Rating: 
Summary: Fairly Good
Review: I recommend buying this because it's a compilation, and it's worth it to get all those games. It's even cooler because it has video interviews with the creator of the games, and I like to see stuff like that. There's only one real downside about the games. If you want to play Ultima VII (both parts) you can't be running an Expanded Memory Manager and some sound cards require Expanded Memory Managers to work so on some systems (mine included) you cannot have sound in the game. The audio in the rest of the games work fine.
Rating: 
Summary: Great games, but not user friendly.
Review: I was hooked when I first played U6, Ultima 7 was complete bliss, at first you will feel a little frustrated, lack of manuals, dos required for play, but all that you need is patience, all the manuals are on the CD, wich includes walkthrough's for when/if you get stumped, and there is a program called MOSLO, wich slows your computer down to make the game more playable, Also you'll need ISP for tech help, getting sound for anything other than pc sound or a sound blaster compt. I've only played 6,7,8, because these games have the best graphics of the series, and some of the best stories, these games are fully addictive, you'll find your self playing for hour's on end, these games capture your emagination, and keeps you thinking about the game when your not even playing it, I strongly recomend for people who know how to use DOS and like a good decent adventure role playing game.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth buying just for Ultima 7 alone
Review: I'll say it right out-- this package is a bargain and worth every cent just for Ultima VII alone. But more on that later-- first, a run-through of the games contained on this compilation: Akalabeth (ultima prequel), U1, U2, U3 (Exodus):
Revolutionary in their time, but now you'll probably just want to check them out to see what games were like back then. The casual gamer will be turned-off immediately by the those horrid 3 color graphics, (which just happen to be the ugliest 3 colors you've ever laid your eyes on) and even only the most nostalgic of hardcore ultima fans will be able to play through them. But as i said, still worth a look. U4, U5:
Slight improvement in graphics, and leaps & bounds in the story department. If you're a casual gamer-- these will be hard to get into, but you will be rewarded by an awesome story and true interaction. Ultima fans will of course have a great time with these. U6:
Often bashed for its poor interface, (and sometime i'm inclined to agree), the game still contains a great story and for once, a musical score. U7 (parts 1 and 2):
Now here's the gem: I personally think it's the -greatest- game of all time. of all the games i play, this is the only one i can keep replaying over and over. to tell the truth, i wasn't always into ultima or crpgs for that matter. I used to play final fantasy "rpgs" (really, they're actually horrid linear interactive anime movies that have no role-playing elements, boring fights, and cliched soap-opera stories), but then a friend let me borrow an old disk version of Ultima 7- the black gate, and i've been hooked ever since. Not only does this game contain a truly great story and has good graphics (they may be a little old but still hold up well), but contains a -completely- interactive game world. If you see it, you can use it or manipulate it in some way. Have long conversations with npcs, forge your own sword, explore dungeons, and even bake bread. Add some good music and an innovative point-and-click mouse-driven interface, and you have a masterpiece. U8:
Casual gamers will find this game the easiest to get into; after all it contains psuedo-3d graphics and is the most modern one. Personally i thought u7 was better in terms of story and game world, although u8 had its high points. That and the action elements seemed a little out of place. However, not a bad rpg, but not a great one eithier. Those are the games contained on the collection; now the pros and cons of the collection as whole:
PROS--
1) It's a great bargain
2) Contains an atlas with all original maps, a reference guide, and all the original manuals on the cd
3) has "Moslo" a program that slows down your cpu to make the games playable on modern pc's
4) The games (especially u7) are worth it
5) Has cool interviews with ultima's creator, richard garriott CONS--
1) Missing some of the other great ultima games (worlds of ultima, ultima underworld)
2) Can be a little tough to get ultima 7 and 8 working in windows, (due to its odd dos-run memory manager). But, that problem can be easily solved by ... getting the ultima 7 and 8 windows patches. Overall, it's a must-buy for ultima fans, and if you like rpgs, i reccomend this for not only ultima 7 but the other great rpgs contained within.
Rating:
Summary: Worth buying just for Ultima 7 alone
Review: I'll say it right out-- this package is a bargain and worth every cent just for Ultima VII alone. But more on that later-- first, a run-through of the games contained on this compilation: Akalabeth (ultima prequel), U1, U2, U3 (Exodus):
Revolutionary in their time, but now you'll probably just want to check them out to see what games were like back then. The casual gamer will be turned-off immediately by the those horrid 3 color graphics, (which just happen to be the ugliest 3 colors you've ever laid your eyes on) and even only the most nostalgic of hardcore ultima fans will be able to play through them. But as i said, still worth a look. U4, U5:
Slight improvement in graphics, and leaps & bounds in the story department. If you're a casual gamer-- these will be hard to get into, but you will be rewarded by an awesome story and true interaction. Ultima fans will of course have a great time with these. U6:
Often bashed for its poor interface, (and sometime i'm inclined to agree), the game still contains a great story and for once, a musical score. U7 (parts 1 and 2):
Now here's the gem: I personally think it's the -greatest- game of all time. of all the games i play, this is the only one i can keep replaying over and over. to tell the truth, i wasn't always into ultima or crpgs for that matter. I used to play final fantasy "rpgs" (really, they're actually horrid linear interactive anime movies that have no role-playing elements, boring fights, and cliched soap-opera stories), but then a friend let me borrow an old disk version of Ultima 7- the black gate, and i've been hooked ever since. Not only does this game contain a truly great story and has good graphics (they may be a little old but still hold up well), but contains a -completely- interactive game world. If you see it, you can use it or manipulate it in some way. Have long conversations with npcs, forge your own sword, explore dungeons, and even bake bread. Add some good music and an innovative point-and-click mouse-driven interface, and you have a masterpiece. U8:
Casual gamers will find this game the easiest to get into; after all it contains psuedo-3d graphics and is the most modern one. Personally i thought u7 was better in terms of story and game world, although u8 had its high points. That and the action elements seemed a little out of place. However, not a bad rpg, but not a great one eithier. Those are the games contained on the collection; now the pros and cons of the collection as whole:
PROS--
1) It's a great bargain
2) Contains an atlas with all original maps, a reference guide, and all the original manuals on the cd
3) has "Moslo" a program that slows down your cpu to make the games playable on modern pc's
4) The games (especially u7) are worth it
5) Has cool interviews with ultima's creator, richard garriott CONS--
1) Missing some of the other great ultima games (worlds of ultima, ultima underworld)
2) Can be a little tough to get ultima 7 and 8 working in windows, (due to its odd dos-run memory manager). But, that problem can be easily solved by ... getting the ultima 7 and 8 windows patches. Overall, it's a must-buy for ultima fans, and if you like rpgs, i reccomend this for not only ultima 7 but the other great rpgs contained within.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Games... Ever!
Review: If you are really into RPGs that have a good line and plot, this is the one for you! The graphics may not be the greatest, but never judge a book by it's cover! These games will really get you playing for 50+ hours with no stopping. However, this collection sadly lacks two things: Some of the Underworlds and the Worlds and also the fact that it may run too slow for your computer causing you to have a bunch of NPCs running 900mph. Over all, I really reccomend this collection to any beginning Ultima player as well as any old time fan.
Rating:
Summary: There is an easy way to run Ultima VII
Review: If you look up Exult on the internet, you will find a platform designed specifically to run Ultima VII and Serpent Isle. I just found at sourceforge.net a way to run Ultima VIII but I haven't tried it yet. Can't wait! I LOVE these games. They really are in depth and entertaining. I spent forever playing Ultima VI on my old 386 computer, never finishing it!!! Now I can finish it on my new Dell. =)
Rating:
Summary: Perfect!
Review: In my opinion Ultima is a great game, sure the grapics are abit outdated, and if you go behind a building you cant see the guy, but its a good game! Its quite realistic with the explodeing oil flasks and the non-magical weaponery, and you drown if you fall in the water (who wouldn't if they were wearing heavy armor and fell into deep water?) Even thoough it has terrabley outdated grapics its a good game. Also Untima On-line (its not included in the pack) is very good.
Rating:
Summary: You can never go home again
Review: Let me first say I'm a hugh fan of the Ultima series. I played Ultima IV-VI on my C64 back in the day and eventually replayed VI on the SNES (which was far better). Fast forward to now. Maybe my tastes have changed or games have but I couldn't sit more than five minutes and play any of these. 1. Ultima I-III - 4 color (I and III can be upgraded to 16 color through patches), top down view. These are for historical purposes only. Not even hard core Ultima fans would have fun playing them 2. Ultima IV-V (IV has a 256 VGA patch you can download, V is in the works) top down view - If you solved these a long time ago, you won't have much fun trying to solve them now. Maybe first time players would have more fun, as they should start the series with IV. 3. Ultima VI - (256 VGA color and isometric view) - the first 'modern' one. This is the last one with turn based combat and somehow feels smaller than the other ones. 4. Ultima VII pt1 and pt2 - (256 VGA color and isometric view) - The combat system gets annoying (no more turn based system) but feels HUGH compared to VI. VI pt2 is a continuation of the story. 5. Ultima VIII - (256 VGA color and isometric view) - An experiment that just didn't quite work. They tried to turn Ultima into a 'action adventure' which could have worked on a controller based console system, but is akward on the PC. Don't waste your time playing with this one. In conclusion, newcomers might buy this to see how Ultima basically began our current RPG games and old school players will enjoy a trip down memory lane but both people will put this on their shelves after 5 minutes.
Rating:
Summary: Can you spell... C.L.A.S.S.I.C.?
Review: Man. I have played and re-played this set of wonderful programs so many times i can't begin to tally the wasted years of my life. O.k., they weren't wasted. These games are the shining diamonds of the beginning of what true gaming was. Dated, absolutely. Great? WITHOUT A DOUBT. Any RPG fan of today needs this in their collection. A good tweaker can figure out how to get all of these to run in windows , too! Don't go without the ATLAS, though! These games lead you through a lot of territory.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have collection of a truly groundbreaking series.
Review: No serious computer gamer should be without this collection. Nine of the most important and influential CRPGs ever to be released in one collection is something that should not be missed. And nearly all the games are excellent. Though the early Ultima games don't have the depth and complexity of the later entries in the series, the continuing fabric of the universe and the tapestry of the story progress and grow as you move from game to game. The games also serve as a highly entertaining window to gaming industry, allowing you to see how technology grew and changed over time. Whatever your reasons, there is no excuse for not getting this marvelous collection of important--and extremely entertaining--games.
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