Ultima Forever - whether successful RPG?

World Ultima Online came back in the early 80s and has gained immense popularity. While I still nebylo even the first computer, so the game and interesting events in it I learned through gaming publications. By the time when the house came the Internet, and various MMORPG has been quite popular and pro Ultium`u I somehow forgotten. I tried to play on pirate servers, but the sense was not much. Half of the functions do not work, solid glitches and bugs. But now, finally, Electronic Arts has presented us with a new part of the adventures in Britain for iOS devices.

Release somehow quietly passed, so the game I remembered accidentally. I read that it appeared in the iTunes Canada, as a beta version, but decided to wait until the release will be in Russian (or American) store. And while I am waiting, about overslept. But, let's get to the point. The game came out, and I can talk a little bit about your impressions going.

I think that initially no one was hoping to get Ultima Online port on your iOS-gadgets, but many entertained the hope that at least half of the rich functionality and the mobile perekochuet version. All it turned out to be even worse than expected.

Of course, to make the port a vast universe is very difficult and costly. The more so that management is more enchanted by the mouse with a keyboard rather than a touchscreen display. But here's diversity could be to add.

At the beginning of the game we are asked to select one of the two (or all?? And is role-playing game) character classes: warrior or mage. By and large, this only affects the type of game, whether you will be taking part in melee battles, or to shoot from a distance. Over time, the developers have promised to add new classes, but what and how they will be different - did not say.
If customization of the character you answer the five questions of them and going to our alter-ego. All that we can change, except for the class - this is a portrait of the character. Not much.

After a short training (he, by the way, not to be missed), we sent to the first mission, where we need to clean up the sewers, and finally defeat the main boss. And here the problems begin.
Experience is given for killing monsters. Generally. All that we can fuck with them - a bronze keys, which are the in-game currency. Yes, the infamous freemium and got here. These keys are needed to open the chests, you will encounter throughout the game. But not all so simple. To open the trunk of any required keys. Depending on how much and what kind of keys you're willing to spend on his discovery of such things and will find inside. Use one bronze - will give some usual cap, which will be even worse than what you wear. Spend 6 silver - get a little thing that could be better already worn. Spend a golden key - you get a rare thing. But everything in this world is relative, so even a rare little thing can turn out to be unnecessary. Before opening the chest, you can exchange the bronze keys on silver (the ratio of one to three), if you lack the latter. But the golden keys can either be purchased for real money or gain on the shares (to subscribe, advertise download application). In defense of the local "freemium" I can say that without a huge amount of gold reserves key play is quite possible.

After cleaning the dungeon, we return to the quest giver and obtain experience for the fulfillment of the quest. As well as the reputation and awareness of virtues, of which eight pieces in the game. Depending on the location and of certain virtues, you will have additional opportunities in these areas (as it works, I still have not learned). I hope that the reputation will continue to influence the quests and NPC relation to your person.

Stripping dungeons you can arrange as one, and in the company of two friends. But, if you prefer solitude (like me for example), most of you can go and one (heck, one of them has a door that does not open the same!).

As the level of the hero, there are also new skills. Variety, they also do not shine, but thanks for that. But the quest is made more serious. Of course, basically all boils down to "kill and fetch," but there are also civilians (to deliver the letter, bring wine jester). As well, there are small quests where you have to consult the NPC, a selection of his do. For example, you meet a soldier who tells the story of how he found a purse full of gold, and asks you for advice on how to do it. Pick themselves and feed their families, continue to look for lost purse or transfer security chief. Depending on your board, she rises from the virtues. Stories of the characters are different and interesting - that is why, among the tasks Kill the monsters in each of the first RPG - is a breath of fresh air. In general, the dialogue in the game is well done. There are answers, you can talk and listen - this is rare. Unfortunately, for the most part, these options do not lead to special forks in the plot and made only "for show".

Another plus in the treasury of the game - a map of the kingdom. She's really great, it is where to wander. Initially, many locations for you to shut down, but with higher levels, they gradually open up, as there are new quests from various NPC.

And in the end, not of the most important in the genre of role-playing games - a chart. It is quite pretty. Backdrops painted in 2D, and models of characters and monsters - in 3D. Effects are also made simple but nonetheless beautiful.

On forums people complain about the "cruel Donat" to achieve the fifth level. I did not notice this problem. If you do not disdain to pass the same dungeon and almost at moderate their "Wishlist" - the game quite comfortably. Even the dungeon can be played without a group one. So draw your own conclusions.

In general, the game leaves a double sense. There's no money in principle, clothes that accumulate in your inventory to put nowhere, the clothes in the fighting breaks down and you need to pay for repairing the keys. On the other hand - it is an attempt to make a full-fledged role-playing game, with a storyline, great dialogue and peace. An attempt can not be called a failure, but as a masterpiece. Perhaps future updates will bring something new and interesting, and the game gradually transformed from if not ugly, but the duckling to beautiful swan.