In Kings Quest: Rubble Without a Cause we pick up with King Graham years after the events of episode 1. He has now taken the throne but is finding it harder than he thought it was going to be.
Another story from King Graham and another review from me. This is the second game in the King’s quest series, for more information on the series you can check out my review for episode 1 here.
In this adventure we’re back with King Graham years after the events of episode 1, he has now taken the throne but is finding it harder than he thought it was going to be. Doubting himself and beginning to crumble under the pressure and anarchy of holding the throne in the insanity that is Daventry, King Graham goes for a walk into town, only to find the inhabitants we know gone and the town deserted. He is then ambushed by goblins.
Episode two is less light-hearted than the first, with a darker setting, tone and plot. Speaking of plot, there is actually not a lot to speak of (hence the brevity of this review), outside of one interesting progression, this episode seems to be almost a filler, setting up certain aspects of Graham’s character that will shape the man he will become over the course of the series, seeing as there’s a solid message throughout the game that a person can lose their convictions under trying times but it doesn’t make them any less than they were and can even make them stronger.
The level of difficulty has definitely been stepped up a notch, which is what I was hoping would happen over the course of the series, episode two is essentially one large puzzle set over the course of four or five days depending on how well you perform and which of the now familiar paths you choose to follow (Bravery, Compassion, Wisdom) although those lines become more blurred in this episode. But because there’s essentially only one puzzle and no QTEs the game feels a lot shorter and despite the rise in difficulty, a lot less fulfilling to complete. The game also feels a lot less colourful both literally and figuratively due to the lack of Whisper, Acorn, Manny and poor Achaka who don’t make an appearance. If anyone can make the game more entertaining “WHISPER CAN DO IT!”
I would say that I didn’t enjoy this episode as much as the first; I found it was weaker in almost all the aspects I loved about the first episode, which was disappointing. Although it can’t stand up to its predecessor it has hopefully set up the series for a great third instalment but all in all it’s a disappointingly average adventure game.
