Here is a game I never thought they would revive, and never would have guessed it would be free: http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55969/Kings-Quest-The-Silver-Lining-Episode-1-Released
Played these as a kid many times. Will check this out!
But the KQ series of games, and the Space Quest and Police Quest to a lesser extent, were all about the PUZZLES, not really the story. They were about figuring out which pixel to avoid or do something with, or which inventory item *finally* is going to have a purpose, you know, the one you found on the beach on the 2nd screen but still have never had a chance to use?
It's tough to find that same lightning-in-a-bottle combination of fun+difficulty that the old Sierra adventures captured, and kept delivering on... Although pretty graphics are a nice benefit to modern times, I suspect that the challenge factor will have to be reduced as a result ... but then again I'm an Old School Curmudgeon, lately -- and this game is free, so, ummm... I'll wait until someone else (preferably with kids, hint hint) tries it out first and offers a summary review :)
Well it certainly plays like a King's Quest game. No gore yet. Click to move interface. Try to find stuff in the "picture" to interact with. Narrator responds to actions.
Should be fine for kids to play!