Bernadette Russell at GameCloud writes: "While the underlying and growing concern of the goblins led by Manny is still present, this is a story about love, and not missing arm day. As with the previous chapters, there are intense moments and endless great writing, outcomes and interactions, but it also keeps gently poking you in the general vicinity of your heart, making it twang quietly. Seeing present King Graham stare into the mirror and not see magic, just an old face feels like KQ’s way of bringing the focus back to the real Graham, not the adventurer of the past. Chapter three was worth replaying several times, it brought back Whisper (with a love poem, naturally), kept the narrative interesting, and gave new depth to the game as a whole. It also let you believe the chapter was about finding true love, and I’m glad it rose above that and offered more than a fairy tale romance. "
Admittedly, this review isn't the most timely, but Chapter 3 of The Odd Gentlemen's reboot of King's Quest is so good, there is ample reason to give it some love all these months later. Find out why in Hardcore Gamer's review.
"Climbing out of the mire? The King’s Quest reboot was going so well until the convoluted and frankly dull second episode. Can The Odd Gentlemen get things back on track? Story: Once upon a Climb sees a slightly older (and much more buff!) King Graham set off on his next quest – in search of love. He cuts a lonely figure in his castle, and sets out in search of a princess, but instead he finds two! What follows is Graham’s attempts to woo both of the ladies, before finally winning the heart of one of them at the end, and escaping from their magical prison. Despite being trapped again, Once upon a Climb feels light and breezy, and has far more of the light humour and delicious punnery that made the first instalment so enjoyable."
Jacob Roach delivers his thoughts on the third episode in Sierra's reboot.
He writes, "King’s Quest: Once Upon a Climb was an incredible experience, and brought a cynic like me back into episodic titles. The slight lack in gameplay can be a bit disappointing, but what is there is pure fun, riddled with smart and funny dialogue and narration."
