Ultima Alternatives: Best Classic RPGs to Play

If you are looking for games like Ultima, the best alternatives are Baldur’s Gate, Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura, and Might and Magic VI—each captures a different slice of what made Ultima special, from open-world freedom to party-based tactics and moral choice. This article breaks down those options and more, explaining what each game does well and how to choose based on the specific Ultima elements you value most.

What Made Ultima a Landmark Series

Richard Garriott’s Ultima series (1979–1999) defined the Western RPG for two decades. It moved from grid-based dungeons (Ultima I–III) to a top-down, tile-based world with NPC schedules, day/night cycles, and a strong moral system (Ultima IV–VI), then to a first-person 3D world with a party and real-time combat (Ultima VII–VIII). The series is remembered for its reactive worlds—where your actions had consequences—and for Ultima IV‘s revolutionary approach: instead of defeating a villain, you had to become a moral paragon by practicing eight virtues.

That combination of open exploration, meaningful dialogue, and ethical gameplay is why fans still seek out similar experiences decades later. The games below are not clones; they are spiritual successors that borrow specific mechanics and expand on them.

Top Alternatives by Sub-Genre

Depending on which era of Ultima you loved, different games will feel like the natural next step.

For the open-world sandbox of Ultima VII: Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000) offers a vast, reactive world with deep party interaction and real-time-with-pause combat. Its city of Athkatla is as dense and alive as Britannia’s Trinsic or Britain.
For the steampunk-meets-magic vibe of Ultima V: Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura (2001) pits technology against magic in a world that reacts to your character’s build. It has a similar moral ambiguity and open-ended quest design.
For the first-person party dungeon crawling of Ultima Underworld: Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven (1998) is a pure blobber with real-time combat, a huge world, and a class system that rewards experimentation.
For the virtue-and-consequence system of Ultima IV: Planescape: Torment (1999) is dialogue-heavy and forces you to examine your character’s past and moral choices. It is less about exploring a world and more about exploring a soul.
For the isometric, grid-based tactical combat of Ultima V: Jagged Alliance 2 (1999) is not fantasy, but its turn-based combat and squad management feel similar to the later Ultima games’ battle systems.

If you want a modern game that explicitly pays homage to Ultima, consider Underworld Ascendant (2018), a direct sequel to Ultima Underworld, or the fan-made Ultima V: Lazarus (2005), a full remake using the Dungeon Siege engine.

How to Choose the Right One for You

Start by asking what you miss most about Ultima:

World reactivity: If you want a world that remembers your actions and changes accordingly, pick Baldur’s Gate II or Arcanum. Both have reputation systems and NPCs who comment on your deeds.
Moral dilemmas: Planescape: Torment is the best fit. It is a philosophical RPG where combat is often avoidable, and your choices shape the protagonist’s identity.
Party management: Might and Magic VI lets you create a full party of four and switch between them in real-time. It is more about dungeon crawling than narrative, but the sense of adventure is close to Ultima Underworld.
Old-school difficulty: Wizardry 8 (2001) is brutally hard and party-based, with a first-person perspective. It is less story-driven than Ultima but offers a similar challenge.

If you want the closest overall experience, Arcanum is often cited by fans as the true spiritual successor because it combines an open world, a reactive setting, and a strong moral undercurrent—all in a top-down view.

Common Problems and How to Overcome Them

Many of these games are older and run poorly on modern systems. Here are the most frequent issues and fixes:

Resolution and crashes: Use fan patches like the Baldur’s Gate series’ Baldur’s Gate II Fixpack or Arcanum‘s unofficial patch. These fix bugs and add widescreen support.
Installation problems: GOG and Steam versions are pre-patched for modern Windows. If you own an old CD, install with compatibility mode (Windows XP SP3) and run as administrator.
Missing manual: Many of these games shipped with a printed manual that contained important lore and control schemes. Look for PDF copies online or on the digital store pages.
Save corruption: Create multiple save files, especially in Arcanum and Might and Magic VI, which are prone to corruption after long play sessions.

For Ultima Underworld specifically, the Underworld Mod (for the GOG version) adds mouse-look and modern controls.

Cost and Where to Play

Most of these games are inexpensive on digital storefronts like GOG and Steam. Prices typically range from $5 to $20, and they often go on sale for less. GOG versions are DRM-free and pre-configured to run on modern Windows, which is a big plus for older titles.

For the original Ultima games, you can buy them on GOG as part of the Ultima series collection. However, some later entries like Ultima IX are not available digitally due to licensing issues. If you want to play them legally, you may need to find a used CD copy.

Safety and Legal Considerations

When downloading fan patches or mods, always use reputable sources like the official forums or mod databases (e.g., Nexus Mods, ModDB). Avoid random download sites that may bundle malware.

Emulation is a gray area: while you can legally own a ROM of a game you have purchased, downloading ROMs from the internet is copyright infringement. For Ultima games, the rights are held by Electronic Arts, and they have not authorized free distribution. Stick to official digital releases or used physical copies.

Also, be aware that some older games contain content that may be considered culturally insensitive by today’s standards. Ultima itself has some problematic elements, and the alternatives are not free of them either. This is not a reason to avoid them, but it is worth keeping in mind when discussing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a modern game that plays exactly like Ultima VII?

No single game captures everything Ultima VII did—its combination of a living world, party banter, and real-time combat is unique. The closest is Arcanum, which has a similar isometric view and reactive world, but its combat is turn-based by default. Divinity: Original Sin II (2017) also shares the party-based, reactive-world DNA, though its combat is fully turn-based and tactical.

Can I play the original Ultima games on a modern PC?

Yes, with some effort. The GOG versions of Ultima I–VI include DOSBox and run out of the box. Ultima VII and Ultima Underworld also work via DOSBox, but you may want to apply fan patches for widescreen and bug fixes. Ultima VIII and IX are more finicky; VIII needs a community patch, and IX is notoriously buggy even with patches.

Are there any free alternatives to Ultima?

Yes, several free RPGs are inspired by Ultima. Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup is a roguelike with a deep tactical combat system. Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead offers a post-apocalyptic open world with survival mechanics. For a more direct homage, the fan project Ultima V: Lazarus is free to download, though it requires a copy of Dungeon Siege to run.

Which Ultima game should I start with if I’m new to the series?

Most fans recommend Ultima VII: The Black Gate as the best entry point because it has a modern interface, a compelling story, and the most polished world simulation. Ultima IV is essential for understanding the series’ philosophy, but its interface is dated. If you want a shorter, more focused experience, Ultima Underworld is a good start.

Are these alternatives as hard as the original Ultima games?

They vary. Might and Magic VI is challenging, especially early on, and requires grinding. Baldur’s Gate II is tough but fair, with a steep learning curve for new players. Arcanum has a notoriously unbalanced combat system, so you may need to rely on dialogue or stealth. Planescape: Torment is easier because you can avoid most fights through conversation.

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