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Anyone remember this game? I thought it was pretty good, it was quite different from the PC version, more simple, but I thought it was a good "consolized" port of the game as it had all the important stuff transitioned pretty well, and it had some nice graphics, and still retained a lot of the original version's complexities. Granted, it lost some of its non linearity in translation, which is a shame, but the other Ultima games on NES were more like their original counterparts, but sucked, Ultima V on NES was particularly an atrocious port, with really messed up graphics that kinda looked like they were trying to base it off the Ultima 6 engine but just looked funky.

Anyone play both, notice if there's any differences in the games, besides the graphics, music, and some of the gameplay elements? Is there any particular major content that's missing in the version?
Let's see:

There is no mixing of reagents for spells

The intro/character creation is shorter as it just cuts to the virtue test

It drops you before Lord British and then starts you at your proper starting location instead of the other way around

There is no final series of questions from the codex instead the ending is all "cut scened"
and the ending is different

Some of the companions are of a different gender

There is no ability to interact with NPCs instead they just bark out a statement and that is that.

The spell names are different

You can attack diagonally

certain things are in different locations

There is no wind or hunger/need for food

and that's all I can recall off the top of my head.

Personally I prefer the Master System Version when it comes to console ports of Ultima 4 as that is the more faithful port as it looks(in style) and plays exactly like the PC version but has the Dragon Quest style command window and the ability to hit diagonally plus the Dungeons are isometric instead of first person "3D" and has.
Though there may be worse, Ultima 5 for the NES is the worst rpg I have ever played. I feel sorry for anyone who bought it. The NES Ultima 3 actually had a pretty funny TV ad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=busg7ktmwDw
I thought the Ultima III port was pretty well done, never played the others.
avatar
DCT: Let's see:

There is no mixing of reagents for spells

The intro/character creation is shorter as it just cuts to the virtue test

It drops you before Lord British and then starts you at your proper starting location instead of the other way around

There is no final series of questions from the codex instead the ending is all "cut scened"
and the ending is different

Some of the companions are of a different gender

There is no ability to interact with NPCs instead they just bark out a statement and that is that.

The spell names are different

You can attack diagonally

certain things are in different locations

There is no wind or hunger/need for food

and that's all I can recall off the top of my head.

Personally I prefer the Master System Version when it comes to console ports of Ultima 4 as that is the more faithful port as it looks(in style) and plays exactly like the PC version but has the Dragon Quest style command window and the ability to hit diagonally plus the Dungeons are isometric instead of first person "3D" and has.
Ah, didn't realize there was so many differences. It has been a while since I played it granted. Also didn't know there was a Master System port, I might have to check that out.
avatar
DCT: Let's see:

There is no mixing of reagents for spells

The intro/character creation is shorter as it just cuts to the virtue test

It drops you before Lord British and then starts you at your proper starting location instead of the other way around

There is no final series of questions from the codex instead the ending is all "cut scened"
and the ending is different

Some of the companions are of a different gender

There is no ability to interact with NPCs instead they just bark out a statement and that is that.

The spell names are different

You can attack diagonally

certain things are in different locations

There is no wind or hunger/need for food

and that's all I can recall off the top of my head.

Personally I prefer the Master System Version when it comes to console ports of Ultima 4 as that is the more faithful port as it looks(in style) and plays exactly like the PC version but has the Dragon Quest style command window and the ability to hit diagonally plus the Dungeons are isometric instead of first person "3D" and has.
avatar
downphoenix: Ah, didn't realize there was so many differences. It has been a while since I played it granted. Also didn't know there was a Master System port, I might have to check that out.
Yeah sadly thanks to the Big N and their licencing agreements the Master System port only saw a UK release.

Also forgot the NES version's Magic System is different,there is no spell mixing instead you have to talk to NPC's learn the name of a spell and the ingredients and then go to a shop and have them copy the spell in you spell book by telling them the spell name and what goes into it. Plus there is no need to go to Magincia as the clues you get about the Shrine, the Mantra, the Black stone of humility and such are learned elsewhere instead of Magincia
also if I recall there is no need to learn the Mantras, I could be wrong it's been awhile since I tried the NES version of Quest of the Avatar.

All in all it's a mix bag it's a unfaithful port for the most part but it's not that bad.
Post edited July 28, 2012 by DCT