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Released 5 years after the PC game in 1990, Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar was presented as one of those rpgs that entered into the gaming world at a time when Americans had a very small audience to such games- at least when it came to consoles. Ultima IV was actually, as you guessed, a fourth installment of a successful RPG series created by Richard Garriot (also known as Lord British) for the PC. Ultima IV would be Origin Systems/FCI 's second foray into the console gaming market. Keep in mind, the console market here in America for RPG's was somewhat small until the RPG explosion of 1997, and the release of Final Fantasy VII. Before then, we were simply a merry band of brothers with weird interests even by gamer standards.

For those of you who've read my last review on Chrono Cross, this should be familiar to you. For others, my rating system is simple- I look for Concept, Story, Characters, Music, Gameplay and Graphics. I also tend to rate them with adjectives rather than using a numerical system, given that a numerical rating system can be just as arbitrary and open to interpretation. There's nothing wrong with those who prefer that system, I'm just not one of those people. I don't think I need to say this, but just in case, I'm going to judge games by the standards of the time and not current or later standards.

Anyway, let's get on with this- does Ultima IV measure up to the games of the time? Does the NES Version of this game pass muster?

Concept- Amazing!
All is well and peaceful in the world of Britannia, and the ruler, Lord British, has instructed you as a hero from another world, to master the seven virtues and to become their paragon. While you are able to lie, cheat, and massacre innocents, and are even given an item to annihilate the whole world, you are to do exactly the opposite to win the game. Don't be a jerk, and follow the seven virtues, which are clearly spelled out to you, collect the runes and stones, and journey into the abyss to attain the ultimate enlightenment and become the Avatar, the greatest hero in the history of that world. It's unique and thought provoking. It requires you to do more than just take weapon, kill things, level up, and kill more things, get bigger weapon and so on. It blows your mind.

Story: Top-Notch and unique

No big bad at the end of the game. no boss fights. Just mastering the virtues, collecting the stones, and finally reaching the Abyss. This isn't for everybody, but if you keep your mind open, you'll find something completely different. While not Dragon Warrior IV great in the story department, it still is a cut above the others from the time.

Characters: Good, but not great

While there are systemic differences, there is no true personalities in the game, so you simply go with mechanics. They are by in large the same for the most part. The difference are what weapons they can equip and the spells they can cast. No characters really offer anything unique in the party.

Music: Excellent

In a time where games relied on 30 second loops and call it music, this game put some effort into it. It's not incredibly catchy, but has a nice depth and unique flavor to it.

Gameplay: Pretty Good

The mixing of herbs to cast spells, the slow but involved battle system, and the way you learn spells are all very unique to this game. If you're a mad clicker and just want to bust heads, this is not the game for you. The controls are tight enough, and the menu is probably a bit much, it's still a bit more streamlined than many others of its time. Once you get passed the menu, though,the game is smooth sailing.

Graphics: The best by RPG standards.

Everything is nice and clear, the character sprites are well defined, and the animations definitely work in the intended medium.

analysis: See if the game is for you!

It's thought provoking and brilliant, unique and for me, absolutely wonderful. It's not for the slash and dash players, but for anyone else, it's a very fulfilling game to play.

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"So, are you a fan of the Fett?"

"Nah, I'm more of a Star Wars guy."

This is a game that I rented probably a dozen times when I was young. I was ten when it came out, but I never could quite get the hang of making a whole lot of real progress with it; I'd just grind it for a while every time I rented it and tried my best to get a ship, because I recall the ship-based combat being the most fun.

It's a game that I've always wanted to come back to from my NES days, along with the first couple Dragon Quests. Thanks for bringing it up in a thread and putting it back in the front of my memory.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN? Or perhaps buying a really good looking shirt?