Ultima: Exodus
Reviewed by Joe
Witness, before your very eyes, the birth of a genre! Of course, births
are not usually very clean or enjoyable.... Ultima: Exodus may very well
be the first true RPG released for the NES. It's sure as heck not the best,
but it's the first.
Graphics 4 out of 10
Yes, it is early NES stuff, but this is truly generic. There are no
close- ups of monsters, only small characters. The heroes are not
very well drawn themselves, actually. The landscape graphics are
identical to Dragon Warrior's, but at least Dragon Warrior had
close-ups. Nothing special at all.
Music and Sound 3 out of 10
Turn the sound off. Please. It is bad, just trust me, it is bad. Lots of
bloops n' bleeps, and that's the music. Not like many other RPG's are
any better, though.
Game Challenge 7 out of 10
Not bad. The quest itself is about on level with Dragon Warrior, with
some twists and turns. The fighting is strictly 'Shining Force', very
strategy based, and kind of tough, especially if you don't have magic.
The story is virtually nonexistent, which is typical of early RPG's.
Game Play-Fun 5 out of 10
Some people who, like me, get a kick out of anything different will
enjoy this game. People attuned to the days of early computer RPG's
or *gasp* PAPER BASED games will like it to. Everyone else, weaned
on Final Fantasy, will get angry and cry.
Frustration
The combat system is scary to someone who has never touched a Shining
Force game. You always seem to miss early on, too.... But the real ulcer
here is the opening D&D style 'create yer character' sequence. I don't
know about you, but whenever I have to select my own attributes, I
always have the sinking feeling that I'm just ONE point too low in
something. Maybe I'm just paranoia.
Replayability 2 out of 10
Like all early RPG's for the NES, once you beat it, there's nothing more
to it. I suppose you could try to reach level one billion or something,
but there's not much else to do. If you get bored, though, the game DOES
let you fight the townsfolk. Kill 'em and watch yourself get mauled by
guards! Ahhhh, the joy of needless violence....
Game Value 8 out of 10
It IS a piece of history, the latest Funcoland catalog lists it at seven
bucks. You can get it for two or three at a flea market or something.
And hey, you may even LIKE it. Maybe.
Overall 5 out of 10
It's not a classic, or even very well known. In fact, it's not that good
either. But it's the first. So go ahead and see how the great Nintendo
RPG dynasty began. And after you get tired, you can bronze it or something.