Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire is the fifth and last game in the Quest for Glory computer game series created by Sierra FX, which was a smaller brand under Sierra On-Line. This game is different from the first four because it is mainly an action role-playing game, with some parts that include adventure elements using pictures.
Gameplay
Dragon Fire keeps its point-and-click graphical interface and adds a new combat system. Earlier versions of the game moved combat to a separate screen, but Quest for Glory V lets battles happen in the same environment as the rest of the gameplay.
For the first time in the series, Quest for Glory V uses 3D technology for its characters. Unlike earlier games, this version uses polygonal 3D models for characters but keeps 2D, pre-rendered visuals for backgrounds and objects. This makes it one of the earliest games to use 3D character creation, a technology that came before popular games like EverQuest and Asheron's Call.
Quest for Glory V offers more choices in the game, including different story paths, side-quests, and puzzles compared to earlier versions.
Plot
The wizard Erasmus introduces the player character, the Hero, to the kingdom of Silmaria, which is similar to ancient Greece. The king of Silmaria was recently killed, and the traditional Rites of Rulership are about to begin. During these rites, the winner will become the new king. The Hero enters the contest with the help of Erasmus, Rakeesh, and friends from earlier games in the series. The Hero faces competitors such as Kokeeno Pookameeso, a guard from Silmaria; 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 the contestants one by one. Each victim is stabbed with a poison dagger, and all the deaths happen near the Dragon Pillars. These pillars are special objects that 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 killings is discovered, and the Dragon, which was released when the Dragon Pillars were destroyed, is defeated.
In this game, the characters Katrina and Erana return to help the Hero fight 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 described as quiet and mysterious until he reveals his identity to the player.
Development
The first four games were meant to represent the four elements and four wind directions. In the first game, the player controls the Hero from the East. In the second, the Hero from the North, and so on. Dragon Fire was always planned to be part of the series, but Wages of War was not originally included. However, Dragon Fire would not have been made without fan support and requests to Sierra On-Line.
The game originally used a voxel engine, but this was changed to a 3D engine due to hardware limits. Corey Cole stated that Lori Cole was mainly responsible for the game's design, as he focused on programming.
Because of time limits 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 development team, closed on February 22, 1999.
The fifth game is different from the first four. While the first four were adventure games with role-playing elements, the fifth game is a role-playing game with adventure elements. For example, the fifth game includes many weapons, armor, and magical items, which the first four 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 much different from the first four games and unlike the fourth game's side-scrolling, fighting-style combat.
The fifth game also uses a new graphics engine created by Eric Lengyel and a soundtrack composed by Emmy-winning artist 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 it on Windows XP, users can set compatibility mode to Windows 98 or apply 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 computers like those running Vista or Windows 7.
Reception
Chance Thomas' soundtrack was released with a demo before the game Dragon Fire launched. The product sold 50,000 copies and earned $500,000 by itself.
The game had different opinions from players, although critics were generally positive. 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-made and smooth mix 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 wrote, "What Dragon Fire does really well is give traditional adventure gamers a place to call home."
Adam Rosenberg of G4TV considers Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire the best entry in the series. Griffin McElroy of Polygon described the game as "fan service" for fans of earlier versions. Rowan Kaizer of Engadget considers this entry the worst of 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 action gameplay.