I got it as soon as it came out, since Episode 1 was one of the best adventure games I played in the past few years. But I was so disappointed. The game lacks the smartness, the spark of the previous one. It is very slow placed and boring. Too many words, too many descriptions and the puzzles are easy and pretty banal. Big big disappointment. The magic of episode 1 as well as of the Critter Chronicles is gone. Too bad :(
This series is actually AMAZING. I think it is one of the best adventure games in years! It's well written, it's emotional, it's interesting, with nice twists and although it's not hard to finish, the investigation puzzles are nice. Do not play the last episode if you have not played the others. First, you wouldn't understand the game, second you'd miss most of its beauty. Also, in my opinion, this is not the best episode of the series. What I specifically did not like is the part coming right before the final scene. It seemed a bit, how to say, rushed (SMALL SPOILER: I refer to the rooftop scene). This said, grab them all and play them. It is a wonderful experience
I have played all Ultimas starting from 4. I LOVED Ultima VII the black gate (much more than Serpent Isle) and those games have a special place in my heart. I was in my teens, I had to get a computer that had to be good enough to play them and had no money :). I had to tackle with exe and bat file to enable memory and sound.... Good old games indeed :) I know Ultima VIII has been criticized, despised... well I actually LOVE it. Forget the jumps (that at some point were fixed and became much easier), forget the messy inventory... and abandon yourself to the gourgeous atmosphere. From the intro sequence to the end you are immersed in a brand new world, with its history, its details, its problems, its mysteries. It falls perfectly into the Guardian trilogy.... you see a world conquered by the guardian... where the people where tricked even in victory. A whole new world which is as detailed as good old Britannia. And brand new! Rituals, dark places, titans... plots. OMG, I just started playing it again after the download and I was enthralled even after 20 years. Play Ultima VII part 1 and 2 and then go for this one. You will be a bit disappointed in Ultima IX. Not so much for the game itself that offers some interesting places and sights, but for the plot. Which was a total anti climax imho. But this one, get it, play and lose yourself in Pagan's darkness
