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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.

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.

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.

New Expansion Breathes in New Life to Great MMO

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 14
Date: October 03, 2004
Author: Amazon User

If your looking for an mmorpg then this is still the best title out there.

The Samurai expansion has a ton of new items and 2 new skillsets - Ninja and Samurai. This expansion has breathed new life into an old favorite. Now they've even introduced new housing changes (including roof tiles!) Crafters also get a bunch of new weapons, clothes, and items to create.

This MMORPG also has the best community I feel. They are always out to helping the new player. When I started playing I was helped with not only game style, but with in game gold, items, armor, and weapons. So... I didn't feel lost like I have in some other MMO's I've tried out there.

For $29.99 you just can't beat the experience.

UO still fighting the good fight after 7 years...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: February 17, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Ultima Online's main client still uses art from its original version, 7+ years ago. However with a secondary 3D client available, the game doesn't seem as dated. The game isn't however a graphics game. If you want flashy new, break your video card graphics, try another game.

However, UO does have a lot of factors that make up for its age. Community is a big one. With thousands of devoted fans who have built a thriving world that has survived some dubious expansion lauches, there is always someone for you to play with. With player-vs-player combat, crafting, commerce, and champion monsters that require a group, there is no limit to the possible interactions you will have with other players.

The character design system is flexible as well, and for someone who hates being pigeonholed by a class, I enjoy this system. You get around 700 skill points (every year you play gives you a few more up to 720) to spend on 40+ skills.

With custom housing, your character can run a business, start a library, or choose to be a hermit in a quiet villa. With armor, clothing, dyes, and tons of in game items, no two characters ever need look alike.

Origin, the company owned by EA that makes this game, had the motto "We create worlds." UO is a perfect example of what they meant.

Ultima Online Samuri Empire is the best game on the planet!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 17
Date: October 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I've played Ultima Online since 1998. And, I know this game is clearly the best game on the planet. Why?

1) Ultima Online's 2D engine is awesome! UO's "top down" view of the game field makes it unique from almost any other game available. Want to feel sick while playing a game? It's easy! Just play one of those new 3D games.

2) Ultima Online has a rich history dating back years! I started playing the Ultima series when I was in 6th grade. I played each Ultima Game from one through nine. Then, I finally got on board with Ultima Online in 1998. A player can clearly experience more history in this game than any other game. Chances are those "other games" will just be a "flash in the pan." Made soley to display the latest graphics engine.

3) When it comes to pure gameplay, Ultima Online is second to none. A player has a wide variety of gaming options:

-A player can choose to conquer a dungeon called "Doom" in the land of Mala. There you will experience all sort of challenging undead creatures. More advanced players will find the "Guantlet" a challenge. There a player will fight five different monster bosses before finally fighting the Dark Father in quest for the myhical "artifact." AN artifact is a very powerful weapon which players can spend up to 20 hours a month trying to aquire!

-A player can venture to the land of Ishnaer to fight the new Paragon. A paragon is like a "mini boss" of pretty much any monster in Ishnaer. For any given monster, there's a 5 percent chance that the (mini boss) paragon will appear. This mini boss is a buffed up version of whatever you've been fighting. For example: If you've been fighting mongbats, there's a 5 percent chance a buffed up mongbat paragon will spawn. Then, there's a chance you can receive a special "minor artifact" from each paragon. I know each time I receive a minor artifact, I always pump my fists in the air.

-The Player vs. Monster bash gets even better! Players can venture to another dangerous land to fight the monster "spawn." (This land is also player vs. player land thus increasing the danger and also reward.) A spawn is a place where monsters appear and then a player fights them. There are about 7 or 8 types of monsters spawns. At the beginning of the spawn a player fights a lower, weaker type of monster. As the spawn progresses, a player fights more powerful monsters until you fight a type of monster "boss."

When successful, a player can obtain something called a "powerscroll" which can increase a players "skill cap" for any particular skill. If a player has 100 cap for sword skill, that cap can be increase by using a +5, +10, +15, or +20 power scroll. A lucky player will also obtain the "skull of the boss." If you obtain 7 or 8 skulls you can face the challenging "super boss" called the Harrower! When successful you can obtain a special stat scroll of +5, +10, +15, +20, or +25 to boost a players stats!

-For more docile Player vs. Monster combat, a player can go back to the Land of Britiannia to fight in such storied dungeons as "Deceit, Destard, Shame, Wrong, Hyloth, and others!"

-For the Player vs. Player Lover, Ultima Online offers the chance for player to attack those players fighting the spawn. Those spawns are in a special PvP land. Also, the strange land of Felucca is home to many PvP players. Be careful, Felucca is a dangerous place, home to all kinds of dangerous player characters! Don't venture into the land of Felucca unless you are ready to fight the "Seasoned" UO player who's often also a "less socially" aware player. So, they might be rude sometimes if they beat your character. Also, honorable 1v1 play does not exist in this land. Chances are you will be challenged by a group of these vile player characters. Not only do they have the best equipment but they also have superior numbers. No honor exists in these types of battles! Personally, I stay away from the land of Felucca in favor of more honorable player vs. monster combat!

4) Now Ultima Online is releasing it's BEST EVER expansion. New lands called the Tokuno island have been revelaed. A player can choose to be either a Nija or Samuri. Additional Lands for housing are now available. There are new skills to learn, new items to craft, and new lands to discover.

5) Ultima Online is one of the only games available which allow players to have player homes! A player can built their home according to their own wishes. Then, they have a wide variety of options availble to decorate their homes and to store hard earned items.

6) Just thinking about hard earned items... Ultima introduced item insurance so the typical player, who may play only a few hours a week, will not lose hard earned items! Thus, enhancing the gaming experience. Now, a player won't be frustrated by dying and losing ALL their best items all at one time!

7) Ultima Online embraces the eight virtues. Some of those virtues include, "Honor, spirituality, honesty, Humility, Justice, and Compassion." Ultima Online is clearly one of the only games which has had virtue has a part of the game. Want to experience a "slimy" type of gaming experience... play of of those other 3D games out there!

I'll probably come back to edit or add more to this review as details of the new expansion... Samuri Empire become available. Right now, there's a Non Disclosure Agreement which prevents many details from being available to the general public. So, I have not avare of many of the new changes. A person can find out additional details by going to the UO.com website.

A step in the right direction...and a fun expansion.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 10
Date: October 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Ultima Online: Samurai Empire heralds the introduction of Ninjas and Samurai into the world of Sosaria. It features a new facet (named Tokuno) which consists of three large islands and myriad smaller ones. There are lots of new features: tamers get several new and exotic pets, crafters can challenge themselves with new Asian-themed craftables, and there are new decorative rares to be found in dungeons. People who enjoy designing and creating their own houses have their options expanded with paper walls and several different types of roofs! Not to mention tiles for creating your own Zen garden. People who enjoy adventuring and killing monsters are in for a pleasant change. Monster AI is significantly buffed. For once, I was not bored when trying to kill monsters...I was struggling to stay alive! The Ninja and Samurai classes add some nice variety, without being overpowered in PvP. The new guild system facilitates making allies and declaring war, and it lets you know when your allies are online. Good stuff.

In case it was not obvious before, I am buying the expansion.

Two thumbs up

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: October 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The developers of UO really seem bent on getting tons of new content into the game with this latest expansion. I was quite impressed with the sheer amount of new art and new craftables alone. Coupled with the addition of new lands and difficult new monsters within the new lands, it makes for a very aggressive expansion to Ultima Online. Anyone who has been holding out from buying a UO title in the past, get in on it now!

UO:SE? what's not to like!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: October 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Ultima Online has been around for 7 years now. It is the oldest and best massive online game. You can join a guild with real "history". Adventure in a huge ever expanding land and be a hero or an outlaw. You can be who you truly want to be.

Unlike most games you are not forced to pick your life upon creation. You can change it to your hearts content. If you want to be a great powerful mage that can also use music to calm the most wildest beasts then do so! And now with UO:SE you can even add more options!

The new landmass for UO:SE is Asian themed. From its buildings to its monsters, and even clothing! It adds an interesting twist in a genre that is mostly medieval English based.

Also introduced is a concept of honor. That will actually reward you for participating in a fair fight. I don't know about you but getting the ability to walk into the liens den and not be attacked immediately is good in my book.

I can honestly say that I have already pre-ordered my copy's of UO:SE and cant wait to get them!

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!

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