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(/* Notable ports *)
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== Notable ports ==
== Game versions ==
:'' See also: [[Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES)/Getting Started]]''
:'' See also: [[Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES)/Getting Started]]''
''Ultima 4'' was ported on different systems and consolles.  
''Ultima 4'' was ported on different systems and consolles.  


{|{{prettytable|notwide=1}}
{|{{prettytable|notwide=1}}
! Year !! Port !! Notes
|-
| 1985 || [[Apple II]] || The original port.
|-
| 1985 || [[Atari 8-bit]] || Essentially identical to the original port.
|-
| 1985 || [[C64]] || Some improvements to graphics and RAM requirements, but very long loading times.
|-
| 1985 || [[MS-DOS]] || Some improvements to graphics, but no music at all.
|-
| 1987 || [[MSX]] & [[NEC PC-8801|PC-8801]] || '''Japanese only;''' almost identical to the original port, with improved graphics.
|-
| 1987 || [[PC-9801]] || '''Japanese only;''' almost identical to the original port, with further improved graphics.
|-
| 1988 || {{yes|'''[[Amiga]] & [[Atari ST]]'''}} || {{yes|Great improvements to graphics and sound, especially in dungeons; mouse is featured.}}
|-
| 1989 || {{yes|'''[[NES]]'''}} || {{yes|'''[[Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES)|REMAKE]]'''. Very different graphics and music; reduced dialogues; controls modified for joypad. <br>The Japanese version features many more inhabitants in the towns, with longer dialogue.}}
|-
| 1990 || {{yes|'''[[Sega Master System|Sega MS]]'''}} || {{yes|Further improvements to graphics; controls modified for joypad; overhead dungeons instead of first person; released in Japan, Europe and South America, but not in North America.}}
|-
| 1992 || [[FM Towns]] || '''Japanese only;''' essentially identical to the MS-DOS port, with added music.
|}
{|{{prettytable|notwide=1}}
|+ Summary
|-
! Original version
! Original version
| (1985) [[Apple II]]
| (1985) [[Apple II]]
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|}
|}


* The '''Sega Master System''' port is a faithful port with enchanced graphics, except for the dungeons, where the first-person was replaced by an overhead view.
* The '''Famicom/NES''' remake features even more enhanced graphics (in Japanese style), and first-person view in the dungeons, but the dialogue system was simplified and the text strongly shortened. The Japanese version features many more inhabitants in the town, with longer dialogue.


==== Comparison screenshots ====
==== Comparison screenshots ====

Revision as of 14:11, 7 March 2018

Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar | Table of Contents | Gameplay | Walkthrough

Table of Contents

Gameplay
Walkthrough
Appendices

Introduction

In Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar you control a hero and a team of eight adventurers in a quest across the fantasy world of Britannia. During the game, the party members can progressively acquire several weapons and armors, but also many other items and a wide array of spells.

Ultima 4 is a role-playing video game. Specifically, it belongs to the sub-genre of American-style RPVGs.

Three aspects that can define the genre of RPGs are listed here, and they apply to Ultima 4 as well:

  1. Text is an essential part of the game, and the characters have to talk and interact with non-evil characters to proceed in the adventure;
  2. There are permanent upgrades, in the form of enhancements of the various attributes of the characters (attack, strength, magic etc.);
  3. There is freedom of exploration, all the areas are connected by an "overworld", and areas that have been previously cleared can usually be re-visited; in other words, the game is non-linear.

Japanese-style RPVG focus more on the plot, while American-style RPVG like Ultima 4 focus more on exploration and "body-building" of the characters. Nevertheless, all three aspects are present in every RPG.


Game versions

See also: Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES)/Getting Started

Ultima 4 was ported on different systems and consolles.

Year Port Notes
1985 Apple II The original port.
1985 Atari 8-bit Essentially identical to the original port.
1985 C64 Some improvements to graphics and RAM requirements, but very long loading times.
1985 MS-DOS Some improvements to graphics, but no music at all.
1987 MSX & PC-8801 Japanese only; almost identical to the original port, with improved graphics.
1987 PC-9801 Japanese only; almost identical to the original port, with further improved graphics.
1988 Amiga & Atari ST Great improvements to graphics and sound, especially in dungeons; mouse is featured.
1989 NES REMAKE. Very different graphics and music; reduced dialogues; controls modified for joypad.
The Japanese version features many more inhabitants in the towns, with longer dialogue.
1990 Sega MS Further improvements to graphics; controls modified for joypad; overhead dungeons instead of first person; released in Japan, Europe and South America, but not in North America.
1992 FM Towns Japanese only; essentially identical to the MS-DOS port, with added music.


Summary
Original version (1985) Apple II
Most popular port (1985) MS-DOS
Most advanced ports (1985) Amiga
(1990) Sega Master System
Remake (1989) NES
Fan-made upgrade (2001) Upgrade patch for MS-DOS port


Comparison screenshots

Similar games

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Table of Contents

Gameplay
Walkthrough
Appendices
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