Ultima™ 9: Ascension

What's a paladin?

If you are not used to mouse and keyboard controls, perhaps because, like me, you are used to console, SKIP this title. If you have laptop, especially one with F keys that have alt functions, SKIP. This is a real-time action RPG taking place in Medieval European style landscape. Opening up your bags or books does not stop the action. Yes, that means you will try to cast a spell while a Giant Rat or Wolf attacks you, and they will gnaw on you while you flip pages and click the mouse. This is supposed to be less of an issue if you can press one of the Function Keys, but that still requires aiming with the mouse. So the best way to engage in combat, I figure from my experience playing video games for 86% of my living years, is to keep hitting the beasts with a sword. Or, well, you are limited to a knife immediately. Anyway, players might figure that this is straightforward, just keep clicking the mouse button until the monster perishes, but the game signals that you are missing. And it is difficult to tell if it is because you are not hitting the correct area, or if there is simply a dice-roll's chance to miss. Which means at the beginning of a game YOU PURCHASED, rats will win the war of attrition against you, and you won't know why. Losing indicates you did something wrong, but given the tools provided to the player, it is difficult to know what there is to change in your strategy. As for user interface, it is difficult to understand your equipment, because none of it is labeled with names, or even an indicator for what stats an item has. So it is difficult to know which of your stuff does which things or which pieces of equipment are stronger. None of it even has a name until you are ready to sell in the shop. Nice graphics and music. World feels expansive. Issue: Can't leave spellcasting mode [book] after engaging in combat mode [Tab], unless there is a legal target. Issue: Crashed out of my game. Interacting feels sloggy, confusing, and unrewarding. Skip :(

Ugh, really. This game... Why is it even here?

The game no one wanted is finally on GOG. Skip it. Even if Gog decides to give it away, skip it.

If you are a hardcore Ultima fan, you will hate this game. It is loaded with so many continuity errors it will make your eyes burst.