Ultima V: Lazarus (Ultima title re-make)

Denethorn · #1 (**permalink**) 01-15-2006, 11:00 AM

I'm expecting a copy of DS purchased off ebay to arrive tommorow, specifically for Lazarus.

It's created quite a stir in both the DS and Ultima community, I'll keep you posted on whether its worth aquiring a copy of DS for it

.

And I agree with fable, Exult is a fantastic piece of software. The team are now working on a similar project for Ultima VIII, which is something to keep your eye on.

A community member also re-wrote Exult (using mostly the code on file structures) to produce a 3D version of Ultima VII

which looks amazing I have to say. I'm not sure whats happened to it now, but if I find a link I'll post it.

fable · #2 (**permalink**) 01-15-2006, 01:46 PM

I may still have DS, though I think I threw it out, a while back. I'll be curious how well they do up Ultima V using that code, because that particular one was an epic. Can't say I liked the dialog system, but the huge land and variety of things to do were amazing. Really, Ultima IV through Ultima VII (both parts) were a golden age for the series.

fable · #3 (**permalink**) 01-18-2006, 11:14 AM

Threw it out, it appears. Unless it's hiding down at the bottom of one more box, which I intend to search, later. That's annoying. I'll have to buy it again, if reactions to Lazarus by those familiar with Ultima V are positive.

On the upside, I've found 11th Hour, which I didn't know I still possessed.

EDIT: Found it! I've got Aranna, which is the original DS plus an expansion. It does work with Lazarus, supposedly, and if I get a chance, I'll try installing it, tonight. We'll see.

fable · #4 (**permalink**) 01-18-2006, 05:44 PM

Okay, just a few notes:

The initial download is half a GB, but if you have BitTorrent, it shouldn't be too bad. I completely forgot that they used it, and still got the d/l in about 50 minutes. The 1.1 patch takes 5 seconds.

Install is easy. Just put the game in its own sub-directory of your DS directory. It can be launched from your Start Menu. The thing looks beautiful, and there's a full color manual with plenty of illustrations in the Lazarus subdirectory. They've added a bunch of differently rated weapons and armor, as well as a host of profession-specific skills for each of your party members.

I've not gone beyond booting it up, and working through the lengthy opening. But it promises much. Note that the Lazarus team says that a final patch--actually, a 1.2 redo of the entire download--will be available in 3 to 5 weeks. The game is fully playable, but the forums indicate that some merchants simply won't sell to you, moongates very occasionally eat your money, and a very few dialogs don't trigger properly. These are extremely minor next to what these folks have achieved.

Luis Antonio · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2006, 11:05 AM

As requested by the number of people interested in this topic

fable · #6 (**permalink**) 01-19-2006, 12:34 PM

Thank you, Luis. May roses and lilies rain upon your circle!

fable · #7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2006, 03:36 PM

The game is much more detailed than Ultima V, with a sort of an Ultima VII/BG2 overlay. As in Ultima VII, just about everything can be moved and/or used in some way (though baking bread is broken until the 1.2 patch

). The dialog is much more extensive than in the original game, and the system is based off multiple choice replies, rather than keywords. All your NPC party members have a fair amount of dialog, and all the PCs you meet have pretty extensive, individual things to say. Cities, too, are much larger than in the original game.

Early as it is, and despite the fact that the major sites and magazines you know are going to ignore it, this may turn out to be the best RPG of the year--yes, even this early on. It's truly an extraordinary game, though I'm waiting for 1.2 to do a complete run-through.

Denethorn · #8 (**permalink**) 01-19-2006, 03:38 PM

Aye beautiful game. Very true to the Ultima spirit. The opening scenes were heart meltingly good

It is truly a gem of a mod. I would recommend it to all were it not so entrenched in Ultima lore. Browsing the Lazarus forums it seems a lot of newcomers are finding it very difficult to get started, understandingly so. They really stuck to their guns in keeping it true to the original, no targetting to the lowest common denominators here.

I am presently wandering the beautiful paths of Spiritwood again

although I am planning to wait for the 1.2 patch before embarking on my official quest.

fable · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2006, 03:49 PM

I think some newcomers might actually welcome an RPG in which the environment fits so well together, as though formed from a singular, cohesive culture. Everybody you meet has something unique to contribute, and you're expected to adapt to fit in. You don't get that in BG, despite the wonderful bits of lore thrown at you; you certainly don't get that from the KotoR series. Bloodlines and PS:T come closest. But the rune set, the music, the magic system, and so much else is distinctive and well-integrated. It was not designed to please AD&D addicts, to make them feel at home.

As I played Ultima V when it first came out, I've always appreciated the way Garriott designed his RPGs (before he decided to sucker his audience into thinking action titles were RPGs). I wish this was a wake-up call to publishers to focus on what makes an RPG individual, but I suspect they'll keep going for cookie-cutter Diablo clones and the like to get the broadest audience possible.

At least, we have this.

Luis Antonio · #10 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 10:56 AM

Is it freeware? Can we mortals get it too? @Fable: Thanks, really, it was most kind of you

Denethorn · #11 (**permalink**) 01-20-2006, 01:47 PM

Free for download, but you require Dungeon Siege

. The vanilla version - the expansion is not required. It's out on budget release, but I recently grabbed a copy of ebay for £0.99 (1.60 USD

) - the shipping of £1.50 was the largest expense. Well worth it, although the original game is failing to impress me very much at the moment.

Personally less than $5 is a small price for such a top notch mod. A refreshing blast from the past in the current stagnant combat RPG hybrid scene.

fable · #12 (**permalink**) 01-21-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denethorn

Free for download, but you require Dungeon Siege

. The vanilla version - the expansion is not required. It's out on budget release, but I recently grabbed a copy of ebay for £0.99 (1.60 USD

) - the shipping of £1.50 was the largest expense. Well worth it, although the original game is failing to impress me very much at the moment.

Personally less than $5 is a small price for such a top notch mod. A refreshing blast from the past in the current stagnant combat RPG hybrid scene.

It really is an amazingly flavorful game. I'd forgotten just how much detail Garriott had packed into those cities, and with the new extensive dialog written for Lazarus, it actually feels more like a hopped-up BG2.

Consensus on the Team Lazarus website seems to be that some of the secondary quests are nerfed due to dialog bugs, but the main quest is completely playable. Combat is far too easy, with heavy-hitters being nothing for a young party to kill. As all this is expected to change with that final 1.2 release, now is probably a good time to get the game and just walk around seeing the sights, without worrying about becoming a Shadowlord chew toy.

Denethorn · #13 (**permalink**) 04-02-2006, 10:28 AM

For those that are interested, thought I'd give the heads up that Lazarus v1.20 has been released. Head over to u5lazarus.com to get it

. Intended to be the definitive bug free release. Tearing myself away from Oblivion for a few hours to give it a go.

smass · #14 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 06:42 AM

Thanks for making me aware of this project. I played Ultima III, IV, and V back in the 80s. I had to give this mod a try so I went out to Comp USA and bought the $10 version of Dungeon Siege and downloaded the mod. I have been playing it a few hours per night over the weekend and so far it is just an amazing re-make.

I have only been to two cities so far but I am impressed. I am getting used to the DS combat engine but I really think I have found a great game to hold me over until NWN 2 is released.

fable · #15 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 07:06 AM

It is a lot of fun, isn't it? Though as you say, the DS engine leaves a great deal to be desired, they really did a classy remake, and added some new features to the old game. I especially like the way they filled out NPC personalities via dialog, and added so many new side quests. You're using the 1.2 final version, right?