Ultima Games: Play Order & Starting Points

No, you do not need to play earlier Ultima games before starting a later entry, but playing them enriches the experience significantly. Each game in the main series is self-contained enough to be completed and understood on its own, yet the series is famous for its continuity, recurring characters, and evolving world state. This article explains what carries over, which games are best for newcomers, and how to decide your starting point.

The Ultima Series at a Glance

The Ultima series, created by Richard Garriott (also known as Lord British in-game), spans nine main entries from 1981 to 1999, plus spin-offs like Ultima Underworld and Worlds of Ultima. The games are set in the fantasy world of Britannia, and the protagonist—the Avatar—is a hero from Earth who is summoned to the realm. The series is known for its ethical systems, its use of virtues, and its deep role-playing mechanics.

Each main game has a distinct story arc. The first three games (Ultima I–III) are relatively simple dungeon crawls with a loose narrative. Starting with Ultima IV, the series shifted to a more philosophical and character-driven approach, introducing the Virtue system that would define the later games. The later entries (V–IX) build on that foundation, each addressing a specific virtue or ethical dilemma.

How the Games Connect

The connections between Ultima games are thematic and narrative, not mechanical. You do not carry over your character or inventory from one game to the next. However, the world of Britannia is persistent: events in one game are referenced in later ones, and the state of the world changes based on the outcome of previous adventures. For example, in Ultima V, Lord British is missing and the realm is under a shadowy tyranny, a direct consequence of the player’s choices in Ultima IV. Similarly, Ultima VI deals with the aftermath of the Gargoyle War, which was set up in Ultima V.

Recurring characters like Lord British, the wizard Nystul, and the bard Iolo appear throughout the series. Their relationships and histories are built over multiple games, so playing earlier entries gives you a deeper appreciation for their roles. But the games do a good job of reintroducing these characters, so you won’t be lost if you start later.

Best Starting Points for New Players

If you want to jump into the series, you have several viable options, depending on your tolerance for older graphics and gameplay:

• Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (1985) – This is the most logical starting point for the modern era of the series. It’s the first game to feature the Virtue system, and it’s widely considered a classic. The gameplay is turn-based and tile-based, which may be dated, but the story and ethical choices are timeless.
• Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny (1988) – If you want a more polished version of the classic formula, Ultima V improves on IV with better graphics, a more complex story, and a darker tone. It’s also a direct sequel to IV, so you’ll get the full impact of the narrative if you play IV first.
• Ultima VI: The False Prophet (1990) – This is the first game in the series to use a mouse-driven interface and a more modern RPG feel. It’s a great entry point for players who find the earlier games too archaic. The story is self-contained and introduces the Gargoyle race, which becomes important in later games.
• Ultima VII: The Black Gate (1992) – Often cited as the best game in the series, Ultima VII is a masterpiece of open-world RPG design. It’s the most accessible to modern players, with a real-time combat system and a deep interactive world. However, it’s also the most complex, and its story is a direct continuation of the events in VI.

For a first-time player, Ultima VII is the most user-friendly and offers the richest experience. You can play it without any prior knowledge and still enjoy it fully. If you’re a purist who wants to see the evolution of the series, start with IV and go in order.

What You Miss by Skipping Earlier Games

Skipping earlier games doesn’t prevent you from understanding the plot of a later entry, but you will miss out on:

• Character backstories – The companions you meet in later games have deep histories that are explored in earlier titles. For example, Iolo’s wife, Gwenno, is a key character in Ultima IV, and his devotion to her is a recurring theme.
• World-building details – Britannia is a living world with its own history, geography, and politics. Playing earlier games gives you a sense of how the world has changed and why certain places are significant.
• Thematic depth – The Virtue system is central to the series. Each game explores a different virtue (e.g., Ultima IV is about the Eight Virtues, Ultima V is about Justice, Ultima VI is about Sacrifice). Understanding the previous games’ explorations adds nuance to the later ones.
• References and Easter eggs – The series is full of callbacks to earlier events and characters. These are fun to spot but not essential to the main story.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that you need to play the games in order to understand the story. In reality, each game has a self-contained plot that is resolved by the end. The overarching narrative is more like a tapestry, where each game adds a thread, but you can appreciate the individual threads without seeing the whole tapestry.

Another issue is the age of the games. The early Ultima games have archaic interfaces and graphics that can be off-putting to modern players. Many people try to start with Ultima IV and give up because of the dated presentation. If that’s the case, it’s perfectly fine to start with a later game like Ultima VII and go back if you’re curious.

There’s also the question of which version to play. The original games were released on multiple platforms (Apple II, Commodore 64, DOS, etc.) with varying quality. The DOS versions are generally considered the best, and fan patches have improved compatibility with modern systems. GOG.com sells the entire series with pre-configured DOSBox settings, making it easy to run on current hardware.

How to Choose Your Starting Point

Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:

1. If you prioritize story and innovation – Start with Ultima IV and play through the series in order. This gives you the full narrative arc and lets you see how the games evolved.
2. If you prioritize gameplay and accessibility – Start with Ultima VII. It’s the most polished and modern-feeling of the classic era, and it’s a great introduction to the series’ strengths.
3. If you want a middle ground – Try Ultima VI. It’s a bridge between the old and new styles, with a mouse interface but still turn-based combat.
4. If you’re a completionist – Play all of them, starting from Ultima I. Just be aware that the first three games are very dated and may feel like a chore.

Ultimately, the best starting point is the one that you’ll enjoy the most. The series is a classic for a reason, and any entry point can lead to a rewarding experience.

Costs and Availability

The Ultima games are available on GOG.com as a complete collection, which includes all nine main games plus spin-offs. The price is reasonable for the amount of content, and the games are DRM-free. You can also find them on other digital stores, but GOG is the most reliable for modern compatibility.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can sometimes find the games on sale for a few dollars each. The collection is often discounted during major sales events. Alternatively, you can play the games via emulation if you have the original disks, but that’s more complicated and less legal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play Ultima I, II, and III before IV?
No. The first three games are very different in style and are not required to understand the story of IV. They are more like prologues, and their events are summarized in the manual of IV. You can safely skip them.

Is Ultima VII a good starting point?
Yes, it’s often recommended as the best starting point for modern players. It has a compelling story, a vast open world, and the most polished gameplay of the classic era. You can play it without any prior knowledge and still enjoy it.

Will I be lost if I skip Ultima V and VI and go straight to VII?
Not really. Ultima VII is set in a different part of Britannia and has a self-contained plot. There are references to previous events, but they are explained in the game’s dialogue and manual.

Are the spin-offs (Underworld, Worlds of Ultima) necessary?
No, they are optional. Ultima Underworld is a first-person dungeon crawler that is set in the same universe but has a separate story. Worlds of Ultima are standalone adventures that don’t affect the main series.

What is the best version of each game to play?
For most games, the DOS version is the best. For Ultima IV, the NES version has enhanced graphics and music but also has some changes to the gameplay. The DOS version is more faithful to the original. For Ultima VII, the DOS version with the Exult engine is recommended for modern systems.

Can I play the games on modern hardware?
Yes, the GOG versions come with DOSBox pre-configured, so they run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. For Ultima VII, you can also use the Exult engine, which adds quality-of-life improvements and runs natively on modern systems.

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