Ultima V: Lazarus
| Company type | Fan project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Team Lazarus |
| Headquarters | International |
Key people | Ian Frazier (project director) |
| Products | Ultima V: Lazarus (video game remake) |
| Website | www |
Ultima V: Lazarus represents a fan-made reinterpretation of Ultima V, developed utilizing the Dungeon Siege engine by Gas Powered Games, which is necessary to run the game. This project rebuilds the original experience by incorporating an extended storyline, enhanced strategic gameplay, and revamped dialogue mechanics that reflect the style of the 1988 classic.
History
The remake was created by Team Lazarus, a volunteer collective comprising writers, musicians, artists, and programmers hailing from countries such as the United States, Australia, Brazil, and Germany. Among the team are professional game designers affiliated with UDIC (Ultima Dragons Internet Chapter).
Ian Frazier, who later contributed as lead designer on Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning at Big Huge Games and held a similar position at BioWare, directed the project. In recognition of his work, fans presented him with a crossbow crafted by David R. Watson, the real-life inspiration behind the Ultima character Iolo. Frazier expressed appreciation for the robust technical assistance provided by Gas Powered Games.
Development spanned close to four years, culminating in the release of version 1.20 for PC on April 1, 2006, followed shortly by a Mac edition on April 13, 2006. The French localization was made available on September 21, 2006, with a German translation released on December 23, 2007.
Differences from the original
While the original Ultima V was distributed as an independent title on systems like Apple II and DOS featuring tile-based 2D visuals, Ultima V: Lazarus functions as a modification built atop Dungeon Siege, delivering a completely reconstructed three-dimensional Britannia.
Certain original spells could not be included due to limitations of the engine—for example, "Des Por" and "Uus Por," which allowed travel between dungeon levels, were omitted. The "In Por" (Blink) spell was disabled owing to stability issues but can be accessed through an unofficial patch. Objects such as chests and barrels that were previously movable are now static; naval engagements lack dynamic NPC ships and cannons. Additionally, elements like whirlpools, magic carpet rides, moonstone mining, and skiffs were excluded.
The team undertook comprehensive rewriting of dialogue to introduce additional quests and branching choices, thereby enriching the exploration of virtue systems and character development.
Gameplay
An alternative conclusion exists wherein the Avatar opts against rescuing Lord British, resulting in the ruler's permanent absence.
Reception
Pelit awarded the game a score of 90/100, describing Ultima V: Lazarus as an impressive modernization of a beloved classic despite some technical flaws and the constraints of the aging Dungeon Siege engine; it was recommended for all enthusiasts of Ultima. The remake also received coverage from Inside Mac Games in 2006.
RPGdot granted a flawless rating of 10/10.
While acknowledging early bugs in pre-release versions, Computer Gaming World offered praise for the game.
The Games Machine rated it at 94%, emphasizing its enhanced graphics and reimagined soundtrack.
External links
- Official website for Ultima V: Lazarus
- Entry for Ultima V: Lazarus at the Codex of Ultima Wisdom
- French site The Dagon's Lair dedicated to Ultima V: Lazarus localization
Press coverage related to Ultima V: Lazarus: