This is THE Ultima game. When you read about game developers who were inspired by Ultima this is the one they are talking about. It's essentially like the Elder Scrolls of the 80's. There's no big bad to defeat and instead the game is an open world to explore and learn about as you piece together how to become the Avatar.
If you enjoy retro games, especially retro RPGs, then you owe it to yourself to play through this at least once. It's a fantastic game that holds up surprisingly well. I understand that some people just can't bring themselves to play old games, and that's fair, but as long as you aren't actively put off by the graphics then there's a lot to love here, even by modern standards.

I've played this game through for the first time very recently. Its tough and good chew of a game. I loved talking to all the npcs, learning and writing down any info that is going to help me through. Its VERY important you write stuff down. The world feels large and i loved the worldbuilding in the History of Britannia featured in the extras. The late half dungeon crawl is also pretty fun even if it can get a little obnoxious at times with how slow the game can move with the sound on.
I really did love my time leaning all the virtues and it feels so satisfying to complete one of your goals and i cant wait to get into Ultima V later.

Speaking of Ultima V why are there 3 Ultima V screenshots in the Ultima IV page??

Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar is a remarkable classic role-playing game that challenges traditional fantasy conventions by placing morality, personal growth, and ethical responsibility at the center of its adventure. Developed by Origin Systems and published by Electronic Arts, the game distinguishes itself from conventional RPGs by emphasizing the journey toward becoming a virtuous individual rather than simply defeating a powerful villain. Its combination of expansive exploration, tactical combat, meaningful conversations, and philosophical themes creates an experience that remains fascinating despite its considerable age and technical limitations.

The adventure unfolds across Britannia, a sprawling fantasy kingdom ruled by Lord British, where players undertake a journey to achieve the spiritual ideal of Avatarhood. The world offers numerous towns, castles, wilderness regions, and dangerous dungeons filled with secrets waiting to be discovered. Exploration is one of the game's strongest features, encouraging players to investigate unfamiliar locations, interact with inhabitants, and uncover information through observation and experimentation. Unlike modern RPGs that frequently provide detailed objective markers, this adventure expects players to navigate independently, making discoveries feel particularly rewarding.

The game's defining innovation is its morality system, which revolves around eight virtues: Honesty, Compassion, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, Spirituality, and Humility. These principles influence character progression and determine whether players are advancing toward their ultimate objective. Actions that might seem insignificant in other role-playing games can carry meaningful consequences here. The system encourages players to consider their behavior carefully, creating an unusual relationship between gameplay decisions and personal responsibility. Although its moral framework is less nuanced than those found in some contemporary RPGs, its integration into the overall adventure remains exceptionally effective.

Conversations and information gathering are equally important to progression. Britannia's inhabitants provide clues, historical details, and guidance that gradually reveal the requirements for achieving Avatarhood. The dialogue system rewards curiosity and attentive reading, frequently requiring players to recognize important keywords and remember information from previous encounters. This investigative approach gives the world a convincing sense of depth, although newcomers may struggle with the absence of modern quest-tracking conveniences. Maintaining personal notes can be extremely helpful when navigating the game's more complicated objectives.

Combat introduces a tactical element that complements the exploration and storytelling. Players encounter numerous hostile creatures, including dragons, daemons, and undead enemies, while traveling through dangerous environments. Battles emphasize positioning, party coordination, and effective resource management rather than relying entirely on numerical strength. Terrain can influence combat effectiveness, making careful movement and strategic planning essential during difficult encounters. The ability to recruit companions also adds variety, allowing players to develop a party capable of handling different threats.

Magic provides additional tactical flexibility through spells that assist with combat, survival, and exploration. Understanding when to use magical abilities becomes increasingly important as enemies grow more dangerous and expeditions become longer. Managing equipment, supplies, and party resources contributes to the game's demanding nature, rewarding preparation while punishing careless decisions. These interconnected systems create an engaging sense of progression in which practical experience and strategic understanding matter as much as character development.

Visually, Ultima IV reflects the straightforward presentation of early computer RPGs, using simple pixel graphics, symbolic environments, and functional interfaces. Its appearance may seem primitive compared with modern fantasy adventures, but the minimalist design allows players to concentrate on exploration, imagination, and gameplay mechanics. Britannia's atmosphere emerges primarily through its interconnected locations, conversations, and underlying themes rather than elaborate cinematic sequences. This simplicity possesses considerable nostalgic charm, although players unfamiliar with retro gaming may find the presentation difficult to appreciate initially.

The game's greatest weakness is its accessibility. Keyboard-oriented controls, limited interface assistance, demanding navigation, and occasionally obscure objectives can make progression frustrating. Repeated encounters and lengthy journeys may also become tedious, particularly for players accustomed to faster movement and streamlined mechanics. Nevertheless, these limitations are balanced by an impressive sense of freedom and discovery. Success feels earned because the game expects players to think independently, experiment with possibilities, and gradually understand its systems.

The Steam edition provides convenient access to this influential adventure while largely retaining its traditional gameplay experience. Its modest technical requirements make it approachable for most modern computers, although players should not expect extensive visual enhancements or major quality-of-life improvements. The game's appeal lies primarily in its original design philosophy and historical importance rather than technological sophistication.

Regarding Steam Deck compatibility, Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar has an Unknown compatibility classification, meaning it has not received an official Verified or Playable designation from Valve. Its lightweight requirements suggest that performance should not be particularly demanding, but successful operation under SteamOS cannot be guaranteed. Keyboard-focused controls and text-based interactions may require custom controller configurations, trackpad input, or the virtual keyboard. Players seeking a seamless handheld experience should therefore approach it cautiously.

Ultimately, Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar remains an extraordinary example of thoughtful role-playing design. Its innovative virtue system, expansive world, rewarding exploration, and strategic gameplay establish an adventure that prioritizes character and ethical development over conventional heroic conquest. Although its outdated interface and demanding mechanics create barriers for modern audiences, its originality and philosophical ambition make it essential for enthusiasts of classic RPGs. Few games demonstrate quite so effectively that becoming a hero can involve more than accumulating power.

A groundbreaking fantasy RPG that combines meaningful moral choices, challenging exploration, and tactical gameplay into an unforgettable classic.

Rating: 7/10