[Apple II] Ultima V - Warriors of Destiny (1988) (Origin)

[DelDuio]

This game positively SMOKES the NES version.

One time I found a magic axe inside a tree's hollow, and that was it. The hook was set.

[Evilmonkey66699]

@DelDuio well the problem with the NES port was that by time they got around to making it FCI/Pony decided to use the newer Ultima 6 engine which sadly the poor NES had a hell of a time handling it, but at least it didn't look like a bad Dragon Quest clone like the NES/MSX versions of Exodus and 4 did, though it's funny since the original Japanese version of Dragon Quest 1 looked like a Ultima clone which is even more funnier since DQ was inspired by Ultima and Wizardry

[greytale]

This is one of the greatest games ever made--especially when you consider that it was made in the late 80's.

Lord British (Richard Garriott) really knew what it meant to make a person CARE about a game... its story... the characters... and immerse you in a true "world" that was bigger than almost any game even today.

--Novastar

[LordKarnov42]

@greytale Agreed, it's definitely my favorite game in the Ultima series, and the only other game I can think of that rivals it on my list of favorite PC games is Morrowind.

[Defenseman619]

@greytale ditto. I remember opening the package, with the map and the coin, and starting up. Seeing the world at night, the lighthouse... my god. The story is amazing.

[greytale]

@Defenseman619 Amen, brotha! :)

You want a REAL treat? Check out the "Lazarus Project". Not kidding--it's a remake of Ultima V, and a *MAGNIFICENT* one at that. So, it allowed me to essentially "re-play" Ultima V with a more modern (and more forgiving!) interface...

I tell you something... it's even MORE powerful now. Basically, EVERYTHING is better. More characters... more story, gorgeously re-done music...

I swear to God, when I get time, I'm going to make a video to pay homage to it.

[Defenseman619]

@greytale my god. I might have to cancel plans for this weekend.

[greytale]

@Defenseman619 Trust me. You'll *LOVE* it. Also... plan on more than a weekend, my friend... more than a weekend... :)

[zoom98]

I never bought this game. If I had only known that it had an underworld map the size of the overworld map, I would have jumped at it. Now all I see are old school graphics that still might have wowed me in 1988, and now "only" make me happy. This series was so important; it's awful that it was destroyed by manipulative marketing indifference.

[LordKarnov42]

@zoom98 You should really seek this one out and play it, it sits firmly in my top five RPGs of all time.

[Mother 2, Morrowind, Ultima V, Dragon Quest V, Shin Megami Tensei III]

[LordKarnov42]

And dear god, not the NES version. Oh wow such a terrible port. Worse than the Ultima III port. Worse than... any port of any game, ever. Seriously.

[psyjax]

@LordKarnov42 I kind alike the Exodus port to the NES. I like the music and goofy graphics. But ya, Ultima V NES is crap. Ultima IV NES is ok, but definetly not as good as the Apple/C64/PC versions.

[LordKarnov42]

@psyjax Ultima III NES is probably the best conversion, though I hate that they changed a lot of the dialogue. Other than that and the goofy graphics [and using a gamepad], it plays pretty much like the PC versions. IV, however, loses a lot. Half its party members and its entire conversation system. V loses... everything. It is literally unbearable.

[DamoclesAlpha]

@zoom98 Although the game's graphics still have certain "wow" factor once you notice the amount of attention paid to the details. For example, take a look at the manner in which the external light sources (such as lighthouses) are taken into account during night. Or the "dining" animation that is shown, if either player's party or NPC sits on chair which has a table with food in the front of it.

[storrs19]

Ultima 5 was the best Ultima ever for story and game play. It took forever to win and that Underworld was a real bitch! The C128 had some great MIDI music (16 different tunes) and that is the system I played U3, U4 and U5 on. Great memories indeed.

[Lofote]

@storrs19 The C128 had a SID chip, that has nothing to do with MIDI. But yes, it was great music ;)...

[UMpt835]

Crickey! I don't know what would have been worse in 1988. The lousy Apple ][ graphics, or the absence of music for the IBM. Since the Mockingboard's music is so grating, I guess that would be it

[LordKarnov42]

I find that the graphics have a lot more character than the IBM/Amiga/Atari ST versions, and I also like the Mockingboard Music --- but if you don't, there's always the Passport MIDI Interface Card, which sounds amazing [see the first related video in the sidebar] [watch?v=bO6Jappcl30]

[UMpt835]

That sort of thing is important when playing a good Ultima, isn't it? 4 used to be my fav but 5 really is the coolest Ultima. This is why when I play it again I'm going to try Lazarus

[LordKarnov42]

I need to go through Lazarus too.. I think my main problem with the 16-bit Ultima V graphics are that everyone has the same face. They gave the sprites faces, and everyone looks the same. In the Apple II one, they could be anyone.

..Maybe.

I need to get a Passport MIDI for my Apple II. Or at least a Mockingboard.