Ian Davis, writing for The Adrenaline Vault, has put together a “look back” at Ultima 1. It’s not terribly long, so do take a few minutes to give it a read what is ultimately a note of genuine appreciation for the game.

To wit:

There are a few precautions to take before playing Ultima today. First, make an all-Rush mix tape. Second, read the manual. Not only because you want to know what’s going on, but also because it’s fabulously written. The words are the skin draped over the black-and-white frame of the game. Richard Garriott’s descriptions put color and life in something that’s primitive as a stick-figure skeleton. It’s not hyperbole to say you’d be missing half of the experience if you skip the manual.

Nor is it hyperbole to say that modern gamers, with their pathetic little five-page game manuals detailing the game’s controls and little else, are missing out on a huge part of what the gaming experience used to be.

Davis continues:

While there’s a different action mapped to every letter key, the controls are actually easy to grasp. It helps that the combat and magic system is simplistic. Your lone hero has two options: attack or cast the single offensive spell. With no mana, all spells (aside from the random “prayer” spell) are bought from stores and cast like disposable scrolls. It’s much more playable then the early Might and Magic games, which require you to look in a manual to compare gear for each of your six party members. Ultima I’s simplicity keeps the game within the confines of its technological abilities.

As I say, read the whole thing. It’s a fine retrospective.