Ultima: Runes of Virtue
North American cover art for the first game
Developer(s)Origin Systems
Publisher(s)
SeriesUltima
Platform(s)Game Boy (I, II), SNES (II)
ReleaseGame Boy
  • JP: December 14, 1991 (I)
  • NA: April 1992 (I)[1]
  • JP: November 19, 1993 (II)
  • NA: March 1994 (II)
SNES
  • JP: June 17, 1994
  • NA: 1994
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player
Multiplayer (GB only)

Ultima: Runes of Virtue is a two-part video game series. It is a spin-off from the Ultima series. Ultima: Runes of Virtue was released for the Game Boy in 1991 and Ultima: Runes of Virtue II was released for the Game Boy in 1993 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994. Runes of Virtue is Richard Garriott's favorite non-PC Ultima game because it was built from the ground up as a Game Boy game, unlike previous console Ultima games which were ports from the PC.[2]

Gameplay

The player character can be chosen from four different ones: Mariah the Mage, Iolo the Bard, Dupre the Fighter, or Shamino the Ranger.[3] The player's objective is to recover the eight Runes of Virtue that were stolen by the Black Knight. These runes are hidden in caves scattered across Britannia, filled with various monsters and puzzles. The game is depicted from a top-down perspective similar to Gauntlet.[1] The sequel tasks the player to rescue eight mayors kidnapped by the Black Knight, each of whom possess a rune. Two player multiplayer is available via Game Link Cable in the Game Boy versions.[4]

Reception

GamePro said that "Runes is a standard fantasy scavenger hunt with some virtue, but no surprises."[1] In a review of the Game Boy version of the sequel they noted that "RoV II doesn’t play particularly fast, and the controls are only a bit above average. However, the puzzles are solid, and this cart plays better than its predecessor."[4] In a review for the SNES version they wrote: "An experienced adventurer will undoubtedly find Runes of Virtue rather too basic to enjoy as a full-fledged Ultima but will probably still be charmed by the graphics and straightforwardness of its quests."[12]

Nintendo Power said that Runes of Virtue rivals the scope and excitement of The Legend of Zelda.[13] GB Action called the game "[p]unishing but compelling".[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c The Great McGillicuty (April 1992). "Game Boy Pro Review - Ultima: Runes of Virtue". GamePro. No. 33. IDG. p. 72. Graphics: 3/5, Sound: 2/5, Gameplay: 4/5, Fun factor: 3/5, Challenge: 4/5
  2. ^ "The Ultima Legacy - In Garriot's Own Words; Worlds of Ultima, the Role of the GameBoy, and More". GameSpot. GameSpot Inc. Archived from the original on 3 December 1998. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Ultima Runes of Virtue [advertisement]". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Vol. 5, no. 9. Sendai Publishing Group, Inc. September 1992. p. 125.
  4. ^ a b The Wizard of Awe (February 1994). "Role-Player's Realm - Ultima: Runes of Virtue II [Game Boy]". GamePro. No. 55. IDG. p. 142. Graphics: 3.0/5, Sound: 3.0/5, Control: 3.5/5, Fun factor: 4.5/5, Challenge: Intermediate
  5. ^ Stiller, Heinrich (November 1992). "Game Boy Corner - Ultima - Runes of Virtue". Aktueller Software Markt (in German). No. 11/92. Tronic-Verlag. p. 148. Gesamtnote: 10/12
  6. ^ a b "Buyer's Guide - Ultima: Runes of Virtue". GB Action. No. 16. Europress. September 1993. p. 63.
  7. ^ "Nintendo Game Boy - Ultima Runes of Virtue II" (PDF). Megablast (in German). No. 3/94. Joker-Verlag. June 1994. p. 76.
  8. ^ Borovskis, Thomas (January 1993). "Ultima Runes of Virtue". Play Time (in German). No. 1/93. Computec Verlag.
  9. ^ "Power tests videospele - Rache für Ultima". Power Play (in German). No. 4/91. Markt+Technik. April 1991. p. 133.
  10. ^ "[Review, SNES]". Total! (in German). No. 1/95. January 1995.
  11. ^ "Game Boy Rom Check - Runes of Virtue Ultima II". Video Games (in German). No. 8/94. Magna Media. August 1994. p. 108.
  12. ^ Peteroo (August 1994). "Role-Player's Realm - Ultima: Runes of Virtue II [SNES]". GamePro. No. 61. IDG. p. 110. Graphics: 4.5/5, Sound: 4.0/5, Control: 4.5/5, Fun factor: 4.5/5, Challenge: Adjustable
  13. ^ "Special Feature - Game Boy - Ultima". Nintendo Power. No. 23. Nintendo of America. April 1991. pp. 56–59, 69. Graphics and sound: 3.0/5, Play control: 3.0/5, Challenge: 3.0/5, Theme and fun: 3.0/5

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