# Quest for Glory Series <small style="color: gray">Last updated: January 30, 2026</small> ## Overview The Quest for Glory series (originally titled "Hero's Quest" before a trademark dispute with the board game HeroQuest)[^ref-1] represents one of gaming's most successful genre hybrids, seamlessly blending Sierra's adventure game expertise with role-playing game mechanics.[^ref-2] Created by husband-and-wife team [[Corey Cole]] and [[Lori Ann Cole]], the series spans five mainline games and one VGA remake, following a customizable hero across diverse fantasy settings inspired by world mythologies. What set Quest for Glory apart was its character import system—players could transfer their hero from one game to the next, carrying over stats, inventory, and choices across the entire series.[^ref-3] This created unprecedented narrative continuity and player investment, as decisions made in the first game could have consequences four sequels later. ## Series Timeline | Year | Title | Engine | Setting | |------|-------|--------|---------| | 1989 | [[1989 - Quest for Glory I - So You Want to Be a Hero\|Quest for Glory I: So You Want to Be a Hero]] | AGI/SCI | Germanic folklore | | 1990 | [[1990 - Quest for Glory II - Trial by Fire\|Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire]] | SCI0 | Arabian Nights | | 1992 | [[1992 - Quest for Glory I - So You Want to Be a Hero VGA\|Quest for Glory I VGA]] | SCI1 | VGA remake | | 1992 | [[1992 - Quest for Glory III - Wages of War\|Quest for Glory III: Wages of War]] | SCI1.1 | African savanna | | 1993 | [[1993 - Quest for Glory IV - Shadows of Darkness\|Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness]] | SCI1.1 | Slavic horror | | 1998 | [[1998 - Quest for Glory V - Dragon Fire\|Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire]] | Custom 3D | Greek mythology | ## The Coles' Vision [[Corey Cole]] and [[Lori Ann Cole]] designed Quest for Glory to answer a simple question: "What if you could actually become the hero in an adventure game?"[^ref-4] Drawing from their backgrounds in tabletop RPGs and adventure gaming, they created a system where: - **Character classes** (Fighter, Magic User, Thief, Paladin) offered different solutions - **Stats improved through use** - cast spells to raise magic, climb to build strength - **Multiple solutions** existed for most puzzles - **Choices mattered** across the entire series ## Character System ### Classes - **Fighter** - Combat-focused, direct approach to problems - **Magic User** - Spell-based solutions, puzzle-oriented - **Thief** - Stealth and lockpicking, nocturnal activities - **Paladin** - Unlockable in QFG2, honor-based warrior ### Stats Characters develop through use-based progression: - Strength, Intelligence, Agility, Vitality, Luck - Weapon Use, Parry, Dodge, Stealth, Lockpicking - Magic, Communication, Honor (Paladin) ### Character Import Players could import heroes between games, carrying: - All stats and skill levels - Equipment and gold - Class and special abilities - Story choices and relationships ## World and Settings Each Quest for Glory drew from distinct real-world mythologies: ### Spielburg Valley (QFG1) Germanic/Bavarian folklore with trolls, brigands, and a cursed barony. The archetypal fantasy adventure setting. ### Shapeir and Raseir (QFG2) Arabian Nights-inspired desert cities with djinn, elemental spirits, and palace intrigue. One of gaming's most atmospheric Middle Eastern settings. ### Tarna and the Savanna (QFG3) East African-inspired setting with Simbani warriors, Leopardmen, and tribal politics. Addressed themes of war and peace. ### Mordavia (QFG4) Slavic/Romanian horror setting with vampires, dark magic, and Lovecraftian undertones. The darkest and most atmospheric entry. ### Silmaria (QFG5) Greek mythology finale with the Rites of Rulership, dragon prophecies, and series-spanning callbacks. ## Critical Reception | Game | Notable Reception | |------|-------------------| | QFG1 | Innovative hybrid praised by RPG and adventure fans | | QFG2 | Considered series peak, exceptional world-building | | QFG3 | Shorter, transitional entry, but culturally unique | | QFG4 | Atmospheric masterpiece despite bugs | | QFG5 | Controversial 3D shift, but satisfying conclusion | ## Legacy ### Industry Impact - Pioneered adventure-RPG hybrid genre - Demonstrated viable character import across games - Influenced later RPG design philosophies - Proved multiple-solution puzzle design was achievable ### Spiritual Successors The Coles continued their work after Sierra: - **Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption** (2018) - Kickstarter-funded successor[^ref-5] - **Summer Daze at Hero-U** (2021) - Prequel/spin-off[^ref-6] ### Fan Community - **Quest for Glory Omnipedia** - Comprehensive wiki[^ref-7] - **AGDI** - Created acclaimed QFG2 VGA remake[^ref-8] - Active modding and speedrunning communities ## Playing Today ### Purchase Links | Collection | Store | |------------|-------| | Quest for Glory 1-5 | [GOG](https://www.gog.com/game/quest_for_glory) | | Quest for Glory Collection | [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/502750/Quest_for_Glory_15/) | > [!tip] Buying Notes > - **QFG1** - Both GOG and Steam include BOTH the original EGA version (1989) AND the VGA remake (1992) ### Compatibility - **[ScummVM](https://www.scummvm.org/)** - Supports QFG1-4 (SCI versions) - **[DOSBox](https://www.dosbox.com/)** - Required for QFG5 ### Fan Remakes | Title | Developer | Year | Link | |-------|-----------|------|------| | [[2008 - Quest for Glory II VGA Remake\|QFG2 VGA Remake]] | AGD Interactive | 2008 | [AGDI](https://www.agdinteractive.com/games/qfg2/) | ### Spiritual Successors | Title | Developer | Year | Link | |-------|-----------|------|------| | [[2014 - Quest for Infamy\|Quest for Infamy]] | Infamous Quests | 2014 | [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/264560/Quest_for_Infamy/) | | [[2018 - Hero-U - Rogue to Redemption\|Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption]] | Corey & Lori Cole | 2018 | [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/375440/HeroU_Rogue_to_Redemption/) | | [[2023 - Summer Daze - Tilly's Tale\|Summer Daze: Tilly's Tale]] | Corey & Lori Cole | 2023 | [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1582050/Summer_Daze_at_HeroU/) | | [[TBD - Quest for Infamy - Roehm to Ruin\|Roehm to Ruin]] | Infamous Quests | TBD | Sequel to Quest for Infamy | ## See Also - [[Corey Cole]] - Co-creator, programmer - [[Lori Ann Cole]] - Co-creator, designer - [[King's Quest Series]] - Sierra's flagship fantasy series - [[2018 - Hero-U - Rogue to Redemption\|Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption]] - Spiritual successor ## References [^ref-1]: [Wikipedia - Quest for Glory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_for_Glory) – Hero's Quest trademark dispute [^ref-2]: [MobyGames - Quest for Glory Series](https://www.mobygames.com/group/398/quest-for-glory-series/) – Series database and genre classification [^ref-3]: [The Digital Antiquarian - Quest for Glory](https://www.filfre.net/2018/07/quest-for-glory/) – Character import system analysis [^ref-4]: [Adventure Classic Gaming - Corey Cole Interview](http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com/index.php/site/interviews/173/) – Design philosophy quote [^ref-5]: [Kickstarter - Hero-U](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/transolargames/hero-u-rogue-to-redemption) – Spiritual successor campaign [^ref-6]: [Steam - Summer Daze at Hero-U](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1490970/Summer_Daze_at_HeroU/) – Sequel release [^ref-7]: [Quest for Glory Omnipedia](https://questforglory.fandom.com/) – Fan wiki [^ref-8]: [AGD Interactive - QFG2 VGA](https://www.agdinteractive.com/games/qfg2/) – Fan remake information