Thread 12001346

I'm watching an Ultima retrospective series and it looks like an interesting, if archaic collection of games. Does /vr/ recommend them, and if so at what point should one start?

>>12001346 (OP)
most of them range from OK to god-awful, but if there's one to play it's VII. it is THE progenitor of all the western RPG tropes we've come to know.

>>12001346 (OP)
I think 1-3 aged poorly and are more historical games. 4 is the first one I'd recommend but it's tough to finish without a guide and is still outdated
6 is the first to feel like a modern CRPG with how the interactions and overworld combat works
Underworld is also a good starting point and doesn't require any prior knowledge, but Underworld 2 is a direct sequel to 7

>>12001346 (OP)
V is my favourite

>>12001394
>I think 1-3 aged poorly
3 aged fine.

>>12001398
Mine too. VI was simply too buggy and rushed. Which became a plague in VIII and IX.
>>12001386
Yeah, VII + Serpent Isle was peak (if you don't count IV-V).

Nah, don't bother.
Play Wasteland.

>>12001346 (OP)
>Does /vr/ recommend them
Yes. I'd recommend starting with Ultima IV because that's where the series realy hit it's stride and it gives context for what happens later and who the fuck the Avatar is, plus there's a Master System port that is really good. It actually holds up really well, despite how old it is. Ultima 7 is also a good starting point because it's a very acessible game, especially if you use the source port (exult), and you can play the older games afterwards. Underworld is also worth checking out if you like dungeon crawlers, and Ultima Online private shards if you are into getting griefed by autistic old men.

>>12001386
>VII. it is THE progenitor of all the western RPG tropes we've come to know
You can tell this guy knows very little about RPGs.

>>12001635
I'd mostly agree, though you can beat Ultima I in a weekend, it's pretty short.

Ultima g*mes are painful to look at :-(

>>12001346 (OP)

Only the complete Ultima VII. It's one of the best games ever.

>>12001346 (OP)
>I'm watching an Ultima retrospective series an
Spoony or Majular?

>>12001346 (OP)
BETRAYAL

V, VI, VII are all great. Pagan is OK at best, feels unfinished though. IX is worth playing if you're a big fan, just so you can get pissed off at it.

>>12001386
>>12001448
>>12001394
The only people who think like this are Linear thinkers.

>>12001346 (OP)
Martian dreams is good if you're into sci-fi parody stuff

>>12004209
Majuular :^)

>>12001346 (OP)
IV, V, VI and VII (including VII part 2) are the essentials. All masterpieces and quite different from one another. Only problem is that the further back you go the more archaic the controls/UI/general vibe gets so I'd probably start with VII (which, interface-wise at least, is SUPER easy to get into) and maybe work your way backwards. Unless you're willing to dive into the deep end with Apple II era CRPG controls in which case start from IV but I probably wouldn't recommend it.

Ultima Underworld is also a masterpiece and worth playing (as is Underworld 2.) It's almost it's own thing though and can be played at any time without any knowledge of the main series. Would also recommend checking out the original Wizardry and Dungeon Master too as well if you want the full history of CRPGs

>>12005925
Ultima VII still looks great, the older games are a bit more dated as you go back. But Ultima VII (and SI) are still state of the art as far as pixel graphics go.

Ultima III was great. Sad it doesn't get much praise.

>>12001346 (OP)
Ultima is a great series, I'd personally start with IV. If you like IV play V and VI, if you don't like IV give VII or Underworld a chance.

>>12005925
>Unless you're willing to dive into the deep end with Apple II era CRPG controls in which case start from IV
Just play the Master System port of IV.

Ultima III has a NES port, but it's *very* different from the PC versions. It looks somewhat Zelda-esque.

There is a game boy color port of ultima 3 , it's comfy on my chink handheld. Theis is also master system port of ultima 4. Has anyone played it? Should i stick to pc?

would be great to see re-releases of these games so I don't have to fuck with dosbox.

>>12008534
>There is a game boy color port of ultima 3
That one's a homebrew, a mix of the DOS and C64 ports. The official NES one looks like a completely different game.
>master system port of ultima 4
It has streamlined input, since it uses keyword-based dialog. Other than that, seems pretty similar to the PC versions to me. Some anon mentioned that, if you have an actual console, you can use the second gamepad for extra controls.

Ultima peaked as an crpg with 5. 3-5 are perfectly fine to play. exploration is still amazing.
Past that Richard focused way too hard on "muh simulation" and neglected gameplay. Plus, the games got way too buggier.
Underworld and adventure spinoff's are a different beast.
Underworld 1 and 2 are still good today but are first person rpgs with a different focus than the originals.
Adventure spinoffs are not worth playing. They are just ultima 3/4 with a slight adventure coat of paint.

>>12008539
GOG distributes the games pre-patched. Alternatively, Ultima Patcher just werks with the original files.

>>12008584
You forgot about Worlds of Ultima.

>>12008534
Ultima 4 on MS is a very faithful port, just with streamlined controls to play on controller.

I had a good time playing VI and got quite far but never finished, it seems like it has a lot of potential and is closer to the Ultima I know and love best: Ultima Online. I'm sure there are still some servers up but they're probably a shadow of their former selves.

I'm gonna assume they used the Ankh instead of the cross because of european religious feefees?

>>12009512
They just wanted a different symbol that looked cool. The 8 virtues have nothing to do with christianity anyway

>>12009524
It's actually a moderately well-thought out and largely consistent moral philosophy, too, which is more than can be said for most religions

>>12001346 (OP)
ultima 5 is still the best rpg. in fact it isnt even close.

>>12009398
I'm a retard and meant Ultima VII (TBG). I used the Ultima VI cover for a shoop once and got them mixed up.