A Great Trip Through Sherwood
I first played this game way back when it was a part of a special combo pack we happened to buy. At the time I was well familiar with the Sierra formula for adventure games, and this one fit in with the others stylistically. However, CotL was/is far deeper than most of the other Sierra adventure titles that came out. For starters, it gives you a sense that you are a part of something bigger than yourself by having the Outlaws count (which can decrease through the game based on your choices) and having you make decisions based on the suggestions of the other core Robin Hood characters at key points. You can fail quests without failing the game, there are multiple endings (there are a few failures that dead-end you though), which was novel for Sierra at the time.
The Good: The depth mentioned above gives replay value and rewards finding the best solution at any given time. There are several arcade game sequences that fit well in the game (you can turn them off if you have too much trouble with them). Characters are well-designed and give a great feeling of Robin Hood's legend. Most puzzles are well-designed, including the over-the-top copy protection stuff that was actually well-integrated into the gameplay (you'll need the manual for at least 3 major puzzle sets). Non-linear progress for some major sequences (some events can be completed in different orders). Rewarding gameplay and ending if you find the right solutions.
The Bad: If you're not good at riddle-solving, that will prove a problem. The obligatory tough for the sake of tough puzzle (or wander until you find it puzzle) is in here once or twice. Reliance on the manual gets tiresome eventually. You can get killed often, so save often.
Bottomline: I loved it then and now. The style and feel were great really placing you in the middle of the legend of Robin Hood. The good far outweighs the bad, if you are a fan of Sierra adventures, give this one a try and good luck earning all of the points.