PC RPGs

Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar

Released in 1985, Ultima IV has yet to be topped. It was, in this author's opinion at least, the greatest role-playing game ever made. The game changed things entirely by adding a set of ethics and restrictions on what the character should do. Heroes became a lot more heroic. Truly a revolutionary RPG.
My rating:9.5

Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny

The last Ultima to come out in the 80s, Warriors of Destiny was the perfection of the original Ultima engine, with the screen-change combat system and the overworld engine down pat. The story was one of the most deep and involved in an RPG to date. The twisting of the virtues that you fought for so hard in Quest of the Avatar to a darker purpose is truly beautiful. I can't recommend this game enough.
My rating:9

Ultima VI: The False Prophet

This was the first Ultima to use a 3/4 view of the characters throughout and went back to the combat on the overworld of Ultima I and II. The story (humans and gargoyles in a kind of war) was weak, and the game generally not as well-done as it could have been. Still, it had some good innovations and wasn't truly bad.
My rating:5

Ultima VII: The Black Gate

Technically, this was a vast improvement on Ultima VI. It was also a good deal more fun. It was sort of depressing, though, to see Britannia (the land you've known and loved since Ultima IV) sliding into decay. I think this is the game where the Avatar as a hero was truly needed the most. The interaction with NPCs in this and its sequel (Ultima VII Part Two) was wondrous. The details were amazing. It was a little bit without direction, though.
My rating:7

Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle

This was quite a game. It had a real-time combat engine, but the best part for me were the non-linear plot and the characters, who you interacted with and had more text than in the average RPG. The fact that your character's inventory graphic changed with what he/she was wearing was just a cool touch. Good game. Wish my computer still knew how to run it.
My rating:8
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