tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post4762308978524597508..comments2024-03-19T02:45:56.380-04:00Comments on The CRPG Addict: Game 16: Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (1985)CRPG Addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-90664432378382663762021-12-10T14:32:41.796-05:002021-12-10T14:32:41.796-05:00Thought you might be interested to know that Ameri...Thought you might be interested to know that Americus is the name of a small city in southwest Georgia (pop. 15000 or thereabouts).100FloorsOfFrightshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07625564667909827929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-9311796610743056582018-11-29T06:53:25.098-05:002018-11-29T06:53:25.098-05:00I've truly never played anything like this gam...I've truly never played anything like this game before. The over-arching narrative is really one of a kind and immensely gratifying as you progress, and I still haven't even made it that far. For some reason I find the meditation sequence nothing short of awe-inspiring. At this point I've visited all the towns and cities that I'm aware of and mapped out most of the game world while taking exhaustive notes, and I think I've mapped out a pretty clear set of steps to the end-game, definitely still a ways to go though as I haven't hit the dungeons yet or reached enlightenment in any of the virtues.<br /><br />My main gripe with the game is the IMO absolutely absurd amount of random encounters. I felt like Ultima III had a much more reasonable balance (even though it made finding a frigate complete pain at times), where in this game I can't take more than five steps without combat, which is admittedly the least interesting part of the game for me. This kind of makes exploration a chore and I generally play in small chunks of time as a result, but it's definitely not keeping me from loving the game.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08819573618555454233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-4674755793616084992018-02-27T14:56:09.157-05:002018-02-27T14:56:09.157-05:00@Zenic - I agree that the S/NES versions are bette...@Zenic - I agree that the S/NES versions are better avoided, but the Master System version of IV is very faithful. It has combat a little closer to Ultima V, top-down dungeons and an improved spell-mixing interface. Conversations are menu-based, which is probably the biggest loss, but the writing is completely intact.<br /><br />@Jalen - you're missing some of the best games in the series! V is incredible. The Underworlds are powerfully atmospheric. The Worlds are interesting diversions, although you'd better have access to the maps. Serpent Isle is almost certainly the best-written Ultima, with the most eventful story and with some amazing dungeons and settings.<br /><br />Even Ultima IX has some great content. The story is nonsense, the writing feels like an afterthought, combat is limp, NPC interaction is shallow and horribly-voiced and the game does awful things to your traditional companions, but the world is full of interesting nooks and crannies to explore. It really feels handmade in a way Oblivion and Skyrim don't. I really like the dungeons as well - they're easy but a lot of fun, full of environmental puzzles. You get to equip some very cool gear along the way too, although the easy combat makes it pretty pointless. So... Terrible Ultima but entertaining game? Romhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17424138564206888866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-8801102831074724192016-11-28T11:57:26.504-05:002016-11-28T11:57:26.504-05:00"because Chet has still yet to touch Dark Hea..."because Chet has still yet to touch Dark Heart"<br />? He played it long ago, it's currently 4th highest rated in the listshankaohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06194425920878224732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-70647755636295589652015-06-19T04:19:17.123-04:002015-06-19T04:19:17.123-04:00Yeah, just questions. I didn't say it many yea...Yeah, just questions. I didn't say it many years ago because Chet has still yet to touch Dark Heart and I didn't want to spoil it for him. Sorry for the confusion, Gaijin.Kenny McCormickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553499727945099493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-40773438506717771522015-06-19T03:22:17.781-04:002015-06-19T03:22:17.781-04:00Dark Heart of Uukrul has you play through mini-sce...Dark Heart of Uukrul has you play through mini-scenarios instead of just answering RP questions? I thought it was just questions?EriChanTheRetroGamerNerdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862547154849146963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-71267362567191012742015-06-19T01:10:35.206-04:002015-06-19T01:10:35.206-04:00As did Dark Heart of Uukrul.As did Dark Heart of Uukrul.Kenny McCormickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553499727945099493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-59849754863823831852015-06-18T23:19:10.231-04:002015-06-18T23:19:10.231-04:00The Dragon Quest III remakes (SNES/GBC/Android) us...The Dragon Quest III remakes (SNES/GBC/Android) use a question-based character creation system (every hero is the same class, but the question affect your "personality", which affects stat growth...) and then it puts you in a scenario in-engine and determines your "personality" by how you act. (Question-based character creation is uncommon but not unheard of in JRPGs, and they all descended from Ultima IV.)<br /><br />Example from DQ3 remake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13tdGCUoWZsEriChanTheRetroGamerNerdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10862547154849146963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-83269547309681064722015-01-15T17:48:34.567-05:002015-01-15T17:48:34.567-05:00I've found your blog when searchnig for inform...I've found your blog when searchnig for informations about Ultima V and (of course like everyone else) start reading it from the begining :)<br />But for Ultima IV. It's probly the oldes CRPG I've played in my life, I've heard much about Ultima series and wanted to try myself. I was quite supprised how much this game hooked me into its world. For me there was no nostalgia involvedm and I've played it about two years ago. I had to read some faq just to know how to play it, learn controls ect. But it was worthy. For me this tiny little piece of oldie became one of the best RPG of all time! I've never finish it :( and probably never will because of the dungeons, I just don't have that much time and patient, so your blog is just the thing for my. I just love old games (especially adventure) but most of them are just too oldschool and hard for me to play. But to read? :D Keep up the good work!Kokshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03378976510544574341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-11000522824287775452014-04-21T17:56:30.070-04:002014-04-21T17:56:30.070-04:00This is true for all the Ultima games on Nintendo ...This is true for all the Ultima games on Nintendo consoles. It's probably best to leave the console versions of this series alone though. Ultima: Quest of the Avatar is the highest rated/reviewed, and even it suffers from cut content.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-81835759403771548042014-04-21T17:51:03.511-04:002014-04-21T17:51:03.511-04:00I got this game for free from GOG. I almost bought...I got this game for free from GOG. I almost bought the Ultima 1,2,3 collection from them but stopped when I realized Ultima 2 was terrible and that the Ultima: Exodus I played on NES was Ultima 3. I don't think the NES cartridges had the Ultima's numbered. Anyways, guess there is no excuse not to play this game now.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18246253547887956099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-29114797047232953232014-04-13T17:33:30.771-04:002014-04-13T17:33:30.771-04:00In the last four years, I think I've learned t...In the last four years, I think I've learned to be a little more reserved as to my use of superlatives. When I wrote this, I was arguing from ignorance, having only played a fraction of the titles of the era.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-89793420118146299472014-04-13T14:20:22.413-04:002014-04-13T14:20:22.413-04:00Just completed the NES port. Now to read and comme...Just completed the NES port. Now to read and comment on these posts finally.<br /><br />Character creation in Ogre Battle is very similar to Ultima IV as well. Tarot cards are selected at random, and you answer moral or psychological questions based on the card drawn. The game as a shallow morality system with a single alignment bar as well.<br /><br />Alter Ego, is basically an entire game where you shape your character. I say game, but it's more a life simulator. There's a Japanese only game, Anearth Fantasy I believe, where you start the game as an abandoned baby. You cry out at a certain point to create your character, basically choosing which NPC to adopt you. Then I believe you play through youth choices similar to Fable (another example?) to decide your final character. I'm sure there are others with unique character creation.<br /><br />When you use terms like "never a game like it" and "rivaled only by x and y" I feel the need to point out other examples, but I'll take your meaning as "no other popular titles" from now one; otherwise, I'll be doing this too often.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-38206766067429682152013-10-01T20:26:23.738-04:002013-10-01T20:26:23.738-04:00On second thought, I guess there are more than two...On second thought, I guess there are more than two Ultima games I haven't played, if you count the Ultima Underworld games and the Worlds of Ultima games (I've played Savage Empire, but not Martian Dreams). And Serpent Isle, for that matter, if it's counted as a separate game, which I suppose it probably should be.<br /><br />Yeah... I do plan to play all of those someday, but... it's a matter of finding the time. But then I've got a lot of other CRPGs I want to play someday, too. I've got the Wizardry, Might & Magic, and Bards Tale collections, as well as all the Gold Box games; I have old compilations that include RPGs like Wasteland and Stonekeep... <em>someday</em> I hope to get around to playing them all...Jalen Wandererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00973042209003357278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-89087819960181511742013-10-01T20:20:15.517-04:002013-10-01T20:20:15.517-04:00Hm... I'd forgotten that.
I was about to ask ...Hm... I'd forgotten that.<br /><br />I was about to ask in what game that detail was mentioned, but then I realized I could probably check the <a href="http://wiki.ultimacodex.com/wiki/Main_Page" rel="nofollow">Codex of Ultimate Wisdom</a> and find out for myself. Turns out it's stated in the documentation to Ultima V, which explains why I didn't know it... that's one of the two Ultima games I never played. (The other is Ultima IX... I played IV, VI, VII, and VIII when they first came out (though I don't think I ever quite finished any of them), and I, II, and III years later as part of the Ultima Collection (it's not entirely impossible I had played some of all of those when they first came out as well, but if so I didn't remember them)... I do want to play Ultima V someday; from what I've heard about it I think I'd really enjoy it; but I want to replay Ultima IV (and play it all the way till the end this time) first.)Jalen Wandererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00973042209003357278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-59155254011462465582013-10-01T13:42:31.388-04:002013-10-01T13:42:31.388-04:00The IN-GAME version of "Lord British" ob...The IN-GAME version of "Lord British" obtained his name from his homeland, which is what I was referring to.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-25963674920798526862013-10-01T02:39:10.761-04:002013-10-01T02:39:10.761-04:00For what it's worth, it isn't true that Lo...For what it's worth, it isn't true that Lord British "obtained his name from his homeland" -- well, I suppose one could argue it's technically true in the sense that his name is derived from the country he happened to have been born in, but that's not the reason for the name. He was given the nickname "British" at a computer camp not because he was born in England (which the other kids at the camp probably weren't even aware of at the time) but because his campmates thought he sounded British (which was just because of his word choice and <br />had nothing to do with his being born there -- I've actually been told I sound British myself and I've never set foot in England outside of a few hours in an airport).Jalen Wandererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00973042209003357278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-40709101214097358682013-01-20T17:31:57.779-05:002013-01-20T17:31:57.779-05:00True, but some of the Kickstarter "old-school...True, but some of the Kickstarter "old-school revival" games coming out in the next year or two are going all-out for the authentic experience! Wasteland 2 and Project Eternity are both going to be available in old-school-style boxes with full print manuals (and PE will have a cloth map!).Quarexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-53522435242263663242013-01-18T16:58:56.799-05:002013-01-18T16:58:56.799-05:00Well, what can I say...this was my very first rpg,...Well, what can I say...this was my very first rpg, too. I did know the concept of "role playing games" only through the fighting fantasy gamebooks, and I already heard much about the Ultima series. This was one of the few games for the C64 I bought as a kid via the Ultima Collection IV-VI (or got as a present? Don't remember). It blew my mind. I didn't know such an experience would be possible with the good old 64 until then, it was like all the other games seemed pale (expect Last Ninja ;)) from a moment on. The genre never let me go nor did the Ultima series until that dreaded 8. part, well you all know the story. Ultima VII was my reason to desperately wanting a pc.fireballnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-71034489244073577772012-03-26T01:26:11.649-04:002012-03-26T01:26:11.649-04:00Wha...? How many songs are there? I only remember ...Wha...? How many songs are there? I only remember "Stones".<br />6789878767653. Heh...Kenny McCormickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01553499727945099493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-50830150861902057502011-09-01T16:57:48.110-04:002011-09-01T16:57:48.110-04:00RE: what ever happened to those manuals?
Printing...RE: what ever happened to those manuals?<br /><br />Printing and binding the manuals costs 2x-5x as much as pressing and shipping the disks/CDs with the game. Printing the box cost about 2x-3x as much.<br /><br />Sad to say, those amazing manuals were annihilated by the demon Economics...Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18269913375393024863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-22450161871527185352011-07-06T09:57:53.899-04:002011-07-06T09:57:53.899-04:00Ah, my first Ultima and really my first serious ex...Ah, my first Ultima and really my first serious experience with a CRPG on my new C-64. I almost finished it until a buddy loaded my saved game, got me in an unwinnable battle then inadvertantly saved the game overwriting my months of hard work. I never went back. I'd like to try it again someday....CRPGERnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-35695236986525952992010-05-02T18:31:01.750-04:002010-05-02T18:31:01.750-04:00Good point about the music. As I said in some othe...Good point about the music. As I said in some other posting, music in a CRPG usually doesn't do anything and I usually turn it off. But I must not have done that with Ultima IV because decades later I can still play every note of the original songs. At some point in my mind, the main title song even acquired lyrics, although I don't know if I invented them, heard a friend singing them, or saw them printed somewhere else. A Google search turns up nothing.<br /><br />When<br />Mondain rose<br />hatching his<br />evil ploy<br /><br />It was<br />our Lord British<br />who had him destroyed<br /><br />When Minax<br />seized his power<br />and scorched the world from<br />east to west<br /><br />It was<br />our Lord British<br />who laid her to restCRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-3266103749070555732010-04-29T08:34:56.695-04:002010-04-29T08:34:56.695-04:00Ultima IV is the first CRPG I ever played. The Co...Ultima IV is the first CRPG I ever played. The Commodore 64 version is spectacular, the music is worthy of a Hollywood production.<br /><br />Ultima IV is Richard Garriott's magnum opus. It's the culmination of 28 simple CRPG games he made on the high school computer (DND 1 thru DND 28), Akalabeth + the first 3 Ultimas.<br /><br />Ultima IV is what made me want to make my own CRPG games. I only knew how to program in BASIC at the time, so my attempts were mixed, at least until recently when I took the time to make an old-school RPG entirely in assembly language lawst year.hitfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03585339553144825190noreply@blogger.com