View source for Gobliiins

{{Short description|Puzzle adventure video game series}}
{{Infobox video game series
|image = 
|caption = 
|developer = [[Coktel Vision]]
|publisher = Coktel Vision <br> [[Sierra Entertainment|Sierra On-Line]]
|creator = [[Muriel Tramis]]
|artist = Pierre Gilhodes
|first release date = 1991
|latest release date = 2023
|genre = [[Adventure Game|Adventure]], [[Puzzle video game|puzzle]]
|platforms = [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[DOS]], [[Macintosh]], [[iOS]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
}}

'''''Gobliiins''''' is a [[Puzzle video game|puzzle]] [[adventure game|adventure]] [[video game]] series, consisting of five entries, released by [[Coktel Vision]] (and later [[Sierra Entertainment|Sierra On-Line]]) for the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[DOS]], [[Macintosh]], [[iOS]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] platforms.<ref name="MobyGamesGobliiinsSeries">{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/gobliiins-series|title=''Gobliiins'' Series|access-date=2009-02-12|publisher=[[MobyGames]]}}</ref> The first three titles were released in the early 1990s, the fourth in 2009, and fifth in 2023. The visual look of the series and its characters were created by French artist Pierre Gilhodes, whose style was used in another game from Coktel Vision: ''[[The Bizarre Adventures of Woodruff and the Schnibble|Woodruff and the Schnibble of Azimuth]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Creators video game PC Gobliiins4, adventure and puzzle game 3D |url=http://www.gobliiins.com/Auteur_ru.htm |website=Gobliiins.com |access-date=24 January 2021 |archive-date=29 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129133754/http://www.gobliiins.com/Auteur_ru.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
The games mix elements of adventure and puzzle gaming. In essence, the player must find the solution to each area (or [[level (video games)|level]]), consisting of one or more screens, in order to progress to the next.

An original aspect of the series is that the player usually controls multiple [[goblin]]s as [[player character]]s, each of whom has a unique set of abilities. In the title, the number of letters 'i' in the word "Goblin" indicates the number of characters that the player may control: ''Gobliiins'' for the first release (1991), ''Gobliins 2'' for the second (1992), ''Goblins Quest 3'' for the third (1993), ''Gobliiins 4'' for the fourth (2009), and ''Gobliiins 5'' for the fifth (2023). The player may only control one character at a time but, depending on the specific scene, may switch characters at will. The original ''Gobliiins'' features a shared health system for all three characters, which means that leaving characters in the wrong place can be detrimental, though this feature is absent in the sequels.

All games are available in [[Compact disc|CD]] format, except for the fifth which was released on digital distribution service Steam. The first three include voices instead of the "goblinish" talk that feature on the [[floppy disk]] versions. The CD version also censors the nudity present in the original game. The platinum edition of ''Gobliiins 4'' contains all previous titles with a modification of [[ScummVM]] for newer [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] systems. All older games on the DVD were also translated from the original [[English language|English]] and [[French language|French]] [[language]] into [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[German language|German]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Czech language|Czech]] and [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]].

==Games==
===''Gobliiins'' (1991)===
[[File:Gobliiins Cover.jpg|thumb|Cover art]]
In ''Gobliiins'', the player controls a team of three different goblins, each with a unique skill. The first goblin, Asgard (BoBo in the US release), is a warrior who is more brawn than brain, and whose skill is punching, causing various things to break or fall over. He is also the only one who can climb other objects than stairs and ladders. The second goblin, Ignatius (US: Hooter), is a [[magic (supernatural)|magician]] who can "zap" things with magic with a wide variety of usually unexpected effects, which include objects moving, growing, or coming alive. The third, Oups (US: Dwayne), is a [[technician]] and is the only one of the three that can pick up and use items.<ref name="MobyGamesGobliiins">{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/gobliiins |title=''Gobliiins'' |access-date=2009-02-12 |work=[[MobyGames]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228044614/http://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/gobliiins |archive-date=28 February 2008}}</ref>

The story follows the three goblins as they attempt to aid their king, who has gone insane under mysterious circumstances. They meet with the wizard Niak, who informs them he can cure the king's madness if they bring him three items. However, upon obtaining the items, Niak is revealed to be the one behind the king's insanity and manipulated the goblins into performing his bidding. The goblins manage to escape from Niak's lair, save the king by destroying the voodoo doll used to drive him insane, and defeat Niak while he is creating deadly potions.

The game is linear and consists of 22 levels, each of which occupies a single screen. The puzzles on each level must be successfully solved in order to progress to the next.<ref name="MobyGamesGobliiins" />

Several actions may harm the goblin involved, including leaving them in an unsafe place, using incorrect items, or interacting with items with the wrong characters, thus reducing their shared life meter. When the meter runs out, the game ends in defeat (though all levels can be completed without loss of life).

====Reception====
''Powerplay'' gave the game a rating of 70% for the PC version and 69% for the Amiga and Atari ST versions.<ref name="PowerPlay1">{{cite news | title=''Gobliiins'' | url =http://www.kultpower.de/powerplay_testbericht_extern.php3?im=gobliiins.jpg | work =Powerplay | access-date = 2009-02-12 | language = de}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' stated in January 1993 that although the game seemed designed to appeal to younger players, the difficulty of the puzzles made it most appropriate for older gamers, either alone or with children. The magazine concluded that the game "will entertain a variety of light-hearted gamers".<ref name="lombardi199301">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=102 | title=Coktel Vision's ''Gobliiins'' | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=January 1993 | access-date=5 July 2014 | author=Lombardi, Chris | pages=22}}</ref> In April 1994 the magazine said that ''Gobliiins Multimedia CD'' "was ever so cute and challenging", with a "much improved sound track".<ref name="cgw199404">{{Cite magazine |date=April 1994 |title=Invasion Of The Data Stashers|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=117|magazine=Computer Gaming World|pages=20–42}}</ref> In February 1993 ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' rated the game 5 out of 5 stars.<ref name="Dragon190">{{cite journal
|title = The Role of Computers |last1=Lesser|last2=Lesser|last3=Lesser|first1=Hartley|first2=Patricia|first3=Kirk|name-list-style=amp
|journal = Dragon |issue = 190 |date = February 1993 |pages = 55–60}}</ref> The game made its debut on iOS in September 2011, brought by publisher Bulkypix.<ref name="GobliiinsiTunes">{{cite web|author=Bulkypix|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gobliiins/id394372440|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111024319/http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gobliiins/id394372440|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2010|title=''Gobliiins'' for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store|publisher=[[iTunes]]|date=13 September 2011|access-date=20 May 2013}}</ref>

===''Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon'' (1992)===
In ''Gobliins 2'' the player controls two characters: Fingus (who is well-mannered, intelligent, and shy) and Winkle (who is strong, obnoxious, but dimwitted). They have been sent to rescue the King's son, the Prince Buffoon, who has been kidnapped by the evil Amoniak. Both goblins can pick up and use items, and both generally use an item in different ways. Unlike its predecessor, ''Gobliins 2'' allows (and requires) the player to travel back and forth between rooms. Also, both goblins can be given an order simultaneously, allowing for the inclusion of timing puzzles. A significant difference between this game and its predecessor is that in ''Gobliins 2'' neither playable character can die.<ref name="MobyGamesGobliins2">{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/atari-st/gobliins-2-the-prince-buffoon |title=''Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon'' |access-date=2009-02-12 |publisher=[[MobyGames]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227191053/http://www.mobygames.com/game/gobliins-2-the-prince-buffoon |archive-date=27 February 2008}}</ref>

====Reception====
''Gobliins 2'' received generally good reviews, with most game magazines giving it a rating of between 70% and 90%,<ref name="AUIGobliins2Review">{{cite news|title=''Gobliins 2''|date=April 1993|url=http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=amiga_user_int/magscans/aui_1993_04_07-04/074.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=409158|work=[[Amiga User International]]|access-date=2009-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718101254/http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=amiga_user_int%2Fmagscans%2Faui_1993_04_07-04%2F074.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=409158|archive-date=2011-07-18|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AmigaActionGobliins2Review">{{cite news |first=Huw |last=Melliar-Smith |title=''Gobliins 2'' |date=January 1993 |url=http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=amiga_action/magscans/aa40_1993_01/055.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=422777 |work=[[Amiga Action]] |pages=54–55 |access-date=2009-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718101303/http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=amiga_action%2Fmagscans%2Faa40_1993_01%2F055.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=422777 |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AmigaComputingGobliins2Review">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Roundell |title=''Gobliins 2'' |date=February 1993 |publisher=[[Europress]] / [[International Data Group|IDG]] |url=http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=amiga_computing/magscans/ac057_1993_02/134.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=394683 |work=[[Amiga Computing]] |access-date=2009-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718101316/http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=amiga_computing%2Fmagscans%2Fac057_1993_02%2F134.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=394683 |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=live}}</ref> though [[Commodore User|CU Amiga]] scored it at just 40%.<ref name="CUAmigaGobliins2Review">{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Slingsby |title=''Gobliins'' |date=January 1993 |publisher=[[EMAP]] |url=http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=cu_amiga/magscans/cu_1993_01/056.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=413324 |work=[[Commodore User|CU Amiga]] |access-date=2009-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718101321/http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=cu_amiga%2Fmagscans%2Fcu_1993_01%2F056.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=413324 |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' in August 1993 praised its "challenging puzzles, sharp-witted entertainment, and enhanced ease of use".<ref name="greenberg199308">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=109 | title=Double Your Puzzling Pleasure in Sierra's Gobliins 2 | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=August 1993 | access-date=12 July 2014 | author=Greenberg, Allen L. | pages=92}}</ref> In April 1994 the magazine said that the sequel was "no less entertaining than the original", and that the CD version added "much more sound and digitized voice-acting than in the enhanced version of the first game".<ref name="cgw199404"/>

===''Goblins Quest 3'' (1993)===
''Goblins Quest 3'' was originally known as just ''Goblins 3'', but after Sierra got involved they decided to add the ''[[quest (gaming)|Quest]]'' suffix in an attempt to align the game with their other Quest series: ''[[King's Quest]]'', ''[[Police Quest]]'' and ''[[Space Quest]]''.

In this game the player controls originally only one Goblin called Blount,<ref name="MobyGamesGoblinsQuest3">{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/goblins-quest-3 |title=''Goblins Quest 3'' |access-date=2009-02-12 |publisher=[[MobyGames]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227152555/http://www.mobygames.com/game/goblins-quest-3 |archive-date=27 February 2008}}</ref> but gets assistance from a number of sidekicks throughout the game including Chump the parrot, Ooya the magician, and Fulbert the snake. Blount is also bitten by a wolf early in the game and, after escaping from the afterlife, must contend with semi-frequent metamorphoses into a super-strong but uncouth werewolf alter ego. Most areas in ''Goblins 3'' are larger than the screen and therefore scroll. The game features 18 different levels, and like ''Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon'', some are interconnected to each other (e.g., walking from the countryside to the inn) whilst others cannot be exited until the player has finished that specific level. Later in the game, the player discovers that the main protagonist, Blount, was in fact the little prince that was kidnapped in ''Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon''.

====Reception====
The gaming press awarded broadly positive reviews, with scores ranging from around 75% to 85%,<ref name="AUIGoblinsQuest3Review">{{cite news |title=''Goblins 3'' |date=March 1994 |url=http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=amiga_user_int/magscans/aui_1994_03_08-03/078.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=416752 |work=[[Amiga User International]] |page=78 |access-date=2009-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718101326/http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=amiga_user_int%2Fmagscans%2Faui_1994_03_08-03%2F078.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=416752 |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AmigaMagazineRackGoblins3">{{cite web |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_7654 |title=''Goblins Quest 3'' |access-date=2009-02-12 |work=Amiga Magazine Rack |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718101339/http://amr.abime.net/review_7654 |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=live}}</ref> though—as it did with its predecessor ''Gobliins 2''—CU Amiga awarded a lower score of just 53%.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |first=Tony |last=Dillon |title=''Goblins 3'' |date=February 1994 |publisher=[[EMAP]] |url=http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=cu_amiga/magscans/cu_1994_02/073.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=400029 |work=[[Commodore User|CU Amiga]] |page=73 |access-date=2009-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708135055/http://amr.abime.net/amr_popup_picture.php?src=cu_amiga%2Fmagscans%2Fcu_1994_02%2F073.jpg&c=54860&n=1&filesize=400029 |archive-date=2019-07-08 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Computer Gaming World'' said in June 1994 that like the previous games, "''Goblins Quest 3'' is designed to thoroughly amuse ... Puzzle lovers are guaranteed an enjoyably bizarre experience".<ref name="cgw199406">{{Cite magazine|date=June 1994|title=Taking A Peek|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=119|magazine=Computer Gaming World|pages=168–172}}</ref> The magazine rated the game 3.5 stars out of five in July, stating that unlike the earlier games it had plot twists and other adventure game-like elements, and "bright, expressive" VGA graphics, but shared their humor. ''Computer Gaming World'' concluded that it would be a good game for new adventurers, and all players would enjoy the "charming characters and goofy plot elements".<ref name="james199407">{{Cite magazine|last=James|first=Jeff|date=July 1994|title=Blount Goblin, Ace Reporter |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=120 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=52, 53}}</ref>

In 1994, ''[[PC Gamer US]]'' named ''Goblin's Quest 3'' the 42nd best computer game ever.<ref name=pcgamerustop40>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | title=''PC Gamer'' Top 40: The Best Games of All Time; The Ten Best Games that Almost Made the Top 40 | date=August 1994 | issue=3 | pages=42}}</ref> The following year, the magazine presented ''Goblins Quest 3'' with its 1994 "Best Puzzle Game" award, writing that its puzzles will challenge and delight even the most experienced gamers.<ref name=pcgamerusawards2>{{cite journal | date=March 1995 | title=The First Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | pages=44, 45, 47, 48, 51 | journal=[[PC Gamer]] | author=Staff | volume=2 | issue=3}}</ref>

===''Gobliiins 4'' (2009)===
''Gobliiins 4'' was released in March 2009 and stars the same trio of characters as the original Gobliiins. The game was designed by Pierre Gilhodes and [[Muriel Tramis]], developed by Société Pollene and produced by the Russian company [[:ru:Snowball Studios|Snowball Studios]]. Compared to the previous games it boasts 3D graphics, but the game mechanics have not changed by much.<ref name="Gobliiins4ReleaseDate">{{cite news|title=''Gobliiins4'' release date on official website|url=http://www.gobliiins4.com/inscrire.htm|access-date=2009-03-24|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531061017/http://www.gobliiins4.com/inscrire.htm|archive-date=2010-05-31|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game received a slightly mixed reception, with an average of 56.5% on [[GameRankings]].<ref name="GameRankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/958639-gobliiins-4/|title=''Gobliiins 4'' for PC|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=20 May 2013}}</ref> IT Reviews said it was entertaining, but "the puzzle solutions can be annoyingly strait-jacketed at times".<ref name="ITReviews">{{cite web|last=Allan |first=Darren |url=http://www.itreviews.com/kalypso-gobliiins-4/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202731/http://www.itreviews.com/kalypso-gobliiins-4/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2014 |title=Kalypso – ''Gobliiins 4'' |publisher=IT Reviews |date=26 April 2009 |access-date=20 May 2013}}</ref> ''[[Adventure Gamers]]'' rated it 80% and called it "one of the most likeable titles this year".<ref name="AdventureGamers">{{cite web|last=Boosinger|first=Austin|url=http://www.adventuregamers.com/articles/view/18285|title=''Gobliiins 4'' review|publisher=[[Adventure Gamers]]|date=1 May 2009|access-date=20 May 2013}}</ref>

===''Gobliiins 5: The Morgloton Invasion'' (2023)===
The fifth game in the series, ''Gobliiins 5: The Morgloton Invasion'', was released in 2023, initially on [[Itch.io]] in May and on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in July. The game had successful crowdfunding campaigns on French crowdfunding site Ulule<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fr.ulule.com/gobliiins5/|title=Gobliiins5|website=Ulule}}</ref> and on [[Kickstarter]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gobliiins 5 (2023) - Game details |url=https://adventuregamers.com/games/view/46479 |website=Adventure Gamers |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pierre-gilhodes.itch.io/gobliiins5|title=Gobliiins5 by Pierre Gilhodes|website=itch.io}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=GOBLiiiNS5 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2475980/GOBLiiiNS5/ |website=Steam |access-date=10 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> 

It features the original three goblins from the first episode - Oups,{{efn|His name is spelled both "Oups" and "Oops" in the English translation of the game.}} Asgard and Ignatius - on a mission to find out the source of a mysterious [[Raygun|magic ray]] that turns people in to [[anthropomorphic]] [[potato]]es. The game was developed using [[Adventure Game Studio]]. While the game features a return to a more level-based format consisting of 16 levels, with usually the action being restricted on a single screen at a time, it continues the tradition of no [[game over]].

==Legacy==
On ''[[Playtoons|Playtoons 1: Uncle Archibald]]'', the little dragon from ''Goblins Quest 3'' appeared in the story mode and in the creative mode.

==See also==
* ''[[The Prophecy (video game)|Ween: The Prophecy]]''
* ''[[The Lost Vikings]]''
* ''[[Fish Fillets NG]]''
* ''[[The Bizarre Adventures of Woodruff and the Schnibble]]''

==References==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MobyGames|id=-group/gobliiins-series|name=The ''Gobliiins'' series}}
* [http://www.vintage-sierra.net/gobs.php The ''Gobliiins'' series] at Vintage Sierra
* [https://dosspirit.net/game/gobliiins/1 ''Gobliiins'' review] by The DOS Spirit
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070426023828/http://www.gobliiins4.com/ The official website of ''Gobliiins 4''] (archive)
* [https://pierre-gilhodes.itch.io/gobliiins5 The official website of ''Gobliiins 5'']

{{Portalbar|1990s|Video games|France}}
{{Muriel Tramis}}
{{Sierra Adventure Games|Other series}}

[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Adventure games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Atari ST games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Video games about goblins]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Point-and-click adventure games]]
[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
[[Category:ScummVM-supported games]]
[[Category:Sierra Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Coktel Vision games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in France]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Frédéric Motte]]
[[Category:Games commercially released with DOSBox]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:BulkyPix games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]