Incline Heroine's Quest - D/L Link in OP - Available NOW (FREE)!

[Crooked Bee]

Won! In terms of pure enjoyment, this game came pretty close to Quest for Glory in my book. I'll be sure to play it as a Fighter and/or Sorceress once I'm in need of a QfG fix again. Great job! Freeware game of the century, and generally one of the most enjoyable games I've played.

I felt that playing as a Rogue was just pure awesome. Things to steal, houses to break in, stuff to climb and jump over, unique dialogue and quest solutions. Pretty cool! The atmosphere is spot on, too, with a lot of small touches, "aww" moments, and nifty details. The puzzles were good as well, and most surprisingly, all of them made sense! That's a rare thing to come by in adventure games.

Loved all the easter eggs too - there's a crazy amount of them - though I can't say I got all the references.

447/500 is not so bad, I'd like to think, but 53 missing points are still a lot! I thought I was relatively thorough, though I didn't really bother with perfect solutions and my rogue did a lot of fighting that probably should've been avoided. Off the top of my head, I can think of 4 quests where I obviously didn't get as many points as I could've:

Spoiler

1. Fox fur for the wizard -- I couldn't find a way to resolve this peacefully so I had to throw my dagger at the poor little fox. Thankfully the fox lived but I still feel bad. Is there a better way to solve that for a rogue, I wonder?

2. Ratatosk the squirrel -- I also had to resort to dagger-throwing to chase him away from Heime's sword, which I also feel bad about despite the squirrel being totally evil and all that. Anyone playing as a rogue found any other options here?

3. As pointed out above, Regin's chest quest was bugged for me and I didn't get any points for doing it.

4. The fighting challenge in the elf realm. Too bloody hard for my dagger-wielding rogue, though I admit I didn't really try my best to beat it. Just tried it a couple of times and gave up. Perhaps if I had stocked up on a lot of potions, I could've beaten it. Maybe.

Other than that, I did everyone's side quests and saved everyone who could be saved... Or so it seemed to me. Since I'm missing 53 points, however, I assume there was some other content that I missed.

Also some random screenshots:

Spoiler

This made me smile. :D

This too.

 

[MRY]

This is an amazing game, and all the more amazing for being free. I can't wait to see where the team goes from here.

 

[Fizzii]

Thanks for the kind comments, all

Regarding Easter Eggs, a number of them are from other Crystal Shard games. Some of the games we've made in the past are relatively short, so are less well known. Heroine's Quest has definitely been the behemoth to date.

I think in general, points are awarded more if you do it the way your class is best suited to doing it. As for dealing with the fox as a rogue, I wouldn't have any idea, as I mainly did run throughs on the sorceress, followed by the warrior.

As for going forward, we have an existing project which I would like to see finished called Leylines, which is a strategy game and in need of a big graphics upgrade. Radiant was also mulling over some possible short adventure games in the foreseeable future. I would potentially like to upgrade a few ATOTK graphics, but it's always nicer to work on new projects. Nothing set in stone yet, so we'll see when we get there Either way, we're not looking at turning Crystal Shard into a profitable business (we like being freeware), though we would like to distribute our games further so more people can hear about them and play them.

 

[Infinitron]

I think GOG would be willing to offer such a quality game for free.

JudasIscariot Tell them who to talk to.

Steam Greenlight has also been used for free games, but that'll cost you money to put up an entry there.

 

[Inquisition]

How the hell am I supposed to kill that friggin boar at the beginning of the game? Damn thing always runs me over (got the spear already... don't know how to use it, though).

 

[ERYFKRAD]

I would potentially like to upgrade a few ATOTK graphics.

That graphics is pretty good as is.

 

[Fizzii]

Heh, no not that one. I was referring to the city graphics which I drew; the composition and general execution could be much better.

 

[Castanova]

It seems hard to believe.... but I have performance issues with this game (I have a fairly powerful computer that runs modern AAA titles easily).

Basically my CPU sounds like it's chugging away the entire time the game is playing. When I'm going around on the normal screens it's MOSTLY fine. Where performance really takes a hit is during dialog. When I have to select my next line of dialog, the mouse gets very unresponsive and it's difficult to aim at a given option.

I have Vista x64 and a GeForce GTX 260 (if I remember correctly).

 

[Insane Psychic]

Thanks for the kind comments, all

Regarding Easter Eggs, a number of them are from other Crystal Shard games. Some of the games we've made in the past are relatively short, so are less well known. Heroine's Quest has definitely been the behemoth to date.

I think in general, points are awarded more if you do it the way your class is best suited to doing it. As for dealing with the fox as a rogue, I wouldn't have any idea, as I mainly did run throughs on the sorceress, followed by the warrior.

As for going forward, we have an existing project which I would like to see finished called Leylines, which is a strategy game and in need of a big graphics upgrade. Radiant was also mulling over some possible short adventure games in the foreseeable future. I would potentially like to upgrade a few ATOTK graphics, but it's always nicer to work on new projects. Nothing set in stone yet, so we'll see when we get there Either way, we're not looking at turning Crystal Shard into a profitable business (we like being freeware), though we would like to distribute our games further so more people can hear about them and play them.

Well, with the quality you guys have put into Heroine's Quest, feel free to beg when needed. I'd gladly donate again.

 

[Crooked Bee]

Thanks for the kind comments, all

Regarding Easter Eggs, a number of them are from other Crystal Shard games. Some of the games we've made in the past are relatively short, so are less well known. Heroine's Quest has definitely been the behemoth to date.

I think in general, points are awarded more if you do it the way your class is best suited to doing it. As for dealing with the fox as a rogue, I wouldn't have any idea, as I mainly did run throughs on the sorceress, followed by the warrior.

As for going forward, we have an existing project which I would like to see finished called Leylines, which is a strategy game and in need of a big graphics upgrade. Radiant was also mulling over some possible short adventure games in the foreseeable future. I would potentially like to upgrade a few ATOTK graphics, but it's always nicer to work on new projects. Nothing set in stone yet, so we'll see when we get there Either way, we're not looking at turning Crystal Shard into a profitable business (we like being freeware), though we would like to distribute our games further so more people can hear about them and play them.

You should totally turn Heroine's Quest into a series

(Just throwing it out there.)

 

[Redlands]

Not sure if there's been mention of this before (I haven't had the chance to play the game myself yet), so I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but someone else mentioned a possible bug to me:

Spoiler

They managed to pickpocket a plot-essential item (the quick-travel horse item) before getting the quest that would give it to them. They then seemed to be unable to progress through that quest, which they said was essential to continue the game.

 

[Fizzii]

Redlands - yep, we got that bug. It's not essential to continue the game as you have other options to complete the main plot in Chapter 3.

It seems hard to believe.... but I have performance issues with this game (I have a fairly powerful computer that runs modern AAA titles easily).

Basically my CPU sounds like it's chugging away the entire time the game is playing. When I'm going around on the normal screens it's MOSTLY fine. Where performance really takes a hit is during dialog. When I have to select my next line of dialog, the mouse gets very unresponsive and it's difficult to aim at a given option.

I have Vista x64 and a GeForce GTX 260 (if I remember correctly).

Hmm, this sounds like an issue with the game engine. We tested on XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8, and one of the team members confirmed it worked on Linux using WINE. I'll see if the programmer can follow up on this.

I think GOG would be willing to offer such a quality game for free.

Regarding GOG and distribution, I did contact them before the game was released asking if they would be interested in making Heroine's Quest available on their site as a free download, but while they thought the game looked good, they understandably prefer distributing commercial games. After all, that's how they keep their business going. Also, I suppose leading up to Christmas, there are generally a bunch of other games released around this time, so they already had a lot going on. Anyway, I haven't tried talking to them again yet since the release, but someone has made a wishlist, in case you want this game as part of your GOG collection : http://af.gog.com/wishlist/games/heroines_quest_the_herald_of_ragnarok?as=1649904300

 

[Infinitron]

Hopefully after seeing the game's reception they will change their mind.

 

[Castanova]

Hmm, this sounds like an issue with the game engine. We tested on XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8, and one of the team members confirmed it worked on Linux using WINE. I'll see if the programmer can follow up on this.

Sounds good. Let me know if you need me to send you logs or something or if you want me to run any tests.

 

[Quatlo]

How the hell do I get that cat as a rogue? I'm out of ideas...

 

[Crooked Bee]

How the hell do I get that cat as a rogue? I'm out of ideas...

Hint: what is the type of food that cats particularly enjoy?

Solution:

Spoiler

It's fish, duh. You have two options:

1. Catch fish in the lake using the net

2. Buy fish from Kraka (you can do that when she's inside the thieves guild - ask her about the lodge, then ask her about food)

 

[Quatlo]

[snip]

Spoiler

It always said that I lack animal affinity to fish, but I have to try trading with Kraka.

Thanks a lot

Edit:

Spoiler

50 silver for a fish?

 

[Crooked Bee]

Oh yes, indeed, I think

Spoiler

I only tried fishing when playing a fighter earlier today, which is the only class that gets Animal Ken. So that makes sense.

EDIT:

Edit:

Spoiler

50 silver for a fish?

Try haggling for a lower price. Iirc I bought it significantly cheaper.

But yeah, that only makes sense because she's a really greedy thief.

 

[alkeides]

Halp

Spoiler

How do I get into the Thieves' Guild as a Sorceress?

 

[Pope Amole II]

Halp

Spoiler

use the sixth sense spell in regin's house

 

[alkeides]

Halp

Spoiler

use the sixth sense spell in regin's house

I know I did it, and clicked the items, but when I click the bookcase it all resets

 

[Quatlo]

I know I did it, and clicked the items, but when I click the bookcase it all resets

Spoiler

You don't click the bookcase, its just the "reset" button

And thanks to the advice about the cat I'm done.
Goty adventure game , I'm running amok over the internet and advertise amongst every single one of my buddies.
Bonus for not having any ready guides and solutions so I actually had to use my brain instead of just looking for ready made answers after I got frustrated by some little thing. Waking up the next day and having a working idea for your problem is a great feeling, something I really miss nowadays in games.

Also:

Spoiler

2. Ratatosk the squirrel -- I also had to resort to dagger-throwing to chase him away from Heime's sword, which I also feel bad about despite the squirrel being totally evil and all that. Anyone playing as a rogue found any other options here?

You don't have to throw your daggers at him, you can just use the "hand" cursor.
I've met him later on

Spoiler

standing on a tree next to the flying ship, and I've managed to convince him to change his ways and find a better nickname.

 

[alkeides]

OK I got it, you need to do it with SS on.

 

[Crooked Bee]

You don't have to throw your daggers at him, you can just use the "hand" cursor.

Fuuuck. Haha, I missed the easiest solution! And to I think I tried doing everything except just that.

Also,

Spoiler

I guess that's the reason why I got no option to change his alignment when I met him later.

Poor little squirrel.

Also my score points! Argh.

 

[Fizzii]

I have to admit, I was a bit amused when I read you used daggers on Ratatosk, because I had no idea you could do that. I'd have to check what he says in response next time I go through the game

(Or even if throwing snowballs works on him for that matter).