"The fact that the Odd Gentlemen are INTENTIONALLY aping KQ7 is proof enough that these people don't "get" what makes King's Quest such a beloved series of games (the terrible KQ7 aside.)"
Actually I think the first game is aping King's Quest 1 (perhaps in particular the original King's Quest for pcJR's concept art), as far as the 'open world', play as graham... Cartoony Graham... Graham's quest ot becom a knight to mirror his quest to become a king. A passing of the torch so to speak. Although they might not quite yet make her 'queen', she does seem a bit young.
Also Graham is very old, and feeble, and stuck in bed, while telling his grand daughter stories, which lead her to become a 'leader' like her Grandpa... Me thinks we have influence of KQ1's Edward and Graham ("Quest for the Crown")... Maybe Graham will 'croak' at the end of the series, after telling his story, and Gwendolyn will strive to live up to his legacy and become Daventry's future leader.
But its certainly taking alot of cues from several sources in the series.
On a side note, I get more 'handdrawn storybook' vibe from the new art style more than "disney" style. Character art in animated movies rarely get as much 'shading' and detail, as the many of the character designs are getting in the new game. The way its being told is very Princess Bride, with grandfather telling the story to his grand child (no not KQ7's Princeless Bride)...