Ultima VII: The Black Gate

Box cover of Ultima VII: The Black Gate

Ultima VII: The Black Gate is a role-playing video game, the seventh installment in the Ultima series, developed by Origin Systems and released in 1992. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest role-playing games of all time, known for its open world, complex story, and detailed interaction with the game environment.

Gameplay

Ultima VII: The Black Gate is set in the fictional universe of Britannia, where players assume the role of the Avatar, a hero summoned to investigate a series of strange occurrences. The game is played from a top-down perspective, with players navigating through towns, dungeons, and wilderness areas.

The game features a real-time combat system, a departure from the turn-based combat of previous Ultima games. Players can recruit NPC companions to join their party, each with unique abilities and personalities. The game world is highly interactive, allowing players to manipulate objects, bake bread, and even forge weapons.

Plot

The story begins with the Avatar being summoned to Britannia by the Time Lord, who warns of a new threat. The Guardian, a malevolent entity, seeks to enter Britannia through the Black Gate. The Avatar must uncover the Guardian's plot, which involves the Fellowship, a seemingly benevolent organization that is actually a front for the Guardian's machinations.

Throughout the game, the Avatar investigates murders, solves puzzles, and gathers clues to stop the construction of the Black Gate. The plot explores themes of trust, deception, and the nature of evil.

Development

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Screenshot of Ultima VII gameplay

Ultima VII was developed by Origin Systems, with Richard Garriott as the lead designer. The game was notable for its advanced graphics engine, which allowed for a seamless world without loading screens. The development team focused on creating a living world, with NPCs following daily schedules and reacting to the player's actions.

The game was originally released for MS-DOS, with later versions for the SNES and other platforms. The SNES version was heavily modified to fit the console's limitations, resulting in significant changes to the gameplay and story.

Legacy

Ultima VII is often cited as a major influence on later role-playing games, particularly in its open-world design and interactive environment. It has been praised for its depth, storytelling, and the freedom it offers players.

The game was followed by an expansion, Ultima VII: Forge of Virtue, which added new quests and items. The success of Ultima VII led to the development of Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle, which continued the story of the Avatar.

Box cover of Ultima VII: Forge of Virtue

Related pages

• Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle
• Ultima (series)
• Richard Garriott
• Origin Systems