Download ULTIMA IV: QUEST OF THE AVATAR ABANDONWARE

Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar

Published: February 1, 2009 - Last update: September 2, 2011 - 1294 downloads

Alt names: Ultima: Seisha e no Michi, Ultima: Quest of the Avatar, Ultima IV: Avatar no Tankyu, Última IV
Year: 1985
Genre: Role-Playing (RPG)
Theme: Medieval / Fantasy, Turn-based
Publisher: ORIGIN Systems, Inc.
Developer: ORIGIN Systems, Inc.
Perspectives: 1st-Person, Top-Down

5 / 5
6 votes

1 MiB

Description of Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar

Developed by ORIGIN Systems, Inc. and published by ORIGIN Systems, Inc., Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (also known as Ultima: Seisha e no Michi, Ultima: Quest of the Avatar, Ultima IV: Avatar no Tankyu, Última IV) is a role-playing (rpg) game revolving around medieval / fantasy, turn-based. It was published in 1985, feel free to download and play it now!

Long hailed as one of the best RPGs ever created, Richard Garriott’s revolutionary classic Ultima IV: Quest of The Avatar gets a great facelift with this excellent VGA graphics and MIDI patch by Joshua Steele, a die-hard fan of the series. From the official site, the patch “...[upgrades] Ultima IV to 256 color graphics with MIDI support. The patch replaces the tileset, font, game, and cutscene graphics, as well as correcting several conversation bugs within the original .TLK files. Adds command keys to Reload the last saved game and Exit to the OS.” In other words, it adds enough pizzazz to lure the faithful back to Britannia ;) Die-hard fans can stop reading this review now and download the file below (be sure to read the Technical Notes first, though). If you are a newbie who has never played the game before, then read on for my review. My most favorite game in the Ultima series, the fourth game in the saga features a greatly improved version of Ultima III engine, with color graphics and better character interaction (for the first time, you can now have actual conversations with NPCs). But what really makes Ultima IV revolutionary is its radical departure from any other RPG made before— or since. Instead of building up your character by accumulating combat experience in order to face the big evil foozle, your goal in Ultima IV is to become the Avatar, a spiritual leader for the people of Britannia. This meant upholding the "eight virtues," and basically trying to become a better person. This means, for the first time, that you will do good deeds simply because it is a “right thing to do” rather than to get some physical reward in return. The game world is deep enough that various activities, such as tipping beggars or allowing wounded monsters to run away, would increase the virtues (compassion in this example). On the other hand, ignoble behavior that are typical in most other RPGs, such as backstabbing fleeing monsters or picking up things that don’t belong to you, will decrease the corresponding virtues. More or less all your actions are evaluated in terms of virtue, and it is this “morality check” that makes the game so intriguing. In addition to this very original and intriguing approach to gameplay, Ultima IV still has plenty of traditional RPG elements. There are many dungeons to explore, monsters to kill, and even a "Holy Grail" final objective that requires you to find the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom to complete your transformation into Avatarhood. Of course, you need to have done enough good deeds in all eight virtues to finish the game. Ultima IV was also the first game in the series that allows NPCs to join your party: it introduces the mythical Iolo the Bard, Dupre the Paladin, and Shamino the Ranger—characters that will feature prominently in later games. With numerous innovations, intriguing gameplay, and a great story, Ultima IV remains one of few RPGs that truly deserves to be called “timeless.” With ideas that are still fresh even today, it is arguably the best representation of the true Ultima spirit... one that has sadly been lost after Ultima VII. A classic in every sense of the word—and three cheers to Joshua Steele who makes gamers’ return to Britannia all the more worthwhile. If you are interested in knowing how Lord British came up with the idea of the eight virtues, be sure to read CD Mag’s interview in the Related Links section below. Note: The game was released as freeware by Origin to promote the release of Ultima IX: Ascension, the final entry in the saga that sadly does not live up to its predecessors.
Review by HOTUD

Captures and Snapshots

Screenshots used with permission from MobyGames.com

Comments and reviews

#3034

Itoo added this comment :

This game trains your moral character in a unique way you will never experience elsewhere. I started playing it 24 years ago.

The object of this game is to train a hero, the Avatar, by learning and demonstrating mastery of eight virtuous character traits: compassion, courage, honesty, humility, spirituality, sacrifice, honor and justice. You accomplish this by talking to inhabitants, meditating at shrines, and how you act. For instance, pay the blind less than her asking price for her wares and you lose the virtue of honesty. Escape a fight (walking off the screen ends the battle) and lose the virtue of justice. Donate blood at the doctor to boost sacrifice or give alms to the poor for compassion.

Meanwhile there's an overall grand finale ritual that you go around collecting all the pieces for while you become the avatar.

The coolest thing is that if you beat this game, Richard Garriott, the writer, enjoys being notified of your accomplishment. He's on Facebook (just look for the first 2nd generation astronaut - yeah!)

This game isn't going to appeal to many people because of the dated graphics, and kids are most likely going to groan. I was put on it at age 6 but didn't actually complete the game until a replay on my NES version in my early twenties. That was when I could finally sit through completing it. Also, the NES version just plays better.

I really wish this game were remade for todays gamers (XBOX or Itunes apps.) I would love to pass on what it taught me to my children, too, if I could only speak in their medium. I've YET to find another game that comes close to what this game instills within you: a sense of morality not based on any sort of customary ethics, and a duty to be the best example you personally can. I still use and prefer its ethical system in my daily life today over all other religious and/or philosophic methods I've come in contact with.

#1169

Dungy added this comment :

For more information on the Ultima series, check out http://codex.ultimaaiera.com/wiki/Main_Page