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Quest for Glory Series

Last updated: January 12, 2026

Overview

The Quest for Glory series (originally titled “Hero’s Quest” before a trademark dispute with the board game HeroQuest)1 represents one of gaming’s most successful genre hybrids, seamlessly blending Sierra’s adventure game expertise with role-playing game mechanics.2 Created by husband-and-wife team Corey Cole and Lori Ann Cole, the series spans five mainline games and one VGA remake, following a customizable hero across diverse fantasy settings inspired by world mythologies.

What set Quest for Glory apart was its character import system—players could transfer their hero from one game to the next, carrying over stats, inventory, and choices across the entire series.3 This created unprecedented narrative continuity and player investment, as decisions made in the first game could have consequences four sequels later.

Series Timeline

YearTitleEngineSetting
1989Quest for Glory I: So You Want to Be a HeroAGI/SCIGermanic folklore
1990Quest for Glory II: Trial by FireSCI0Arabian Nights
1992Quest for Glory I VGASCI1VGA remake
1992Quest for Glory III: Wages of WarSCI1.1African savanna
1993Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of DarknessSCI1.1Slavic horror
1998Quest for Glory V: Dragon FireCustom 3DGreek mythology

The Coles’ Vision

Corey Cole and Lori Ann Cole designed Quest for Glory to answer a simple question: “What if you could actually become the hero in an adventure game?”4 Drawing from their backgrounds in tabletop RPGs and adventure gaming, they created a system where:

  • Character classes (Fighter, Magic User, Thief, Paladin) offered different solutions
  • Stats improved through use - cast spells to raise magic, climb to build strength
  • Multiple solutions existed for most puzzles
  • Choices mattered across the entire series

Character System

Classes

  • Fighter - Combat-focused, direct approach to problems
  • Magic User - Spell-based solutions, puzzle-oriented
  • Thief - Stealth and lockpicking, nocturnal activities
  • Paladin - Unlockable in QFG2, honor-based warrior

Stats

Characters develop through use-based progression:

  • Strength, Intelligence, Agility, Vitality, Luck
  • Weapon Use, Parry, Dodge, Stealth, Lockpicking
  • Magic, Communication, Honor (Paladin)

Character Import

Players could import heroes between games, carrying:

  • All stats and skill levels
  • Equipment and gold
  • Class and special abilities
  • Story choices and relationships

World and Settings

Each Quest for Glory drew from distinct real-world mythologies:

Spielburg Valley (QFG1)

Germanic/Bavarian folklore with trolls, brigands, and a cursed barony. The archetypal fantasy adventure setting.

Shapeir and Raseir (QFG2)

Arabian Nights-inspired desert cities with djinn, elemental spirits, and palace intrigue. One of gaming’s most atmospheric Middle Eastern settings.

Tarna and the Savanna (QFG3)

East African-inspired setting with Simbani warriors, Leopardmen, and tribal politics. Addressed themes of war and peace.

Mordavia (QFG4)

Slavic/Romanian horror setting with vampires, dark magic, and Lovecraftian undertones. The darkest and most atmospheric entry.

Silmaria (QFG5)

Greek mythology finale with the Rites of Rulership, dragon prophecies, and series-spanning callbacks.

Critical Reception

GameNotable Reception
QFG1Innovative hybrid praised by RPG and adventure fans
QFG2Considered series peak, exceptional world-building
QFG3Shorter, transitional entry, but culturally unique
QFG4Atmospheric masterpiece despite bugs
QFG5Controversial 3D shift, but satisfying conclusion

Legacy

Industry Impact

  • Pioneered adventure-RPG hybrid genre
  • Demonstrated viable character import across games
  • Influenced later RPG design philosophies
  • Proved multiple-solution puzzle design was achievable

Spiritual Successors

The Coles continued their work after Sierra:

  • Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption (2018) - Kickstarter-funded successor5
  • Summer Daze at Hero-U (2021) - Prequel/spin-off6

Fan Community

  • Quest for Glory Omnipedia - Comprehensive wiki7
  • AGDI - Created acclaimed QFG2 VGA remake8
  • Active modding and speedrunning communities

Playing Today

Digital Availability

  • GOG.com - Quest for Glory 1-5 collection
  • Steam - Available in collections
  • ScummVM - Supports QFG1-4

Fan Remakes

  • Quest for Glory II VGA (AGDI) - Highly acclaimed fan remake

See Also

References

Footnotes

  1. Wikipedia - Quest for Glory – Hero’s Quest trademark dispute ↩

  2. MobyGames - Quest for Glory Series – Series database and genre classification ↩

  3. The Digital Antiquarian - Quest for Glory – Character import system analysis ↩

  4. Adventure Classic Gaming - Corey Cole Interview – Design philosophy quote ↩

  5. Kickstarter - Hero-U – Spiritual successor campaign ↩

  6. Steam - Summer Daze at Hero-U – Sequel release ↩

  7. Quest for Glory Omnipedia – Fan wiki ↩

  8. AGD Interactive - QFG2 VGA – Fan remake information ↩

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