Gamespot Calls Ultima 7 Timeless; Says You Need to Play It Before You Die
Gamespot has published a list of 25 Timeless RPGs You Need to Play Before You Die. And while I could quibble with some of their choices — why are there four Final Fantasy games on the list? — they did at least remember to include an Ultima on this one:
Richard Garriott is a true pioneer in the RPG gaming industry, and PC classic Ultima 7 is his self-described crowning achievement.
The game is stunningly free-form and interactive for its era. Rather than follow a linear script, Ultima 7 embraces an open-world feel where you can simply wander and complete side quests. You choose dialogue from trees, making you feel like an active participant in conversations.
Townspeople can be just as easily aided as robbed and killed, though choosing the latter route will have noticeable in-game consequences. Or you can just, you know, chill out, milk cows, and bake bread. It’s your world to enjoy; live how you want to.
The list offers a decent balance of western and Japanese RPGs, as well as both older and newer games. Which, too, is a nice improvement over some lists of this type. That said, dropping Final Fantasy Tactics in favour of another Ultima would be one change I can think of that would improve the list still yet further.
(Hat tip: Golem Dragon)
Looks like someone is a big SNES/Square fan. It’s kinda weird how they put Diablo down instead of Diablo 2. I also don’t think there’s anything all that timeless about Morrowind.
I think there’s something timeless about Morrowind. It’s by far my favorite of the series. It’s where they decided to branch out of the open sandbox and into the more concise area method, but still retain elements of the sandbox. The amount of guilds and guild quests in Morrowind, for example, was staggering compared to the, what… 4 in Oblivion? Morrowind is the only game in the series that is the perfect bridge. it shows what is great about modern TES games, while still having what made the original TES games great, too.
They really could’ve added more Ultima to that list. U7 was (imo) the best of the Ultimas, but Ultima Underworld is such a classic, too, leaving that off the list is folly.
So JRPG heavy, like almost all “best RPG” lists. But I am happy U7 is in there, so I can’t complain too much. U6 deserves a spot too,
Amen to that.