{{Short description|Role-playing game accessory}} {{Infobox book | name = First Quest | image = File:First Quest.jpg | caption = | author = | genre = Role-playing games | publisher = TSR | release_date = 1994 | media_type = | pages = | isbn = | congress= | oclc= }}
'''''First Quest''''' is an accessory for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game, published in 1994.
== Contents == ''First Quest'', subtitled "The Introduction to Role-Playing Games", is a boxed set intended for players who have no experience with role-playing games, to help them learn the basics of ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' and about role-playing generally.<ref name="Pyramid"/> ''First Quest'' comes with an audio compact disc, complete with 60 tracks, stereo sound and a plastic case.<ref name="Dragon 210"/> The CD begins with a long track which introduces roleplaying as an idea, where the narrator helps a group of young gamers act out a short sample roleplaying session.<ref name="Pyramid"/> The adventure text directs the Dungeon Master to play certain tracks at various points to reveal clues or enhance the atmosphere. The rules are streamlined ''AD&D'' rules, intended for novice players and first-time Dungeon Masters (DM). The 16-page rule book covers the basics of character creation, combat and spell-casting. The Adventure Book contains four scenarios, two of which use the CD. Symbols highlight key sections of the text; an exclamation point indicates information requiring the DM's scrutiny, a foot impaled on a spike notes the location of a trap. The DM's screen provides step-by-step directions for making saving throws and ability checks. A set of reference cards explains the differences between warriors and wizards.<ref name="Dragon 210"/>
== Publication history == The ''First Quest'' game was designed by Bruce Nesmith,<ref name="Pyramid"/> L. Richard Baker III, and David "Zeb" Cook, and published by TSR, Inc.<ref name="Dragon 210"/>
== Reception == Rick Swan reviewed ''First Quest'' for ''Dragon'' magazine #210 (October 1994).<ref name="Dragon 210">{{cite journal | last = Swan | first = Rick | authorlink = Rick Swan | title = Role-playing Reviews | journal = Dragon | issue = 210 | page = 94 | publisher = TSR | location = Lake Geneva, Wisconsin | date=October 1994}}</ref> He called the audio CD "the genuine article", further commenting: "Tastefully produced, the CD transcends gimmickry by transforming routine adventures into multimedia extravaganzas".<ref name="Dragon 210"/> Swan concludes that although the ''First Quest'' game "won't sustain the interest of experienced players—it only takes characters up to 3rd level and doesn't have enough detail to stage convincing wilderness adventures—it's a newcomer's dream. This may be the birthday present of the year".<ref name="Dragon 210"/>
Scott Haring reviewed ''First Quest'' for ''Pyramid'' #11 (January/February 1995).<ref name="Pyramid">{{cite journal | last = Haring | first = Scott D. | authorlink=Scott Haring | title = Pyramid Pick: TSR Audio Games | journal = Pyramid | volume=11 | date = January 11, 1995 | url= https://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/login/article.html?id=4398 | accessdate = 2008-02-17}} ([http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=4398 sample])</ref> He called this "a natural first product" as an experimental application of a relatively new technology in the form of boxed sets that included audio CDs, adding that this is "the Holy Grail of RPG game design – the game that teaches itself – and ''First Quest'' is the closest anyone has come to it yet".<ref name="Pyramid"/> Describing the introduction track, Haring states: "The kids sounds like kids – they interrupt each other, talk in the background, laugh at stupid jokes and have fun. The script writers did a good job of making this sample session sound real, not like some wooden radio play".<ref name="Pyramid"/>
==Reviews== * {{lang|pt|Dragão Brasil}} (issue #4 – July 1995) (Portuguese)<ref>https://archive.org/details/colecao-dragao-brasil/Drag%C3%A3o%20Brasil%20004/page/32/mode/2up</ref> * {{lang|da|Rollespilsmagasinet Fønix}} (Danish) (issue #4 – September/October 1994)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.rpggeek.com/rpgissuearticle/21366/anmeldelser-og-den-korte-nyhedsliste | title=Anmeldelser og den korte nyhedsliste |website=RPGGeek}}</ref> *''Coleção Dragon Slayer''<ref>{{cite web | title=Coleção Dragon Slayer | url=https://archive.org/details/colecaodragonslayer/Dragon%20Slayer%2008/page/n7/mode/2up }}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{D&D topics}}
Category:Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks Category:Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1994