Quest for Clues
Quest for Clues is a book series published by Origin from 1988 to 1992, consisting of six books. They are hint books that contain solutions not only to Origin games, but also to games from other companies. Therefore, Ultima game solutions are found in these books as well. All of the books were written by Shay Addams. The books also are known for containing lots of specifically made art, fitting to each of the solutions, starting with the fourth book.
The Books[edit]
Quest for Clues[edit]
- Publisher: Origin Systems, Inc.
- Author: Shay Addams, © 1988.
- ISBN: 0-929373-00-6.
- Characteristics: 188pp. Includes Ultima IV walkthrough
- Original List Price: $24.99
The first Quest for Clues book contains only a walkthrough for Ultima IV, since the next game in the series would not be out until later the same year. Why walkthroughs for the earlier games in the series are not included is not explained and thus unclear. This first book also holds an interesting article at the start about the birth of computer adventure games as a genre. The article takes up no less than eight pages.
Other well-known games with solutions in this book are: Borrowed Time, Bard's Tale I+II, King's Quest III, Might and Magic I, The Pawn, Leather Goddesses of Phobos and Space Quest. The other games are mostly obscure to many nowadays.
Quest for Clues II[edit]
- Publisher: Origin Systems, Inc.
- Author: Shay Addams, © 1989.
- ISBN: 9780929373010
- Characteristics: Includes Ultima V walkthrough
- Original List Price: $24.99
The second book in the series now gives the complete solution to Ultima V, which had been published the previous year.
Other well-known games with solutions in this book are: King's Quest IV, Leisure Suit Larry I+II, Maniac Mansion, Police Quest I, Space Quest II, Zak McKracken, Bard's Tale III, Faery Tale Adventure, Star Command, Times of Lore, Wasteland and Wizadry IV. The other games are mostly obscure to many nowadays.
Quest for Clues III[edit]
- Publisher: Origin Systems, Inc.
- Author: Shay Addams, © 1990.
- ISBN: 9780685410325
- Characteristics: No Ultima walkthrough
- Original List Price: $24.99
Since the book came out in the months before the next Ultima game was published, it is the only book in the series containing no solution for them.
Other well-known games with solutions in this book are: Codename: Iceman, Gold Rush, Hillsfar, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, It Came from the Desert, Leisure Suit Larry III, Loom, Police Quest II, Space Quest III, Centauri Alliance, Champions of Krynn, Conquests of Camelot, Curse of the Azure Bonds, Quest for Glory I and Wizardy V. The other games are mostly obscure to many nowadays.
Quest for Clues IV[edit]
- Publisher: Origin Systems, Inc.
- Author: Shay Addams, © 1991.
- ISBN: 9789993937890
- Characteristics: 192pp. Includes Ultima VI, Savage Empire and Martian Dreams walkthroughs
- Original List Price: $24.99
This is the first book in which the three player avatars Toby, Weez and Gloria appear. From this book on they will appear in the illustrations coming with each solution, which also are new, since before the illustrations were generic. This does give the books a character of their own. Making up for the lack of Ultima-walkthroughs in the previous book, this book contains a whole of three walkthroughs. These walkthroughs are for Ultima VI, Savage Empire and Martian Dreams.
Other well-known games with solutions in this book are: Elvira I, King's Quest V, Les Manley: Search for the King, Monkey Island I, Space Quest IV, Spellcasting 101, Quest for Glory II, Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday, Death Knights of Krynn, Eye of the Beholder, Might and Magic II and Secret of the Silver Blades. The other games are mostly obscure to many nowadays.
Quest for Clues: The Manual of Swords[edit]
- Publisher: Origin Systems, Inc.
- Author: Shay Addams, © 1992
- ISBN: 0-929373-11-1
- Characteristics: Includes Ultima VII and Forge of Virtue walkthroughs
- Original List Price: $16.95
The first book in the series that is not numbered and instead has a subtitle. It includes a walkthrough for Ultima VII, including the expansion Forge of Virtue.
Other well-known games with solutions in this book are: Laura Bow II, Dune, Gobliiins, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, King's Quest VI, Leather Goddess of Phobos 2, The Legend of Kyrandia I, The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes, Mioght and Magic IV, Quest for Glory III and Spellcasting 301.. The other games are mostly obscure to many nowadays.
Quest for Clues: The Book Of Orbs[edit]
- Publisher: Origin Systems, Inc.
- Author: Shay Addams, © 1992
- ISBN: 0-929373-10-3
- Characteristics: Includes Ultima Underworld walkthrough
- Original List Price: $16.95
The last book of the series to be published. Interestingly, it has a solution for Ultima Underworld instead of Ultima VII Part Two or Ultima Underworld II, which had come out earlier the year.
Other well-known games with solutions in this book are: Elvira II, Gateway to the Savage Frontier, Leisure Suit Larry V, Might and Magic III, Monkey Island2, Police Quest III, Pools of Darkness, Conquests of the Longbow, Spellquesting 201 and Star Trek 25th Anniversary.. The other games are mostly obscure to many nowadays.
Gallery[edit]
Advertisement for the books
Ultima VI illustration
Savage Empire illustration
Martian Dreams illustration
Ultima Underworld illustration
Ultima VII illustration
External Links[edit]
Visit Pix’s Origin Adventures for:
- Quest for Clues I (PDF)
- Quest for Clues II (PDF)
- Quest for Clues III (PDF)
- Quest for Clues IV (PDF)
- Quest for Clues – Manual of Swords (PDF)
- Quest for Clues – Book of Orbs (PDF)
- An article about the book series at Pix Origin Adventures
| Miscellaneous Clue Books | |
|---|---|
| NES Ultima III Hint Book ☥ Master Ultima ☥ Quest for Clues ☥ Ultima Online Strategies & Secrets ☥ Ultima IX German clue book ☥ X‑Games Ultima IX clue book | |