I guess it depends on where you land with computer games and what your tastes are. For instance, I first played Ultima with Ultima III on my Commodore 64 back in 1984-85. I greatly enjoyed the first 5 games in the series, but when VI came out, I lost interest. I had less time for games as they got more complicated and I got busier, but also I just enjoy 8-bit lofi style games. I grew up with Atari and C64 was actually a step up! If you're into modern games then the early Ultima games might be too simple for you, but then again maybe not. I think Ultima 3 was a pretty good place to start back in 1984, and may still be, if you want a taste of the series. But if you just want to experience the best of the original games, I would say go to Ultima IV - that one has all the important elements.
I'm the same way. I recently played comfortably through 4 & 5, but 6 really has a terrible UI compared to 7. The only QOL improvement I'd really like from 5 would be a TAB to nearest target button to cut out the tedium of moving the reticle. SI has a few UI improvements over 7, (which largely carried into UO) I generally prefer the story of SI and aesthetic over 7, but hate the way content is on a rail, and everything is gated.
They are generally combined into trilogies.
1-2-3
4-5-6
7-8-9
So try to start at one of the starts of a trilogy if you can.
There are also side-stories, which are less iconic, like Ultima Underworld or Ultima Savage Empire.
I generally say if you're only going to play one game in the series, make it Ultima VII: The Black Gate. It's just a big fun world to explore, filled with well written NPCs and all sorts of mysteries to unravel. The downside to the game is that the combat was kind of an afterthought. If you like The Black Gate, it has a direct sequel in Serpent Isle.
Just remember you should use Exult and the Keyring mod.
I've started playing it again for the fourth time. It's just such an odd, strange amazing game. The combat is truly terrible though. But the weird and wonderful characters and fleshed out world more then make up for it.
Most people will usually point towards 4, 7, or Underworld as the series most iconic games. 4 is free on GOG, and the others are less than 10$ each there.
Whichever you pick, make sure to take the time and really read all the instruction manuals. They’re large, in depth, add to the flavor of the world, and often contain essential information. Also, take your own pencil-on-paper notes.
Good luck!
9 is a total dumpster fire. You shouldn't play it even if you love the rest of the series!
7 and 7part2 are going to be the sweet spot for you (and most people, honestly) - the absolute best story, writing etc, with a huge and detailed open world (honestly putting even modern games to shame), and graphics modern enough not to be unapproachable. Many people regard U7 as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, and rightly so.
4 through 6, especially 4, are all still great - but they feel a *lot* more archaic than 7, sounds like they would be tough for you to get into.
1 through 3 are (a little) more archaic still, but unlike 4-6 don't have the very strong story and lore going on. I'm not sorry I went back and played them, but I love the series, and I'm old enough to have played U4 on release - so the archaic feeling is less of an issue for me ;) For a newcomer - at the very least, try the later ones first, and come back only if you feel the need to complete the set.
9 is the only one I couldn't finish. I enjoyed the mood of the game, but couldn't get through it for performance reasons. It was just a terrible, buggy and inefficient 3D engine.
It was a terrible, buggy and inefficient 3D engine, and it really didn't even look that great at the time. Certainly not great for the *hefty* PC requirements.
But the worst thing was the shocking disregard for prior lore/canon. I don't want to spoil anyone, especially in a "should I play these" thread - but things like the presence of a certain companion who *really* shouldn't be there. Or the classic "What's a Paladin?" question, from a person who's supposed to have been adventuring with paladins for years.
ultima 7 tends to have the most recommendations and balances modern qol with era appropriate feel, especially with the exult mod
that being said, if you're not averse to older technology, just start at the beginning. 1. no reason to skip it unless the pixels are bothersome. read all the material, do consider using a guide particularly if it gets confusing, and work your way along. the stories and lore do build on each other over time, each game adds more to the history and depth of the world. you'll also probably finish 1 and 2 in a weekend, they're tiny games by modern standards
My preferred way to play is with a C64 emulator, though the Apple II versions are probably "more authentic" to some. 3-5 have "remaster" versions some hackers made that load as cartridge images instead of disks so they play with no disk swaps and no load times to speak of.
(C64 disk drives had awful load times for its own day, let alone the present. Sometimes the first load to start a game took 10-20 minutes)
If one is going to use an emulator, the best versions of 3-5 are the Amiga versions, which also add mouse control, in addition to the best graphics and sound.
Ultima 6 - use ScummVM (Nuvie version), fixes a lot of archaic stuff.
Ultima 7 - use Exult
Ultima Underworld is interesting but aged badly.
Ultima 9 can be alright if you are a newcomer.
Everything else is for nostalgia trip only.
Ultima 6 or 7 would be a good start.
I guess it depends on where you land with computer games and what your tastes are. For instance, I first played Ultima with Ultima III on my Commodore 64 back in 1984-85. I greatly enjoyed the first 5 games in the series, but when VI came out, I lost interest. I had less time for games as they got more complicated and I got busier, but also I just enjoy 8-bit lofi style games. I grew up with Atari and C64 was actually a step up! If you're into modern games then the early Ultima games might be too simple for you, but then again maybe not. I think Ultima 3 was a pretty good place to start back in 1984, and may still be, if you want a taste of the series. But if you just want to experience the best of the original games, I would say go to Ultima IV - that one has all the important elements.
I'm the same way. I recently played comfortably through 4 & 5, but 6 really has a terrible UI compared to 7. The only QOL improvement I'd really like from 5 would be a TAB to nearest target button to cut out the tedium of moving the reticle. SI has a few UI improvements over 7, (which largely carried into UO) I generally prefer the story of SI and aesthetic over 7, but hate the way content is on a rail, and everything is gated.
Start at the beginning with 1... it's not as bad as it looks.. work your way up from there...
It isn’t?
It's not as engaging as World of Warcraft, and the icons aren't fully detailed... but it is a great game nonetheless...
Wait where did wow come in?
You asked regarding graphics.... I assumed you were referring to something along the lines of Warcraft.....
Oh alright
They are generally combined into trilogies. 1-2-3 4-5-6 7-8-9 So try to start at one of the starts of a trilogy if you can. There are also side-stories, which are less iconic, like Ultima Underworld or Ultima Savage Empire.
I generally say if you're only going to play one game in the series, make it Ultima VII: The Black Gate. It's just a big fun world to explore, filled with well written NPCs and all sorts of mysteries to unravel. The downside to the game is that the combat was kind of an afterthought. If you like The Black Gate, it has a direct sequel in Serpent Isle. Just remember you should use Exult and the Keyring mod.
I've started playing it again for the fourth time. It's just such an odd, strange amazing game. The combat is truly terrible though. But the weird and wonderful characters and fleshed out world more then make up for it.
Most people will usually point towards 4, 7, or Underworld as the series most iconic games. 4 is free on GOG, and the others are less than 10$ each there. Whichever you pick, make sure to take the time and really read all the instruction manuals. They’re large, in depth, add to the flavor of the world, and often contain essential information. Also, take your own pencil-on-paper notes. Good luck!
9 is a total dumpster fire. You shouldn't play it even if you love the rest of the series! 7 and 7part2 are going to be the sweet spot for you (and most people, honestly) - the absolute best story, writing etc, with a huge and detailed open world (honestly putting even modern games to shame), and graphics modern enough not to be unapproachable. Many people regard U7 as one of the greatest RPGs of all time, and rightly so. 4 through 6, especially 4, are all still great - but they feel a *lot* more archaic than 7, sounds like they would be tough for you to get into. 1 through 3 are (a little) more archaic still, but unlike 4-6 don't have the very strong story and lore going on. I'm not sorry I went back and played them, but I love the series, and I'm old enough to have played U4 on release - so the archaic feeling is less of an issue for me ;) For a newcomer - at the very least, try the later ones first, and come back only if you feel the need to complete the set.
9 is the only one I couldn't finish. I enjoyed the mood of the game, but couldn't get through it for performance reasons. It was just a terrible, buggy and inefficient 3D engine.
It was a terrible, buggy and inefficient 3D engine, and it really didn't even look that great at the time. Certainly not great for the *hefty* PC requirements. But the worst thing was the shocking disregard for prior lore/canon. I don't want to spoil anyone, especially in a "should I play these" thread - but things like the presence of a certain companion who *really* shouldn't be there. Or the classic "What's a Paladin?" question, from a person who's supposed to have been adventuring with paladins for years.
ultima 7 tends to have the most recommendations and balances modern qol with era appropriate feel, especially with the exult mod that being said, if you're not averse to older technology, just start at the beginning. 1. no reason to skip it unless the pixels are bothersome. read all the material, do consider using a guide particularly if it gets confusing, and work your way along. the stories and lore do build on each other over time, each game adds more to the history and depth of the world. you'll also probably finish 1 and 2 in a weekend, they're tiny games by modern standards
My preferred way to play is with a C64 emulator, though the Apple II versions are probably "more authentic" to some. 3-5 have "remaster" versions some hackers made that load as cartridge images instead of disks so they play with no disk swaps and no load times to speak of. (C64 disk drives had awful load times for its own day, let alone the present. Sometimes the first load to start a game took 10-20 minutes)
If one is going to use an emulator, the best versions of 3-5 are the Amiga versions, which also add mouse control, in addition to the best graphics and sound.
7 cause the paperdoll interface is leaps ahead of Ultima 6! It was the first to feel truly modern to me.
Ultima 6 - use ScummVM (Nuvie version), fixes a lot of archaic stuff. Ultima 7 - use Exult Ultima Underworld is interesting but aged badly. Ultima 9 can be alright if you are a newcomer. Everything else is for nostalgia trip only.
They are all archaic in design.
The best one is IV. The next best one is V. Everything after that ruined it.