Ultima 4: The Quest of the Avatar Review
Total Score: 8.56
Computer (Amiga, Apple II, Atari, Commodore 64, DOS)
Origin Systems
1985

Graphics & Sound: I want to first make clear that this game was released in 1985. The graphics by today's standards the graphics are not very good. But, if you compare them to games released at the same time on the same platform, then the skill of the designers can be rated. So, what games came out in 1985? Well, the most famous is Super Mario Bros., which was released three days before Ultima 4. Other games released for computers were Oregon Trail, as well as Where in the World in Carmen Sandiego? and Starquake. The graphics in these games were comparable, or a little better, especially in the case of games released on consoles. Back then, Consoles were the graphical machines computers are now. With that said, the graphics aren't that bad for the time. What made Ultima 4 stand out (enough to get the score I gave it) is the 3D dungeons. I feel that this really made the Ultima series stand out as a really good RPG of the time. Every sprite was animated with two or four frames of animation, the water and some magic tiles were animated as well. You can tell a great deal of work was put into the game, but it wasn't as colourful as I think it could have been. There is a lot of black backgrounds that make the game a little dark for me. Look at Super Mario Bros. and you can see how colourful games could be.
The music it not really that spectacular, but again, if you look at the games of the time, it really isn't that bad. The plus side is that the music is very appropriate for the game, and it does get the player into the atmosphere. There are a number of tracks, the overworld, dungeons, battle, shopping, Lord British's Theme, and music for the Shrines. Compare that to the four tracks for Mario. The minus side is that there are not really any sound effects. Casting a spell, bumping into a wall, moving, firing a cannon, attacking and actually hitting an enemy. Compare that to Mario which has numerous sound effects, from jumping (big and small) to sliding down a flagpole. But, this is an RPG, and an excellent one. The lack of sound effects is not a major downfall, however the music can be. It is very repetitive, and and when you are spending hours in a dungeon trying to map it out, no matter how atmospheric the dungeon music is, you had enough of it. That said, the music really isn't that bad, it is medieval, and really puts you into the game.
Score: 7.5 (Graphics: 8, Sound: 7)

Play Control: What makes Ultima 4 such a good game is it's complexity. For a game this old, you are able to do a lot of things. With that also comes a lot of problems. Imagine trying to remember 26 commands and 26 spells, because that's what you have to do. every key has a command and spell attached to it. Some of them are obvious, like E for enter, and T for talk. Others are a little less obvious, like R for Ready a Weapon, or L to use a Sextant (L is for Locate actually, and you need a sextant to locate yourself). Nevertheless, they do a good job, I think. The manuals are very important for this aspect of the game, to introduce you to this new world and way of playing. That is also what makes this game so good, is there are a lot more things you can do on the computer that you would never be able to do on a console (just try playing the 1992 Ultima 4 port for NES).
With that said, the game is amazing. You have to mix spell components to cast spells, which is awesome. I love it, so you have to collect reagents and mix them properly to use them as spells. I understand that some people would find this really bothersome, why not just buy the spell and be done with it. But for me, it makes so much more sense. especially when you aren't given the recipes for all spells, and learn some of them by talking to other wizards in the game. Once you have the keys down (which isn't that bad, because you'll have the book beside you) the game really opens up and become a wonderful experience.
Score: 7.5 (Play Control: 8, Initial Feel: 7)

Challenge: The game is really simple, once you figure out what you have to do. The difficult thing is figuring out what you have to do. It is also the most fun, for some people. The object of the game os to become the Avatar, to lead your life in line with the eight virtues and become an example for all in the land. Then do go down into the Stygian Abyss and retrieve the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. To do that you need to find the sight runes to access each shrine, the location for each shrine, and the mantra needed to meditate at each shrine. Then go into each dungeon (there are eight, one for each virtue, each dungeon is named after the anti-virtue, Honesty's dungeon being Deceit) get the virtue stones, and create the three part key that will allow you entry to the Abyss. Easy. To do that, you have to speak to essentially everyone in the game to gather knowledge and learn the locations of things in the world to help you. What makes this such a good game is the fact that it is a real RPG, you HAVE to interact with people to learn these things! To find the rune, you must talk to people who know about it. Same for everything else in the game. It is beautiful to see a game that is so old be able to achieve this, setting an example that I don't think has ever been followed properly since. What makes this game difficult is trying to play it like a vide game. Running head first anywhere will only get you killed. Your first course of action should be to learn what you can about the world, then try and gain the items requires. You need experience both yourself, and experience points in the game. It tests your skill as a player, and as a thinker.
I have played this game through twice now, and both times as a different class. You see, when you begin the game you are asked a series of questions to see what class you are. There are eight classes, each one corresponding to a virtue (Paladin for Valour, and Shepherd for Humility etc.) So, if you feel inclined, you can take a different path when you replay the game. It actually doe make a small difference in the beginning of the game, though. Because the game is so focused on finding information, you can actually learn a great deal about the game world just by wondering around. That and the puzzles can be very long to crack, which can frustrate people. The good thing about Ultima 4 is everything has a solution. You just have to speak to everyone in the game. And that is why I love it so much, you actually have to converse with towns people to find the answers to problems, and to learn new things, instead of just walking up to them and getting the information you need like in most RPG of this time, and even later.
Score: 9.25 (Lasting Interest: 9.5, Difficulty: 9)

Theme & Fun: The story is the most unique and interesting story I have ever played. There is no final boss, there is no impending doom, or great evil. You are just trying to better yourself and the world. How many RPG are there like this? Not very many. Just think about it. That puts Ultima 4 ahead of any game that has been made, or even exists today. That and the world of Ultima builds on the previous three titles in the series. Not so much as the rest of the games, but enough to feel at home if you played Ultima III, and even the weird ones before that.
I had a blast playing this game, and still do. Mixing reagents for spells, talking to towns people, exploring the dungeons (which are fun to map on grid paper) and everything, this is a perfect game to me. I don't care for the crappy graphics (download xu4 for better graphics), this game is an instant classic, timeless and beautiful. One of my favourite games of all time.
Score: 10 (Story: 10, Overall Enjoyment: 10)