Ultima

About

Ultima is a text-driven role-playing game where you explore a pixelated world to purge it of monsters and corruption. You wander a 2D map, issuing commands to fight foes, collect gear, and interact with NPCs. The goal is to track down the wizard Mondain, who's poisoned the land with plague and darkness. Combat is turn-based and simple but requires managing resources like hit points and potions. The world is randomly generated each playthrough, pushing you to rely on strategy over memorization. This 1981 title helped define the CRPG genre with its open-world design for the era. Though primitive by modern standards, it introduced player freedom and moral ambiguity that later games expanded on. Ultima's legacy looms large, it remains a touchstone for fans of old-school RPGs, with many crediting it as the spark for Richard Garriott's legendary series. Over 40 years old but still studied for its foundational influence.

Storyline

Hail, Noble One! Our land is in need of a stalwart hero, one who will brave perils too horrific to consider. A plague has befallen the Realm, a scourge is upon the land! Our villages lie sacked, ruinous mounds of ashes where once trod peasants stout of heart and sound of mind, where once lay fields of grain and fruit, where kine and fowl grew fat upon the bounties of our fair Sosaria. All manner of wicked and vile creatures prey upon our people and ravage the land. ‘Tis the doing of one so evil that the very earth trembles at the mention of his name. Mondain the Wizard hath wrought his malice well. Our nobles bicker amongst themselves, and each hath retired to the confines of his keep in hopes of watching the downfall of his rivals. Verily, the Evil One hat heaped indignity upon curse by releasing upon the Realm a host of creatures and beasts so bloodthirsty and wicked that our defenseless people fall as grain before the reaper’s scythe. These denizens of the underworld hold sway over all that can be surveyed, save for the strongholds of the nobles besotted with their own ambition. Nowhere in our once peaceful country may a traveler find safe passage or lodging, save in the keeps of the self-proclaimed kings—and they demand hard labors for their indulgences. Only the young Lord British remains steadfast in the vision of a peaceful and united Sosaria. In his castle and his towne the pure of heart will find an ally and replenishment for the needs of one who hath chosen to fight for the Realm. Aid us in ridding our land of the scourge that hath befallen us, O Noble One. We beseech thee, for without thine aid we shall surely perish before the onslaught of the maleficent necromancer. Slay the evil Mondain!