Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams
| Company type | Video game |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Products | Role-playing video game |
Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams is a role-playing game released in 1991 as part of the Ultima franchise. It was later reissued for Windows and Mac OS platforms through GOG.com in 2012. The title operates on the same game engine utilized by Ultima VI: The False Prophet and Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire.
Story
The narrative follows the events of Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire, where the Avatar teams up with Dr. Spector after they discover a book detailing how to manipulate the Orb of the Moons to travel through time. Their journey takes them to the Victorian Era, during which Percival Lowell has constructed a space cannon intended to send volunteers to Mars.
At the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, sabotage triggers an early launch of the cannon, sending several prominent individuals to Mars unexpectedly. To retrieve them, a second cannon is readied for a rescue mission.
On Mars, players encounter a devastated civilization based on plant life, inhabited by unique "plantimal" species such as Jumping Bean and Planther. The gameplay involves reactivating the planet’s power facility and restoring water flow by melting polar ice caps using a solar lens.
Some characters affected by the Dream Machine find themselves trapped within "dreamspace," an alternate realm where original Martians have preserved their existence following environmental contamination. Players must navigate through these nightmare worlds to liberate those trapped.
Eventually, robotic forms are engineered for the Martians, allowing them to survive beyond their damaged botanical bodies. After overcoming Raxachk—the antagonist responsible for polluting Mars’ soil—the Victorian explorers are able to return safely to Earth.
Reception
In 1991, Scorpia of Computer Gaming World acknowledged Martian Dreams for its distinctive Victorian backdrop but criticized its travel system as somewhat monotonous. The review highlighted that the game leans more towards adventure than classic RPG mechanics, with combat sequences feeling disconnected from the main plot, appealing primarily to players who prefer exploration over combat. Conversely, Peter Olafson praised the title as "an epic adventure" that maintains the depth characteristic of the Ultima series while remaining approachable for new players. A later review by Scorpia in 1993 also complimented the storyline, noting that although the game demands patience and careful attention, it ultimately provides a rewarding experience.
External links
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