Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ultima IX: Ascension (Dragon Edition) retains the ambitious real-time exploration and combat system introduced in the original Ultima IX, offering a sprawling 3D rendition of Britannia that still feels alive despite its age. Players guide the Avatar through richly detailed environments, solving puzzles, engaging in swordplay, and interacting with NPCs who react to your virtues. While some modern conventions like refined pathfinding and smoother camera controls would have been welcome, the core mechanics still deliver a nostalgic sense of adventure.

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The menu-driven interface, while somewhat clunky by today’s standards, allows quick access to spells, inventory, and journal entries—a nod to classic RPG organization. Combat strikes a balance between action and strategy: timed blocks and parries add excitement, but you’ll need patience to compensate for occasional hit-detection quirks. Exploration feels rewarding, with hidden alcoves and secret passages inviting multiple playthroughs.

Dragon Edition collectors will appreciate the leather-bound Game Journal, which doubles as a physical logbook for quest notes and sketches from your journey. Translating in-game clues onto the provided cloth map of Britannia deepens your immersion, turning what could be a simple side activity into a tactile part of the adventure. This special edition’s tangible extras remind you that Ultima IX’s gameplay is as much about discovery as it is about narrative.

Graphics

When Ultima IX first launched, its graphics engine pushed the envelope with detailed textures and dynamic lighting that brought Britannia’s towns, forests, and dungeons to life. In the Dragon Edition, the two-CD game presentation feels as glossy as ever thanks to the pristine soundtrack CD and high-quality art reproduction. Though players accustomed to modern engines may spot rough polygon edges or less sophisticated particle effects, the artistic vision remains clear.

Character models carry a distinctive fantasy flair: knights in gleaming armor, robed magicians gesturing with animated power, and villains whose designs evoke true menace. Environmental details—like sunbeams filtering through towering cathedral windows or flickering torchlight in underground ruins—showcase a commitment to atmosphere that few multiplayer titles of that era matched.

The included Ascension poster and leather-bound Book of Magic further highlight the game’s visual identity. The tarot cards for each sacred virtue feature exclusive illustrations that echo in-game themes, letting fans admire that artwork up close. This edition underscores how Ultima IX’s graphical style is not just a backdrop, but a storytelling element in its own right.

Story

As the final chapter in the storied Ultima saga, Ultima IX: Ascension thrusts the Avatar into a climactic confrontation with the Guardian, aiming to restore balance to a fractured Britannia. The narrative weaves familiar themes of virtue, choice, and redemption, while introducing fresh twists—some of which remain controversial among longtime fans. In this Dragon Edition, the leather Book of Magic includes background lore and in-universe excerpts that enrich the tale.

Dialogue is delivered through fully voiced cutscenes, lending emotional weight to key moments even if certain line deliveries can feel stilted by modern standards. Side quests delve deeper into the sacred virtues, inviting players to reflect on Compassion, Honor, Valor, and the other guiding principles of the series. These thematic explorations tie nicely to the collectible tarot cards, each illustrating one virtue in vivid detail.

Despite occasional plot inconsistencies compared to earlier Ultima entries, the grand scope of Ascension’s storyline provides a satisfying sense of closure. The Ultima Dragons fan club honed in on these narrative beats, and this special edition’s certificate from Lord British reminds players of their membership in a community that has grown alongside the franchise.

Overall Experience

The Dragon Edition’s giant 31 x 38 cm box makes an immediate statement on any shelf, signaling that this is no mere reprint but a celebration of the Ultima legacy. Unboxing feels like a ceremony: each element—from the dual-game CDs to the rich soundtrack—invites you to savor the franchise’s history. The heft and quality of the materials convey a sense of craftsmanship rarely seen in standard releases.

Beyond the game itself, the package contents elevate the entire experience. A cloth map of Britannia encourages exploration, while the eight tarot cards provide collectible art linked directly to in-game virtues. The leather Game Journal and Book of Magic tie physical and digital worlds together, letting you chart your progress and jot down insights as you adventure. Even the Ultima Collection CD offers hours of supplemental nostalgia.

For Ultima veterans and newcomers intrigued by classic RPG design, this edition is a collector’s dream. The inclusion of an Ancestor-inspired Ankh pendant, a full-size poster, and a signed certificate from Lord British fosters a personal connection to the lore. Sure, you’ll pay a premium for these trappings, but the payoff is a highly tangible tribute to one of role-playing’s foundational sagas.

• Ultima IX (2 CDs)
• Ultima Collection (1 CD)
• Ultima IX Soundtrack (1 CD)
• 8 Tarot Cards (one for each sacred virtue)
• Ankh Pendant
• Ascension Poster
• Cloth Map of Britannia (40 x 40 cm)
• Leather Game Journal
• Leather Book of Magic
• Certificate from Lord British
• Ultima Collection Reference Card

Whether you’re a die-hard member of the Ultima Dragons fan club or simply love richly crafted RPGs, Ultima IX: Ascension (Dragon Edition) offers an unforgettable journey. It honors the past with high-quality collectibles while still delivering the epic gameplay, lore, and world-building that made this series legendary.

Retro Replay Score

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