Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar is a groundbreaking role-playing game developed and published by Origin Systems in 1985. It is the fourth entry in the legendary Ultima series created by Richard Garriott (Lord British) and is considered one of the most influential RPGs in gaming history. Unlike most RPGs of its time, which focused on defeating an evil villain, Ultima IV introduces a unique moral and philosophical quest that challenges players to embody the virtues of a true hero.
The game takes place in the high-fantasy world of Sosaria, now reformed into the land of Britannia. Instead of battling a singular dark force, the player is tasked with becoming the Avatar, a paragon of virtue who will serve as a moral example for the people of Britannia. To achieve this, the player must master eight virtues—Honesty, Compassion, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, Spirituality, and Humility—which are derived from combinations of three core principles: Truth, Love, and Courage.
Gameplay is a mix of open-world exploration, dungeon crawling, and moral decision-making. Players create a character by answering a series of ethical questions, which determines their starting class, such as Paladin, Bard, Druid, or Tinker. Throughout the adventure, the player must demonstrate virtuous behavior, such as telling the truth, helping those in need, and avoiding unnecessary violence. This morality system was revolutionary, as it emphasized personal growth and ethical choices rather than simple combat.
Combat is turn-based, featuring a party system where allies join the quest as you progress. Exploration spans towns, wilderness areas, and dangerous dungeons, with clues to the virtues and the ultimate goal hidden throughout Britannia. To complete the quest, players must uncover the sacred Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, proving their worthiness as the Avatar.
The world of Ultima IV is presented with top-down 2D graphics and detailed tile-based maps. The soundtrack, while minimal on early platforms, evokes a sense of medieval adventure. The game was widely acclaimed for its depth, non-linear progression, and its bold departure from the typical “kill the evil overlord” storyline of early RPGs.
Ultima IV is considered a landmark title in the RPG genre, inspiring future games with its emphasis on ethical choices, player agency, and storytelling. It remains a must-play for fans of classic computer role-playing games.
Technical Details
- Developer: Origin Systems
- Publisher: Origin Systems
- Release Date: 1985
- Genre: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Mode: Single-player
- Platform: Apple II, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Atari ST, Amiga, and many others
- Graphics: 2D tile-based top-down graphics
- Sound: Minimal early computer sound effects and simple music themes
- Key Features: Moral and virtue-based gameplay, open-world exploration, ethical character creation, party system, quest for the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom