Ultima IX: Ascension (1999) (VG)

Director:

Richard Garriott

Writers:

Brian Martin (dialogue)
John Zuur Platten (writer)

Release Date:

23 November 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Mystery

Plot:

The Avatar returns to Britannia for his final adventure to face his nemesis one last time: the powerful Guardian...

Plot Keywords:

Computer Game | Sequel | Ascension

Cast

J.C. Shakespeare	...	The Avatar / Additional Voices (voice) (as J.C. Shakespere)
Audrey Peterson	...	Raven / Additiomal Voices (voice)
Ev Lunning	...	Lord British (voice) (as Ev Lunnings)
Bill Johnson	...	The Guardian / Additional Voices (voice)
Doug Forest	...	Blackthorn (voice) (as Doug Forrest)
J.P. Shepard	...	Samhayne / Additional Voices (voice)
Tom Byrne	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Debra Cole	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Adam Dudley	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Dale Dudley	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Raquel Gavia	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Bethlyn Gerard	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Joey Gibson	...	Additional Voices (voice)
Traci L. Goudie	...	Additional Voices (voice) (as Traci Goudie)
Jim Grisham	...	Additional Voices (voice)

Also Known As:

Ultima: Ascension (USA) (working title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Origin Systems Inc.

Trivia:

The castle shown in the loading splash-screen for the game doesn't actually appear anywhere in the game itself.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Jennifer, who bought her friends donuts in life (as noted on her epitaph) is inexplicably buried in both the Britain and Minoc cemeteries at the same time.

Quotes:

Cartel Boss: [a group of pirates are illegally harvesting the venom of the Silver Serpent, which they can market as an addictive drug] Just find a way to get more venom, or I'll have you AND the serpent killed!
Aria: Oh, that's smart! Kill the goose because it's not laying enough golden eggs!

Movie Connections:

Follows Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle (1993) (VG)

Good, but could have been much much better

Ultima IX is pretty much a controversial game, that's for certain. My view is that previous parts of the series have been able to push the RPG genre forward a great deal, each part being years and years ahead of the competition. Ultima IX, however, was not quite as influential: There has been, it seems, very little to invent by this time, and this game came out in 1999 and by 2002 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind was killing it dead in almost every respect (except for NPCs, I suppose) - while the old Ultima games are still kings of the hill in their own ways. One could say Ultima IX invented 3D RPGs, but the rest of the gang trampled it, coming sneakily in from behind... It's only fitting that fans are currently remaking Ultima IX on Morrowind engine! Technically, the game is pretty good. Even in this post-Oblivion world, the graphics aren't quite offensive to the eye. The game world is technically pretty solid, though everyone would probably want a little bit bigger world. Okay, I'm not complaining much; they had some small technical constraints and didn't want to push too far, even when they undoubtedly were trying. This game could turn into much more huge and interesting game with some modern technology aboard...

I haven't played the game a whole lot (a quarter through at most), but I have to say the plot isn't really up to par compared to other games in the series. Also, people who have played the other parts of the series will probably cringe because the game contradicts the previous parts quite a lot, and some of the mistakes are pretty embarrassing. (Thank you kindly for your tight release schedule, Electronic Arts. Not!) Yet, even with these mistakes, it's still pretty brilliant compared to some of the competitors though. At least it still has its twists and turns.

So in end, we have a slightly flawed game that's not really as good as it's predecessors. But it's still one of the great highlights of the PC RPGs. If you add a few fan-made patches, you also get a better-working game and get rid of quite a ton of annoyances in the conversations (and an excuse to turn off the unmemorable voice acting...)

I can recommend this if you're looking for a decent enough RPG. Not the most brilliant I've played, but brilliant nevertheless. Also check out the previous parts (I recommend Ultima VI and both chapters of VII) if you want *really* good RPGs.