User Reviews (1 - 11 of 30)

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AMAZON IS THE PROBLEM

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 15 / 16
Date: November 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The game is fine, but the soulstone issue is really annoying. Amazon did not send the soulstone code with the box. Instead, Amazon put it into an unreadable video format in the Digital Locker.

No software known to man can read Amazon's video format so you can't get the soulstone. Amazon customer service tells you to use the Digital Locker. The locker is the whole problem.

Used to be fun, now its gone.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 7
Date: April 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Due to wreckless game masters and constant customer abuse, I am closing my account with this game. STAY AWAY! Unspoken policies are abundant, and exist everywhere, making avoiding a ban like running from the gestapo!!!

The game used to have a wonderful gameplay system, this expansion wrecked it. On top of that, it is being patched out of its time. Less new players are coming in, and more players are leaving. I suggest you all stay away from this title.

I will safe you some time and money

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 7 / 26
Date: October 03, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Dont buy it, if you value your money. Info about expansion that have been released at sources like stratics tells there is not really great in this expansion. 2 new professions while they haven't fixed even old ones and new guild system that seem pale if you compare it to some guild systems that other mmorpgs are offering. I have played UO about 4 years and quit few months ago. I saw how AOS (last real expansion) launch was total failure and most of dev time have gone to fixing bugs and balance game they made with AOS.

TOTAL LACK OF VISION:
Who ever is making decisions what goes in game is lacking own vision (which richard garriot had when he was in team). I am guessing it's marketing in EA who is making these calls, since more and more changes seem like they are taken from other successful mmorpgs. Marketing don't have own vision they just think if it work in game E then why not add it to our game too. Marketing don't want to take risk and try something new, but want play safe. UO have been losing subscribers and game is getting more quiet everyday.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING GAME THAT HAVE TONS OF BUGS, HACKS, CHEATS AND IS LOSING PLAYERS:
Then this game is for you. Game is so full of bugs and hacks that its hard to describe. Economy is ruined by these cheats and casual player have no part in that. Example there is cheat script program that can be made to do almost anything for player, so player who use this program can have his char mining 24/7 for him while not playing himself and then selling what he produce. Dev have knew about this program for years and haven't been able to stop it. Then there is various other cheats and programs and list would be too long to put here.

In the end UO need designer who have own vision instead ripping off from other games. Someone whos willing to take some risks and try something NEW *gasp*. This expansion is designed with Asian theme because EA marketing think it will boost their slaes there (which mght happen), but again it just glow the lack of vision and tell how marketing team have made the call what will be add to game.

Samurai Empire

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: November 19, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The game is ok its just the company that puts it out..I ordered several CD.s had to retreive the darn soul stone from Amazon Locker and then....only one code showed up!!!!!! suppose to be a code for each game that one orders..what a rip off..I dont think its worth it to get the expansion pack..save your money!!!

The Party Is Over

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 6
Date: March 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Let me begin by saying I have been an avid citizen of Sosaria for 5 years and have had great experiences in this game and made many new friends.

That being said, I think this franchise has run it's course. With all the newer and more advanced MMO's out now, this game just seems stuck in the past. EA got behind the power curve of new games like EQ2 and WoW. I haven't logged into UO since WoW came out, for some reason though I just can't seem to bring myself to close my account... :)

The game is ok but the company sucks

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: January 18, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game 2 weeks ago. There is no game codes in the box. I contacted the manufactory (Electronic Art) via email, website support, phone, and mail... They basically treats you like a scammer and keep you in a loop of email and website. I sent them the copy of receipt and barcode but got no answer. Buy this game at your own risk.

Samurai Empire in a nutshell

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: October 06, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Dig it! *Many* new items for crafters and housebuilders alike. Tons of new weapons and armor give UO a breath of fresh air. While I may have chosen a different theme for the expansion (C'mon guys! USE THE OPEN SEAS!!) the overall mood concerning the theme fits well. New music (bards get a bonus in this expansion! Not tellin!)

The two new professions seem balanced, but could still require a little tweaking, but thats to be expected...new tameables for tamers, new stealables for "crates" and much more!

Overall, I'd hafta say...BUY IT!

A fast expansion before christmas with nothing innovative

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 14
Date: October 03, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This new expansion will introduce japanese fiction into Ultima Online and maybe even some new fiction concerning it.
Two new professions we do not know a lot about yet will be playable, namely Samurai and Ninjas. There will also be some additions to Ultimas best feature the housing system which may make it worthwhile for people to buy it.
Graphically nothing will change and it remains a 6 year old game that lives of its good skillbased system that is very versatile.

If you have never played UO and look for an interesting system where the game is what players make of it then give it a try.

If you have played and seen it all then this expansion does not promise anything too new, as it looks like a ripoff their last expension AOS.

MMORPG

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: January 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

UO is an mmorpg which means it can only be played online...i am a large fan of ultima online, but the free shards online are worth the 0 dollars you pay...i love it to death but i think its run its race

UO: Samurai Empire - More is good.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 25 / 27
Date: October 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The sixth expansion pack for the 7 year old Ultima Online series is at hand. What does this mean for the many citizens of shattered Sosaria? In a word: More.

More culture. Some people have criticized the addition of an Asian themed facet claiming it doesn't fit with the primarily medieval feel of the game. I disagree. Each facet *should* have its own identity and Tokuno certainly achieves uniqueness.

More exploration. The Tokuno Islands offer a wide range of terrain from grasslands to deserts to frozen wastelands to active volcanoes. Some areas are fairly barren (no doubt intended for new housing developments), while others are rich with detail and variety.

More character customization. The addition of the Ninjitsu and Bushido skills allow players greater variety in play style. Aspiring Ninjas and Samurai will have access to many new abilities.

More creatures. The new enemies found in Tokuno are primarily based upon Asian mythology. Most are designed to be challenging even for experienced players - even powerful well equipped characters will have a hard time fighting toe to toe with some of these new creatures.

More items. A wide array of new clothing styles, weapons, armor, collectibles, etc. The ability to dual-wield certain weapons is a particularly welcome addition.

More housing. In addition to the added housing areas in Tokuno, players will have access to new tiles and add-ons when customizing their homes.

More other stuff... Various other game mechanics (such as the guild system) have also been improved. Even the much neglected virtue system has received some attention.

So yes Samurai Empire is very much about making UO more than it was. But are any of the new additions truly earth shattering? Not particularly. If you are happy with UO as it is now you will no doubt be very happy with SE. If you are looking for vast changes to UO however, you won't find them here. As far as UO expansion packs go SE lives up to expectations. No more, no less.

In spite of all the additions and improvements however UO still fails to achieve one important thing: purpose. This is a failing with the vast majority of MMOGs however and not limited to UO. You are given massive worlds to explore, thousands of players to interact with, and a wide variety of options... But no purpose. Nothing you do in the game has a lasting effect, there is no epic storyline that progresses in any significant way, the virtual world and people of Sosaria remain unchanged regardless of your actions. Instead of actively challenging you, the game merely exists and expects you to amuse yourself.

It is high time for MMOGs to begin incorporating the epic nature of traditional RPGs. UO in particular has a great legacy to live up to. The original Ultima series (now 25 years old) remains the finest example of RPG gaming. Ever. Ultima X promised to bridge the gap between the genres... With UXO's untimely demise UO more than ever needs to strive for something greater.

Bottom line:

Is it worth checking out for new players? Yes - as long as you don't rely on high end graphics for your gaming pleasure. There is a reason UO has been around for 7 years - there is a LOT to see and do. Whether this is your first massively multiplayer online game or you've been playing them for years UO is worth experiencing. Unlike some MMOGs UO doesn't require you to buy all the previous versions separately - every release includes ALL previous expansions. At the very least it offers you good value for your money.

Is it worth getting for current players? If you enjoy UO there is no reason not to get SE. If you've experienced the addition of previous expansion packs you already know what to expect. New landmass, new monsters, new items, new skills.

Is it worth returning to for former players? I suppose it depends on the reasons you left. If you originally quit in frustration over technical issues, SE runs with far more stability than AOS did upon release. If you quit because you felt unfulfilled with the game, SE probably won't be enough for you to return for.

It's not perfect, but it IS good.

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