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I returned to replay King's Quest II on my channel. The King's Quest series was the first series I played on my channel, some 11 or more years ago...
And the capture was pretty bad... the video editor I used I think only did .WMV files, which made the resolution even worse....
So I've always wanted to go back and redo the King's Quest series for my channel, so between other games, I revisit and replay them...
So this time, I just finished King's Quest II again... didn't get full points... and I think I know where I messed up...
And it's the same place I always mess up... after Killing Dracula, pretty sure there's treasure in his castle... that I always forget to get.
Anyway, here is me replaying King's Quest II...

KQ2 was actually the first King's Quest that I played. I borrowed it from a friend. It didn't take me too long to beat, and I had to restart because I used the bridge too many times.

1:06:25 - That stupid, stupid bridle thing. MAYBE it would be okay if the reward wasn't important. But you need that sugar cube to keep the castle thorn maze from being an exercise in frustration. Which it was the first time I played.

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2026 12:40 am KQ2 was actually the first King's Quest that I played. I borrowed it from a friend. It didn't take me too long to beat, and I had to restart because I used the bridge too many times.

1:06:25 - That stupid, stupid bridle thing. MAYBE it would be okay if the reward wasn't important. But you need that sugar cube to keep the castle thorn maze from being an exercise in frustration. Which it was the first time I played.

Yeah, the first time I'd played with my friend Shawn and many replays after (prior to the Internet being a big place!), we screamed in the thorn "maze" path... because, yes, we hadn't known about asking the genie AGAIN, right after you asked for something....

Tawmis wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2026 9:53 pm

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2026 12:40 am KQ2 was actually the first King's Quest that I played. I borrowed it from a friend. It didn't take me too long to beat, and I had to restart because I used the bridge too many times.

1:06:25 - That stupid, stupid bridle thing. MAYBE it would be okay if the reward wasn't important. But you need that sugar cube to keep the castle thorn maze from being an exercise in frustration. Which it was the first time I played.

Yeah, the first time I'd played with my friend Shawn and many replays after (prior to the Internet being a big place!), we screamed in the thorn "maze" path... because, yes, we hadn't known about asking the genie AGAIN, right after you asked for something....

And of course, why would you even associate the bridle with the snake? The sword you are given solves the problem, albeit violently. And with this as only the second King's Quest game, we don't know that this is out of character for the series. Maybe if there had been a clue somewhere about a wizard turning the Pegasus into a snake. I don't know where you would put it. But you need something. Or better yet... leave it out.

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2026 12:43 am

Tawmis wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2026 9:53 pm

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Mon Apr 13, 2026 12:40 am KQ2 was actually the first King's Quest that I played. I borrowed it from a friend. It didn't take me too long to beat, and I had to restart because I used the bridge too many times.

1:06:25 - That stupid, stupid bridle thing. MAYBE it would be okay if the reward wasn't important. But you need that sugar cube to keep the castle thorn maze from being an exercise in frustration. Which it was the first time I played.

Yeah, the first time I'd played with my friend Shawn and many replays after (prior to the Internet being a big place!), we screamed in the thorn "maze" path... because, yes, we hadn't known about asking the genie AGAIN, right after you asked for something....

And of course, why would you even associate the bridle with the snake? The sword you are given solves the problem, albeit violently. And with this as only the second King's Quest game, we don't know that this is out of character for the series. Maybe if there had been a clue somewhere about a wizard turning the Pegasus into a snake. I don't know where you would put it. But you need something. Or better yet... leave it out.

Yeah and violence is certainly not foreign to King's Quest II. Because the way Graham REPEATEDLY stabs Dracula is pretty freaking violent. lol

Commentary... and a fun intro.

Add it to the Wiki?

Collector wrote: ↑Sun Apr 26, 2026 7:20 am Add it to the Wiki?

I tried to reset my password for the wiki - for what I think is the account info I used - but not gotten a password reset email yet.

I guess your account didn't get recreated when I redid the wiki. Because of spam I have registrations turned off. Check your PMs for new login info. Just change the pass when you get logged in.

I'll write you a small program where you would only need to fill in a couple of fields and it could put the correct format for your channel's entries on the Wiki. Mostly you would just need to add the video's YouTube address and click a button to copy the entry to the clipboard to paste on the page. It would make it as quick and painless as possible for you.

Collector wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2026 2:52 pm I guess your account didn't get recreated when I redid the wiki. Because of spam I have registrations turned off. Check your PMs for new login info. Just change the pass when you get logged in.

I'll write you a small program where you would only need to fill in a couple of fields and it could put the correct format for your channel's entries on the Wiki. Mostly you would just need to add the video's YouTube address and click a button to copy the entry to the clipboard to paste on the page. It would make it as quick and painless as possible for you.

It's OK! You posted the code in the KQ1 thread. So I can copy that and change the URL.

I already did it. Check you PM for the link. Let me know if you have any issues or suggestions. Check out the icon for the tool. The address to the vid that plug in is just the part after the "watch?v=" part of the address.

Also, were you able to login to you new account?

Collector wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2026 7:28 pm Also, were you able to login to you new account?

Yup! I had to wait till I got home because work got insane. But yes.

Finally watched your commentary video. Some comments on your commentary...

You do raise a good point that the image of the tower in the mirror doesn't match what we see later (blue versus orange sky). I never noticed that.

39:16. Pronunciation of Kolyma: I would say kol-ee-ma, but it is a made up name and English spelling doesn't have strict rules (see pronunciation of "gif"). I don't know if I have a favorite part. Dracula's castle is a nice, dark change of pace. I was surprised that they animated the part where you drive the stake through his heart. They could have just put up a text box saying you killed him. Least favorite: the bridge. I went over it one too many times at some point. No idea when this was so I had to start over.

54:30 If the witch is in the cave, you have to cover the bird cage so it won't make a noise on your way out. Otherwise the witch will grab you.

1:01:01 Isn't the tower in another world? That's why there's a magic door, the sky is orange, and the sand is blue. You wouldn't be able to fly the magic carpet there.

1:04:00 I think the sword has a snake on the hilt as well, making it seem even more like the thing you need to use to get past the snake.

1:16:38 It's a shame that Graham wasn't shown wearing the cloak. I also find it funny that the ring has the initials "C.D.". Last name "Dracula", first name "Count"?

1:22:20 I believe having the lit candle is necessary or the stairs to Dracula's coffin will be completely black.

1:30:00 I saw a video with I think Al Lowe. He mentioned that when he had a game being play tested, he added a script that would capture all the commands the player entered. He would then review the file and then add words that were commonly used. The scene with Dracula could have used that. I think I may have tried "kill Dracula" on my first try though. Also, why does Graham take the pillow with him.

1:34:50 Yep, to the north is the stairs to the second tower. Castles always have two towers! And this is where the silver key is used. I believe it opens a chest that has a treasure.

1:39:31 "Gratefully"? Graham was the one who caught the fish and put it i danger in the first place!

1:47:13 I do like that the game just mentions the amulet on the ground when you enter the screen. You're at the end. No point in pixel hunting for the item you need to leave.

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am Finally watched your commentary video. Some comments on your commentary...

Woot!

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am You do raise a good point that the image of the tower in the mirror doesn't match what we see later (blue versus orange sky). I never noticed that.

Hahhaahha! Yeah, when I played this time - I was like, "Wait a minute. The sky is blue there. I know the sky is like purple or pink when we rescue her..."

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am 39:16. Pronunciation of Kolyma: I would say kol-ee-ma, but it is a made up name and English spelling doesn't have strict rules (see pronunciation of "gif"). I don't know if I have a favorite part. Dracula's castle is a nice, dark change of pace. I was surprised that they animated the part where you drive the stake through his heart. They could have just put up a text box saying you killed him. Least favorite: the bridge. I went over it one too many times at some point. No idea when this was so I had to start over.

Hahahahha! Yeah, I even call out the brutality of the plunging of the stake.

And yes, the bridge was a trick... for sure. And also, what I mention several times, when you come up north into the south end of the bridge screen, those cliffs... they're literally there to try and kill you if you don't IMMEDIATELY stop or veer left.

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am 54:30 If the witch is in the cave, you have to cover the bird cage so it won't make a noise on your way out. Otherwise the witch will grab you.

So is she just right outside if you don't cover the bird?

So funny that AS SOON as you get outside, you remove the cover.

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am 1:01:01 Isn't the tower in another world? That's why there's a magic door, the sky is orange, and the sand is blue. You wouldn't be able to fly the magic carpet there.

So the queen isn't in Kolyma (or however you spell it). Because that's where the game starts. I assumed she was on the same... continent? But yeah, maybe an entire different land?

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am1:16:38 It's a shame that Graham wasn't shown wearing the cloak. I also find it funny that the ring has the initials "C.D.". Last name "Dracula", first name "Count"?

Hahahahh! I hadn't thought that they indicated that "Count" was his first name and not his title?

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am 1:30:00 I saw a video with I think Al Lowe. He mentioned that when he had a game being play tested, he added a script that would capture all the commands the player entered. He would then review the file and then add words that were commonly used. The scene with Dracula could have used that. I think I may have tried "kill Dracula" on my first try though. Also, why does Graham take the pillow with him.

Yeah that was rough. lol

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am 1:34:50 Yep, to the north is the stairs to the second tower. Castles always have two towers! And this is where the silver key is used. I believe it opens a chest that has a treasure.

Mother trucker, I think I always, always, always miss that.

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am1:47:13 I do like that the game just mentions the amulet on the ground when you enter the screen. You're at the end. No point in pixel hunting for the item you need to leave.

Codename: Iceman could have learned that with the earrings...

Tawmis wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:10 pm

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am 54:30 If the witch is in the cave, you have to cover the bird cage so it won't make a noise on your way out. Otherwise the witch will grab you.

So is she just right outside if you don't cover the bird?

So funny that AS SOON as you get outside, you remove the cover.

She's like Dracula. Sometimes she's in the cave, sometimes she's not. If she's there she won't see you because the game says she's nearly blind, but she will attack when the bird makes a noise. Hence, covering the cage. I'm not sure why it explicitly says that you remove the cover. I guess maybe so the inventory picture didn't have to be updated

Tawmis wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:10 pm

notbobsmith wrote: ↑Sat May 02, 2026 12:51 am 1:01:01 Isn't the tower in another world? That's why there's a magic door, the sky is orange, and the sand is blue. You wouldn't be able to fly the magic carpet there.

So the queen isn't in Kolyma (or however you spell it). Because that's where the game starts. I assumed she was on the same... continent? But yeah, maybe an entire different land?

I found a few quotes:

The key to the third door fits easily into the keyhole. You turn the key and, PRESTO, the door opens, and again the key disappears ... revealing a world unlike any you've ever seen before!

The sky above this crazy world is a gorgeous pink. Where am I? you wonder.

Also, I'm not sure if the 2015 King's Quest mentions Kolyma and how it's pronounced. The third (I think) chapter is a completely different retelling of KQ2.

One thing that I forgot to mention is that you technically don't need the cloak and ring to get past the boatman. You can buy passage with a treasure the same way you can buy the magic lamp. I'm not sure if you can get past the ghosts the same way.