Re: AVATAR

[marshall@brandonu.ca (Edward S. Marshall)]

In article <135@MECHANICAL.watstar.uwaterloo.ca>, jmarkus@electrical.watstar.uwaterloo.ca writes:
> 
> What is AVATAR?
> 
> --
>                         Jeff Markus
>                         jmarkus@mechanical.watstar.uwaterloo.ca
>         
>         "I can't think of anything cute or poignant to put here!"

What is Avatar?  Ah, finally, an Ultima question!

The game I believe you're referring to is Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar.  It's
a game put out by Origin Systems, Inc., and was written by Lord British
(Richard Garriott for those who must know).  It is the fourth in the series (as
if you couldn't guess), and is a fantastic role-playing adventure.

In this installment of the series, you are an adventurer who sets out on his
own to work toward Avatar-hood, the embodiment of the eight virtues.  Along
your way, you pick up companions who have devoted their lives to upholding a
single virtue, and who will join you as you become more devoted to that virtue. 
The key is to become completely devoted in all of the virtues, and you can then
become an Avatar.  Of course, it's not quite that simple - there are a few
monsters, a number of items to find, quite a few dungeons to explore, and never
mind what a slip of the tongue might do to your virtue...

Basically, Ultima IV is a standard-fare role-playing adventure with a twist -
you have to have the right morals to win (or be able to lie pretty well). 
And if you haven't played any of the other games in the series, don't worry
about it; the manuals that accompany the games are some of the best I've ever
seen, acquainting the player with everything that has occurred up to the point
you're at.

A bit of a footnote: Ultima IV was a revolution in gaming.  The game was
expanded incredibly from Ultima III... a better combat system was incorporated,
a fantastic conversational system was developed, and the graphics are stunning
(which is rather difficult to achieve in hi-res).  Ultima V took this one step
further, implementic an incredible battery of animated graphics and sounds, a
MIDI and soundboard compatible set of built-in musical scores, an even broader
conversational system and a more tactical combat setup, and hundreds of other
innovations (is it any wonder that Ultima V was vaporware for a while after the
original deadline?).

This is one of the most incredible gaming series that I have been lucky enough
to play.  It ranks up there with Bard's Tale and Wizardry, both equally
fantastic games.  I highly recommend the entire series.


Edward S. Marshall                                         marshall@brandonu.ca
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        "The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things."
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