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Produced by: Max Breedon
Website: EUO
Releases:
* EUO Installer (3.34 MB)
* Patcher Update (use only if needed) (99.65 KB)
* Launcher (Client Configurator) (24.68 KB)
* Map Editor (158.8 KB)
* 3D Client (250.19 KB)
Borrowing a fair bit from other RPGs, EUO is intended to be a real-time, single/multi-player, persistent-world RPG…one that looks and plays much like Ultima 4 or Ultima 5. The project site proudly proclaims that those looking for mouse support and Diablo 3-style graphics should seek their fix elsewhere.
EUO uses a Ultima Online-like skill system, without player classes. Combat is based on dice rolling like in Neverwinter Nights (and with more Ultima Online influences, apparently). Although the original EUO did feature a U4-like tileset, the current iteration is completely original (although most monsters and traps will be familiar to Ultima 5 fans). Spells can be cast using either the Ultima 5 runes, or through a simpler list for the less-than-Ultima-proficient.
Also, the game now incorporates the LUA scripting language, meaning that the player can influence the dungeons to a greater degree through certain key actions. Leveling is done at shrines, with stats being upgraded along the same lines as happened in Ultima 6.
The game features over 100 NPCs and over 50 quests, with more being added all the time. And now, a 3D client is even available!
September 18th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Just to correct this: although the original EUO did use Josh’s U4 tiles, the current tile set is completely original. However, most monsters and tiles are based in the Ultima V canon (sand traps and so on, and you’ll recognise your reflection in the mirror!).
The ‘classes’ are based on fighter / mage / rogue skills: each skill is governed by one of these, and a player can only have 125% total. To make this clearer - fighter specials (bash, cleave, and so on) require a 90 skill in a weapon, meaning you’d raise your fighter percent to 90 if you trained this skill. Thus, if you wanted to use sixth circle spells as well, you’d find you couldn’t, as these require 60 in magery skills (magery, sorcery, piety). All in all, EUO has a lot of skills - ranging from the usual fighting ones to enchanting, animal taming, tinkering and so forth, however, players can tailor their characters to their own wishes to a large extent.
All the spells can be cast using the Ultima V runes, or for the non-Ultima fans, through a simpler list. The dungeons, of which there are over 30, are player made and with 1.2.0 going live, now incorporate the LUA scripting language - meaning that like in Ultima V (where you could zap rocks with your magic axes) you can now influence the dungeons through switches, puzzles and spawned monsters Although, yes, there are a couple of randomised dungeons on top of these as well!
There are also over 100 custom-written NPCs, and over 50 quests with more being added all the time. Leveling is done by meditating at the Shrines, which use a variant of the Ultima VI method - for example, the Shrine of Valor gives +6 strength, and the Shrine of Spirituality +2 to all stats.
All in all, if you loved Ultima V, EUO is well worth a look - nostalgia mixed in with quirky nethack nods and a designer whose doing rather smart things behind the now archaic front end!
February 4th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
[...] installation instructions are available at the EUO forums, and the downloads are mirrored through the project entry here at [...]
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
[...] installation instructions are available at the EUO forums, and the downloads are mirrored through the project entry here at [...]
March 4th, 2008 at 11:15 am
[...] 0.14, fixing a bug with window minimization. Updated versions of the download are available through the project entry here at [...]
May 8th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
[...] the 3D client for EUO has been updated, and can be downloaded either the project website or via the project entry here at [...]