Quest for Glory creators crowdfunding tuition to Hero-U

There's really never been anything quite like Quest for Glory, so leave it to original series creators Lori and Corey Cole to step in and fill the void. Continuing the flood of acclaimed Golden Age game designers returning to the fold, the Coles have launched a Kickstarter campaign for their ambitious new project, Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption.

In Hero-U, a young would-be thief named Shawn O'Conner leaves his rough upbringing behind to attend the titular school, a place that "tries to teach young adventurers to be heroes. Shawn can continue his quest to join the Thieves' Guild, or he can strive to become a Rogue Hero. He has a lot to learn to succeed at either path."

If you were never quite sure whether Quest for Glory was more an adventure game or RPG, it seems you'll be just as unsure about Hero-U. As the "spiritual successor" to QFG, the new game promises to combine "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."

Hero-U is played from a pseudo-top-down perspective filled with "traps, obstacles, and enemies for you to overcome as you explore the school and the ancient catacombs beneath it." Combat is tactical and turn-based, not a test of reflexes, while skill-building and decision-making affect how the story plays out, allowing gamers to tailor the experience the way they want to play.

Before anyone has the chance to fight some monsters, however, there's a fight to get the game made to contend with first. The Coles have launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund Hero-U, seeking $400,000 by November 20th. The tentative plan is to complete the game by fall 2013 if the target goal is met. As usual, pledge rewards vary by tier, including $20 for a DRM-free download of the game and higher levels that include the likes of soundtracks and artbooks, a boxed DVD version, early access to "Beta and Combat Balancing Tests", and a Hero-U Yearbook, among others.

To contribute a donation or simply learn more about the game, check out the developers' Kickstarter page and visit the official Hero-U website.