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If you don't have time, don't even bother.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 65 / 88
Date: May 14, 2000
Author: Amazon User

If you play Ultima Online (UO), it will require a lot of your time. This was how it worked with the original UO, how it continued with the expansion pack "The Second Age", and how it will continue to work with "Renaissance": either you can spend at least 20 hours a week playing the game, or it's a total waste of money. Need I remind those of you who do not know the game that you have to pay a monthly fee, around $10 US dollars (or approximately $15 Canadian dollars) a month for the privilege of playing a game that is not as good as it should be ?

Sure, Ultima Online: Renaissance is supposed to facilitate the building of houses (which was badly needed because of the lack of space prior to Renaissance). A new tutorial is included, which however will not help those people who purchased "The Second Age" recently, and who get the necessary upgrades directly, without having to purchase the new expansion pack. These are minor points affecting trivial elements of the game, yet my main criticism is about the core of the game itself, which remains unchanged with the new upgrade.

Basically this game has no goal, except than that of becoming a Grand Master in whatever skill you choose. This is similar to the level-gaining goals of EverQuest, and even Asheron's Call, probably because the format of these games (online multiplayer games) does not allow the development of a complex plot, otherwise players would literally be waiting in line before receiving a rare object (just read reviews of Asheron's Call or EverQuest for examples of this). So, if you don't like wasting time gaining levels only to ask yourself later: "what do I do now ?", this game might not be for you, unless you like meeting people.

But what kind of people will you meet anyway ? My own experience tells me that unless you already know some people playing the game, you will spend a lot of time alone, because nobody will care about you, and if they do care, it's probably because they're after the contents of your backpack. Otherwise, the other players will simply walk around you without even bothering to answer questions you ask (as any newbie is likely to do). Sure, if you go to Ultima Online's website, there is a list of player-initiated events on the different servers (or shards, as they call the servers), but many of these events do not concern you directly. Some shards have more events than others. For instance, shards such as Catskills and Pacific seem to have many events, while Atlantic (on which I played) has almost none. Sure you can play on another shard, but your characters can't make the switch with you. Furthermore, looking at these player-initiated events from an outsider's perspective makes you wonder if they are even intended for fellow Britannians apart from those who organized the events, since many of these events are organized by guilds. The guild system in Britannia is diverse, and there are many varied guilds, including some professional guilds created by Origin itself (the Bardic Collegium, the Mining Cooperative, etc.). However, most player-created guilds look more like medieval cliques that operate behind closed doors and in which you must know someone in order to join rather than truly open organizations. And in my opinion, joining one of these guilds is probably the key to enjoying the game. Therefore, to fully enjoy the game, you have to already know people playing it, because you won't meet anyone once in the game. And what's the point to befriend someone called "Victoria's Secret" anyway ? Even though it's a bit early to know for sure, I am convinced that Origin's promise that Ultima Online: Renaissance will facilitate fellowships (or parties) will certainly fail to produce the expected results, simply because it is not the game that needs to be changed, it's the players' mentality.

The average player of this game is probably an early teenager (below 16 years old) who somehow got daddy's credit card number. Some of them are simply rude, and will include any possible swear in their comments. If you play this game, you will read a lot of swearing, unless you use the option that replaces the swearing by comic-strip-style censorship, but this option can be very annoying as well. In one instance, part of the word "classic" had been censored because the three middle letters formed another, less-acceptable word. If those players' bad actions were limited to swearing playing the game would still be passable. The problem is that many of them go player-killing just to spoil everyone else's fun. And even though Origin accepts player-killing as lifestyle, one thing must be said here: player-killing is not, and never will be, role-playing, what Ultima Online should be all about.

In summary, Ultima Online: Renaissance will fail to change the game, because what needs to be changed first is the mentality of the people playing the game.

Ultima Online's Greatest Incarnation to Date

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 19
Date: May 26, 2000
Author: Amazon User

If you have ever wanted to try Ultima Online, but were scared off by the horror stories of horrible lag, P(layer)K(illers)s around every corner, and buggy, incomplete programming, UO:Rennissance is your chance to give this game a shot. This latest version of UO is probably as good as the game has ever been, or ever will be. Origin has solved the PK problem by dividing Brittania into two different "dimensions": The safer (and IMO, more enjoyable) Trammel, and the PK haunted, monster-ridden Felucca. You don't have to worry about being PK'd any more, if you don't want to be. Lag is much better recently than it has been in the past. I get on even at peak hours of usage and have a usually smooth playing experience. You will be playing this game a lot becuase it is addictive. You get a tremendous sense of satisifaction watching your newbie character grow and gain power. The only characters that I am positive are essentially "second jobs" are the GM Blacksmiths, and they seem to have a blast. The nice people are there, you just need to find them. If you roleplay a character that is different from yourself, and are not afraid to introduce yourself to others, making friends is easy in this game, unless you are a PK.
I recommend trying this game at least once. This is probably the last major upgrade UO will have before UO2 is released sometime next year, and this is about as good as its going to get in terms of gameplay. You pay a monthly fee, but the first month is free, so if you find it's not for you, you haven't wasted much of your money.

The most in-depth game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 11
Date: June 30, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Like Diablo? You're likely to find UO:REN just as enjoyable if not more so. One of the other reviews complained that there was no goal to the game. To me, that's a plus, not a minus. When I played Diablo on Battle.net, I was frustrated by how easy the game was in an online scenario. Dupes, hacks, PKs, and not-so-rare rare items made the game a waste of time. Give me an hour, and I'll build the most powerful Diablo character you've ever seen. On the other hand... UO:REN offers a game that is very similar to Diablo in it's format and style, but very different in the gameplay. Gone are the dupes and hacks, you've got more options for skills and stats, your character can look exactly the way you want it to look (you can dye fabrics). A touch of realism is never a bad thing... if you're an archer, you'll run out of arrows. If you're a wizard, you'll run out of spell components. Armor and weapons break down and need repairing. Horses, ships, and player-owned houses add to the fun. If you get bored with adventuring, retire and open a shop. When you get bored with that, go back on the road. Blizzard shouted that with Diablo II comes 4 new towns and dungeons beneath each, with some wilderness in between. The game supports 8 people in multiplayer games. UO:REN offers more than 10 major cities, half a dozen dungeons, a continent of unexplored wilderness, and the ability to play with a few thousand people at a time. Times 2! You've got 2 dimensions (Trammel and Felucca) on each server. I was looking forward to Diablo II until I discovered UO:REN - and I don't need 950MB of free disk space like D.II requires.

Look for me on the Chesepeake shard, I have two characters there, Riverwind and Raistlin. I usually hang around the town of Vesper.

The GREATEST online game i have EVER played!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: November 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I have played this game for two years now, and I STILL LOVE IT! Awsome game! With many, MANY things to do encluding dungeons, quests for new players to the game, monsters to defeat, and treasure to be gained! The three greatest features of the game in my opinion are (1) the ability to build houses in the game where you can store your personal items, have events, or run a shop, (2) the guild system, where players can join with other players in a guild for events or to learn the game and finally, (3) the 'faction' system, where payers can join one of four factions in the land of Feluccia and are able to battle players in other factions.
This game also has a GREAT help system where Game Masters will help you with any technical or gameplay problems you may have.
The game is very fair to new players. They will have the status of being 'young' where other players or monsters or ANYTHING can't attack you, and other bonuses such as being able to be healed when hurt by healers instead of just ressurected unlike other players. Yes, this is truly one of the GREATEST online games ever created and would give it a 10-star rating if possible!

*two thumbs up*

Forget all other onine games and RPGs, UO is where it's at!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 13 / 16
Date: August 22, 2000
Author: Amazon User

People are still screaming Everquest, but it's nothing compared to UO. Sure, the graphics are a little better. Whoopie. UO is easier to get started in, has alot less lag, and is simply more fun. After playing for 7 months, i still haven't lost intrest in this great game. You have to determine the game flow for yourself. There is no real goal (except to have fun), and you can do virtually anything. From being a fisherman to a mercenary to a fearless warrior, the choice is yours. It's a virtual world, and you can carry on another life online. This is a great game, bottom line. By the way, If you play on the Lake Superior shard and see a guy named Azrail, that's me. BUY THIS GAME NOW.

Limited only by your imagination

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: December 27, 2000
Author: Amazon User

There have been many criticisms of this game, but the hundreds of thousands of people that play it on a daily basis will (most likely) tell you the same thing : It is simply the BEST RPG available. Sure there are those rude people, player-killers and thieves, but that is to be expected. I have found that most players range from about 23-50 for the majority. This game is limited only by one's imagination, and it is not all about gaining skills and joining guilds. I have met many new friends just wandering around the diverse lands offered in UO. We have set up poetry readings, done plays within UO, we go on hunts to wild new places, and you can role play to your heart's desire.

Furthermore, although this game is very complex, there is TONS of help available both in the game, from other players, Counselors within the game who volunteer their time, and numerous websites such as uo.stratics.com

Some people enjoy rare hunting as well - but there is so much more to it than that. With just a little creativity this game has replaced all others for me!

Game, costly IRC...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: May 31, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I don't know that anyone else has said this. If you don't feel like adventuring and exploring, you can just meet lots of people. Basically you can pay $10 a month for a fancy IRC client. I love the openess of this game. The ability to be anything from a taylor to a begger or theif. I even managed to tame an ape, a rabbit, a raven and a mongbat (bat looking thing that walks around). I didn't know anyone in the game to start out with but a few conversations and hours later I had friends and 5k in gold peices (advanced players get karma points for giving away money to newbies). I joined the baja shard where the player city of avalon is located. It was real easy to join this guild. Sparing with guild members improved my stats quite effectively. Being able to travel with advanced players to kill monsters and gain lots of points is really fun. Riding horses also adds a new dimenion to the game. The "path find" feature is also good in frustrating situations. And it actually works to boot.

One thing I didn't like was being auto-patched to upgrade from second age (what I bought) to Renaissance. I don't have DSL so it takes about 15 minutes to finish (I re-install my system more than most people) downloading. There's no way to save the patches for applying yourself (that I know of). If you need help or money you can ask me, AlexExplorer of the Baja shard.

2 Years of playing for me and...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Still going strong. How many other games can this be said about? I've played this game everyday (or really close to it) for 2 years and still haven't accomplished all my goals or mastered every aspect of the game.

It's a deeper game than its major rival - Everquest, in the sense that individual skills are VERY customizeable. Sure there are templates that become more popular because of their effectiveness - but you don;t have to succumb to the crowds.

The game continues to grow and change with only adds to the replay value. (replay is kind of an inadequate word as the game never truly ends...) Interacting with ppl from all over the world who - some are new to the game and some have been playing 4 years. (Funny how ppl are playing 4 years and complaining... :) FOUR YEARS??? Umm if you don;t like it... why did you play for 4 years?)

Anyway for the older players its the closest thing to the old style role playing games that were played with dice and paper out there. Ever want to own a castle? You can (be prepared to WORK HARD for that tho), tame a dragon? test your skill dueling another wizard? just the armies fighting for control of the cities? or maybe you just want to craft a fine suit of armor or swords while hanging around the forge with some blacksmith buddies.... why don't you do all of them???? Get the game and get hooked..

Old is New - This is a Good Bet

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: April 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

It is often difficult to decide on a game purchase based only on brief rants or a two-sentence kudo, however in the case of UO:R the decision is not hard; This is the grandfather of the massive multi-player online games, and it is a professionally managed one that includes story-based content, player run as well as official competition, and such a wide variety of opportunity for exclusive fun that it defies the 1K word cap here.

UO represents proof to the idea that you get out of a thing what you put into it. Your efforts and your time are in that respect well-spent here! The gaming engine provides more than adequate immediate gratification, and despite the fact that the graphics are 2D, they are still awesome to behold.

Put simply? BUY THIS GAME - but be warned, it is highly addictive.

Dont listen to the Diablo hype

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: July 06, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Ultima Online is clearly the best RPG there is. You make and play the role of your character.You can even customize what he/she looks like and choose from many more skills compared to diablo II.. However it is hard when you first start out as a newbie (thats why many people quit after the first week and give it a bad rateing)but now with trammel in reanissance it a lot easier to get started.At times it could get to be frustrateing when you first starrt out but, as you advance it gets extremely more fun. There area lot more friendly people in this enviorment willing to help you out. This is one of the very few game where you can not "beat it", ultima offers you endless oppertunities.Give it a shot and see how you like it, you wont be dissapointed.

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