Ultima: Quest of the Avatar

20.09.1989
The fourth game in the Ultima series features an improved game engine, with color graphics and enhanced character interaction: the player can have conversations with non-playable characters by typing names of various topics. However, the main difference between Ultima IV and its predecessors in the series (as well as other role-playing games) lies in the game's objectives and the ways to fulfill them.

Parent game

01.11.1985

Following the defeat of the evil triad in the previous three Ultima games, the world of Sosaria changed beyond recognition: continents rose and sank, and new cities were built, heralding the advent of a different civilization. Unified by the reign of the benevolent monarch Lord British, the new world was renamed Britannia. Lord British wished to base people's well-being on the ethical principles of Truth, Love, and Courage, proclaiming the Eight Virtues (Honesty, Compassion, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, Spirituality, and Humility) as the ideal everyone should strive for. The person who could accomplish full understanding and realization of these virtues would serve as a spiritual leader and a moral example for the inhabitants of Britannia; he alone would be able to obtain holy artifacts, descend into the Stygian Abyss, and access the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. This person is the Avatar. The fourth game in the Ultima series features an improved game engine, with color graphics and enhanced character interaction: the player can have conversations with non-playable characters by typing names of various topics. However, the main difference between Ultima IV and its predecessors in the series (as well as other role-playing games) lies in the game's objectives and the ways to fulfill them. Instead of building up a character by any means possible in order to face a villain in the end of the game, in Ultima IV the player is trying to become the Avatar, a role model for people. This means upholding the Eight Virtues, basically trying to become a better person. Making morally conscious decisions and helping other people is not done expecting a material reward, but because it is the actual goal of the game and the main focus of its gameplay. The game frowns on behavior typical of most other RPGs, such as backstabbing fleeing enemies or picking up everything that isn't nailed down even if it does not belong to the protagonist. This different approach established the game's reputation as the first "true" Ultima, influencing the design philosophy of later installments and the overall spirit of the series. Character creation is done by choosing responses to morally ambiguous questions. Each of the Eight Virtues corresponds to a character class; by determining the player's personal priorities in the virtues, the game assigns a class and a starting location for the Avatar. After emerging in Britannia, the player is free to explore it in various ways (on foot, moongate teleportation, on horseback, by ship, etc.). Certain items must be collected in any order to enter the Stygian Abyss and complete the game. The Avatar also has to reach the highest level in all virtues. This is achieved by various means: donating blood increases Sacrifice, not fleeing from combat increases Valor, etc. The process, however, is not irreversible: should the Avatar overpay a blind seller, he gains Compassion points; should he, on the other hand, cheat the seller by underpaying, his level in several virtues would decrease. These unorthodox features of the game co-exist with plenty of traditional RPG elements, such as dungeons to explore and hostile monsters to kill. Enemies are encountered on the world map as well as in dungeons; combat takes place on separate top-down screens, allowing player-controlled and enemy parties freely move on them. Characters accumulate experience points and level up, gaining higher amount of hit points and access to stronger magic spells. Like in the previous installments of the series, world map, town exploration and combat are presented from a top-down view, while the dungeons are pseudo-3D and are explored from first-person perspective. Ultima IV also introduces several new gameplay features to the series and role-playing games in general. A number of initially non-playable characters living in various areas of the game world are able to to join the party and fight alongside the hero, replacing traditional player-generated characters or mercenaries and adventurers available only in special locations. Additional new elements include buying and combining reagents in order to cast spells, puzzle rooms in dungeons, and others. The FM Towns version, while identical to the others in gameplay, introduces upgraded graphics similar to those used in next installment of the series.

Part of collection:
Ultima (last 3 games)

20.08.2017

Are you tired of the same old games that lack accomplishments, true friendships, epic battles, and a sense of free will? Come and join Kingdom of Britannia Were anything is possible. † Explore a mysterious land, tame wild creatures, and powerful beasts? ‡ Perhaps you would rather pick up a sword and shield, and hunt murderous bandits, or master the dark secretes of necromancy. † Maybe you are a more of a merchant, or craftsman, with many professions and craftables to choose from.

07.08.2013

Play as a fighter or a mage as you take on Lady British's challenge in this free-to-play Ultima IV follow-up.

20.04.2010

A browser based city building strategy game by EA. Create your own empire and defend it from others!

Part of franchise:
Ultima (last 3 games)

27.03.2018

Journey to the world of Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues, a computer role playing game created by Lord British (aka Richard Garriott), creator of the genre defining Ultima series of computer games, Starr Long, director of Ultima Online, and Tracy Hickman, author of the Dragonlance series. It combines rich story, like those of the single player Ultimas, with deep and varied multiplayer experiences, like Ultima Online.

20.04.2010

A browser based city building strategy game by EA. Create your own empire and defend it from others!

24.11.1999

Prepare to embark on an adventure beyond imagination with the return of the best selling role-playing series of all time. In the 9th and final chapter in the 20-year legacy you return to Britannia for your last epic quest. As the heroic Avatar, only you can save Lord British and his people from the evil Guardian who has devastated the landscape and tainted the 8 sacred virtues. Valiant combat, magical prowess and knowledge of the 8 virtues are your weapons against evil in Ultima IX: Ascension, the most epic role-playing game ever created for the PC.

Could be interesting

11.09.2013

The Wrath of the Goddess expansion is now live! Journey to the mysterious continent of Kharath, where the malevolent sorceress, Naez, is plotting to summon an ancient evil into the mortal realm. The hope of the world lies with you, Soulkeeper...

24.10.2003

Oriental Blue is an RPG from the Far East of Eden series. It has a unique magic system and different pathways the story can take depending on in-game choices. The game continues the tradition of the series. You play as either Tenran or Aoi, a teenage boy and girl, respectively, on quest to defeat the ancient evil that threatens the prosperous land of Jipang, to prove themselves worthy of the legendary Fire Clan, warriors who have been protecting Jipang for many generations from evil demons and warlocks. The land Jipang is very similar to medieval Japan, and during your adventure you'll also visit Mongolia, China, and other Asian countries. The most important new feature of the game is a non-linear storyline. You can tackle many missions in any order you want, and the storyline also changes depending on the outcome of major battles. If you lose against a boss enemy, the game is not over, but instead, a branching storyline path is revealed. Otherwise, the gameplay is similar to other Far East of Eden games, featuring overworld map traveling and first person perspective, turn-based combat.

17.01.2019

Forge your Epic Team of Heroes! The Newest in Action RPG Fantasy Games! Collect Dozens of Heroes, Adventure through Fantastic Worlds and Topple the Darkness that Threatens the Realm!

24.01.2019

Intense combat awaits with a vast arsenal of heroes, limitless tactical combos, special abilities, and equipment. Utilize your forces to develop the ultimate strategies needed to become a true hero and save the realm from devastation.

01.01.1970

"It's time for the wolves of war to awaken..."

17.02.2011

Monster Hero was a game where you battled monsters by launching projectiles and knocking down towers in an Angry Birds fashion. You could capture monsters and train them, and eventually they would evolve. The game had social aspects as it was made for the Facebook platform.

07.07.2011

The Legend of Sword and Fairy 5 is an action role-playing game developed by Softstar Technology (Beijing) Co.,Ltd. It is the sixth installment in the Legend of Sword and Fairy (or Chinese Paladin) video game series, and serves as a sequel to the second game. The game incorporates elements of wuxia, shenmo and fantasy.

27.01.2017

Hire heroes, build an army, prevail in battles and try to keep your empire intact in the face of grave danger. Eador. Imperium is a new chapter in Eador series, known for its unique blend of grand strategy, turn-based tactics and RPG elements.

16.01.2019

Rangers of Oblivion is the ultimate monster-hunting playground for mobile devices.

30.08.2018

Shadows: Awakening is a unique, isometric single-player RPG with real-time tactical combat. You embark on an epic adventure with challenging gameplay, a gripping storyline and enchanting graphics.