Mixed-Up Fairy Tales
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Mixed-Up Fairy Tales |
Mixed-Up Fairy Tales is a graphic adventure game launched by Sierra On-Line in 1991. Serving as a sequel to Mixed-Up Mother Goose, it is designed specifically for a younger audience compared to Sierra's more complex King's Quest and Space Quest series. Players assume the role of one of six children, whose names can be customized. Retail versions included a coloring book with a fairy tale motif, accompanied by crayons.
Plot
The storyline centers on the magical dragon Bookwyrm, who transports the player into an enchanted realm to assist in restoring five disrupted fairy tales (Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Bremen Town Musicians, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Snow White) that have been tampered with by the troll Bookend. For instance, Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper has been taken, Jack’s axe is lost, and Snow White must locate the dwarfs’ cottage. Throughout the adventure, Bookwyrm acts as an in-game guide offering advice.
Gameplay
The game features a streamlined interface employing just two icons: one for interacting, moving, or conversing, and another for examining the environment. It removes any possibility of player death and avoids scenarios where progress becomes impossible due to missing items or critical information. Progress is saved automatically when exiting, with files named after the chosen character.
Although players can engage with familiar fairy tale figures, key narrative developments happen off-screen, and player navigation is limited to a compact four-by-four screen grid.
Reception
Cynthia E. Field from PC Games commended the title as an entertaining, nonviolent challenge that appeals equally to both boys and girls.