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Ultima IV - NES, or PC version? Which is best?


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Hey guys, so, despite my Avatar (hah.. joke), the truth is, I've never really spent more than say... 5 minutes playing Ultima 4. It seemed way too out of date, and I just couldn't get into it. The first Ultima I personally started with, was Ultima 6 (and of course, Underworld 1 and 2, U7, U7 p2, and U8). So I kind of want to go back and play those if possible since I hear that U4 has an awesome plot line.

 

But here's my question, I really hate the UI for the Ultima 1-5 games; however, I noticed that on the PC... the Ultima 3, 4 and 5 games are basically using the Dragon Warrior engine from what I can tell (is that true?). So... is the plot the same for Ultima 4 on the PC and the NES version, and is the NES version basically better?

 

 

Total random side note, but I was looking at my NES games (I only have a few), because I wanted to verify that in fact the three Ultima games I had were 3, 4, and 5... and I also noticed I had AD&D Hillsfar, Heros of the Lance, and Pools of Radiance, Bards Tale, and... Kings Quest 5. How weird is it that they basically ported these PC games? Kind of cool... but totally forgot that I had these! Pools of Radiance must suck on the NES...

 

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The PC interface on Ultima games is unintelligible to me. I beat Ultima Exodus on the NES despite the uncool combat logic. I quit Ultima 5 on the SNES due to its lame level cap. Tried the Black Gate on SNES as well but threw it in the bin after reaching the Guardian and finding him invincible.

 

Yeah, the interface on the PC games is pretty complicated... but once Ultima 6 rolled around, the games were MUCH easier to play and easier to understand.

 

I didn't think Ultima 5 was on the SNES?

 

 

Ok, just looked...

 

NES:

Ultima 3 - Exodus

Ultima 4 - Quest of the Avatar

Ultima 5 - Warriors of Destiny

 

SNES

Ultima 6 - The False Prophet

Ultima - Savage Empire (comes between 6 and 7)

Ultima 7 - The Black Gate

Ultima - Runs of Virtue 2 (SNES only, doesn't following Ultima series)

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I'm not sure what you mean by "I noticed that on the PC... the Ultima 3, 4 and 5 games are basically using the Dragon Warrior engine"

 

The NES Ultima 3 and 4 games are very good. They're a bit simplified, but they definitely manage to bring a worthwhile Ultima experience. Ultima 4 in particular is streamlined in a good way. Are they better than the computer versions? No. They are different flavors.

 

Ultima 5 on the NES is rare, and also more than a bit bad. Whereas on the PC Ultima 5 shared the same general engine as Ultima 4, on the NES the game uses a Ultima 6 engine and the result isn't pretty. I never liked Ultima 5 to begin with, and the NES version is borderline unplayable.

 

Ultima 6 on the SNES is a trainwreck. The only reason to play it is if you like torture. The interface is completely unusable.

 

Ultima 7 on the SNES is even worse than Ultima 6. It's basically an extremely stupid and boring button masher.

 

How do the SNES ports compare to the PC versions? I don't know. Ultima 6 was where Ultima and I parted ways because I didn't like that installment at all. After Ultima 5, the series morphed into something I wasn't interested in anymore.

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If you want a more computer-authentic version with the approachability of a console, the Sega Master System version is generally considered the go-to version.

 

I agree that the computer versions are hard to get into these days. I actually have two versions of Ultima IV on my iPad as well. One is basically the C-64 version ported over, while the other is a graphically enhanced PC version with a very cool persistent button-based menu system on the bottom of the screen. The latter is the best of all worlds, really, but again, it obviously doesn't mask the game's overall "age."

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If you want a more computer-authentic version with the approachability of a console, the Sega Master System version is generally considered the go-to version.

 

 

Yes. That one is also a very good one. If the Nintendo feel of the NES version is distasteful, the SMS version is an excellent compromise which straddles the line between the computer versions and NES version. I was able to play the SMS version recently on my Genesis via the Mega Everdrive, and I would have been overjoyed with it back in the day had it ever received a US release.

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Yes. That one is also a very good one. If the Nintendo feel of the NES version is distasteful, the SMS version is an excellent compromise which straddles the line between the computer versions and NES version. I was able to play the SMS version recently on my Genesis via the Mega Everdrive, and I would have been overjoyed with it back in the day had it ever received a US release.

 

I'm pretty sure it received a US release. (EDIT: I guess it's confirmed as only a limited US release.)

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I prefer the Apple II originals. Nothing like switching floppy disks every few seconds.

 

I often have this internal debate, i.e., whether or not I should always play the original versions of a game or seek out the best versions of the game. From a collecting standpoint, I usually try to get the original version of the game, rather than one of the ports, but that still doesn't necessarily mean I want to play that version. With the Ultima games, it's particularly challenging, because prior to VI, which marked the easy turning point where you basically wanted to (or had to) stick with the PC versions, there's really no ideal decision to make for any of the versions. Ultima II is especially challenging, because an argument can be made for any of them, plus the fact that the Apple II itself has two versions of that game.

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I'm pretty sure it received a US release. (EDIT: I guess it's confirmed as only a limited US release.)

Are we sure about that? Was it limited to ordering directly from Sega or something? I never saw U4 in stores and I do remember seeing some other rarer releases like Sonic 1.

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Hey guys, so, despite my Avatar (hah.. joke), the truth is, I've never really spent more than say... 5 minutes playing Ultima 4. It seemed way too out of date, and I just couldn't get into it. The first Ultima I personally started with, was Ultima 6 (and of course, Underworld 1 and 2, U7, U7 p2, and U8). So I kind of want to go back and play those if possible since I hear that U4 has an awesome plot line.

 

But here's my question, I really hate the UI for the Ultima 1-5 games; however, I noticed that on the PC... the Ultima 3, 4 and 5 games are basically using the Dragon Warrior engine from what I can tell (is that true?).

Rogers (a fan of American D&D games, he used to play Ultima and Wizardry) Dragon Quest was a game made from two PC games (Wizardry,Ultima?), it says in Game Over (book), so Dragon Warrior uses the Ultima engine.

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A lot of games drew inspiration from early computer games like Ultima and Wizardry.

 

Of course I prefer the C64\Apple\IBM versions to anything on a console. If I had to play a console port I would definitely play the SMS version Bill mentions.

 

I agree with this. As much as I've tried, I've never gotten into console-style (mostly JRPG) RPGs. Of course, I'm biased, having grown up on great computer-style RPGs like Phantasie and Pool of Radiance. I'm sure if I grew up with console-style RPGs first, I'd prefer their stylings.

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I find U3 and U4 on the NES to be nice compliments to the original versions on the computer (I grew up with the A2 versions). They're just different enough to make the experience new, and they really did a nice job on the interface. I'd say play both.

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I agree with this. As much as I've tried, I've never gotten into console-style (mostly JRPG) RPGs. Of course, I'm biased, having grown up on great computer-style RPGs like Phantasie and Pool of Radiance. I'm sure if I grew up with console-style RPGs first, I'd prefer their stylings.

 

Definitely.

 

I had a very hard time getting into JRPG's as well because from 1984-1990 all I did was play CRPG's on a C64 (couldn't afford an Apple) and when I got a copy of Dragon Warrior on NES my first thoughts were, "This is Ultima for little kids". (I got it for free from some kind of Nintendo Magazine club promo....I cant remember exactly)

 

My best man and best friend got me into anime's in the early-mid 90's (I'm an artist by hobby) and I think having that interest drew me into trying and playing JRPG's among my Diablo and Elder Scrolls gaming. Thanks due again to my friend constantly playing them and urging me to buy FF7 and a Playstation. I believe FF7 and a game called Suikoden were the one's that got me to jump on the bandwagon.

 

Definitely still prefer western RPGS or western style RPG's like Dragons Dogma.

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For me the joystick allows a more direct connection between your intentions and what visibly happens in game. The communication and combat systems in Ultima lent themselves well to a keyboard interface. What was unavoidably stripped down in the console versions made the leveling system a more noticeable irritation. Even after many, many hours the character didn't seem to have much of an advantage over enemies - even towards the pitiful level cap. It just doesn't translate well outside of a personal computer.

 

Ultima Exodus for the NES was the only one I beat. I still feel cheated by the cheap per frame hit/miss mechanic. Grrrrrrrr...!

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when I got a copy of Dragon Warrior on NES my first thoughts were, "This is Ultima for little kids".

 

I believe FF7 and a game called Suikoden were the one's that got me to jump on the bandwagon.

 

 

I had the exact same reaction to DW. I also tried really hard to like FF7. At the time, I didn't really recognize it as "A Japanese Game." It was just a huge game that everyone was talking about. I quit (on disc 3 I think). Just didn't keep me interested.

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I had the exact same reaction to DW. I also tried really hard to like FF7. At the time, I didn't really recognize it as "A Japanese Game." It was just a huge game that everyone was talking about. I quit (on disc 3 I think). Just didn't keep me interested.

 

 

FF7 was THE reason to get a PSX. It was agonizingly linear though. This was exacerbated by the fact that it takes so freakin' long to get out of the city. If I wanted single screen pre-rendered scenes I'd play Space Quest. The story got so convoluted towards the end I gave up following it.

 

 

lol...I had the same complaints but I have to say it got me to play them, actually I was more endeared to Suikoden and FF8. FF8 just seemed less convoluted to me and a bit more straight forward even with the brooding and emo-like Squall. I cant get into JRPG's that I have no idea whats happening because of poor translations or weird stories that translate poorly unless the game is a blast to play.

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I'm not sure what you mean by "I noticed that on the PC... the Ultima 3, 4 and 5 games are basically using the Dragon Warrior engine"

 

The NES Ultima 3 and 4 games are very good. They're a bit simplified, but they definitely manage to bring a worthwhile Ultima experience. Ultima 4 in particular is streamlined in a good way. Are they better than the computer versions? No. They are different flavors.

 

Ultima 5 on the NES is rare, and also more than a bit bad. Whereas on the PC Ultima 5 shared the same general engine as Ultima 4, on the NES the game uses a Ultima 6 engine and the result isn't pretty. I never liked Ultima 5 to begin with, and the NES version is borderline unplayable.

 

Ultima 6 on the SNES is a trainwreck. The only reason to play it is if you like torture. The interface is completely unusable.

 

Ultima 7 on the SNES is even worse than Ultima 6. It's basically an extremely stupid and boring button masher.

 

How do the SNES ports compare to the PC versions? I don't know. Ultima 6 was where Ultima and I parted ways because I didn't like that installment at all. After Ultima 5, the series morphed into something I wasn't interested in anymore.

 

 

Yeah, sorry about that. I meant NES in that sentence when I said PC.

 

What do you mean about Ultima 5 using the Ultima 6 engine? Ultima 6 was on the SNES, not the NES.

 

I really like the Dragon-Warrior style of engine, particularly for those games... but I definitely don't want to lose any of the plot.. I don't mind adding plot, just don't want to lose too much of it. You say that it's streamlined... just curious in what way if you don't mind going into a little bit more detail... thank you!

 

 

 

If you want a more computer-authentic version with the approachability of a console, the Sega Master System version is generally considered the go-to version.

 

I agree that the computer versions are hard to get into these days. I actually have two versions of Ultima IV on my iPad as well. One is basically the C-64 version ported over, while the other is a graphically enhanced PC version with a very cool persistent button-based menu system on the bottom of the screen. The latter is the best of all worlds, really, but again, it obviously doesn't mask the game's overall "age."

 

That's pretty cool! Hah... maybe I should move into the modern age and not worry about playing them on old systems!

 

 

 

I often have this internal debate, i.e., whether or not I should always play the original versions of a game or seek out the best versions of the game. From a collecting standpoint, I usually try to get the original version of the game, rather than one of the ports, but that still doesn't necessarily mean I want to play that version. With the Ultima games, it's particularly challenging, because prior to VI, which marked the easy turning point where you basically wanted to (or had to) stick with the PC versions, there's really no ideal decision to make for any of the versions. Ultima II is especially challenging, because an argument can be made for any of them, plus the fact that the Apple II itself has two versions of that game.

 

 

Yeah, like you and Gabriel basically eluded to, I tried playing Ultima 7 on the SNES and maybe spent like 3 minutes and was like... ok, awesome... next game. For the record, I absolutely LOVED Ultima 7 and Ultima 7 Part 2, WITH the add-on games (like Silver Seed, and stuff). I played those on the PC and remember them fondly from back in the day, but I can only imagine how horrible it must be on the console. I'd love to know if anyone actually beat that game on the SNES?

 

 

 

Rogers (a fan of American D&D games, he used to play Ultima and Wizardry) Dragon Quest was a game made from two PC games (Wizardry,Ultima?), it says in Game Over (book), so Dragon Warrior uses the Ultima engine.

 

 

No way! Do you mean in "spirit" or do you literally mean that Dragon Warrior / Quest used the Ultima engine on the NES? That's really cool, I was totally not aware of that!

 

Dragon Warrior was my first venture into RPG games... actually... any RPG games. I didn't play AD&D until I was in middle school, and I didn't start playing the Ultima games until that point too;

 

 

 

I find U3 and U4 on the NES to be nice compliments to the original versions on the computer (I grew up with the A2 versions). They're just different enough to make the experience new, and they really did a nice job on the interface. I'd say play both.

 

 

Thanks, I'm going to play them then. I already have all of them, but just don't want to spend the time if it's just going to totally suck. I know playing Dragon Warrior took me... MONTHS as a kid... I have far less time as an adult.

 

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