Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki is a Puzzle Platformer game developed by Game Studio and released in 1988 for the Famicom by Namco. It is the prequel to The Tower of Druaga. As of August 2013, there exists a Fan Translation patch for the game.
The 60-floor tower had been destroyed by the god Anu, but it was rebuilt by Druaga. Ishtar gives her shrine maiden Ki a golden tiara but no weaponry in the quest to obtain the Blue Crystal Rod, with additional assistance provided by Quox the Dragon.
Tropes present in the game:
- Badass Pacifist: Ki has no attack ability, but that isn't gonna stop her from climbing a demon-infested tower.
- Cruel Twist Ending: See below.
- Doomed by Canon: Ki in the ending. Not to death, but Taken for Granite.
- Extended Gameplay: The "special stage" floors 61 through 100 can be played after the game's ending.
- He Knows About Timed Hits: Before certain floors, Ishtar explains how to use the game's controls.
- Inexplicable Treasure Chests: At least they're visible in this game.
- No Fair Cheating: In The Quest of Ki there are items that warp the player to a higher floor. The 61st floor (the first of the "Special Stages") contains a warp item that warps you to floor 61 with a warning message: "I'll forgive you this time, but try that again and I'll warp you back to the first floor!". Level 100 delivers on the promise, at least in part, with a booby-trapped chest that sends the player back to level 19—as Arino discovered to his dismay.
- Not Quite Flight: Ki's Jump Physics let her rise to any height so long as it's continuous and she doesn't hit the ceiling.
- One Hitpoint Wonder: Ki is really vulnerable.
- Poison Mushroom: One kind of item makes the timer run out more quickly.
- Single-Use Shield: The Barrier item allows Ki to take one hit from anything that isn't a Will-o'-Wisp.
- Spikes of Doom: Druaga put a lot of spikes in the tower. Don’t let Ki touch them!
- Timed Mission: You only have a certain amount of time to get Ki to the end of the level.
- Video Game Flight: Ki's tiara allows her to float in the air, but she’ll get knocked down if she hits the ceiling.
