Zerker on 8/7/2010 at 22:54
Quote Posted by Aerothorn
The problem is that it's very much an exploration based game (seriously, navigating the thing without using internet-maps and whatnot is a bitch) with a high encounter point.
That being why the original has a cloth map, which you should also be able to find a scan of online. Dungeons are fairly easy to map out as well, since you can just use one of those magical mapping gems to see the whole floor. I played through Ultima 4 in first and second year University, and enjoyed it then. Note that it is indeed a slow game, so it takes some patience.
Aerothorn on 9/7/2010 at 05:20
Yeah, part of the problem is that I'm trying to rush it for schedule purposes and it's really not designed to be rushed. But it's fine.
And yeah, the scan of the map I have is so low-res that it's not particularly useful - particularly since there's no real way to locate where on the map you are. Still, I'm getting the hang of it.
Melan on 9/7/2010 at 06:33
I played the older Ultimas around 1996-1998, when I got my hands on the I-VI collection that was for sale at the time - six games on a CD, two manuals and various maps.
My problem with Ultima IV was that even after I did all the quest things that had to be done, it would have been a chore to get all eight virtues up to the maximum level - there seems to be a decay rate, so even if you don't do anything incorrect, you can lose your virtue status.
In Ultima V, I got as far as the very last dungeon, but could never pass a room that had something like seven or eight dragons in it, even though every character was kitted out with magic axes, magical armour etc. Maybe there was a trick to it, but even more likely, I would just have needed a lot of grinding to get every single character up to superhuman level. Meh. That said, Ultima V is really good; I was in love from the point I found the climbing gear. :cool:
Also, Savage Empires! It is less known as a side game to Ultima VI, but it is probably the greatest in the older set. You can create gunpowder, bamboo guns, grenades and other nifty equipment from raw materials, and the puzzles have wonderfully intuitive, imaginary solutions to them. You also get to defeat the evil god Warren Spector, then have him join the party. :laff:
Melan on 9/7/2010 at 06:37
Quote Posted by Sulphur
Well, U4
is historically important as one of the first computer RPGs to stray away from the standard hack and slash 'destroy the evil wizard/witch/demonic computer progeny of the two' plot of the time and implement a moral code, one where the player was suddenly responsible for his actions within the gameworld. As in, being a murdering, stealing jerkface actually had repercussions this time around. It changed the dynamics of CRPGs right then and there.
I would have preferred more computer RPGs to follow the recipe of
Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna, where you play the villain and summon groups of monsters to do your bidding and slay your enemies (which were mostly groups of adventurers). Unfortunately, that concept never took off.
Matthew on 9/7/2010 at 09:24
The Savage Empire is a wonderful little game - the additions to the U6 engine were simply delightful. Martian Dreams was interesting in many ways too, but I still prefer Savage Empire.
Sulphur on 9/7/2010 at 18:37
Quote Posted by Melan
I would have preferred more computer RPGs to follow the recipe of
Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna, where you play the villain and summon groups of monsters to do your bidding and slay your enemies (which were mostly groups of adventurers). Unfortunately, that concept never took off.
While that's great, that's also a pretty one-note concept. We've had games like Dungeon Master and Overlord in that vein, which were great, but I can't imagine doing much actual role-playing in that scenario. Plus I wouldn't really want too many RPGs confined to the one idea.
Props to everyone for mentioning Savage Empire. Gawd that game was something; somewhat obtuse and confusingly built to my childhood self, but great fun. Wasn't it also the one with the breathless description of a native forest dweller's raven-black hair glistening in the sunlight at the beginning of the manual?
Matthew on 9/7/2010 at 18:49
... why do you think child-me liked it?
Sulphur on 9/7/2010 at 18:58
...because of the Tarzan-y leopard skin underwear-wearing potential of it all, I'm sure. Just like me. ;)
Sulphur on 9/7/2010 at 19:12
If that monkey's a metaphor for what I think you're trying to say, you are so off my friends list. :mad:
It's supposed to be a wild tumble of dark hair. Not... pistachio.
