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{{Header Nav|game=Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar}}
{{Header Nav|game=Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar}}
:'' See also: [[Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES)/Gameplay]]''


== Introduction ==
== 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: Quest of the Avatar''''' is a CRPG wherein you control a hero with a team of up to eight adventurers in a quest across the fantasy world of Britannia. The ultimate goal of the game is to become the 'Avatar,' thus becoming a guiding light to the people.  This is accomplished by exploring the world and achieving mastery of eight 'virtues', and lastly reading the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom.


''Ultima 4'' is a role-playing video game. Specifically, it belongs to the sub-genre of American-style RPVGs.
The game mechanics are typical CRPG fare, where party members gain levels to improve their powers, obtain better equipment, learn new spells, combat monsters, and solve puzzles.


Three aspects that can define the genre of RPGs are listed here, and they apply to ''Ultima 4'' as well:
== Game versions ==
# 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;
''Ultima 4'' was ported on twelve different systems and consolles.  
# There are permanent upgrades, in the form of enhancements of the various attributes of the characters (attack, strength, magic etc.);
# 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 RPVGs focus more on the plot, while American-style RPVGs like ''Ultima 5'' focus more on exploration and "body-building" of the characters. Nevertheless, all three aspects are present in every RPG.
{|{{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.
|-
| 1987 || [[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.
|}




=== Notable ports ===
{|{{prettytable|notwide=1}}
''Ultima 4'' was ported on different systems and consolles.
|+ Summary
* The '''Sega Master System''' port was a faithful port with enchanced graphics, except for the dungeons, where the first-person was replaced by an overhead view.
|-
* The '''NES''' port featured 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.
! Original version
| (1985) [[Apple II]]
|-
! Most popular port
| (1985) [[MS-DOS]]
|-
! Most advanced ports
| (1985) [[Amiga]] <br>(1990) [[Sega Master System]]
|-
! Remake
| (1989) [[NES]]
|-
! Fan-made upgrade
| (2001) [http://www.moongates.com/u4/upgrade/Upgrade.htm Upgrade patch] for MS-DOS port
|}


=== Similar games ===
 
==== Comparison screenshots ====
<gallery widths=300px heights=250px>
File:U4 gypsy 1DOS.png|(1985) [[MS-DOS]]
File:U4 gypsy 2AMI.png|(1988) [[Amiga]]
File:U4 gypsy 2SMS.png|(1990) [[Master System]]
File:U4 gypsy 4NES.png|(1989) NES [[Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES)|remake]]
</gallery>
 
== Similar games ==
* [[Ultima 5]] and [[Ultima 6]], that together with ''Ultima 4'' constitute the '''''Age of Enlightment''''' trilogy;
* [[Ultima 5]] and [[Ultima 6]], that together with ''Ultima 4'' constitute the '''''Age of Enlightment''''' trilogy;
* [[Ultima 3]], [[Ultima 7]] and [[Ultima 7 Part 2]], where the player still controls a team of heroes.
* [[Ultima 3]], [[Ultima 7]] and [[Ultima 7 Part 2]], where the player still controls a team of heroes.


{{Footer Nav|game=Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar|prevpage=|nextpage=Controls}}
{{Footer Nav|game=Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar|prevpage=|nextpage=Controls}}

Latest revision as of 02:28, 23 June 2021

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

Table of Contents

Gameplay
Walkthrough
Appendices
See also: Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES)/Gameplay

Introduction[edit]

Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar is a CRPG wherein you control a hero with a team of up to eight adventurers in a quest across the fantasy world of Britannia. The ultimate goal of the game is to become the 'Avatar,' thus becoming a guiding light to the people. This is accomplished by exploring the world and achieving mastery of eight 'virtues', and lastly reading the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom.

The game mechanics are typical CRPG fare, where party members gain levels to improve their powers, obtain better equipment, learn new spells, combat monsters, and solve puzzles.

Game versions[edit]

Ultima 4 was ported on twelve 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.
1987 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[edit]

Similar games[edit]

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Table of Contents

Gameplay
Walkthrough
Appendices
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