Ultima™ 7 The Complete Edition

I played this game in 1993 when I was 9. Aside from becoming entirely absorbed into this two part series, it exponentially increased my reading level. I signed up to GOG and promptly downloaded this to do the same for my child.

Sometimes I'm kind of stupid, especially when I was a kid. Having not ever played a full blown CRPG, at the time, I had no idea there was "copyright protection" within the game. I spent so much time in Trinsic I had discovered ways to kill everyone in town, I knew everyone's schedules, and I had scoured the in-game map for those accursed coordinates... Then my life changed forever when I found coordinates in the back of my manual needed to escape in-Trinsic hell. I robbed, plundered, and did heroic deeds for poor farmers. I got thrown in jail. I "died" and was rescued by Fellowship members (maybe I even felt bad after repaying their kindness by butchering them. Nah.) I found naked people, I made Iolo touch (or eat?) a dirty diaper. I drank a bucket of blood. I reluctantly joined an evil cult. And, of course, I marveled at the depth of just about every character, the plot, and the immersion. There are things I swear I have done in this game that I have tried to find again only to fail miserably. I have dreamt of fighting the Guardian. Literally. I've had dreams about this game. While it's combat, item variety, gameplay, etc. have now since been dwarfed by modern mega-RPGS like Skyrim; I don't think I've played a more compelling plot in an RPG ever. From the moment you enter Britannia, to the frustration of "just missing" your target, the plot unravels in ways that flesh out the world and make it more believable than many modern games (and more maturely). The characters are life-like and there was a lot of detail put into NPC schedules (I caught you, cheater cheater). For it's time, there was absolutely nothing like it. Sure there are some dated flaws (you'll drag-and-drop a LOT). But this game isn't on GoodNewGames.com is it? If you want to cheat (for me the carry limit is too restrictive), you can download Exult giving you a myriad of cheat, graphics, and sound options. However, the "vanilla" game works well with DosBox and it does have a GFX smoothing option.

There are no word to descrive how amazing this game is so what I recommend to everyone who loves RPG games is to buy the game and get inmersed in the complex world of Ultima 7, the last game of an independent and trusty company before Electronic Arts ruined it all. As far as Ultima series is concerned, for me this game has the best graphics with Ultima 6, and its really playable for a new fan or someone who hasn't played an old game before. The soundtrack is awesome and the sense of freedoom that grants you the world of Ultima 7 is enormous. The game takes place in Britannia, a huge world is fullfileth with NPC with unique dialogs and routines and toons of towns and locations. You can find something to do on every corner of the world. The fighting system it's so easy. Characters attack automatically when you set a target, all you have to do is manage their equipement and more defensive or agressive party formations. There are no side quest, altought they are not needed. Making dozen of stupid missions like "Kill that" or "Get that item" could have been a way to get in more detail about the world of Britannia, but it's not Ultima style. It's all about a well made mature plot involving you, the Avatar and your friends,, in the quest of finding out what is happening in the world, and you will have to make your way speaking with citizens and knowing more about their lives and what is hidding on the shadows in the world of Britannia. You will have to stay determined. You can make a party with some special NPC that will follow you on the adventure and they are really good companions with charisma and unique virtues. Also they can die. Everyone can die on this game. You can murder, steal, open and close windows, sit on the tavern in front of the warming fire and watching how people starts coming to have a drink after finishing their job. It's all alive and breathable. Ultima 7 has many hours of playing and also you will want to start it again once you finish it. It is so difficult to complete the game for the first time without any kind of clue or guide on the Internet, because there are a lot of things to do, secrets and hidden places. But If you really want to explore the world by yourself I suggest you don't use guides very often. Don't read more reviews. Just buy this game and start playing. You won't regret it. One of the most beatiful and best games I have ever experienced. Ultima 6 and Ultima 7 reminds me of MMORPG Tibia, one of my most loved games that I still playing today. Tibia is also a great game but not for all. It's just an Ultima On-line. (Forget about Ultima Online from EA. ((the devil)).

The game plays like the original. That said, the original had General Midi soundtrack for those lucky enough to own and Roland soundcard. It even allowed the effects of the SoundBlaster & General midi combined. The GOG version seems to support only the Adlib music, which is a shame as the General Midi soundtrack was epic.

Disclaimer: no matter how much I loved this one, I *never* managed to end it, so I can't comment much on the whole plot or details near the end of the game. That said, this is one of the greats of the genre, likely at the very top for me. From detailed graphics to a slowly unraveling plot, U7 shines the most in its finely detailed living world, which is a character in itself. It's easy to suffer the same fate as I did, just enjoying the experience of travelling around in Britannia and meeting random strangers. Loads of side quests to do, mostly heroic, but some mundane as being a helping hand harvesting crops of making bread. On the minus side, a somewhat confusing approach to group management and combat, but nevertheless a near-perfect experience and the crowning achievement of the Ultima series along with Underworld.