"best" Ultima? (for a first-timer)

[Rpgsaurus Rex]

It struck me that I've never played any Ultima games in my life. Unfortunately, I don't have much time these days for actually sitting down and playing stuff, so the strategy of "play everything, from 1 to 9" doesn't really apply. I haven't played Ultima Underworld games or Lazarus either, so I'll include them in the poll.

 

[Bruma Hobo]

Ultima IV, obviously

 

[octavius]

Ultima Underworld. Not only one of the most groundbreaking games ever made, but also one of the finest games ever made. No game did exploration and immershun better.

Being a combatfag I think Ultima V was the peak of the pure bred Ultima games. It had decent tactical combat and good encounter design in addition to the Ultima games' usual strong suits of exploration and NPC interaction.

 

[Bruma Hobo]

Being a combatfag I think Ultima V was the peak of the pure bred Ultima games. It had decent tactical combat and good encounter design in addition to the Ultima games' usual strong suits of exploration and NPC interaction.

Yeah, but it is impossible to fully enjoy U5 without playing U4 first. Also, combatfags should avoid this series like the plague.

 

[Infinitron]

Decent newfag experience: Read a U4 LP, then play Lazarus, U6Project and U7.

 

[Average Manatee]

Ascension. Because if you are on the codex and haven't played any Ultima games you deserve EA's cock down your throat.

Seriously though, what Unorus said. Ultima V was the best but it relies a lot on Ultima IV, so play that first. 4 is still good.

 

[Rpgsaurus Rex]

I bought U9 a long time ago in a video store on my allowance money, the box looked cool like a proper aRPeGee what with the knight surrounded by shining stuff. The manual had lots of cool stuff too. The game never started though, after installing it - critical error, so I brought it back to the store to change for Sanitarium (box there looked cool too, and the game turned out to be good).

Turns out it was for the better.

 

[SCO]

GOOD LUCK WITH ULTIMA 4 NEWFAG



My personal recommendation is stygian abyss being, one of the most profoundly revolutionary games ever that is often shafted out of that status for DOOM of all things. Heck there was a recent thread saying that it 'inspired' Arena.
Pity arena is actually a completely different kind of game, and far worse anyway, even at being a 'sandbox', random quests nonwithstanding.

No, really, it's a fucking great game, absolute classic.

Then you might as well go full story-fag and play ultima 7 pt 2.

 

[Absalom]

GOOD LUCK WITH ULTIMA 4 NEWFAG



My personal recommendation is stygian abyss being, one of the most profoundly revolutionary games ever that is often shafted out of that status for DOOM of all things. Heck there was a recent thread saying that it 'inspired' Arena.
Pity arena is actually a completely different kind of game, and far worse anyway, even at being a 'sandbox', random quests nonwithstanding.

No, really, it's a fucking great game, absolute classic.

Then you might as well go full story-fag and play ultima 7 pt 2.

I would agree with you; but too many people think "bigger number, better ultima" Though I would agree UU being a great gateway into the series.

 

[Luzur]

Akalabeth

 

[circ]

U6.

 

[octavius]

Akalabeth

I'd rather read Akallabeth than play Akalabeth.

 

[Jaesun]

Ultima IV. I just ignore I II and III.

 

[mondblut]

I think U6 is the farthest Ultima went before it goes off the screw with "enough with this D&D crap, let's rather larp to our heart's extent". It's like U5, but doesn't look like ass.

Also UUW, if you don't mind an FPS-marketed-as-RPG from the times before FPS were invented.

 

[made]

U6

but you might as well wait for Nuvie to be completed and play another one in the meantime

 

[MMXI]

Am I the only person who read the poll question?

Which of the Ultimas is the "best" Ultima? (if you only had time for *one*)?

 

[Rpgsaurus Rex]

Thanks for the recommendation/opinions guys, keep them coming!

I'm thinking of going for UW first.

U4 looks really hardcore. Possibly the oldest game I would ever play (I was born in '88). How do I even emulate it?

Am I the only person who read the poll question?

Which of the Ultimas is the "best" Ultima? (if you only had time for *one*)?

Yup... I'm just trying to figure out which one is the "must". I'll probably only have time to play 1-2 next year.

 

[MMXI]

Yup... I'm just trying to figure out which one is the "must". I'll probably only have time to play 1-2 next year.

Well that's different. If you're only going to play one in your lifetime then make it Ultima V as it's the best one. If you're going to have time to play multiple games then start on IV.

 

[Rpgsaurus Rex]

MMXI

Lazarus, or the original?

 

[Bruma Hobo]

Well, U4 is a completely unique game (and my favourite), while U5 is the most balanced and challenging one. They're both freaking awesome. Go for Ultima VII if you're more like a storyfag.
OTOH, Underworld is an awesome game, but an Ultima in name only.

 

[Infinitron]

Yes, don't play Underworld if you want a representative Ultima experience.

 

[circ]

U6 has it all and is a good intro to the world of Ultima.

 

[Gregz]

I really enjoyed Ultima III on my NES growing up.

Ultima V is still my favorite though.

 

[MMXI]

MMXI

Lazarus, or the original?

The original, of course. Play Lazarus afterwards sometime.

 

[Wirdschowerdn]

U8 (hueueueueueu) because it was my first one. Had good times with U9 too, Should probably try U7 some time.