So, I've pretty much never dabbled in the Ultima series before deciding to blindly dive into the infamous train wreck known as Ultima IX.
This means I know nothing about the frankly ridiculous amount of plot holes, retcons and fanbase-insulting moments, and I can judge this game based on what it truly, honestly is: a clunky, horrible RPG with the most unwieldy controls I've ever seen that's about as satisfying as taking a cheese grater to your sack.
Look, I don't care when this game was released - Half Life was released the year before this. Do the controls of Half Life feel like you're trying to walk without any kneecaps? No. It's horrendous. It was horrendous at the time, it's still horrendous, and it will forever be horrendous.