Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire is the fifth and last game in the Quest for Glory computer game series made by Sierra FX, which was a smaller group under Sierra On-Line. This game is different from the first four games because it is mainly an action role-playing game, with some parts that include adventure gameplay using pictures.
Gameplay
Dragon Fire keeps its point-and-click graphical interface and adds a new combat system. Earlier games had separate screens for battles, but Quest for Glory V now allows battles to happen in the same place as other game actions.
For the first time in the series, Quest for Glory V uses some 3D features: it creates characters with 3D models but keeps 2D images for backgrounds and objects. This makes it one of the first games to use 3D character design, which came before popular role-playing games like EverQuest and Asheron's Call.
Quest for Glory V offers more choices with different story paths, extra tasks, and puzzles than earlier games in the series.
Plot
The wizard Erasmus introduces the player character, the Hero, to the Greece-like kingdom of Silmaria. The king of Silmaria was recently killed, and the traditional Rites of Rulership are about to begin. The winner of these rites will become the new king. The Hero enters the contest with help from Erasmus, Rakeesh, and friends from earlier games in the series. The Hero faces competitors, including Kokeeno Pookameeso, a Silmarian guard; Magnum Opus, a warlord; Gort, a large warrior; and Elsa Von Spielburg, who was important in the first game.
As the Rites begin, an unknown assassin starts killing contestants one by one. Each victim is stabbed with a poison dagger, and all deaths happen near the Dragon Pillars, which are used to keep the Dragon of Silmaria locked away. After completing the second Rite, which involves defeating the General of the Mercenaries, Rakeesh is attacked by the assassin. Whether Rakeesh lives or dies depends on the choices the player makes. Eventually, the secret plan behind the attacks is discovered, and the Dragon, which was freed when the Dragon Pillars were destroyed, is defeated.
Characters Katrina and Erana return in this game to help the Hero defeat the Dragon. This game also brings back Bruno, a character from the first Quest for Glory game. Bruno is revealed to be the assassin who has been harming people in Silmaria. He is quiet and mysterious until he finally shows himself to the player.
Development
The first four games were designed to represent the four elements and the four directions of the wind. In the first game, the player controls the Hero from the East. In the second, the Hero from the North. The third and fourth games follow the same pattern. Dragon Fire was always meant to be part of the series, but Wages of War was not originally planned. However, Dragon Fire would not have been made without fan support and requests to Sierra On-Line.
The game initially used a voxel engine. This was later changed to a 3D engine because of hardware limitations. Corey Cole stated that Lori Cole was mainly responsible for the game's design, as he focused on programming.
Due to deadlines and financial challenges, some features were removed from the fifth game before its release. These included the ability to use a bow, the option to play as Elsa von Spielburg or Magnum Opus (two important non-player characters), and multiplayer support. A demo released in late 1997 included multiplayer, but Sierra On-Line removed it from the final version. Yosemite Entertainment, the team that developed the game, closed on February 22, 1999.
The fifth game is different from the first four in genre. The first four are mostly adventure games with some role-playing elements. The fifth game is a role-playing game with some adventure elements. For example, the fifth game includes many types of weapons, armor, and magical items, which the first four games do not. Most major missions in the fifth game involve traveling to a location and defeating a monster through combat. The controls and battle system are also different from the first four games and from the fourth game’s side-scrolling, fighting-style combat.
Other differences include a new graphics engine created by Eric Lengyel and a soundtrack composed by Emmy-winning musician Chance Thomas. The soundtrack was released on CD, and some songs were available for free download from MP3.com.
An official patch was released to fix issues with the game. To run the game on Windows XP, users can set the compatibility mode to Windows 98 or use a fan-made patch.
An official installer called "New Quest for Glory V installer" allows the game to be played without a disc and on modern Windows versions.
The Quest for Glory I–V Collection, released by Activision through GOG.com, includes all five games. It also includes a version of QFG5 that works on modern Windows Vista and Windows 7 computers.
Reception
Chance Thomas' soundtrack was released with a demo before the game Dragon Fire launched. This product sold 50,000 copies and earned $500,000 in revenue.
Players had mixed opinions about the game, though critics generally praised it. Next Generation described it as "a fine contribution to the genre that is accessible to both new and experienced gamers." Joshua Darien Maciel of RPGamer gave the game a score of 9 out of 10, calling it a well-designed blend of combat and gameplay.
Dragon Fire was nominated for CNET Gamecenter's 1998 "Adventure Game of the Year" award, which was won by Grim Fandango. The editors noted, "What Dragon Fire does really well is give traditional adventure gamers a place to call home."
Adam Rosenberg of G4TV stated that Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire is the best game in the series. Griffin McElroy of Polygon described it as "fan service" for fans of earlier games. Rowan Kaizer of Engadget considered this entry the weakest in the series, mainly because of its use of basic 3D graphics. Richard Cobbet of PC Gamer called the game a "stumble" due to its 3D graphics and arcade-style gameplay.