Ultima V returns in free mod demo

Not since Ultima IX's much-criticized appearance in 1999 has Lord British appeared in a new single-player game, but that's not stopping ambitious mod teams from remaking their favorite Ultima adventures. While an Ultima IV remake was released in 2002 with 2D graphics similar to the original 1985 game, the just-released Ultima V: Lazarus demo provides a peek at what modern graphics and audio can do for the classic RPG.

Based on Dungeon Siege, Ultima V: Lazarus features only a portion of the gameworld in the current alpha demo. While the mod aims to eventually feature the entire game with custom artwork, expanded dialog, and remastered sound, just a corner of Britannia is available in the demo version--Verity Isle. Yet, the demo does promise encounters with monsters and wizards in this region near the magician's city of Moonglow and the Lycaeum.

To try the Dungeon Siege mod out now, download it from GameSpot DLX.