Lori and Corey Cole, creators of Sierra On-Line’s Quest for Glory series of computer role-playing adventure games, have returned with a Kickstarter campaign for Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption, a turn-based RPG combining “classic RPG skills and combat with the rich character relationships of Persona, and the story and puzzles of Quest for Glory in a single challenging game experience.” Players will assume the role of Shawn O’Conner, a fledgling thief arrested during his Thieves’ Guild initiation and forcibly enrolled into Hero-U, a university for heroes, as penance. There, Shawn can choose to embrace his new predicament and become a rogue hero or play along while secretly continuing his Thieves’ Guild activities and possibly plotting to “unleash nameless horrors of destruction upon the world.” The Coles promise “a rich story that changes based on the way you play.”
Shawn’s attitude and outlook may change according to his experiences. The teachers and students of Hero-U are “intent on making [Shawn’s] life a living hell.” Each character he meets will have his or her own agenda and motivations, serving himself or herself first. Shawn will be able to build relationships with them, but he, too, is an opportunist, doing favors only for those he considers potentially useful. Shawn’s character will also develop as he learns more about the world and his heritage.
Exploration and combat will occur on top-down 2D maps. Dungeons will contain enemies, traps, and other obstacles. Combat will be turn-based and be regulated by an action point system. “Cunning, deception, and just plain Rogue skills” will be the keys to victory.
Players will learn and hone skills through research, study, and practice. They will learn to sneak, pick locks, and set traps. They will also be able to customize their abilities through Hero-U’s elective courses. In addition, players will encounter “adventure-style puzzles that are an integral part of the story.”
Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption is being designed by Lori and Corey Cole and programmed by independent Australian developer Brawsome (Jolly Rover, MacGuffin’s Curse). It is being built on the Unity cross-platform game engine for Windows and Mac OS. If the Kickstarter campaign reaches its stretch goals (currently undisclosed), additional platforms will also be supported. As of this writing, it has collected over US$100,000 of its US$400,000 goal. It will have until 12:30 PM Pacific Standard Time on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, to succeed. If successfully funded, the Hero-U team will aim for an autumn 2013 release.
To learn more about Hero-U, visit the official website, Facebook page, and Kickstarter page and watch Lori and Corey Cole’s Kickstarter video below. Fans of the Coles may also be interested in their Quest Log Blog and their appearance in the August 22, 2012, Guys from Andromeda podcast. The entire Quest for Glory series can be purchased DRM-free from GOG.com for US$9.99.
