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Dhruin

April 11th, 2012 23:14

Ultima Underworld - Retrospective @ Rampant Coyote

The 20th Anniversary of Ultima Underworld was apparently in March just gone and Jay Barnson muses on what made this game so special, beyond the 3D movement:

Quote:

* Ultima Underworld had what is still one of the best auto-maps of all time. While the features stood out, the walls and parchment background looked like it belonged. And your ability to write (and erase) directly on the map, anywhere, was a big deal. Actually, it still is. It’s fortunately more commonly matched in the modern era than it once was, but I don’t think it has been surpassed. I’m not sure what you’d do to surpass it, to be honest.
* A dynamic music system. Many games at the time would switch between combat and exploration music, but the music in Ultima Underworld was even more situational, and was designed to (almost) seamlessly transition between themes as you transitioned between states. The UU music remains on my inspirational music playlist.

More information.

TheMadGamer

April 11th, 2012 23:14

After U7 The Black Gate, this is my 2nd favorite game of all time. I recently bought it from Gog.com and plan to make a full playthrough. I played it to completion when it came out back in the early 90s but only played it one time. Should be fun to play it again as it will feel like 'new' again.

Corwin

April 12th, 2012 01:14

I gave it a spin a couple of weeks ago and completed the first 6 levels (of 8), but since level 7 is the no magic level and I'm a mage, I decided to play UU2 again instead and got half way through that one as well. It was a great value bundle from GOG.

TheMadGamer

April 12th, 2012 03:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corwin (Post 1061137943)

What stopped you from finishing either game?

Vindicator

April 12th, 2012 04:25

I have to agree with MadGamer… out of the hundreds of games I've played,
#1 Ultima 7, #2 Ultima Underworld, #3 System Shock.
I remember Richard Garriott saying that future Ultimas would blend the traditional 2D iso world with 3D Underworld dungeons… but thanks to the evil Guardian (EA) the two engine game concept was scrapped.

Corwin

April 12th, 2012 04:25

I'm replaying them, UU2 for the 4th time so I simply switched games. I'll get back to them eventually, but I have heaps of unfinished replays on my task bar!! :)

TheMadGamer

April 12th, 2012 06:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vindicator (Post 1061137988)

…but thanks to the evil Guardian (EA) the two engine game concept was scrapped.

I remember how excited I was for U8 to come out. I even bought a brand new Pentium 1 60MHZ computer just to play it on.

After playing U8, it started dawning on me must what it meant for Origin to sell itself to EA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corwin (Post 1061137989)

I'm replaying them, UU2 for the 4th time so I simply switched games. I'll get back to them eventually, but I have heaps of unfinished replays on my task bar!! :)

Ah. I suppose I'm in the same boat. But I hate to stop playing a game before I'm finished all the way. It's like stopping pee-ing before you're done. :P

AppleIntimidation

April 12th, 2012 11:05

What games have better combat and gameplay. The two underworlds or elder scrolls 1 and 2? I can't decide which serries to complete for the first time. also, any of you tried ultimate underworld on the iPad 1 view iDos? It runs like crap. I imagine it wass that bad in 19922 unless you had a top of the line rig back then? How's did you guys bear?

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