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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. |
| 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]
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(1985) MS-DOS
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(1988) Amiga
-
(1990) Master System
-
(1989) NES remake
Similar games[edit]
- 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.