Ultima: Quest of the Avatar

"All-time favorite"

Ultima II or as some like to call it, Ultima IV will probably be one of your favorites as well if you enjoy the whole concept. You start at a table with cards and an old-fashioned calculator. The cards are very well drawn (for an 8-bit system) and the calculator is just really nifty in my opinion although it doesn't have anything to do with your future. These cards are the main plot to your appearance. Which virtue do you believe to be most valuable? Honor, Honesty, Humility, Justice, Spirituality, Compassion, Sacrifice or Valor?

I would give the Graphics a rating of 7 out of 10, since it is an 8-bit game and it can only do so much at once. There is plenty of work put into these graphics, although I believe the world map could have been improved alot.

The sound is worthy of an 8 out of 10 as there is *very* little that the NES could do with its memory and such. I am always thrilled by the 'old skool' noises that these games make.

I was able to control most of the game, but some people will find the turn-based combat system very frustrating. I would give the control a rating of 6 because of that. Otherwise, its perfectly enjoyable throughout the game despite the repetition.

The storyline is tasteful and educational. It is worthy of an 8 because of the all-age capability (I was playing this game when I was a wee child!! and now look at me, all grown up and writing a review for it.)

Challenges are always good in a video game, or else the point would be lost. This is one of the largest challenges I have ever had (certainly not number one) so I would give it a rating of 9.

I have never bothered to play an entire video game twice, although if I was to play *this* over again (which I am) I would be thrilled. Its an excellent beginner game, although nowadays there is so much more to experience. Still... it's always fun to have a nostalgia attack.

Overall I would say this is one of the best games I ever played in my lifetime. I rarely get bored of it, I find myself wanting to explore the dungeons over and over. If you want my complete honest opinion, it deserves a ten out of ten. You'd be silly not to buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/20/04