Deserves a place in top ten games of all times. Truly Classic.
In 1991 and then in 1992, a very different than the traditional top down Ultima RPGs were developed termed as Ultima Underworld. Set in the same Britannia world and using same well-known characters, they were probably the first ever truly first person RPGs. Although many compared them with the games like Spear of Destiny and Wolfstein 3D, which were one of the first 3rd person shooter at that time, the comparisons ended there. Both games were far ahead of their time, more 3D than all other similar games (you could duck, jump, levitate, and even fly using magic of course), with a story line that was and probably is by far the most interesting and well gripping even when compared to the modern day RPGs like Morrowind and Oblivion. The graphics engine was great, the control system was really well-done and overall this game scored extremely well with reviewers and gamers alike. Ultima Underworld 2 actually takes you out of Britannia (though you come back occasionally), and forces you to wonder around in 8 completely different yet very coherent worlds. You see the castle Britannia is now completely surrounded by this black impenetrable black wall erected by your old "friend" the Guardian and there is a large orb sitting on some underground level. It is prism like and has many sides. When you touch a certain side, it teleports you to a strange world, full of very memorable characters, settings and foes. It could range anything from fighting in Earth or Fire Arenas to solve the conflicts in some magical world. It even takes you to a future world where you have to deal with Alien like creatures. The idea is to eradicate the corruption of those worlds that is mainly caused by that not-so-friendly Mr guardian your fella. Not a single world was illogical or not interesting enough at the least (slipping all around the ice world while Yetis are on your trails couldn't be more fun). But the question now is that have these games stood the test of time? I played these games almost thirteen years ago in 1994 and last year played and finished UU2 for the fourth time at least, I can honestly say that no RPG came even closer (except perhaps Oblivion which surpasses them in many ways especially scope and graphics). But the extremely high level of standards set by these two games is what really matters. Like others I do not normally want to play bad looking games on the latest nVidia cards, and if graphics are you highest priorities, I do not advice you to play these games. But if gameplay, story, plot development, character development, and the idea of visiting new and diverse worlds is what you normally look for in RPGs, I strongly recommend giving these games, especially UU2 a try.
I rated UU1 92% and UU2 98% in 1994 (I didn't have the sound blaster to listen to the excellent music). They are still among my top ten games of all time.