

I had a great time playing this game.
The music is very good. I DID like the puzzles and the story. Inventory objects that you somehow lose or destroy are a lot of times spawned again somewhere else.. I dont really agree with all the criticism. I played a lot of adventure games like this, and this is/was one of my favourites.

Feel free to share anything about Legend of Kyrandia (1992) here!