Ultima™ 8 Gold Edition

Ultima 8: Pagan is one of the most controversial and polarizing games in the Ultima series. As somebody who first played the game without any previous exposure to the Ultima series, I have to say I enjoyed it and was surprised when I first got on the internet to find all the negativity surrounding this game. Not to say that it is perfect- far from it. The combat system is lackluster, the controls can be difficult, and the platforming is some of the most frustrating ive ever seen (fortunately this was later patched but can still be tricky). In spite of these flaws I have a lot of fond memories of exploring the town of Tenebrae and its surroundings. I feel the game is best approached as an action/adventure hybrid with some RPG trappings. There is a large world to explore and many interesting characters to meet. The graphics are very impressive for the era and still hold up quite well I feel. Overall the game is pretty unique and I cant think of many others to compare it to, for better or worse. If you can overlook the rough and simplistic combat systems there is a very interesting world to explore here.

The most important notice: this game is unfinished. My friend, alas, this game is a testament of the greed in our own world where we live in. A place where a great vision is not precious to what could be a pile of gold or anything that glimmers in one's eye. Many reviews say this game is atrocious. Many reviews say this game is an unblemished gem. Yet they both are right, if unblemished stands for something that was not yet to be revealed for us, what was not yet in it's glory, but still great potential was sought within, and if atrocious corresponds the feelings of utter disappointment and sorrow. Ultima VIII could have been the most astonishing work of digital art, but a simple matter of time threw this much loved child by many talents to the wild harsh world of corporate grayness, as this much we know. Believe me, my friend, that this game drips passion to make us amazed by the world where the Guardian itself rests his throne, and this passion and sense of wonder you will feel every now and then. To my own widely shared agony and bitterness, work was never completed, and what remains is a glimpse of what could have been. So, my beloved Ultima loving chap, or a mere gamer who's interest happens to dwell upon this work, do not touch it. Do not play this game, unless you are seeking for a piece of shared agony, that this game will never fill.

The Avatar learns the virtue of stealth.

One of the best in the series.

It may not be everyones cup of tea as an Ultima game and I can understand that, but as a game in its own right, it is a good bit of fun. Better now with the offical patch, but it could do with one or two more.