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Release: December 3, 2002.
Developer: AGD (Anonymous Game Developers Interactive).
Publisher: AGD (Anonymous Game Developers Interactive).
Category: Adventure.
Genre/Theme: Fantasy.
Platform: PC.
Input: Mouse, Keyboard.
Mode: Single Player.
King's Quest II: Romancing the Stones is a non-canon adaptation and retelling (reimagining) of King's Quest II: Romancing the Throne from Sierra on Line
(rather than a true 'remake'), made by AGD Interactive (formerly Tierra ) fan company. Advertised as a whole new adventure with an enhanced storyline. King’s
Quest II: Romancing the Stones is loosely based on the original. Like the previous KQI remake, it is influenced by the official KQ5/KQ6 era, using VGA graphics
and icon-driven interface. It is the second game in their trilogy of remakes.
Stones introduced many new concepts, like the Kolyma Town in Kolyma, where some additional puzzles must be solved. Many locations are expanded upon, some
locations are physically modified, some areas do not exist in their original locations, and some areas left out entirely. The map no longer loops. Due to the
changes of the layout of the map, Kolyma's overworld is somewhat reduced compared to how it was in the original KQ2, 37 screens compared to the 49 of the
original; the swamp has literally become its own zone, and is endless until you discover a way through it. However other locations such as under the sea have
been greatly expanded. Item locations are changed, new items exist, and puzzles are often different.
In fact, the game manages to make several of the original characters completely opposite of who they are in the original game and King's Quest Companion. It
places some of the benevolent characters into more villainous roles, while changing some of the villainous characters into sympathetic good guys. The concept of
the Big Bad Wolf evolved into the brother of werewolves. The good monk Brother Fragola who previously helped Graham out, and officiated the wedding is now a
villain named Llowh'wof. Count Dracula who was a villain that had to be destroyed in the original was turned into the Count Caldaur a benevolent ruler of Kolyma
who Graham has to help reunite with his family of which Red Riding Hood (there known as Possum) and her grandmother are members. Gerwain became Gervain and his
role was darkened. This is also the case with the old antique dealer Milvia, who was replaced with the character Angelina, who has a sinister past, unlike her
innocent counterpart. Hagatha's role in the game is expanded, and she is given a fleshed background and is further tied into the rest of the history of the
games (a role not unlike her expanded history in the King's Quest Companion). Some characters such as the genie and fairy were removed, while many new characters
were added.
KQ2+ was never meant to be anything other than a "retelling", or a fanfic with a soundtrack and an interface attached to it. AGD2 even mentioned on the forums
he'd probably have kept the game more 1:1 if he had known Vivendi was gonna grant us official permission so people wouldn't get the idea we were trying to
create an alternative canon.
Notable are references to Graham's past and also future, showing his dilemmas and thoughts during KQ III, while his infant boy had been lost, his daughter
abducted and Daventry was ravaged by the three-headed Dragon. Notable is the appearance of Connor, where the two characters establish a connection for a first
time: Graham decides to knight him, and make him his heir. The character The Father (unofficial) is introduced. He appears to be above Hagatha and other evil
wizards, and the archnemesis of Graham, but his role is not revealed in full. It is also noteworthy that this version the game is quite a bit more violent than
the original version of the game or the King's quest series in general (with the exception of MOE). For example, one puzzle involves killing a pack of werewolves
coming at Graham (although there is still a non-violent way to solve the puzzle). In earlier KQ games while you could kill certain creatures violently, you
usually got more points by an alternate solution to puzzles that eliminated enemies without violence. With all the changes the game is more of a retelling of
the story than a simple remake, in many ways a completely different story altogether. It is much different than official King's Quest 2 and the official
adaptation of the 'Romancing the Throne' story in the King's Quest Companion.
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