Apprentice (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Apprentice


caption =
resolution = 320×200
developer = Herculean Effort Productions
publisher = Herculean Effort Productions
series = "Apprentice"
engine = Adventure Game Studio
released = July 10, 2003
genre = Point-and-click adventure
platforms = Windows
media = Download

"Apprentice" is a PC point-and-click amateur adventure game released by Herculean Effort Productions as freeware in 2003. It was created using Adventure Game Studio. The game begins with a dream of a young wizard apprentice, Pib, in which he is confronted by Lord Ironcrow, the ruler of the region. In the dream, Ironcrow tries to persuade him to become a soldier. After refusing, Pib wakes up, screaming. His teacher comes to check that everything is alright, and informs him that today is a special day for Pib - it's time he prepared his very first spell. The rest of the game is spent finding proper ingredients.

The project was started as a side project while the makers worked on "The Find", introducing the player to the game world and some of its characters. Therefore the game was criticised for its shortness and a lack of any real storyline. Furthermore, the dream sequence at the beginning of the game bears no relevance to the rest of the game. Nevertheless, "Apprentice" was praised for its high production values. It is even mentioned as a good example of a game created with Adventure Game Studio in the book "Gaming Hacks" published by O'Reilly Media [ [http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/gaminghks/inx.html O Reilly's Gaming Hacks index: Apprentice] cited 15 December 2006] and it won four "AGS Awards" in 2003 for Best Room Art, Best Character Art, Best Animation and Best Music.

The first version of "Apprentice" was released on 10 July 2003. The first bug fix version, which also added a bonus puzzle to the game, was released on the 28th. Two years later, on 29 May 2005, HEP released a "Deluxe" version of the game, which improved animations and music and added voice overs to the game.

The "Apprentice" series is planned as a trilogy. The second part "Apprentice II: The Knight's Move" was released in 2004. The release date of the last part, "Apprentice III: Checkmate!" is not yet known.

References

External links

* [http://www.herculeaneffort.com Herculean Effort Productions]
* [http://www.adventurelantern.com/Reviews/apprentice/apprentice.htm Apprentice Deluxe review at Adventure Lantern]
* [http://www.adventurelantern.com/reviews/apprentice2/apprentice2.htm Apprentice II Review at Adventure Lantern]
* [http://www.bonafidereviews.com/article.php?id=14 Apprentice II review at Bona Fide reviews]
* [http://gnomeslair.blogspot.com/2006/01/pc-review-apprentice-deluxe.html Apprentice Deluxe review at Gnome's Lair]
* [http://nintendo.about.com/library/adventure/bladventure1.htm Both apprentices mentioned in Adventure Game article on about.com]
* [http://www.americangirlscouts.org/AGSAwards/2003.htm AGS Awards 2003 results]
* [http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,339 Apprentice nominated in the 2003 AdventureGamers Underground awards]
* [http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,507/p,2 Apprentice II wins AdventureGamers Underground 2004 awards]

*AGSWiki|Apprentice