Ultima IV is the game that really saw the Ultima series take off. This game was the most popuar Ultima so far, and was a genuinely groundbreaking game.

    In Ultima IV we are introduced to the concept of the virtues for the first time. Instead of having a big evil enemy to defeat, the stranger is on a quest to learn about the virtues.

    In this game you can't just go around killing people and stealing things, it's impossible to complete the game if you do this. In Ultima IV everything that you do affects an invisible karma meter, unless your karma is high enough you can't finish the game.

    Origin has given members of UDIC permission to make Ultima IV available to download from their sites, see links section. There is also a patch available which improves the graphics alot, and adds music to the pc version. Although Ultima IV is a dos game it's very easy to get it running on a windows 95/98 machine, just double click on ultima.com in the folder where Ultima IV is, and away you go.

    In honour of Lord British, and the vanquishing of the triad of evil, the unified lands of Sosaria have been renamed Britania.

    With evil destroyed and the world at peace, the land grew prosperous. The Lycaeum, Empath Abbey, and Serpents Hold were established to study the three principles of truth, love and courage. Each major town of Britania was dedicated to one of the eight virtues.

    Interest in the virtues increased, all was joy, the people were happy, but Lord British was concerned. He felt that the people needed more and he began to wonder how to provide guidance. Eventually he decided that the people needed a Champion, someone who would embody all the virtues, and be an inspiration to the people of Britania.

    Once again the stranger from another world was summoned, his quest to learn the true nature of the virtues and become the Avatar.

    Ultima IV has an internal karma counter for each of the eight virtues. When you first start the game your karma is at 50% in all the virtues. According to how you behave in the game your karma can either increase or decrease.

    If you want your karma to increase then you have to stick to the eight virtues as much as possible. It doesn't matter too much if you make the occasional mistake, but don't misbehave regularly.

    If you want to check your karma you can go visit Hawkwind in Lord British's castle, and he should give you some idea of how you're doing.