There's a lot to like about these games (even number 2) if you put in the dedication and patience, and take them just for what they are. Don't be afraid to use a walkthrough either, because in my opinion there is a fair bit of moon logic going on... To clear up some misconceptions I've read in other reviews though (because I'm pedantic that way), all of the Ultima games up to V were originally released on the Apple II and then ported to the PC. As far as I'm aware, Ultima I was actually only ported AFTER Ultima II, hence the fact that it has better graphics than its sequel. The version here, as far as I can tell, is the original with EGA graphics, and I've never found a version that had CGA like Ultima II. I'm sure everybody needed to know that ;)
I hate having to give star ratings for games. Your own likes and dislikes are going to give you a much better idea of if you like a game than if some random schlub on the internet thought it was worth x out of x arbitrary units. Anyway, First off, most of the graphics and animation (with the exception of one or two locations) are absolutely gorgeous. The music is servicable, but I can't say it really stood out to me. Movement and controls remind me strongly of megaman, and of course it's lathered thickly with heapings of metroid and castlevania games. There are lots of weapons, accessories and items and some light RPG mechanics which don't get too much in the way. There's a lot you can get into in this game if you choose to - lots of story and lore, extensive mechanics and levelling, lots of secrets etc. But none of that feels like an obligation - you can just breeze through the game and let the levelling etc. take care of itself and only scan the story text and still enjoy it. Or you can spend a lot of time minmaxing your equipment, optimising your loadouts, finding every single secret and getting deeply into the story. While we're on the topic of story, it's surprisingly complex with multiple facets and nuance. Mileage may vary, however - for what it's worth, I thought it took itself a bit too seriously. Overall, there are worse ways to spend 5+ hours if you are hankering for a metroidvania.
I loved this game for the atmosphere, particularly the first segment of the game. The graphics and music at times reach heart-achingly gorgeous levels, if you allow yourself to simply absorb the game at a reflective pace. I think as long as you go in to this expecting to play it slowly, methodically and mindfully you can really enjoy it, if that sort of thing appeals to you. Wandering quietly by yourself can be enjoyable. Backtracking is not a dirty word. Trial-and-error puzzles can be soothing instead of frustrating. Restarting the game when you screw yourself up is really not the end of the world (once you've done the puzzles once, you'll fly through them the second time through) Mapping with pen and paper is actually satisfying if you give it a chance. If you're patient and mindful and judge the game for what it is, not what other games are, then you might just find yourself enjoying it immensely.
I absolutely love this game. However, I would say it falls in the same category as things like "The Stanley Parable", that are really asking for a new term. "Game" just doesn't cut it - it's really an interactive experience. While it looks and handles like what we know a game to be, the challenge and gameplay are really not what this game is about. It's equal parts a meta-analysis on games, an intriguing take on how narratives can be presented and a psychological profile and discussion. Not for everyone, especially if you're wanting an experience similar to "A Link to the Past", but definitely a fascinating experience for anyone who is interested in what can be done with interactive media.
