Summary
- Release Year: 1990
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, FM Towns, PC-9800 Series, Sharp X68000, Super Famicom, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Origin Systems
- Publishers: Fujitsu Interactive, Mindscape, Inc., Origin Systems, Pony Canyon
Ultima VI: The False Prophet (1990)
Ultima VI: The False Prophet is a role-playing game developed and published by Origin Systems in 1990. It is the sixth installment in the Ultima series, and the second in the “Age of Enlightenment” trilogy. The game takes place in the fantasy world of Britannia, which is being terrorized by a race of gargoyles from another land. The player must help defend Britannia against these invaders, and ultimately discover the secrets about both lands and its peoples.
Ultima VI was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of the greatest role-playing games of all time. It was praised for its large and detailed world, its engaging story, and its challenging combat. The game also broke new ground in terms of graphics and sound, and was one of the first RPGs to feature a fully voiced soundtrack.
Gameplay
Ultima VI is a traditional role-playing game, played from a first-person perspective. The player controls a party of up to four characters, who can explore the world, interact with NPCs, and engage in combat. The game world is large and detailed, with over 100 towns, dungeons, and other locations to explore.
Combat in Ultima VI is turn-based, and takes place on a grid-based map. The player can choose from a variety of weapons and spells to attack their enemies. The game also features a unique “karma” system, which tracks the player’s actions and affects their alignment.
Story
Ultima VI begins with the player’s party being shipwrecked on the coast of Britannia. The party is quickly captured by a group of gargoyles, and taken to their stronghold. The gargoyles are led by a powerful sorcerer named Batlin, who is planning to use a magical artifact called the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom to destroy Britannia.
The player must escape from the gargoyle stronghold and find a way to stop Batlin. Along the way, they will learn more about the history of Britannia and the gargoyles, and discover the secrets of the Codex.
Characters
The player’s party in Ultima VI consists of four characters:
- The Avatar: The player’s main character, who is the reincarnation of the hero from previous Ultima games.
- Iolo: A bard and skilled archer.
- Shamino: A healer and priestess of the god Minax.
- Dupre: A dwarf warrior and skilled blacksmith.
Development
Ultima VI was developed by a team led by Richard Garriott, the creator of the Ultima series. The game was originally intended to be released in 1989, but was delayed due to technical difficulties. The game was finally released in March 1990, and was a critical and commercial success.
Legacy
Ultima VI is considered one of the greatest role-playing games of all time. It was praised for its large and detailed world, its engaging story, and its challenging combat. The game also broke new ground in terms of graphics and sound, and was one of the first RPGs to feature a fully voiced soundtrack.
Ultima VI has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the PC, Amiga, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game has also been re-released several times, including a 20th anniversary edition in 2010.
Conclusion
Ultima VI: The False Prophet is a classic role-playing game that still holds up today. The game has a large and detailed world, an engaging story, and challenging combat. If you’re a fan of RPGs, you owe it to yourself to check out Ultima VI.
Review Score
9/10
Art
Cover Art
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