Oh look at me I'm Ultima. I pioneered role playing in video games. My spinoff inadvertently became the foundation for first person shooters and immersive sims. My online game helped establish the MMORPG into mass popularity.
Not quite true. The average person might have no idea what an Ultima is, but hardcore gamers and game devs do, and are influenced and inspired by them to this day As gaming has blown up it's become excessively commercialized so the first founders become forgotten by most, but still affect those with a deep love for the artform and so continue to affect and influence it. @@CaptainRufus
@@Majuular This is the first Ultima game that has looked genuinely interesting to me! Too bad I'm not a PC gamer and this will probably never be adapted to work on any console, (sigh) oh well, at least this was the most enjoyable video Majuular has done on this series so far, what a great vid to end the year on!
@@tylermontgomery3513 If you have a computer, any computer, even if it's old and crappy, it can certainly run UU. You don't need to be a designated PC or Console Gamer to play games from decades ago.
It really is incredible how influential this series is. From Ultima inspiring devs on Dragon Quest in 1986, to Ultima Underworld inspiring Elder Scrolls creators in 1994, to Ultima Online inspiring World of Warcraft designers in 2004- and that’s just to list a few. It really does feel like it’s a series that RPG fans (and anyone interested in gaming history) should know about. I appreciate these videos!
Hell yes dude. I've been waiting for this one since the series began and I can promise you that my new years eve is going to involve slurping this up with a smile on my face Here's to what has been an unbelievable year for the most genius channel on RUclips
@@Majuularman, I appreciate you so much. I feel like we're finally reaching the age wherein video games are being accepted as a rightful artform, and you document many of the most critical works, with amazing style and bountiful knowledge. You are doing a great service to the culture, covering these pillars of the interactive medium, and you'll surely inspire others who will continue to push the field further.
It is no understatement, no hyperbole, that Ultima Underworld blew my mind and shaped my youth. UUW was a life changing experience for me, and taught me so much. My dad bought the strategy guide, in which we both took notes. I still have that book today, proudly on my bookshelf.
Happy to hear these stories. It was before my time, but I did eventually play it sometime in the early 2000’s after discovering Elder Scrolls Morrowind & Daggerfall.
@@mikehab7453 It scared me too, although I only got to play it at a friends house. This game is without doubt one of the most important moments in gaming and art history, to this day there is absolutely nothing like it, even Arx Fatalis lacks the amount of immersive interactivity this and its sequel had. Hard to believe games used to be like this.. back then it didn't feel as significant as it does in retrospect.
By the way, treasure that clue book!! I eventually got a boxed copy of the first game and still keep it next to my gaming desk, but I only have the inserts it came with. I do have the books for a few others though, Wizardry 6 and 7 for instance.
Maj, I don't have the authority, but to hell with it. You get an honorary doctorate in Video Game History, for the amazing work you're doing with the Ultima retrospective. This is Thesis-level engagement with a specific slice of the field, and is worthy of praise.
Thank you Silverstar! I'd be nothing without the archival work and exhaustive research of others. I plan on doing a "post-script" video chronicling all of the amazing sources I've had the privilege of using (all of whom are listed in a pastebin link located in the description). I am benefitting greatly from the hard work and dedication of many Ultima fans.
What a treat of a video. I remember buying the game for my birthday and it took 15 years old me 6 months to find the right memory settings to run it on Mom's 386DX. But when I did ... Man. I can confirm that, at the time, there was nothing like it. This game brought so much, its echoes are still vibrating today. I loved to document the lizard men language, and actually learn it in the process. Visionary. This game also taught me English.
Ending the year strong with some content from the GOAT. Thank you so much for being such a prolific creator of S-Tier content as well as just a good human and if I dare say, a friend. Wishing you and yours endless blessings in 2025, brother.
The level of in-depth backstory that you put in these videos is so appreciated. Also getting to see what these games were like, especially when they only existed in the imagination of a poor kid who had to live vicariously thru magazines back in the day is so wonderful. Thank you for what you do, dude. 😁
As an old cat that was around when Spoony did this, I've got to say you've managed to dig even deeper, in a sincere way I can appreciate. Which is funny cause I remember you being pretty young. Great work Maj. I've watched these at least twice.
Was driving home from work not an hour ago and thought "Wouldn't another part of the Ultima Retrospective make this year end perfectly?" Little did I know that you would somehow hear my little plea and deliver in spades. These videos are legit some of my favorite content on the platform and combine all that I love about gaming into one wonderful multi hour experience.
I have never played an Ultima game in my life, but I wouldn't miss these videos for the world. Looking forward to your video on Ultima IX. I hear it's a trainwreck.
Ultima IX had potential. As a huge Ultima fan, that's the only praise I can give that game. Still hoping for a fanmade engine to some day do the game justice, like U7 Revisited is getting
Wow... When I was 16, I worked at Origin, on Ultima 7 and Underworld 2. You really did this justice, brought back so many memories that I had when I worked there. I was on Customer Service and helped with hints on this game for a time and some of the "Gotchas" were so familiar. Thanks for taking me down memory lane!
Hey Majuular I just wanted to say that I've discovered your channel this year and that year definitely wasn't the best, but your videos had helped me just a bit. No matter what was happening at the time whenever I saw a new upload from your I knew I'll be able to forget about it and either discover something completely new or go back to simpler times I've spent with some of those games. You quickly became one of my favorite retrospective channels on RUclips and if it wasn't for you I would have never played games like Koudelka, Shadow Hearts or Lost Odyssey. Here's to another year of top tier content my man!
Your Ultima videos have been a highlight for this year! I hope after you complete this project you'll find another series to be just as enthusiastic about. Your passion for this series really carries through the hard work and research you went through just to make these videos. Excellent work!
Holy moly, how are you putting these out at this rate? 2+ hour videos of games that can require a few dozen hours just to play through, let alone write a script and then edit. I can't imagine the amount of Ultima that has been rolling around your brain for the past months/years. I've been looking forward to Underworld, 7 and 8 the most in this series, so very hyped for this and the next few episodes, especially. My first Ultima games were Runes of Virtue 2 on SNES and Ultima 8, so I had a pretty warped view of the franchise for a long time. Anywho, Happy New Year!
Thank you and Happy New Year! I had set a personal goal for getting this video out before the end of the year, so I adjusted my workload accordingly. Last few days have involved some 16-hour editing sessions, but I've really been enjoying the work.
honestly I am waiting to see how he handles 9 😈. It will be harder I think to make such lengthy video. There only so many times you can say each mechanic has been massively scaled back, before it gets stale and when it’s half of your script😂. It may be better to combine 8 and 9 into one video, what with a significant chunk of 8 missing even though it was completed. Then 9 being as lore and continuity breaking as it is, while releasing in the state it did. The early origin titles were groundbreaking experiences, so you get plenty of content, discussing how mechanics were revolutionary etc. The only breaking Ultima 9 does, is breaking Birtannia, and then your heart. Also finding your channel has been great, the fact you had issues with the FMV video is silly but thanks for making it. Ultima 6 is one of my favorite games of all time.
@@Majuular absolutely insane amount of work, but it's not going unappreciated! this series is seriously one of my favourites i've ever seen on this platform and i look forward to each new entry
I . . . didn't think I'd get to watch this so soon! Thank you so very much! Yours is by far the best retro I've seen on this series. Even having read THROUGH THE MOONGATE - along every other piece of media I could find on the Garriotts, Origin, etc... - I still learned some new tidbits I didn't know : kudos!
Another great deep drive into the Ultima series. We all thank you very much for these . I always love listening to these in the background while doing work. The help pass the time with ease listening to something great
Cheers LordHog, thank you for the super thanks! Glad I can help ease the work day for ya. Hope the boss doesn't chew you out for having earbuds in like mine did 🫡
@ I have been fortunate as no employer has had issues with me listening to anything while working. I am the type of person that can’t focus or work without some sort of background “thing” playing. I know most people don’t fit this category, but I certainly do. Again, thanks for all the great deep dive videos
I'm sick, I'll probably spend the last few hours of the year on my toilet seat...but at least Majuular is here to make these few hours entertaining. Thank you sir !
Pro tip- calmoseptine or regular zinc oxide based diaper cream can do wonders to prevent or soothe the inevitable irritation… Good luck, get well soon.
Ultima Underworld was also the primary inspiration for Arx Fatalis, Arkane's debut game and one of the most criminally underrated titles of the early 00s
I just want a world where we get Hbomberguy at 1/3 this rate. Thank god for majuular he’s single handedly holding the quality cap of videogame RUclips essays, these days it’s kinda dire out there
I watched this intro so. many. times. as a kid. I had an umm...extended demo copy of the game and at the time, it was state of the art. Brought my PC to its knees and despite how horrific the voice acting is, it was mind blowing at the time. Seeing the full 3D engine at the time was a magical experience. Funny enough, I was such a weaksauce as a kid that I never got far in this because enemies suddenly appearing in the short draw distance and the music suddenly changing would jump scare me. 🤣 Also yeah, the mapping system was next level to anything else at the time and it's amazing how few games copied it.
I've oversaturated myself with video essays and am kind of jaded on the genre at the moment, but seeing a Majuular video in the sub box is the welcome exception.
Shoutout to Kikoskia here on RUclips for his fantastic old-school let's plays of Ultima Underworld 1+2. These games are my favorite in the franchise for that reason, and im so excited for this video. Great way to start the new year!
Ladies and gentlemen; quite possibly the best creator on the platform right here. Your laid-back, informative presentation never fails to enthral me, and this amount of content at such a high quality is insane, you're sincerely an inspiration. Wishing you nothing but the success you deserve.
Thank you for all the videos and coverage, Mr. Rodriguez. Ultima: Exodus for the nes was one of my earliest role playing game experiences, so the series has always had a special place in my heart, but having never been a pc gamer i mostly missed out on the ways in which ultima kept redefining the genre for a decade or more. This series of videos has been one of my favorite excursions to take the last however long it's been.
Not joke I had no idea the Ultima series had THIS much substance to it up until Ultima Underworld, which was the only game I knew about previously because it was always mentioned whenever Wolfenstein 3D's creation was discussed. And I'm so glad it was these videos that taught me about them, simply with the sheer amount of passion and detail behind them
This is the single cleanest, most well put together reviews of a video game I have ever seen on the internet! You could put this on TV. Love your channel. Also I'm surprised nobody ever put together a TTRPG book based on the Ultima Franchise. I might have to make one myself or something.
Your output and quality are so amazing! Thank you so much for your stuff. I've never played an Ultima game in my life and yet I get as excited as a kid on christmas when I see a new one is up
I've been watching your videos for quite a while now and I just have to say your Ultima retrospectives are foundational. I really enjoy all your other videos, too, but these videos deserve even more success than they already achieved. Thank you so much for introducing us to these games that most of us have only heard about in passing and giving it the repect they deserve.
I just rewatched the Worlds of Ultima video and wondered if the Underworld video was out. Went to your channel to see and saw it wasn't. That was an hour ago... Wasn't expecting this pleasant surprise today! Cheers and Happy New Year, Maj!
I discovered this channel sometime in the summer of 2023 and what once began as a cursory "oh this video seems cool" quickly became an instant watch for me. Your videos have been great, Mr. Majuular.
Genuinely this is my favorite channel I've seen probably since RLM. I bought the whole Kings Field series because of you. And this is what I've been waiting for
NEW VIDEO DROPPED LETS GOOOO seriously though I love your videos, you are just so relaxed and seem like a kind person which is weirdly refreshing in the old games and physical media collecting kind of spaces. Really glad you make the videos you do
I dont remember when I first subscribed to you, but I rediscovered your videos in my feed recently and have been binging your content over the past month or so. Excelent job on these. Top tier work in my opinion.
Thank you so much for making this video! I haven't seen any other Ultima Underworld videos that REALLY give it context, history, and reflection. There's no such thing as a truly "unbiased' review, but it's great that you come at this with the desire to explore a game and history and context.
"Books tell, movies show, and games involve" Love that. Have also loved this Ultima retrospective. Was way too young to experience any of these, so it's fun learning about a titan I always heard about.
I still think it's funny that I knew Warren as a dude on a message board I used to frequent and I knew of Ultima Underworld but I didn't realize his connection to it until like 2009. Nice dude.
Literally a gift, my dude. This channel is a must in the style of long-form game review, with context given to the actual literal people involved. Majical.
Finally, we get to the one I've heard the name of dozens of times before, and nothing more than a screenshot and a "but who cares about this one, Wolf 3D is what REALLY changed gaming" to elaborate on it. This is probably a bit rambly, so TLDR: Majuular, thanks for doing what you do and showing these old games in a fair and detailed light. It's so shocking how this game pulled off things that not even DOOM 2 did, makes all the early post-DOOM FPS games look even more shallow by comparison (not that there's anything wrong with a simple, fun shooter). I was always curious as to why Ultima Underworld was so frequently pushed under the rug when discussing the true origins of FPS games, and now my questions have been answered: it was a dense, slow paced RPG that would punish you if you didn't consistently scribble down notes and pace your saves. Back in the day, I'm sure even I would've dropped Underworld to play the stripped down and more arcadey Wolf 3D. It really did change the tastes of gamers of years to come, but it's not like that's a bad thing. We got the catalogs of Id Software and Valve from that shift, and complex RPGs clearly didn't die off because of Wolf 3D. If anything it probably made them a little more digestable and accesible in the long run. I hope people read this far down, feels a bit lonely right now.
Your output is crazy, dude. Most of the people I watch who put out videos of this quality do one every 3 to 6 months, knocking out one of these every month is crazy. You are an absolute beast!
@@Majuular please don't take this the wrong way, but your videos have quickly become my favorite way to fall asleep. The cadence and timber of your voice is even, and you don't insert any loud random audio barks. Please keep up the good work!
Found your video's COMPLETELY by random, I've spent all day listening to them like a podcast while playing PoE2. Really stellar detailed work, real industry history reporting.
This is the one I've been waiting for. UW1 was by far the most immersive game I'd played up to that time, and it established the formula for every first-person real-time single character RPG since.
As a teen in 1992, starting the game the first time and SEEING the smooth movement I was awestruck! Goosebumps! What a time to be able to witness this milestone in game history and the unimaginable 3D tech that it presented for the first time. And as an RPG nerd the story and roleplaying was just the cherry on a cherry on top! Thank you for the superb video and I am glad YT suggested this to me.
Thank you for this amazing year of content! You really have become one of my favorite channels over the past couple of months. Can't wait to see more of your videos, but first, i will enjoy this one until the clock ticks over to a new year.
i’ve yet to play Ultima but your videos honestly make me wanna go through them. for as big of an RPG fan & gaming history fan i am, i’m surprised i havent played these yet despite seeing so much of them. your series has inspired me to start them soon!
Greetings from Brazil! These videos you make are a mix of documentary and a love letter to these games and the fantastic people who created them. Thank you very much and a happy new year to you and everyone you love.
For the last months I've been doing a lot of planning and concept work for a first person RPG in Godot. What I eventually settled on and starting to build this year is a lot like this game. Perfect moment to get an in-depth recap of Ultima Underworld and its design.
The passion in these has only ever showed just how groundbreaking they were. I even thought at one point " wow, I didn't even know they could of made that in '92." You've done a great job conveying those exact sentiments every time they are truly revolutionary. Maybe it's the similar taste and lines of thought, but I feel like I hear the difference in a little hyperbole based on true passion and when something really was a groundbreaking thing or a revolutionary leap or change. You do a brilliant job Maj, and your videos are some of the very few that I genuinely look forward and aren't just a random surprise I hadn't thought about in a while. Thank you for the effort, the passion, AND the hyperbole that reminds me I'm not the only one.
What Ive loved about your retrospectives is that you also provide a wider context for the games industry and the history of other series and companies, something a lot of other docs don’t do
It is time, at last. The first of two Ultima Duologies that I have been eagerly awaiting your retrospective on! Honestly, it is really interesting looking back at Underworld after hearing of how many other games took such deep inspiration from it. Seeing the through-line that got us from here to Elden Ring is genuinely mind boggling.
That’s another year in the books! It’s been an honor following your journey and seeing everything fall into place for you! Thank you for your hard work and I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for you! All the best to you and your loved ones! The Grandia video can wait. 👌🏾
Best way to receive 2025. Your channel was THE BEST one I found this year. I love your style. This ULTIMA series is the best retrospective on the series.
Imagine my surprise when I was watching an Amiga documentary the other day and low and behold that's where the intro is from. Such a man of good tastes.
I loved playing this game so much even though I fumbled my way through it. I was very young and didn't understand/appreciate much of the plot/lore and I played a pirated copy without a manual so had to figure out the spells by trial and error and making educated guesses over time. As you said, this game was so far ahead of its time and I have not yet experienced this kind of depth, atmosphere and adventure since. Your video has filled in so many blanks and I'm so tempted to replay it now with all this knowledge. Thanks so much for this incredible content about one of my all time top 5 games ever!
Oh look at me I'm Ultima. I pioneered role playing in video games. My spinoff inadvertently became the foundation for first person shooters and immersive sims. My online game helped establish the MMORPG into mass popularity.
"Oops I accidentally set the precedent for like 50 different genres and subgenres teehee silly me" ...what a showoff
Yet it's barely mentioned now outside of enthusiasts and historians, with EA barely acknowledging it's existence.
Not quite true. The average person might have no idea what an Ultima is, but hardcore gamers and game devs do, and are influenced and inspired by them to this day
As gaming has blown up it's become excessively commercialized so the first founders become forgotten by most, but still affect those with a deep love for the artform and so continue to affect and influence it.
@@CaptainRufus
@@Majuular This is the first Ultima game that has looked genuinely interesting to me! Too bad I'm not a PC gamer and this will probably never be adapted to work on any console, (sigh) oh well, at least this was the most enjoyable video Majuular has done on this series so far, what a great vid to end the year on!
@@tylermontgomery3513 If you have a computer, any computer, even if it's old and crappy, it can certainly run UU. You don't need to be a designated PC or Console Gamer to play games from decades ago.
In the past couple months, you've become an instant watch for me. Way to close out 2024!
Welcome to the club! 🎉
Very glad to hear it. Happy New Year!
Agreed, a wonderful new find
💯
It really is incredible how influential this series is. From Ultima inspiring devs on Dragon Quest in 1986, to Ultima Underworld inspiring Elder Scrolls creators in 1994, to Ultima Online inspiring World of Warcraft designers in 2004- and that’s just to list a few. It really does feel like it’s a series that RPG fans (and anyone interested in gaming history) should know about. I appreciate these videos!
UW more or less beat ES1 to the release and devs scrambled to make it different by focusing on bigger play window and scale of the world.
For the length and depth of these retrospectives, Majuular is pumping these out at lightning speed.
these are scripted by a team of monkey ghost writers
He’s a pumper
Pump and dump, as the kids would say
and yet, I always want more
It's because he's passionate about it I'd wager :)
Hell yes dude. I've been waiting for this one since the series began and I can promise you that my new years eve is going to involve slurping this up with a smile on my face
Here's to what has been an unbelievable year for the most genius channel on RUclips
Yes, yes, but enough about your channel, what about mine?? dohoho
Thanks a million pal. Cheers to a great 2025!
Now now this could go on all night let me enjoy this delve underground in peace @@Majuular
@@Majuularman, I appreciate you so much. I feel like we're finally reaching the age wherein video games are being accepted as a rightful artform, and you document many of the most critical works, with amazing style and bountiful knowledge.
You are doing a great service to the culture, covering these pillars of the interactive medium, and you'll surely inspire others who will continue to push the field further.
My two favourite video essayists having a little bromance.
Wholesome stuff my dudes
This is like watching my two favourite celebrities interact 0o0
It is no understatement, no hyperbole, that Ultima Underworld blew my mind and shaped my youth. UUW was a life changing experience for me, and taught me so much. My dad bought the strategy guide, in which we both took notes. I still have that book today, proudly on my bookshelf.
Happy to hear these stories. It was before my time, but I did eventually play it sometime in the early 2000’s after discovering Elder Scrolls Morrowind & Daggerfall.
@@Slop_Doggthe game genuinely scared me for an embarrassingly long time, and I always had to play it during the daytime
@@mikehab7453 It scared me too, although I only got to play it at a friends house. This game is without doubt one of the most important moments in gaming and art history, to this day there is absolutely nothing like it, even Arx Fatalis lacks the amount of immersive interactivity this and its sequel had. Hard to believe games used to be like this.. back then it didn't feel as significant as it does in retrospect.
By the way, treasure that clue book!! I eventually got a boxed copy of the first game and still keep it next to my gaming desk, but I only have the inserts it came with. I do have the books for a few others though, Wizardry 6 and 7 for instance.
Maj, I don't have the authority, but to hell with it. You get an honorary doctorate in Video Game History, for the amazing work you're doing with the Ultima retrospective. This is Thesis-level engagement with a specific slice of the field, and is worthy of praise.
Thank you Silverstar! I'd be nothing without the archival work and exhaustive research of others. I plan on doing a "post-script" video chronicling all of the amazing sources I've had the privilege of using (all of whom are listed in a pastebin link located in the description). I am benefitting greatly from the hard work and dedication of many Ultima fans.
@@Majuular No joke you could probably write a book on ultima If a good one has not already been written on it.
@@MajuularWell, that does tend to be how academic papers work - with mountains of citations!
@@FelisImpurrator Exactly. Good academic work is being able to use sources effectively and finding good sources of course
@@Majuular that would be the coolest thing ever second only to these vids :)
What a treat of a video. I remember buying the game for my birthday and it took 15 years old me 6 months to find the right memory settings to run it on Mom's 386DX. But when I did ... Man. I can confirm that, at the time, there was nothing like it. This game brought so much, its echoes are still vibrating today. I loved to document the lizard men language, and actually learn it in the process. Visionary. This game also taught me English.
Just got caught up on the Ultima series after a busy semester and now I'm met with this??? What a treat this is, truly. Thank you Majuular!
WOW thank you so much! This is a really generous super thanks. Glad you've been enjoying the Ultima vids and I hope your semester went smoothly!
31:30 Sorry, but his new name is Rodriguez.
Thank you for helping to cover a debt that some of us cannot afford to right now.
Ending the year strong with some content from the GOAT. Thank you so much for being such a prolific creator of S-Tier content as well as just a good human and if I dare say, a friend.
Wishing you and yours endless blessings in 2025, brother.
The level of in-depth backstory that you put in these videos is so appreciated. Also getting to see what these games were like, especially when they only existed in the imagination of a poor kid who had to live vicariously thru magazines back in the day is so wonderful. Thank you for what you do, dude. 😁
My pleasure, thank you for watching!
As an old cat that was around when Spoony did this, I've got to say you've managed to dig even deeper, in a sincere way I can appreciate.
Which is funny cause I remember you being pretty young. Great work Maj. I've watched these at least twice.
Yeah, this was my thought too. It's like a remastered version of a game that's so good, there's never a reason to play the original again. 😂
@@blackpedalsI'm SO happy someone picked up the mantle of "The Ultima Guy".
Real shame what happened to Spoony. He was nowhere near perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed his uploads regardless back in the day.
Guy was a trail blazer@@thefinegameofnil7158
Finntrovert has also made a pretty good Ultima retrospective.
Was driving home from work not an hour ago and thought "Wouldn't another part of the Ultima Retrospective make this year end perfectly?" Little did I know that you would somehow hear my little plea and deliver in spades. These videos are legit some of my favorite content on the platform and combine all that I love about gaming into one wonderful multi hour experience.
I have never played an Ultima game in my life, but I wouldn't miss these videos for the world. Looking forward to your video on Ultima IX. I hear it's a trainwreck.
Ultima IX had potential. As a huge Ultima fan, that's the only praise I can give that game.
Still hoping for a fanmade engine to some day do the game justice, like U7 Revisited is getting
Watch old Spoony ultimate review's as well, it's a wild ride
Wow... When I was 16, I worked at Origin, on Ultima 7 and Underworld 2. You really did this justice, brought back so many memories that I had when I worked there. I was on Customer Service and helped with hints on this game for a time and some of the "Gotchas" were so familiar.
Thanks for taking me down memory lane!
That's awesome! did they give you a "puzzle solutions" list for callers?
You just keep edging me for Ultima VII
oh woah dosh o7
yes i feel the same way but i was scared to say it heh
Perfect way to start the new year
That's not until tomorrow you buffoon
Hey Majuular I just wanted to say that I've discovered your channel this year and that year definitely wasn't the best, but your videos had helped me just a bit. No matter what was happening at the time whenever I saw a new upload from your I knew I'll be able to forget about it and either discover something completely new or go back to simpler times I've spent with some of those games. You quickly became one of my favorite retrospective channels on RUclips and if it wasn't for you I would have never played games like Koudelka, Shadow Hearts or Lost Odyssey. Here's to another year of top tier content my man!
Your Ultima videos have been a highlight for this year! I hope after you complete this project you'll find another series to be just as enthusiastic about. Your passion for this series really carries through the hard work and research you went through just to make these videos. Excellent work!
I hope he does the Wizardry series.
Yup wizardry
Holy moly, how are you putting these out at this rate? 2+ hour videos of games that can require a few dozen hours just to play through, let alone write a script and then edit. I can't imagine the amount of Ultima that has been rolling around your brain for the past months/years. I've been looking forward to Underworld, 7 and 8 the most in this series, so very hyped for this and the next few episodes, especially. My first Ultima games were Runes of Virtue 2 on SNES and Ultima 8, so I had a pretty warped view of the franchise for a long time. Anywho, Happy New Year!
Dude is obviously someone who loves his work and is extremely dedicated. It's great.
Thank you and Happy New Year! I had set a personal goal for getting this video out before the end of the year, so I adjusted my workload accordingly. Last few days have involved some 16-hour editing sessions, but I've really been enjoying the work.
honestly I am waiting to see how he handles 9 😈. It will be harder I think to make such lengthy video. There only so many times you can say each mechanic has been massively scaled back, before it gets stale and when it’s half of your script😂. It may be better to combine 8 and 9 into one video, what with a significant chunk of 8 missing even though it was completed. Then 9 being as lore and continuity breaking as it is, while releasing in the state it did.
The early origin titles were groundbreaking experiences, so you get plenty of content, discussing how mechanics were revolutionary etc. The only breaking Ultima 9 does, is breaking Birtannia, and then your heart.
Also finding your channel has been great, the fact you had issues with the FMV video is silly but thanks for making it. Ultima 6 is one of my favorite games of all time.
@@Grimdark_Replays I can hear it already, ringing in the air like a funeral bell.
"Your knowledge of the land shall be great."
"What's a paladin?"
@@Majuular absolutely insane amount of work, but it's not going unappreciated! this series is seriously one of my favourites i've ever seen on this platform and i look forward to each new entry
Have had a horrible day at work to cap off a crappy year and my boy Majuular coming in with a new Ultima video to end it on a high note
Dang, that sucks to hear. I hope next year treats you better and that work sucks less
You're not alone. People were rough today. At least every day isn't a holidays. Cheers.
Same, tho in my case I started the new year working, so I didn't have the chance to get to this video on release. Time to get my fix XD
I . . . didn't think I'd get to watch this so soon! Thank you so very much! Yours is by far the best retro I've seen on this series. Even having read THROUGH THE MOONGATE - along every other piece of media I could find on the Garriotts, Origin, etc... - I still learned some new tidbits I didn't know : kudos!
Another great deep drive into the Ultima series. We all thank you very much for these . I always love listening to these in the background while doing work. The help pass the time with ease listening to something great
Cheers LordHog, thank you for the super thanks! Glad I can help ease the work day for ya. Hope the boss doesn't chew you out for having earbuds in like mine did 🫡
@ I have been fortunate as no employer has had issues with me listening to anything while working. I am the type of person that can’t focus or work without some sort of background “thing” playing. I know most people don’t fit this category, but I certainly do. Again, thanks for all the great deep dive videos
Thank you for everything Majuular. You have no idea how mutch you helped me this year. Thank you.
I'm sick, I'll probably spend the last few hours of the year on my toilet seat...but at least Majuular is here to make these few hours entertaining.
Thank you sir !
If it makes you feel better I am sick myself rn. Feel better dude/lady/miscellaneous!
Hey, no shame, been there, done that lol. The universe likes to hit you with diarrhea and vomiting on holidays
Pro tip- calmoseptine or regular zinc oxide based diaper cream can do wonders to prevent or soothe the inevitable irritation… Good luck, get well soon.
Hey we have similar new years plans... except I'm not sick. I just like hanging out there.
Feel better soon!
Out with the bad, in with the good
Ultima Underworld was also the primary inspiration for Arx Fatalis, Arkane's debut game and one of the most criminally underrated titles of the early 00s
I really wish I could get further into that game but I always get stuck around the orc camp
they wanted to make Ultima Underworld 3 but EA went with "nah"
Yeah, watching this shows the influence it had on many future titles, like lands of lore. LoL3 was my fav.
Criminally underrated. I’d like a remaster or proper sequel
Shoulda been called Fart Analfist, really.
Dude's cranking out quality content faster than quality content is usually cranked out
Cranking out for the boys
I just want a world where we get Hbomberguy at 1/3 this rate. Thank god for majuular he’s single handedly holding the quality cap of videogame RUclips essays, these days it’s kinda dire out there
ill crank your content!
I literally caught up with the Ultima Retrospective series yesterday, so this was a welcome notification today to receive
I watched this intro so. many. times. as a kid. I had an umm...extended demo copy of the game and at the time, it was state of the art. Brought my PC to its knees and despite how horrific the voice acting is, it was mind blowing at the time. Seeing the full 3D engine at the time was a magical experience. Funny enough, I was such a weaksauce as a kid that I never got far in this because enemies suddenly appearing in the short draw distance and the music suddenly changing would jump scare me. 🤣 Also yeah, the mapping system was next level to anything else at the time and it's amazing how few games copied it.
I've oversaturated myself with video essays and am kind of jaded on the genre at the moment, but seeing a Majuular video in the sub box is the welcome exception.
Oh heeeeeeeell yeah, the best retrospective series on RUclips continues
59:30 this is why your channel is so great. This is EXACTLY the experience I had playing this as a pre-teen in the early 90s.
It's a foreboding feeling at the end of this video, knowing that what's coming next is so great, but then also knowing what's coming after.
Shoutout to Kikoskia here on RUclips for his fantastic old-school let's plays of Ultima Underworld 1+2.
These games are my favorite in the franchise for that reason, and im so excited for this video. Great way to start the new year!
+1
Ladies and gentlemen; quite possibly the best creator on the platform right here. Your laid-back, informative presentation never fails to enthral me, and this amount of content at such a high quality is insane, you're sincerely an inspiration. Wishing you nothing but the success you deserve.
Thank you for all the videos and coverage, Mr. Rodriguez. Ultima: Exodus for the nes was one of my earliest role playing game experiences, so the series has always had a special place in my heart, but having never been a pc gamer i mostly missed out on the ways in which ultima kept redefining the genre for a decade or more. This series of videos has been one of my favorite excursions to take the last however long it's been.
Not joke I had no idea the Ultima series had THIS much substance to it up until Ultima Underworld, which was the only game I knew about previously because it was always mentioned whenever Wolfenstein 3D's creation was discussed.
And I'm so glad it was these videos that taught me about them, simply with the sheer amount of passion and detail behind them
This is the single cleanest, most well put together reviews of a video game I have ever seen on the internet! You could put this on TV. Love your channel. Also I'm surprised nobody ever put together a TTRPG book based on the Ultima Franchise. I might have to make one myself or something.
Your output and quality are so amazing! Thank you so much for your stuff. I've never played an Ultima game in my life and yet I get as excited as a kid on christmas when I see a new one is up
This is an incredible New Years present Majuular, thanks so much and have a great New Year!
I am beyond overjoyed every time you upload dude, it's banger after banger
I've been watching your videos for quite a while now and I just have to say your Ultima retrospectives are foundational. I really enjoy all your other videos, too, but these videos deserve even more success than they already achieved. Thank you so much for introducing us to these games that most of us have only heard about in passing and giving it the repect they deserve.
I just rewatched the Worlds of Ultima video and wondered if the Underworld video was out. Went to your channel to see and saw it wasn't.
That was an hour ago...
Wasn't expecting this pleasant surprise today!
Cheers and Happy New Year, Maj!
This channel is the definition of "cosy". Thanks from the UK!
Fantastic way to end the year, here is to hoping 2025 goes even better for you Majuular. Thanks for all the quality content!
I discovered this channel sometime in the summer of 2023 and what once began as a cursory "oh this video seems cool" quickly became an instant watch for me. Your videos have been great, Mr. Majuular.
Perfect game to end 2024! This year I've watched all your videos but was specially looking forward to this one. Congratulations and happy new year!
Genuinely this is my favorite channel I've seen probably since RLM. I bought the whole Kings Field series because of you. And this is what I've been waiting for
Best new year present. Depth of these retrospectives are enigmatic and your understanding of the magnitude of these games makes it more enjoyable.
Thanks
Ayy thank you Zachery much appreciated!
NEW VIDEO DROPPED LETS GOOOO
seriously though I love your videos, you are just so relaxed and seem like a kind person which is weirdly refreshing in the old games and physical media collecting kind of spaces. Really glad you make the videos you do
I dont remember when I first subscribed to you, but I rediscovered your videos in my feed recently and have been binging your content over the past month or so. Excelent job on these. Top tier work in my opinion.
Thank you so much for making this video! I haven't seen any other Ultima Underworld videos that REALLY give it context, history, and reflection. There's no such thing as a truly "unbiased' review, but it's great that you come at this with the desire to explore a game and history and context.
"Books tell, movies show, and games involve" Love that.
Have also loved this Ultima retrospective. Was way too young to experience any of these, so it's fun learning about a titan I always heard about.
Thanks for the new year gift. Your content is so distinct from everyone else which always makes me come back. Here's to a great 2025!
Haha I initially read this as "Thanks for the new years grift" and thought I was in for the snarkiest comment of all time. Cheers and Happy New Year!
Seeing your video show up on my front page after a rough day at work was exactly the relief I needed tonight. Thank you for all you do!
Recently found your content, and absolutely love it man! Informative, hilarious, and well constructed. 10/10!
Thanks for these videos. As someone who grew up watching their siblings play the Ultima games, this was a real blast from the past.
Love your work
I still think it's funny that I knew Warren as a dude on a message board I used to frequent and I knew of Ultima Underworld but I didn't realize his connection to it until like 2009.
Nice dude.
No kidding, which message board are we talking?
Literally a gift, my dude. This channel is a must in the style of long-form game review, with context given to the actual literal people involved. Majical.
Finally, we get to the one I've heard the name of dozens of times before, and nothing more than a screenshot and a "but who cares about this one, Wolf 3D is what REALLY changed gaming" to elaborate on it.
This is probably a bit rambly, so TLDR: Majuular, thanks for doing what you do and showing these old games in a fair and detailed light.
It's so shocking how this game pulled off things that not even DOOM 2 did, makes all the early post-DOOM FPS games look even more shallow by comparison (not that there's anything wrong with a simple, fun shooter).
I was always curious as to why Ultima Underworld was so frequently pushed under the rug when discussing the true origins of FPS games, and now my questions have been answered: it was a dense, slow paced RPG that would punish you if you didn't consistently scribble down notes and pace your saves. Back in the day, I'm sure even I would've dropped Underworld to play the stripped down and more arcadey Wolf 3D.
It really did change the tastes of gamers of years to come, but it's not like that's a bad thing. We got the catalogs of Id Software and Valve from that shift, and complex RPGs clearly didn't die off because of Wolf 3D. If anything it probably made them a little more digestable and accesible in the long run.
I hope people read this far down, feels a bit lonely right now.
Your output is crazy, dude. Most of the people I watch who put out videos of this quality do one every 3 to 6 months, knocking out one of these every month is crazy. You are an absolute beast!
For 1992 this game looks incredible.
It's absolutely nuts when you consider what the average game looked like at the time
@@Majuular please don't take this the wrong way, but your videos have quickly become my favorite way to fall asleep. The cadence and timber of your voice is even, and you don't insert any loud random audio barks. Please keep up the good work!
Yep true 3d perspective gaming, for a videogame the atmosphere it gave off was truely a revelation for it's time
Found your video's COMPLETELY by random, I've spent all day listening to them like a podcast while playing PoE2. Really stellar detailed work, real industry history reporting.
Stopped FM (Pound)towning my Marty to watch this
Takin the Marty to pound town is a new years eve tradition!!
These great retrospectives should have their own blu-ray box set. Really good stuff.
Come on Mr. The Avatar! We need to explore the Ultima Underworld and find the Stygian Abyss so we can save Britannia!
What are we some sort of... Lord of Ultima?
I hope they add John Avatar to the next Super Smash Brothers
Maybe the real Ultima 5 Warriors of Destiny were the friends we made along the way
😩 no VA would've been an improvement, even for back in the day it was justBAD
This is the one I've been waiting for. UW1 was by far the most immersive game I'd played up to that time, and it established the formula for every first-person real-time single character RPG since.
1:16:26 Cornpop was one bad dude man
As a teen in 1992, starting the game the first time and SEEING the smooth movement I was awestruck! Goosebumps! What a time to be able to witness this milestone in game history and the unimaginable 3D tech that it presented for the first time. And as an RPG nerd the story and roleplaying was just the cherry on a cherry on top!
Thank you for the superb video and I am glad YT suggested this to me.
Who else is in the "clicked on the notification immediately" club?
👁️👁️
Yup
🫡
u got me, mate
Old man hype club
I don’t even care that much about the topic. I just LOVE the dedication to researching and making these deep dive videos. Awesome work as always man!
Today is a good day
Thank you for this amazing year of content! You really have become one of my favorite channels over the past couple of months. Can't wait to see more of your videos, but first, i will enjoy this one until the clock ticks over to a new year.
What a well done video showcasing an old game I loved! Really brought me back.
Man I think this is my favourite video of an already stacked series you've been doing so far. You're definitely one of the best analysts on this site.
i’ve yet to play Ultima but your videos honestly make me wanna go through them. for as big of an RPG fan & gaming history fan i am, i’m surprised i havent played these yet despite seeing so much of them. your series has inspired me to start them soon!
Amazing work as always dude. This is my favorite retrospective on the series by far.
This has become my favorite RUclips series. And much respect for putting out such high quality content at such a steady pace.
Another absolute gem!
Greetings from Brazil! These videos you make are a mix of documentary and a love letter to these games and the fantastic people who created them. Thank you very much and a happy new year to you and everyone you love.
Finding a channel that goes over so many of the games i grew up with is pretty nice. Well made, good humor. Keep it up, homie
Thank you for brightening this new year already Mr Longfinger, always amazed at how quickly you're able to pump out top tier retrospectives like this.
For the last months I've been doing a lot of planning and concept work for a first person RPG in Godot.
What I eventually settled on and starting to build this year is a lot like this game. Perfect moment to get an in-depth recap of Ultima Underworld and its design.
The passion in these has only ever showed just how groundbreaking they were. I even thought at one point " wow, I didn't even know they could of made that in '92." You've done a great job conveying those exact sentiments every time they are truly revolutionary. Maybe it's the similar taste and lines of thought, but I feel like I hear the difference in a little hyperbole based on true passion and when something really was a groundbreaking thing or a revolutionary leap or change. You do a brilliant job Maj, and your videos are some of the very few that I genuinely look forward and aren't just a random surprise I hadn't thought about in a while. Thank you for the effort, the passion, AND the hyperbole that reminds me I'm not the only one.
Yesss!! Figured you’d do both together after the next main ultima. So happy!
What Ive loved about your retrospectives is that you also provide a wider context for the games industry and the history of other series and companies, something a lot of other docs don’t do
It is time, at last. The first of two Ultima Duologies that I have been eagerly awaiting your retrospective on!
Honestly, it is really interesting looking back at Underworld after hearing of how many other games took such deep inspiration from it. Seeing the through-line that got us from here to Elden Ring is genuinely mind boggling.
Joined your page originally for the Kings Field video, immediately subscribed and love these Ultima retrospectives.
You're an amazing video maker, this Ultima retrospective saga is masterful in presentation
That’s another year in the books! It’s been an honor following your journey and seeing everything fall into place for you! Thank you for your hard work and I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for you! All the best to you and your loved ones!
The Grandia video can wait. 👌🏾
I played this game in my childhood and it was a surreal experience. Thank you so much for making this video
Best way to receive 2025.
Your channel was THE BEST one I found this year.
I love your style.
This ULTIMA series is the best retrospective on the series.
What a treat for the New Year. Another fantastic Majuular retrospective, another fantastic take on the Ultima series.
Discovering your channel is one of very few good things that came from the internet in 2024. Thanks for the high quality and high quantity of videos.
A nice little gift to help make a very bad Holiday season just a bit better. Extremely good job, Majuular!
Imagine my surprise when I was watching an Amiga documentary the other day and low and behold that's where the intro is from. Such a man of good tastes.
the perfect way to bring in the new year, a majuular video breaking down a game i never played.
Jesus Christ, this is the one! The retrospective I’ve been waiting for
I loved playing this game so much even though I fumbled my way through it. I was very young and didn't understand/appreciate much of the plot/lore and I played a pirated copy without a manual so had to figure out the spells by trial and error and making educated guesses over time. As you said, this game was so far ahead of its time and I have not yet experienced this kind of depth, atmosphere and adventure since. Your video has filled in so many blanks and I'm so tempted to replay it now with all this knowledge. Thanks so much for this incredible content about one of my all time top 5 games ever!