Let's Play Sierra Games - Conquest of Longbow.

[Tawmis]

[Rath Darkblade]

I liked it, but I'm not a YouTube member, so alas, I cannot subscribe!

I thought you might use King Graham's hat is a kind of Robin Hood hat for this one.

[Tawmis]

I liked it, but I'm not a YouTube member, so alas, I cannot subscribe!

I thought you might use King Graham's hat is a kind of Robin Hood hat for this one.

You don't have a gmail address? Who in the world hasn't bent the knee to their all might google overlords?
I kid.

I should have found a good picture of King Graham that I could have used.

[Rath Darkblade]

I have a gmail address. But have not bent the knee to the almighty google overlords.

I have, on the other hand, bent the knee the the almighty race of giant ants. That's different.



I just love the building absurdity of all this. And the follow-up scene where he sounds disappointed that the ants will NOT conquer the earth just makes it so much better.

[Tawmis]

I have a gmail address. But have not bent the knee to the almighty google overlords.

By default if you have a gmail address, you can subscribe to people on Youtube. You just sign into Youtube with that gmail address.
(Mind you, not saying you have to do that for me, was more of an FYI)

[Tawmis]

Been trying to get back to this of late (time disappeared with my wife's surgery and taking care of her)...

And you might guess where I am since, I am uploading this image to help anyone else remember what the frick the gemstones are (since you can't look at them individually in the game)...
They're also on Page 10 if you have the manual (which goes into more detail as to what each of the stones is "known" for).

But I scribbled down notes for what they're known for - just couldn't remember where they all were. I suppose I could just draw it on my notes too. Meh, in case anyone needs it.

[Tawmis]

I just finished Conquest of Longbow. Rendering it now, to upload to the channel.

Enjoyed the game. Was far more complex than Conquest of Camelot.

Really only two "arcade" sequences - the blasted "tree spirit" which took forever.

And then escaping the tower.

I tried, and tried, and tried, and for the life of me, could not figure out how to get him to climb DOWN - I could get him to move left to right, no problem - but down? Not at all. I tried click up AND down. He would not climb down. So I finally lowered the Arcade sequence to it's lowest, unaware this simply bypasses it. Which, by this point, I was quite fine with.

There was one section - before climbing up the tower - I am glad I had it from gog - so the manual was accessible. Because I was stuck there for a moment - before I looked back through the manual and saw the section on plants.

[Tawmis]

And finally uploaded.

[Tawmis]

My #ConquestofLongbow commentary is now available! If you have not already - I'd not only love a LIKE on the video itself, but if you're so inclined to throw down a SUBSCRIBE! Trying to reach 1,000 subscribers... and at just over 900!

[Rath Darkblade]

Aaaaaaah!!! I didn't even know about the mini-game with Simon and the arrow-shooting "contest". Now I have to play this game again. And I finished the whole thing not long ago. Aaaaaaah *runs away*

I know the rest of the game very well. I can't tell you how many time I died in this game ... mostly in the maze, trying to reach Maid Marian before she is burned. And also when being pursued by the sheriff's men in the forest. And losing the Nine Men's Morris boardgame in the tavern. And trying to climb down the tower in the end. But mostly, I got killed because I first saved my game, so I could try to do stupid things that I shouldn't have. Like revealing my true identity to the guards, or the abbot, or robbing the abbot's room and staying there too long, etc. etc... just to see what would happen, and what the Merry Men would say.

Fun "fact": when I played this game for the first time, I was *MUCH* younger (junior high school), and didn't know much English, or understood this game very well. So ... I used it to learn English. I liked the song at the start, but I always thought it ended with:

"... and Robin Hood
is very good,
So let the game begin!"

True story. Oops! *blush*

Now that I played it again, having read lots of English history in the meanwhile, I just love how it's full of little references and such to medieval England. Yes, it's a bit anachronistic (i.e. everyone talks in modern English whereas they should really talk in Old English), but if they did, no-one could understand the game, obviously.

I agree that one of the brothers looks like the hero from Quest for Glory. But that look (bright-coloured tunic/shirt, contrasting with darker-coloured vest) is a classic look.

I agree, Maid Marian dancing looks good. The wind effects on her dress are great. Or maybe I'm easily pleased, like you're pleased with the water flowing effects?

I wonder why the sheep doesn't make any puns about wool, milk, or sheep. Maybe it's too ... sheepish. YEAH!

Trash-talking the abbot. He deserves it. Did you try trash-talking the abbot, and then going back to the monastery and trash-talking him again?

Ah, the gemstone test. I can't remember how many times I died trying to do that. (Like you, I was Alt-Tabbing back to the manual and forth to the game. But I printed the manual, and since I don't have a colour printer, I wrote little arrows from the stones out to the paper and wrote which stone was which).

Aaaaaaah!!! I didn't even know what the other scrolls in the black-monk-leader's room were, and I didn't dare investigate them, because I had no idea if he would be back soon and catch me. Luckily, the first one I grabbed was the right one, so I hurried out of there. Now I find there are other stories to see that I didn't see. Aaaaaaah *runs away*

(Maybe this whole "Aaaaaaah" business could become my catchphrase. Like yours is "TRAINING MONTAGE!!!")

I hope Amiee is feeling better.

The person who gives you The Golden Arrow is the Sheriff of Nottingham, not Prince (or King, as he should properly be called) John. Ah, yes - you later correct that. No worries.

"Yeoman" is pronounced "YO-man". Historically, it means two things:

1. a man holding and cultivating a small landed estate; a freeholder.
2. a servant in a royal or noble household, ranking between a sergeant (a knight's officer, who helps to defend the knight) and a groom (who feeds and exercises a knight's horse) or a squire (who takes care of a knight's armour and horse) and a page (who announces a knight's arrival).

Historical jobs are difficult to understand but interesting. For instance, a groom can do all kinds of jobs. One of the worst is being the king's "Groom of the Close Stool"; it means that you help the king ... ugh ... take a s***, and wipe his bottom. (Yuck). On the one hand, you are a very close confidant to the king, and you can hear all kinds of secrets. On the other hand, obviously ... yuck!

The thing that turns your blond beard to brown-red is "jeweller's rouge". It's part of modern make-up to this day; women still use rouge to redden their cheeks.

I almost forgot what Robin hood did to the sheriff ... and how much it cost. 5,000 marks. Not a bad day's work. But the sheriff insisted on having men coming with him, and yet, he comes alone. As Bugs Bunny would say: what a maroon! And yes, he is completely naked. Wait, no he's not; he still has his hat.

The disguises are not burned. Friar Tuck takes them and gives them to the poor, to use for winter. He tells you so.

Hooray for Robin Hood! No loss of life, and capturing 50,000 marks!

Yeah, the Oak Tree business - I died a lot.

The Queen's Knight ... it's pretty obvious that he's not, since he's hiding his face. Also, NO-ONE in history wore armour like that (i.e. chain-mail concealing his mouth and nose, but leaving the rest of the face unguarded). Similar armour exists for battle, but in that case, you would have a helmet with eye-holes and a nose-guard, and a kind of chain-mail "curtain" hanging from it that guards ALL your face, down to your neck. So only your eyes are visible. Again, this is ONLY for battle.

I like the expressions in this game, e.g. Little John reacts to the false knight by crying " 'Ods blood!" This is short for "By God's blood!", which is similar to today's "OMG!" etc.

Yes, having the manual is essential in this game. Don't try to play this without a manual. (Also, that's piracy. ARR!)

Ah yes, the arcade sequence in the end. Ugh. That thing took me forever. Yep. The Arcade sequences ... bleh.

I love it how you're about to be hanged, and King Richard comes to the rescue. Very dramatic, sure, but ... COINCIDENCE.

Yes, you're right, the name of the leader of the black monks does start with a P. He is the Prior, since he leads the Priory.

As for the word "slut" ... it's not because it was the 80s. It has nothing to do with PC. The game is set in the 1180s, and back then, people used much stronger language (including the "C***" word) often. It wasn't just the 1100s, either; during the witch-hunts in the 1500s and 1600s, witches were called even worse. Martin Luther famously called witches "Whores of the Devil". It wasn't just women, either. If you were a low-class peasant, you were always a "knave", a "ruffian", a "buffoon", a "fool", or (if you really messed up) a "lust-addled randy old goat." (Medieval people had the best insults, but I made that one up).

But if you were drunk in public, and caused a nuisance, they called you various names -- my favourites are "pot-shotten" (1630s), "fox drunk" (1590), or the best one, Old English "oferdrincere" (i.e. "over-drinker") ... and then they put you IN A BIG BARREL that had holes for your arms and legs and head, and then LOCKED YOU IN THE BARREL until you sobered up. You could still eat and drink and such, but if you had to pee or poo, you had to go ... in the barrel. (Yuck). But I guess it taught people a lesson: don't get drunk in public and make a nuisance of yourself. Anyway. Sorry for digressing. The Middle Ages are fun.

*whisper* "Don't forget to click Like and Subscribe, though, if you're still listening!"

Thanks for sharing, Tawm.

(Oh, P.S. ... Aaaaaaaaah! *runs away from the Sheriff's men*)

[Tawmis]

Aaaaaaah!!! I didn't even know about the mini-game with Simon and the arrow-shooting "contest". Now I have to play this game again. And I finished the whole thing not long ago. Aaaaaaah *runs away*

Yeah I stumbled on that by accident just walking around. I am curious why it's not on the map to be able to go to - if for no other reason - than to practice your archery whenever you want - to prepare for the fair later.

I know the rest of the game very well. I can't tell you how many time I died in this game ... mostly in the maze, trying to reach Maid Marian before she is burned.

The maze, when I first entered I was worried. But if you do the right hand door, and take the first right, then up, then follow - I think that's literally the way. If you take the left door, it felt more complicated.

And also when being pursued by the sheriff's men in the forest.

Yeah that was brutal. Because as far as I know there's only one way to survive. And if you're away from the oak tree...

And losing the Nine Men's Morris boardgame in the tavern.

Yeah - I got kicked twice in that, third time, I figured out how to win.
First two were literally watching what he was doing.

And trying to climb down the tower in the end.

I am still not sure how that works.

I agree that one of the brothers looks like the hero from Quest for Glory. But that look (bright-coloured tunic/shirt, contrasting with darker-coloured vest) is a classic look.

But I mean, blond and all.

I agree, Maid Marian dancing looks good. The wind effects on her dress are great. Or maybe I'm easily pleased, like you're pleased with the water flowing effects?

Oh I liked Marian too. I think I even said she was very cutely drawn when they do her dialogue face picture.

I wonder why the sheep doesn't make any puns about wool, milk, or sheep. Maybe it's too ... sheepish. YEAH!

Ewe would think they would have.

Aaaaaaah!!! I didn't even know what the other scrolls in the black-monk-leader's room were, and I didn't dare investigate them, because I had no idea if he would be back soon and catch me. Luckily, the first one I grabbed was the right one, so I hurried out of there. Now I find there are other stories to see that I didn't see. Aaaaaaah *runs away*

I can upload my save games.

The disguises are not burned. Friar Tuck takes them and gives them to the poor, to use for winter. He tells you so.

I meant "burned" as in of no use anymore.
I guess, it is like "burning bridges" (you don't burn them, but you can't use them).
Like when people say, "Don't burn any bridges to your old job."

I like the expressions in this game, e.g. Little John reacts to the false knight by crying " 'Ods blood!" This is short for "By God's blood!", which is similar to today's "OMG!" etc.

That makes more sense "God's blood" - I always read it as "Odin's blood" (too much Thor comics).

For example:

As for the word "slut" ... it's not because it was the 80s. It has nothing to do with PC. The game is set in the 1180s, and back then, people used much stronger language (including the "C***" word) often. It wasn't just the 1100s, either; during the witch-hunts in the 1500s and 1600s, witches were called even worse. Martin Luther famously called witches "Whores of the Devil". It wasn't just women, either. If you were a low-class peasant, you were always a "knave", a "ruffian", a "buffoon", a "fool", or (if you really messed up) a "lust-addled randy old goat." (Medieval people had the best insults, but I made that one up).

No, I meant 80s because the game was in the 80's. For example, I don't think - even if Sierra made a "Quest" game that took place during the slavery era, they would have - even then - used the "N" word, even though it was commonly used during the slave era.

So yes, "Slut" was used back in the day - just surprised Sierra used it in their game - knowing kids play it and might see the word "Slut" and use it themselves.

That's what I meant.

*whisper* "Don't forget to click Like and Subscribe, though, if you're still listening!"
Thanks for sharing, Tawm.

Thanks for checking it out.

[Rath Darkblade]

...And trying to climb down the tower in the end.

I am still not sure how that works.

Hmm. I think you have to keep moving from side to side and avoid the rocks; Robin will keep climbing down automatically. Once you've made it down, you win. Yay!

I agree, it's not obvious.

I agree, Maid Marian dancing looks good. The wind effects on her dress are great. Or maybe I'm easily pleased, like you're pleased with the water flowing effects?

Oh I liked Marian too. I think I even said she was very cutely drawn when they do her dialogue face picture.

Yes, the dialogue portraits are very cute. I love it when they change Robin's picture from dialogue to dialogue. Happy Robin, Angry Robin, Laughing Robin, Doubting Robin ... very nicely done.

I wonder why the sheep doesn't make any puns about wool, milk, or sheep. Maybe it's too ... sheepish. YEAH!

Ewe would think they would have.

Aw, you got me. I guess I'd better ... go on the lamb.

I like the expressions in this game, e.g. Little John reacts to the false knight by crying " 'Ods blood!" This is short for "By God's blood!", which is similar to today's "OMG!" etc.

That makes more sense "God's blood" - I always read it as "Odin's blood" (too much Thor comics).

For example:

OK, sorry to diress, but IIRC, there's a story in Norse mythology where Thor has to do almost exactly that (i.e. a "lift a heavy weight" contest). This is in a longer and very famous tale, the Tale of Utgarda-Loki.

Thor and his friends Loki and Thialfi travel to the land of the giants, and arrive at the castle of Utgarda-Loki, the king of the giants. The giants immediately laugh them and how small and puny they are. The gods are insulted and furious, and try to defend their honour.

One of the contests is a test of strength. Thor brags that he's the strongest, etc., and the giant says, "OK, in that case ... lift my cat off the ground."

Thor is insulted, but smug. This is gonna be easy!

But when he tries, he can't do it at all. He barely manages to lift one of the cat's paws off the ground. All the giants laugh at him. Silly Thor!

Thor is humiliated, but stays the night in the castle. In the morning, the giant king reveals the meaning: Thor is indeed strong! The cat is Jormungand, the World Serpent, in disguise.

Thor is furious, and he grabs his hammer to smash the giant king to bits. But when he does, the giant king and his castle disappear into thin air.

There's more of the story here: https://www.norsegarde.com/en-au/blogs/ ... garda-loki . It's a fun story, and it gives us inspiration too: no-one is perfect. Our perceptions of reality can be distorted. But don't give up, and try harder next time.

Anyway, I just thought it was funny (and appropriate).

As for the word "slut" ... it's not because it was the 80s. It has nothing to do with PC. The game is set in the 1180s, and back then, people used much stronger language (including the "C***" word) often. It wasn't just the 1100s, either; during the witch-hunts in the 1500s and 1600s, witches were called even worse. Martin Luther famously called witches "Whores of the Devil". It wasn't just women, either. If you were a low-class peasant, you were always a "knave", a "ruffian", a "buffoon", a "fool", or (if you really messed up) a "lust-addled randy old goat." (Medieval people had the best insults, but I made that one up).

No, I meant 80s because the game was in the 80's. For example, I don't think - even if Sierra made a "Quest" game that took place during the slavery era, they would have - even then - used the "N" word, even though it was commonly used during the slave era.

So yes, "Slut" was used back in the day - just surprised Sierra used it in their game - knowing kids play it and might see the word "Slut" and use it themselves.

That's what I meant.

No problem, fair enough. Was "Robin Hood" marketed at kids, though? I noticed that the "Conquests" games definitely dealt with adult situations. In "Camelot", King Arthur (and others) can easily die in very nasty ways. And in "Longbow", you can see death by hanging, death by dismemberment, witch-burnings etc.

So, yes, adult situations - but not the LSL-kind, of course! All right, yes, Leisure Suit Larry also faces a -- well -- KIND OF witch-burning at the start of LSL7. He also gets "burned" a lot.

Come to think of it, quite a few Sierra games are definitely not for kids. I wouldn't let my little cousins (aged 7 and 8) play LSL, obviously, but also not Space Quest ... all those gruesome deaths! King's Quest is OK, I guess. But Police Quest...? Not until they're older. Yes, the hero is a police officer, but there's obvious adult themes!

What do you think? It's not only "Longbow" that's not for kids.

[DeadPoolX]

Conquests of the Longbow was released in 1991 (so it wasn't the 80s) and that game was in no shape or form designed for kids. If kids did play it, that was a failure on their parents' part, just the same as if they'd played the LSL games or even today even some stupid parent or grandparent buys their seven year-old GTA5.

[Tawmis]

No problem, fair enough. Was "Robin Hood" marketed at kids, though? I noticed that the "Conquests" games definitely dealt with adult situations. In "Camelot", King Arthur (and others) can easily die in very nasty ways. And in "Longbow", you can see death by hanging, death by dismemberment, witch-burnings etc.

Look how many ways you can die in King's Quest 1... 2... 3... 4... and these were Sierra's "family chain" of games.
Space Quest has more "vile" deaths than both Conquest games combined.

Come to think of it, quite a few Sierra games are definitely not for kids. I wouldn't let my little cousins (aged 7 and 8) play LSL, obviously, but also not Space Quest ... all those gruesome deaths! King's Quest is OK, I guess. But Police Quest...? Not until they're older. Yes, the hero is a police officer, but there's obvious adult themes!
What do you think? It's not only "Longbow" that's not for kids.

If I had kids, I'd let them play it (if they were at least like 8 years old, otherwise, most of the game is going to be too frustrating, let alone the context).

Conquests of the Longbow was released in 1991 (so it wasn't the 80s) and that game was in no shape or form designed for kids. If kids did play it, that was a failure on their parents' part, just the same as if they'd played the LSL games or even today even some stupid parent or grandparent buys their seven year-old GTA5.

That's just it though - the game is called "Conquest of Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood" - you look at the cover - there's no indication that this is not a kid's game.
https://retro365.blog/wp-content/upload ... 7.13-3.jpg

The cover art, looks like any comic. There's no warning. Nothing like that.

And while LSL1 doesn't have any warnings - it does have Eve on the cover, topless in a tub.

So I'd hardly call allowing kids to play this (back then or now) a failure on the parents.

Nowadays, you can research games, online; in the 90s that wasn't as easy as it is now.

[Rath Darkblade]

Conquests of the Longbow was released in 1991 (so it wasn't the 80s) and that game was in no shape or form designed for kids. If kids did play it, that was a failure on their parents' part, just the same as if they'd played the LSL games or even today even some stupid parent or grandparent buys their seven year-old GTA5.

I agree with you. But as Tawmis pointed out, the cover of the game doesn't say anything about the content. (Perhaps this was before the rating system we're used to know, e.g. G, PA, R, AO etc.)?

We all know that CotL isn't meant or designed for kids. The only way their parents would know is if - maybe - they looked for reviews in computer magazines at the time.

No problem, fair enough. Was "Robin Hood" marketed at kids, though? I noticed that the "Conquests" games definitely dealt with adult situations. In "Camelot", King Arthur (and others) can easily die in very nasty ways. And in "Longbow", you can see death by hanging, death by dismemberment, witch-burnings etc.

Look how many ways you can die in King's Quest 1... 2... 3... 4... and these were Sierra's "family chain" of games.
Space Quest has more "vile" deaths than both Conquest games combined.

I agree that in the KQ games, you can die in lots of ways. Sure. But IIRC, the KQ deaths are "toned down", and only happen if the player does something stupid, like wander around in a desert without water. (Some of the KQ games also try to hint to you what NOT to do. Cedric does that a lot in KQ5).

I also agree that the deaths in Space Quest are much more gruesome and bloody than the Conquest games.

Still, I'm not concerned about the number of deaths, but the content. Being hanged, dismembered or burned at the stake are not kid-friendly. But Sierra did a good job of hiding the more unpleasant aspects.

Come to think of it, quite a few Sierra games are definitely not for kids. I wouldn't let my little cousins (aged 7 and 8) play LSL, obviously, but also not Space Quest ... all those gruesome deaths! King's Quest is OK, I guess. But Police Quest...? Not until they're older. Yes, the hero is a police officer, but there's obvious adult themes!
What do you think? It's not only "Longbow" that's not for kids.

If I had kids, I'd let them play it (if they were at least like 8 years old, otherwise, most of the game is going to be too frustrating, let alone the context).

Fair enough. Out of interest: which games would you start them with? Personally, the KQ games seem to be the most kid-friendly.

I don't have kids, but I'm thinking of getting these for my nieces and nephews.