The New Treasure of the Sierra On-Line (Torin's Quest 1)

In 2012, I wrote a series of blog entries on the subject of Sierra On-Line memories. It was entitled The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line. It covered Space Quest, Leisure Suit Larry and King's Quest. The three Sierra On-Line franchises which I had the most experiences with at the time.

With the sudden passing of friend and fellow Sierra On-Line fan, Roberta Vaughan, I decided that now might be the best time to revisit The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line. I am in the process of further exploring various memories of Sierra On-Line. Everything from Space Quest to You Don't Know Jack. From Police Quest to 3-D Ultra Pinball. From King's Quest to Quest for Glory. Today, we will be exploring Torin's Passage. Al Lowe's first family friendly game since The Black Cauldron.

The New Treasure of the Sierra On-Line (Torin's Quest 1)
Worlds within await in this charming children's adventure from the dirty mind of Al Lowe.

"I had not as yet ventured to take a glimpse down the horrible abyss into which in a few minutes more I was about to plunge. The fatal moment had, however, at last arrived. I had still the option of refusing or accepting a share in this foolish and audacious enterprise. But I was ashamed to show more fear than the eider-duck hunter. Hans seemed to accept the difficulties of the journey so tranquilly, with such calm indifference, with such perfect recklessness of all danger, that I actually blushed to appear less of a man than he!"
-A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne


A Journey to the Centre of the Earth

My thirst for Sierra On-Line adventure games knew no end. Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness certainly kept me busy for awhile. But after exploring seemingly every nook and cranny of Mordavia, I was ready for a new adventure. The selection of Sierra On-Line adventures at my local retailers was becoming fewer and far between. The 1990s were nearing their end, and a whole new generation of games were suddenly taking their place. The fancy new 3D Donkey Kongs, the Half-Lifes, the Tomb Raiders.

As I browsed through the growing selection of games, I happened to glance past a big box computer game with the signature Sierra label at the bottom. I quickly turned around and looked at the box more closely. I initially mistook it for another King's Quest game. The art on the cover was somewhat similar. The title of this game was Torin's Passage. A brand new adventure series from Sierra On-Line. The box cover promised a challenging quest through nested worlds.


Torin's Passage (Front of Box)
Courtesy of The Sierra Chest

The New Treasure of the Sierra On-Line (Quest for Glory)

In 2012, I wrote a series of blog entries on the subject of Sierra On-Line memories. It was entitled The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line. It covered Space Quest, Leisure Suit Larry and King's Quest. The three Sierra On-Line franchises which I had the most experiences with at the time. I often regretted not having a place for Quest for Glory. Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness was, for the most part, my only true experience with that series. It was the only Quest for Glory game that I possessed the original box for. But it was a game, and a series, that I had immense nostalgia for all the same.

With the sudden passing of friend and fellow Sierra On-Line fan, Roberta Vaughan, I decided that now might be the best time to revisit The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line. I am in the process of further exploring various memories of Sierra On-Line. Everything from Space Quest to You Don't Know Jack. From Police Quest to 3-D Ultra Pinball. From King's Quest to Quest for Glory. It may be thirteen years late, but here it is. The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line for Quest for Glory! The series formerly known as Hero's Quest. Sierra On-Line changed the name due to Milton Bradley releasing a board game with a nearly identical name. I sometimes refer to the series as Hero's Quest for Glory. Watch your step! The paint is still wet!

The New Treasure of the Sierra On-Line (Quest for Glory)
Hero or villian. The choice is yours.

So you want to be a hero? It takes more than a mere sword or the ability to conjure a spell to proclaim oneself a hero. It takes courage, determination and self sacrifice. The capacity to drop everything in a heartbeat in the pursuit of helping those in need. And being humble enough not to expect anything in return! A true hero will be judged not by the fancy cape adorned on their back, but by the contents of their character. A cool sounding name never hurts, however!


Hero's Quest: So You Want to Be a Hero? The Milton Bradley Chronicles
So You Want to Be a Pirate? The Secret of Spielburg Land
Quest for Glory: So You Want to Be a Hero?

As the 1990s were slowly drawing to a close, I suddenly found myself playing every single point and click adventure game I could get my grubby little hands on. My brother, on the other hand, had begun to develop a slightly different taste in gaming. He would often seek out games with complex role-playing elements. Games with deeper character customization, level progression, skill trees, turn-based combat and upgradable gear. What if we had the best of both worlds?

While browsing yet another store bargain bin, we happened across a Sierra On-Line game entitled Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness. A sticker was stamped on the back of the game's box that read, "VALUE PRICED MERCHANDISE - No tech support provided." Based upon the information printed on the box itself, we could infer that the game was indeed a hybrid between a point and click adventure game and a role-playing game.


Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness (Front of Box)
Courtesy of The Sierra Chest