31 replies to this topic

[PlayerOnePhil]

It's Game Club time again, folks! This session, we're checking out a 21-year-old portable game--Capcom's Gargoyle's Quest. It's an action/adventure title with a few light RPG elements starring Firebrand (aka Red Arremer; aka the irritating red demon from Ghouls 'n Ghosts that would always kill you). It is also the first game in what would become a spin-off series to GnG. It continued with Gargoyle's Quest II on NES and Demon's Crest on SNES.



There are two ways to play Gargoyle's Quest. The old fashioned way is to track down an original Game Boy cartridge. Of course, at this point, it's probably easier (and cheaper) to pick it up through the 3DS Virtual Console. It's currently available there for a paltry $3.99.



We’ll be discussing Gargoyle's Quest on episode 256 of the Player One Podcast. So get playing and share your comments and/or memories. You can post them in this thread, in the comments section of the blog post on the front page, on Twitter (@p1podcast), drop us an email, or leave a voicemail (713-893-8069).

[Chairman Steve]

I haven't played this game in about a decade, so it's really cool to go back to it - especially since the visuals are so crisp on the 3DS.

I'm about an hour in, and just rescued Darkoan. The strangely delayed dialogue and its accompanying sound effects are every bit as annoying as I remembered them being, but it doesn't detract too much from the experience. The RPG elements are kinda unnecessary, but for its time, the presentation was refreshingly unique.

The action segments remain very enjoyable, though it's all a bit easier than I remembered it to be. Then again, I remember some of the later areas to be pretty challenging, so I won't criticize the difficulty until I'm completely finished with the game.

And man... what's with the cover?? I know games from that era had pretty shitty box art, but to represent a character who is constantly referred to as "red" or flame-like as completely green is just downright silly. I mean, his freakin' name in the GnG games was RED Arremer!

[PlayerOneStewy]

Could it have something to do with the GB's screen being so greenish?

[Chairman Steve]

Yeah, they probably told the artist to just take a wild guess as to what color Firebrand is. It would make sense to assume he is green, I suppose. He gets extra credit for the pink traffic cone monster as well.

I'm in the game's final stretch now, and amused by how often an NPC requires a response to a non-question.

King: "Firebrand, in order to defeat the villain, the Candle of Darkness is required." Yes or No prompt appears

Firebrand: "Yes"

King: "You are chicken-hearted and unworthy! Leave here at once!"

Edited by Chairman Steve, 29 August 2011 - 09:00 AM.

[PlayerOneStewy]

Hah! I just did that part as well.

[KnightAttack]

I just don't think I could go back and play this game.....but hey, I'll tell you what, if CJ's got a new game in Gargoyle's Quest finished by the time the Game Club has happened, I will actually play it.

[PlayerOneStewy]

I think I'm in the final level. I forgot how short this game actually is. I think the RPG trappings made it seem longer back in the day.

[PlayerOneStewy]

finished!

[Wenny]

finished!

What's the over/under on CJ finishing?

[MixedUpzombies]

Another reason to get a 3DS. Hopefully I will get this soon remember having fun with it back in the day.

[Coldwater]

finished!

Same. Looking at the 3DS game clock, it took 4 hrs 10 minutes total gameplay to beat.
I remember buying this game 20 years ago and loving it, but I do not remember it being this short.
$3.99 seems so much more price appropriate than the $30 I probably payed for it in 1990.

The gameplay was just as fun as I remembered it. Demon's Crest took this formula and made it even better.
I'm embarrassed to say, it took me longer than it should to realize you could press start and change weapons.
I went through the first block breaker level never breaking a block. Oops.
I also never realized you can re-use the soulstream / replenish-all-health bottle every level.
Interestingly, if you say YES to the final boss before the fight, he nerfs you back to beginning-of-the-game stats, so you can't beat him.

4 hour game, C.J. You can do this !!!!

Edited by Coldwater, 30 August 2011 - 06:07 PM.

[PlayerOneCJ]

I played a little bit tonight.

THANK GOD FOR
SAVE STATE ...

I returned the Gremlin Staff or whatever it was called to the guy, got the Candlestick of whatever-the-heck and now I'm heading for the king to save him.

[Chairman Steve]

finished!

I beat the last boss this morning, but had to put my 3DS in "sleep" mode and rush to work before I was able to view the ending.

Some of the traps in the final area - particularly the "wall drills" - were pretty frustrating, but I cheated and used save states so I wouldn't have to go back to a checkpoint if I got hit. I beat this game legitimately when I was a kid, so I don't feel too bad.

I had a great time revisiting this game. The parts that haven't aged well are so bizarre by today's standards that it's hard not to laugh at them, and the core gameplay has really stood the test of time.

I would love to see a downloadable remake of this, akin to Bionic Commando Rearmed. With Firebrand making a return in UMvC3, I'd say the chances aren't too bad.

Edited by Chairman Steve, 31 August 2011 - 09:19 AM.

[poopmasterfunk]

Dear Lord, I haven't so much as really thought about this game since the day when this could be considered a new release! I never owned Gargoyles Quest, but had plenty opportunities to play it. I remember liking it quite a bit, though never coming very close to finishing it. I'm totally looking forward to playing it to completion now, as I just finished the first 'level'. Stoked that something like this gets brought up for game club, and looking forward to more frequent ones in the future. Maybe doing game club more consistently can keep the P1P clan focused on games during these reproductive times, lol! ...maybe Earthbound! Almost finished my first playthrough with my 7 yr. old daughter (who is lovin it), and would love to get in on that action. BTW... daughter just broke her leg today, on the second day of school Her quote, "now we can finish Earthbound faster!" I lover her...

[Cambot]

but I cheated and used save states so I wouldn't have to go back to a checkpoint if I got hit. I beat this game legitimately when I was a kid, so I don't feel too bad.

No reason to feel bad, regardless. Restore points are the new legitimate.

O points! How I love to restore thee!

[Chairman Steve]

No reason to feel bad, regardless. Restore points are the new legitimate.

O points! How I love to restore thee!

Yeah, and it's not like I really exploit the feature too much. It's a shame that the 10 "ambassador" games don't allow a restore point to be set.

Edited by Chairman Steve, 01 September 2011 - 10:05 AM.

[Ondore]

There's updates for those coming, aren't there?

[Chairman Steve]

There's updates for those coming, aren't there?

Haha, I heard about that shortly after making that post. Not sure when the update is coming, though.

[Raughn]

I never played this before, was thinking of getting it eventually, and this Game Club pushed me to go for it a few days ago.

Mechanically, I think it's quite good. I like how quickly it introduces two unique mechanics for a sidescrolling action game of its day - wall-grabs and hovering - and immediately gives you plenty of fun opportunities to use them.

I'm not wild about the overworld and the random encounters, so far. Those parts a pretty boring and repetitive.

Also, the game gets to feeling claustrophobic at times, and some frustration is caused by the feeling that you are always right next to everything, including the threats. Maybe they should have gone with smaller character sprites? It might not look as good, but it could play better that way.

[Chairman Steve]

Also, the game gets to feeling claustrophobic at times, and some frustration is caused by the feeling that you are always right next to everything, including the threats. Maybe they should have gone with smaller character sprites? It might not look as good, but it could play better that way.

Definitely a valid point, though I was never too bothered by this sort of thing - probably because my playing style is so overly cautious anyway.

[K-S-O]

I bought the game on the eShop and am playing it for the first time.

Having played Demon's Crest before this one, I do find this to be a step back. I feel that the random battles make the game feel repetitive since it brings up the same enemies in repeating level layouts.

The main platforming levels, on the other hand, are about as fun and difficult as Demon's Crest so I am having a good time with those.

[juanster]

This is the first Game Boy game I have ever played.

[Chairman Steve]

This is the first Game Boy game I have ever played.

It was maybe the third or fourth that I played, and I'm still very impressed with how well it has held up. Many of the early GB games that I enjoyed are nowhere near as enjoyable to me now, which made me a little worried going into GQ after downloading it on the Virtual Console. Now, it's about time I give Avenging Spirit a try...

Edited by Chairman Steve, 13 September 2011 - 10:19 PM.

[Casual_Alcoholic]

I don't think I ever would have made it through this if it wasn't for the quick save feature. I'm actually really sad that it didn't carry over to the NES games that were released through the Ambassador Program, I was so sure it would. Still, really fun game, and I'd like to play the second one for NES a lot now. I wonder if they'll put it up for VC.

[PlayerOnePhil]

I don't think I ever would have made it through this if it wasn't for the quick save feature. I'm actually really sad that it didn't carry over to the NES games that were released through the Ambassador Program, I was so sure it would. Still, really fun game, and I'd like to play the second one for NES a lot now. I wonder if they'll put it up for VC.

Supposedly, the NES games are going to be updated at a later date to include the quick save option.

http://www.giantbomb...dor-games/3583/

[K-S-O]

Just beat the game last night.

Overall, I had a pretty good time with. I still think the random battles slowed the game down more than it should have, especially when I had to find the cave that led to the final castle.

[Casual_Alcoholic]

Supposedly, the NES games are going to be updated at a later date to include the quick save option.

http://www.giantbomb...dor-games/3583/

That just made my night. Can't wait.

[Chuckles]

Finished!

Thanks for picking a somewhat obscure game. This is one of the few Game Club games I had not played before. I'm not an Ambassador or even a 3DS Peasant, so I bought a used copy of the Game Boy version, but played it on my iPad GBC emulator with a bluetooth synched Wiimote. I'm a legitimate pirate! Anyway, I quite enjoyed this game. The overworld and RPG trappings are pointless. It's like they played Zelda 2 and liked it, but didn't have time to rip it off sufficiently. What really made this game work are the hovering and wall-jumping mechanics. Like Raughn mentioned above, I was very surprised to stick to the wall in such an old game. Whenever a conversation popped up I shuddered. I thought maybe it was because I was emulating it and something was wrong with the sound, but no, they just felt like making extremely annoying noises to match the extremely annoying stilted dialogue with the weird pauses.

Anyone else find the last boss to be the easiest?

Spoiler

Using the Darkfire power you can shoot the energy-thingy that chases you around, so all you have to do is stand on a block and wait for him to lower his arm.

This has definitely motivated me to pick up Demon's Crest and finally try that out. Can't wait to hear the actual Game Club episode!

[TheKurichan]

The next time CJ finishes a game just call that the game club.

[Owozifa]

I really meant to join in this discussion, but unfortunately I do not have a 3DS yet and could not purchase this fine game. I have the cartridge, but it's not with me at my apartment yet as I've been too busy to go get it and my GameBoy Player.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I was never much of a fan of the first GQ, but the NES sequel I absolutely love. If you guys ever do a GameClub on that without *coughcoughCJ* I'll happily contribute.

[Owozifa]

Actually, what I do have at my apartment is a SNES and Demon's Crest.