Ultima III Exodus (NES) and Ultima VII: Forge of Virtue Retrospective Review

[@kirk1968]

Amazing video, Ultima III was the first computer game I bought in 1983 for my Atari 800XL, I have never forgotten that experience. Thank you for the great review, I'm glad you have been able to play this awesome series!

[@Lucasbrg]

Great video! I still remember playing Ultima 7 at random and stumbling upon the island. The trial of love is something that I remember founddly. Taking part of the ritual was so interactive and so philosophical that up to this day I hadn't any similar experience! I really wish for more games similar to Ultima 7. Looking forward to your Serpent Isle video.

[@theoneandonlyguyallikian1190]

There is a risk of failing after exodus castle starts to collapse. Eventually it will kill every member in the party simultaneously and actually your path can get blocked pretty quick and trap you with no way out if you make a wrong turn.

[@andrewkaye2108]

Ok I bought Ultima: Exodus for the NES, brand new. Then I got quickly confused about what to do in this game and where to go, So, I put in on the back burner and played other things. One day, I read that FCI/ Pony Cannon's US division was now offering a strategy guide on this game! So, I sent away for it, with payment by check. As soon as it arrived, I loaded the game up in my NES and proceeded to play. The guide had complete maps, what to do and where to go, so, So THIS TIME I understood what I was doing!! I beat it shortly after! Since the internet was YEARS away, that stategy guide was my only help ( Nintendo's help line was not established yet)! It was a fun game, but very confusing without that guide. :)

[@silvermasked0]

I remember renting Ultima on the Super Nintendo when I was a kid and being absolutely lost lol I still was too young to know how to read so I just bumbled about making the game fun regardless.

[@Nesguy92]

Reminds me of my first time playing final fantasy on nes. I was about six. I could read, but didn't in most games at that age. I just wanted to get thru the text as fast as possible. Never got far cuz I didn't understand inns and resting to regain health. So I died over and over. About a year later I found out how to play a rpg by watching a buddy play Chrono trigger. I'm glad I got to grow up with these games.

[@Dark_Jaguar]

While in terms of gameplay, the old computer version of Ultimate 3 is the most fleshed out and feature filled, I'll always argue that the NES version has the best presentation. The sprites are a lot more expressive with their faces and unique designs, and the music... exists. More than exists, it's amazing and full of that 80's charm. There's a mod available that takes the NES version and adds in all the features of the original release.

[@h.n.4060]

I remember trying to play this game as a kid. I couldn't read yet, and I couldn't figure out how to get passed things like rivers. I remember used my party like a bridge (one person died, and then I kept going), and eventually everyone died. The previous Ultima games were a bit off the wall, but they consistently mixed sci-fi with fantasy. Even in the original game, Exodus was heavily implied to be some sort of AI, and the "Cards" used to stop him were literally punch cards used to program old mainframes. What I find strange then is that such emphasis is placed on not revealing the technological nature of Exodus, given that the previous entries forced players to do things like travel to space in a star ship, using a time machine, and things like floating cars and laser weapons were not uncommon either. Perhaps they thought that most people wouldn't have played the previous games, and so the twist of Exodus being a computer might have been surprise to most players? It's also interesting to me that there are so many fantasy rpgs at this period pulled this same trick (such as Might and Magic). It seems much more uncommon today, the only thing I know of that's tried it recently was the LN/Manga/Anime 'So I'm a Spider, So What?', which I personally believe was directly inspired by the Ultima series.

[@TieryasXu]

Might and Magic is another series I love. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@wes788411]

I’m finally going to dive into an Ultima game. I’ve been intrigued with the series for a long time because they are so much more in-depth than he JRPG games I’ve grown up on, I have never actually played one. I’m starting with Ultima III for the PC because I’m afraid my NES cartridge won’t save.

[@TieryasXu]

I never played the PC one but have heard it's good (although very different)! I don't know how well it holds up, but my favorites in the series are U7 and U4 Quest of the Avatar. Hope you enjoy Exodus on PC!

[@kirk1968]

Ultima III was my first game as well in 1983, on an Atari 800XL. You won't be disappointed! I hope you will also play Ultima IV, that one is truly a game-changer.

[@SMNtenshinoneko]

Nice review

[@Frank_42]

My theory is that the four heroes are the future Avatar, Shamino, Iolo, and Dupre.

[@bobbinsthethird]

Thanks for the Ultima content

[@TieryasXu]

Thanks for watching. I want to do Serpent's Isle soon!

[@forevernight3279]

Great game

[@bscrazeee8905]

Nice vid man, Serpent Isle is good I enjoyed it too. Far more linear than U7 which is both a good and bad thing I think. I never actually finished it as puzzles got too much. Must go back someday and right that. Journey onward Avatar! 👍

[@PabstOban]

You mentioned that you wrote game dialogue. I think your retrospective of Phantasy Star 2 is the best there is that KZbin has to offer. Phantasy Star 3 was a colossal disappointment to me, and its the game I would most want to see remade... so there isn't this huge gap in one of my favorite RPG series.

[@TieryasXu]

Thanks so much! I hope to do a Phantasy Star 3 retrospective soon! Have a happy holidays!

[@PabstOban]

@@TieryasXu If there is ever an effort to remake Phantasy Star III and give it the presentation it deserved, they should hire you to be part of that. Someone needs to love the series enough to lead that charge.