Ah yes, the Quest for Glory series.... This wonderful collection of games is what started me into playing PC games way back on '91 or so. To this day I find myself every now and then going back and replaying it; each game has its own charm and is its uniqueness that makes you come back and want to finish the story. Right off the bat, we have the option of 3 character sets to pick from. Depending on which one you choose, your initial skill point allocation is determined. However, the beauty of this game is even if you have the minimal amount of skill points on a particular skill, through enough practice that skill improves and improves until it no longer is a weakness of yours. So technically you can master ALL of the skills, but it does take lots and lots of time. I find that the character you pick is simply a beginning guideline of how you should play the game; but like any good RPG, how you play the game and how the character you're controlling is, is all dependant of you. Though I'm partial to the EGA version of QFG1, its VGA remake was excellent, with great animation and keeping the meats and potatos of the game the same while giving it a face lift. QFG2 changed everything completely with its Arabian-nights setting and enhancing its talk parser. I remember upon completing QFG2 at the end it said that its sequel would be 'Shadows of Darkness'; however, I was pleasantly surprised that the Cole's decided to add an interim game, which is QFG3. Again, the setting was complete changed to the jungle and savannah of Africa, with a different combat system and a greater world to explore. 'Shadows of Darkness' turned out to be QFG4, which is my personal favorite. The Trannsylvania setting was excellent, with the plot turning a bit dark and an in-game morbid setting which again is a 180 degree from what the previous games were. In this game, not only do we get more skills, but also excellent new monsters to combat and our choices affect the ending alot more than in the previous games of the series. To which brings us to QFG5, its excellent conclusion. This 3-D game ties up all the loose ends of the series in a satisfactorily way, and adds its own excitement in yet a different combat system, which is enjoyable yet challenging. This series is a MUST, in my opinion, to anybody who loves adventure/RPG games with great writing, lots of humor thrown in, a rewarding combat system, and tons of attention to detail. The puzzles are not that difficult to figure, especially since most have many ways of solving due to your skill sets. All in all, I rate this series an A+
