Genre: RPGDeveloper: Origin SystemsYear: 1985
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One revolutionary CRPG. If I had to define Ultima IV in one short sentence, that's all I'd say. Pretty much everything in this game is unique for games of its time, or were only found in its prequels.
Acclaimed by many as the best game in the series, I'd say it seconds only Ultima VII and VI, in that order. And that's a tough choice: had Ultima IV been conceived at least five or six years later, it would have the graphics and the gameplay it deserved.
First, understand that this game was made over 20 years ago. It's from the *mid*-80s. Yeah, it's an old game now, but it broke the limits of its time. I think it was the first CRPG featuring real conversations, where you can ask NPCs things that come to your mind (on a very simple fashion, but still). That made possible a whole new approach to roleplay, where you can rely on the information people give you, but also have to figure out what to ask to get where you want.
As a moongate appears to you when you're walking on the countryside, you're attracted by a renaissance fair nearby, and talk to a strange gypsy. She gives you questions, you answer them, choosing your path. You start to feel dizzy, and then you're in Britannia, once again, this time to become the Avatar -- a spiritual leader for the people of Britannia.
Accomplishing that will prove to be very challenging. Britannian society has evolved and flourished around the belief in the eight capital virtues: valor, justice, compassion, humility, honesty, spirituality, sacrifice and honor. The avatar must understand and master these concepts in order to become something better than just human.
Departing from the traditional fashion of CRPGs, in Ultima IV you really have to uphold the eight virtues, it's part of the game experience. You *could* steal, slaughter, flee from a fair battle, but that's against the virtues -- no, on your way to avatarhood, you learn to be humble but valiant, compassionate but swift in the face of crime, strong both physically and spiritually. If you succeed in upholding the eight virtues, you'll get access to the eight shrines and will have a chance to become the ultimate hero of Britannia.
As expected, graphics are very simple, sound is nearly nonexistent -- although the patch included in our package enhances the game qualities in these aspects. Gameplay is okay, but you should read the documentation to get used to the hotkeys.
Hardcore roleplayers will find this jewel challenging, but rewarding. This might be old history, but in this case it's a good thing you can travel back in time and revive this classic part of history!
