Ultima: Runes of Virtue
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Ultima: Runes of Virtue is a 1991 title derived from the Ultima franchise, created by Origin Systems exclusively for the Game Boy. Unlike earlier console adaptations, this installment was developed specifically with the Game Boy hardware in mind. Its follow-up, Ultima: Runes of Virtue II, was released in 1993.
Gameplay
Players can choose among four heroes: Mariah the Mage, Iolo the Bard, Dupre the Fighter, or Shamino the Ranger. The objective involves retrieving eight Runes of Virtue that have been stolen and concealed within caves scattered throughout Britannia, while overcoming various monsters and solving puzzles. The game employs a top-down viewpoint reminiscent of Gauntlet. Items in the inventory are assigned to the "A" and "B" buttons, symbolizing the character’s hands—a control method later utilized by The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening.
Reception
Ultima: Runes of Virtue garnered mixed critical responses. GamePro labeled it as a "typical fantasy scavenger quest with some virtue but lacking surprises," awarding graphics a 3 out of 5 and gameplay a 4 out of 5. Nintendo Power praised its scale and excitement, drawing favorable comparisons to The Legend of Zelda. Reviews from Europe were diverse: GB Action gave it a 79%, describing it as "challenging yet engaging," whereas German publications such as Play Time and Power Play offered more moderate ratings near 50%.