The Legend of Kyrandia

Did You Know?

• The Legend of Kyrandia was originally a MUD for MajorBBS programmed by Richard Skurnick and Scott Brinker.
• GOG.com released an emulated version for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X in 2013.

Gameplay

Players control Brandon, a prince, who must stop an evil threat by visiting locations, solving puzzles, and talking to people. Clicking examines and interacts with objects and people. Items can be taken and stored in an inventory that holds up to ten objects; items can be dropped for later collection. The fixed-isometric viewpoint shows exits when the mouse cursor changes at the display edges. Puzzles require the right object or a special power. Brandon gains an amulet that, when empowered, grants magical abilities. The game includes hazards that can cause an automatic game over, requiring a restart or reload from a save.

Plot

In Kyrandia, the court jester Malcolm is imprisoned by the Mystics for murdering King William and Queen Katherine, believed to have sought the power of the Kyragem. Eighteen years later, Malcolm escapes and uses the Kyragem to corrupt the land's magic. Kallak, leader of the Mystics, writes to Brynn to help his grandson Brandon prepare to stop Malcolm, but Malcolm finds Kallak and petrifies him. Brandon discovers his grandfather turned to stone and is told by the land itself to end the evil. Taking Kallak's note, Brandon seeks Brynn, who directs him to secure the royal amulet. With it, Brandon restores its magical powers. Meeting the sage Darm, he receives items to reach the alchemist Zanthia, who reveals Brandon is the son of William and Katherine and rightful heir. With Zanthia's help, Brandon creates potions to reach the castle, recovering a royal treasure. At his parents' grave, Katherine's spirit grants the amulet's final power. In the castle, Brandon overcomes Malcolm's tricks, recovers the remaining royal treasures, and discovers the other Mystics petrified. Using the treasures, he enters the Kyragem vault and tricks Malcolm into petrifying himself. Brandon becomes king and decrees sandals as official footwear.

Reception

The Legend of Kyrandia was commercially successful, described as a solid A-minus or B-plus title that helped secure Westwood's relationship with Virgin. Later bundles with its sequels continued this success. Computer Gaming World's Robin Matthews in 1992 called it a cross between Loom, King's Quest V and Secret of Monkey Island 2, praising the VGA graphics and humor, and noting the storyline as hardly original but the presentation and quality made it a welcome addition. In April 1994 the magazine said the CD version added digitized voices to the excellent graphics and sound. InfoWorld in 1993 criticized the game and its sequel for low difficulty and short length. Dragon magazine gave it 5/5. Jim Trunzo in White Wolf #34 rated it 4 out of 5, stating it lulls players with a simplistic theme then surprises with difficulty.