Difference between revisions of "Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar"

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Revision as of 11:28, 30 November 2013

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UltimaIV title.png

Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: RPG

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code

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Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar, known as Última IV in Brazil, is an entry in the Ultima series of RPGs created by Richard Garriot at Origin Systems. It was originally released in 1985 for the Apple II computer, before being brought to the Sega Master System five years later in 1990 (the only Ultima game to be released on a Sega platform). Ultima IV is the first in the "Age of Enlightenment" trilogy, and though references Ultima III: Exodus and prior games, knowledge of previous adventures is not strictly necessary to understand Ultima IV.

Ultima IV is unusual as unlike other games in the series, there is not a defined end boss, or overarching villian in which the player needs to defeat. Instead, the player goes on a spiritual quest as "The Avatar" under instructions of Lord British (a.k.a. Garriot) to promote his eight virtues; honesty, compassion, valor, justice, sacrifice, honor, spirituality and humility, becoming a better person in the process and inspring the people of Britannia.

The Master System version is very much like the Apple II original, however features updated graphics, music and gives its dungeons are played from top-down perspective (as opposed to the pseudo-3D first person view seen in the original). The NES version, released a year prior, makes more significant changes in terms of art design to appease a Japanese audience - the Master System version is hence seen as the more accurate of the two.

Despite the game being created by an American company, the Master System version of Ultima IV was only released in Europe (in English, French and German variations) and Brazil. The direct sequel, Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny was released in 1988 and skipped Sega platforms, however at one stage the spin-off Ultima Underworld (which takes place after Ultima VI: The False Prophet) was set to arrive on the Sega Mega CD.

Physical Scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
93 №35, p61
89 №4, p109
86 №105, p88/89
87 №10, p107
90 №4, p32/33
92 №9
100 №23, p60
94 №25, p47
95 №6, p30
Sega Master System
 92
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[1]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
50
[2]
ACE (UK)
93
[3]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[4]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
89
[5]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) PAL
89
[6]
Console XS (UK) PAL
92
[7]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
86
[8]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[9]
Game Mania (UK)
89
[10]
Joystick (FR)
87
[11]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
89
[12]
Player One (FR)
90
[13]
Power Play (DE)
86
[14]
S: The Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
92
[15]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
100
[16]
Sega Power (UK)
94
[17]
Sega Pro (UK)
95
[18]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
92
[19]
Tilt (FR)
85
[20]
Sega Master System
 85
Based on
20 reviews

Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar

Master System, UK
UltimaIV SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
UltimaIV SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, FR
UltimaIV SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
UltimaIV SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, DE
UltimaIV SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
UltimaIV SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
UltimaIV SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
  1. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 244
  2. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 323
  3. ↑ ACE, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-07-xx), page 61
  4. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "August/September 1990" (DE; 1990-07-27), page 64
  5. ↑ Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 109
  6. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 62
  7. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 146
  8. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-07-16), page 88
  9. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 18
  10. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  11. ↑ Joystick, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 107
  12. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  13. ↑ Player One, "Décembre 1990" (FR; 1990-xx-xx), page 32
  14. ↑ Power Play, "8/90" (DE; 1990-07-13), page 126
  15. ↑ S: The Sega Magazine, "August 1990" (UK; 1990-07-05), page 8
  16. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 60
  17. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-10-30), page 47
  18. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 30
  19. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  20. ↑ Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 52
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