A-J's Quest
Release type: Shareware
Release date: 1992 (original release)
Levels: 6 (in final version)
Author: A-J Games
Registration bonus: A-J 2
Registration price: $30
Related games: The Return of A-J, Zoom the Super Bear, A-J 3, Fluffy Ralph, Octolris
First project and namesake of A-J Games, based on the earlier Andrew-Jonathan comic strip (a panel of which features an early concept for the game that would become A-J's Quest). Influenced in part by The Goonies II, Hudson's Adventure Island, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Contra.
Many background and monster elements, particularly the Crabby, have made their way into subsequent games.
Contents
Story
A-J Bear was late for school, so he decided to take a shortcut through the abandoned Milton lot. He was in too much of a hurry, apparently, as he tripped over a large rock, sitting right in his path.
A-J tumbled head over heels and landed with a loud thump against the warehouse next door. Hedge followed him over and nuzzled his ear.
He was stunned, and before he was able to reorient himself enough to get up, A-J heard voices coming from inside.
While the window above him was boarded up, it was done so sloppily and A-J could easily peek between the boards.
Inside was an army of giant pretzels. Two chickens were standing by the window, talking.
"What do we need all of these for? *Bwaack!* Ostro doesn't need any dough boys -- they'll just screw up our whole operation."
"*Bwuk!* Look at it this way: pretzels are expendable. Would you rather have a pretzel blasted to smithereens for you or get yourself killed?"
"Good point. *Buk!*"
Ostro? They can't mean evil Prince Ostro, who escaped from Bearton Clink last year? Before A-J Was able to debate the issue any further, he heard Hedge making noises and felt a large crack on his skull. The world went dark.
A-J awoke inside a dark warehouse. It didn't look like the one the pretzels had been in. Hedge was there with him.
It would be pointless to list all of the thoughts that whizzed through A-J's head then, but in a nutshell he decided that he had to stop Ostro, however possible.
Instructions
7 - 8 - 9: Jump 4 - - 6: Walk - 2 - : Duck
P: Pick up [Space]: Attack
Weapons
You automatically use the most powerful weapon you have. They are, in order of power (except for Hedge):
- Flying Disc
- Slingshot
- Wooden Sword
- Yo-Yo
- Hedge
Hedge is very powerful and is always with you. Learn how to use him.
Items
- Disc Refill
- Slingshot Refill
- $1 Bill
- 1 Crown
- 1 HP
- 1-Up
It takes three crowns to open a latch. After a latch is opened, you come to a store. In the store, you can buy things if you have enough cash. To leave the level, go to the wooden door.
Monsters
- Pinky
- Pretzel
- Crabby
- Leaf
- Rock
- Flaming Turnip
- Dirt Clod
- Bwuk
- Prof. Shroom
- Bat
- Ostro
Credits
Updates
The game was upgraded several times between 1992-1995. There are many differences between the later, more well-distributed releases, and the early versions. Some changes -- differences in menus, animation, and background tiles; added cutscenes and intertitles -- are obvious. Other differences are subtler and more curious.
The level layouts and ordering would change. In early releases there are extended bonus stages between levels, and at the end of each level is a "boss" enemy encased harmlessly in ice. There are many curious design decisions that give the early releases a personality somewhat missing from the later, more polished ones.
Version 2.0 was distributed with a slideshow demo of RSD's Game-Maker 2.0.
Links
Downloads
- A-J's Quest 4.0 (1.1 MB)
- GM 2.0 Slideshow + A-J's Quest 2.0 (443.5 kB)
- Level 1 map (121.8 kB)
- Level 2 map (251.2 kB)
- Level 3 map (164.1 kB)
- Level 4 map (195 kB)
- Level 5 map (173.7 kB)
- Level 6 map (145.1 kB)
