Ultima VII mods/remakes/etc

[hal900x]

I have not played VII since the early 90's when it came out, so I think it's about time to give it another spin. I'm wondering what kind of overhaul/remake/mods are out there, and whether or not they suck. From the bit of research I've done, sounds like it's tricky to run on any non-DOS system. Is that the only point of Exult? Is Exult the exact same game, graphically and otherwise, just ported to Windows? And if so, are there any graphic overhauls out? I saw some hints at a graphical overhaul here and there.

Just tell me everything.

 

[KKKthulhu.]

You play a Renaissance fair Fabio.

 

[hal900x]

You play a Renaissance fair Fabio.

Ok, maybe not everything.

 

[Silellak]

I have not played VII since the early 90's when it came out, so I think it's about time to give it another spin. I'm wondering what kind of overhaul/remake/mods are out there, and whether or not they suck. From the bit of research I've done, sounds like it's tricky to run on any non-DOS system. Is that the only point of Exult? Is Exult the exact same game, graphically and otherwise, just ported to Windows? And if so, are there any graphic overhauls out? I saw some hints at a graphical overhaul here and there.

Just tell me everything.

Exult is the same game, with resolution enhancements and a few minor gameplay improvements such as RTwP combat.

This is really all you need. I saw screenshots an Ultima 7 remake in NWN1 that made my eyes bleed, so I would actively avoid that if at all possible.

 

[hal900x]

Exult is the same game, with resolution enhancements and a few major gameplay flaws such as RTwP combat.

fixed. Does it still offer TB combat as an option?

 

[Silellak]

I can't find any remaining screenshots of the Ultima 7-in-NWN abortion, but allow me to torture you with shitty screenshots of Ultima 4 and Ultima 8 in NWN:

REPENT

AND

SUFFER

Trust me, the last thing you want is Ultima 7 forced into some shitty 3D engine. I can't think of a single modern engine I'd prefer to play Ultima 7 in, the same way I wouldn't want to see a 3D remake of an Infinity Engine game. Some games are just better in 2D and need, at the most, resolution-enhancing mods.

 

[Silellak]

Exult is the same game, with resolution enhancements and a few major gameplay flaws such as RTwP combat.

fixed. Does it still offer TB combat as an option?

Ultima 7 was never turn-based. Have you played the original? The combat was terrible. Anything is an improvement over that - yes, even RTwP.

The entire combat game boiled down to "enter combat mode, watch your party run around like a bunch of fucking retards, and hope none of them are dead when the combat music has stopped playing."

From the Exult documentation:

6.6. Combat Options

As many people think that the U7 combat engine is far too easy, too hard or just can't stand the real-time-combat Jeff put in some options to make combat more interesting.

Difficulty
Ranges from Easiest (-3) to Hardest (3). It affects the chance of a hit, and the HP's lost if a hit occurs.

ShowHits
With this enabled you can see the hitpoints of NPCs in brackets after their name when you left-click on them.

Mode
choose between Original and SpacePauses. SpacePauses gives you a little more control of combat. When you hit space the game pauses and you can direct a party member by right-clicking, then clicking on a target to attack. Or change weapons, choose a favourite spell.

Also, for the record, regarding graphics:

4. Video

4.1. Resolution
By default Exult runs at 320x200 (which is the resolution the original Ultima VII used). Exult can use different scaling engines to double the size to 640x400 and increase the quality of the graphics.

Using higher resolutions is considered cheating as you can see too much of the surrounding area. Since the game was designed to be played at a specific size, this can actually lead to plot-stopping problems; hence we will not fix any problem caused by your cheating! Don't say we didn't warn you
Actually being able to play in higher resolutions is one of the big advantages of Exult but as mentioned above it comes with a price.

Within the game you can use the 'Alt +' and 'Alt -' to switch resolution..


4.2. Scaler
The scalers also work with higher resolutions than 320x200. To change the scaling method either use the Exult menu or change your exult.cfg - see 2.2..

Scale2x by Andrea Mazzoleni. This is a non-blurring scaler that looks good without soaking up a lot of CPU sycles. Get more information on this scaler at http://scale2x.sf.net.
SuperEagle by Derek Liauw. Only 2x.
Super2xSai by Derek Liauw. Only 2x.
2xSaI by Derek Liauw. Only 2x.
BilinearPlus same as Bilinear and it may even be a bit faster..
Bilinear bilinear interpolation to smooth the result. Slower, but looks better. Only 2x.
Point simple but very fast scaler. Only duplicates pixels, no fancy interpolation. Can be used for arbitrary integer scales (2x, 3x, 4x...).
Interlaced identical to point except that it skips every other line to be even faster
The scalers by Derek Liauw are slower but look much better. Try out yourself which one you like most.

More information on the excellent scaling engines by Derek Liauw is available at http://elektron.its.tudelft.nl/~dalikifa/.

 

[hal900x]

Thanks guys. I wasn't thinking 3D when I mentioned graphical improvements. I was thinking along the lines of sharpening up the existing 2D stuff. I'll just be happy with one of those scalers. As for the combat, yeah, I played it 15 years ago, but have almost no memory of it. Just assumed it was turn based.

 

[hal900x]

Go with vanilla Exult, or are any of the post-1.2 mods mandatory?

 

[Unkillable Cat]

There is a mod for U7 in Exult called the Keyring Mod. It adds in some of Serpent Isle's "ease-of-use" additions to the interface, as well as fixing some bugs and glitches in U7.

It also adds a whole new area and NPCs. I tried playing it once, but the first character (standing outside Lord British's castle) just didn't feel right somehow.

There's another similar mod by the same guy for Serpent Isle.

 

[SCO]

Play all the episodes VII & forge of virtue & VII part 2 & silver seed.

 

[Silellak]

Honestly, just play the SNES version on your favorite emulator. It's basically the same game.

Hells yeah. All good games have heart meters and key counters. I just hope the Avatar can stop Ganon in time.

 

[Jaesun]

I have not played VII since the early 90's when it came out, so I think it's about time to give it another spin. I'm wondering what kind of overhaul/remake/mods are out there, and whether or not they suck. From the bit of research I've done, sounds like it's tricky to run on any non-DOS system. Is that the only point of Exult? Is Exult the exact same game, graphically and otherwise, just ported to Windows? And if so, are there any graphic overhauls out? I saw some hints at a graphical overhaul here and there.

Just tell me everything.

1. D/l the Exult 1.4.x Snapshots latest at http://exult.sourceforge.net/download.php

They say they are (unstable) but they run just fine. Mr. Marzo Torres fixes things to it almost daily. I've finished VII and Part II just fine with them (and they add better MOD support).

Load up and play!

(OPTIONAL and you MUST be using the 1.4x snapshot!) Go to http://www.seventowers.org/downloads.php?section=0 and d/l the Black Gate Keyring & Serpent Isle Fixes & Avatar Pack.

The Black Gate Keyring mod add a keyring (like in Part II) but requires you finish a quest to obtain it (it is VERY well done), just note the final battle for it is TOUGH. The SI Fixes fix a bunch of bugs, and the Avatar pack was kind of cool (your mileage may vary).

(OPTIONAL II) From the http://exult.sourceforge.net/download.php page under the "Additional Data files (not required)" d/l the Sound pack for Black Gate (Roland MT-32), Sound pack for Serpent Isle (Roland MT-32), Ogg encoded Music files for Exult Part 1, Ogg encoded Music files for Exult Part 2, Zaurus SI sfx package, and Zaurus BG sfx package (follow the install instructions, it's not rocket science!) and enjoy the game in all it's awesome Roland MT-32 goodness!

Now re-live your awesome Ultima VII in all it's glory, and shed a tear knowing all the modern day RPG's are pure shit compared to this.

 

[Jasede]

Exult is all you need. Who needs a keyring mod for Black Gate anyway? Exult adds a hotkey that'll try every key you have on any given door, keyring or not.

It'd get the soundpacks, though.

Also, if you only have time for one game, make it U7-2.

 

[Jaesun]

Exult is all you need. Who needs a keyring mod for Black Gate anyway? Exult adds a hotkey that'll try every key you have on any given door, keyring or not.

Try the quest some time faggot. It was done very well. And YES, you don't have to, it already add this functionality, but it is a well done addition to the game.

It'd get the soundpacks, though.

Also, if you only have time for one game, make it U7-2.

Agreed.

 

[hal900x]

In the documentation, some of those soundpacks are listed as only working with earlier versions, like the Oggs with 1.1. Is that just because the faq is old?

 

[Jaesun]

In the documentation, some of those soundpacks are listed as only working with earlier versions, like the Oggs with 1.1. Is that just because the faq is old?

Yes the FAQ is old. They are working on updating it (with the release of the 1.4X version).

 

[Jasede]

faggot

no u

Did you see what I did there!?!?

 

[hal900x]

Holyshit...the intro, with the map and the orb, next to the PC? I had the deluxe box set, which had that map and that "orb" included. Wow. Memories.

 

[Ammar]

Holyshit...the intro, with the map and the orb, next to the PC? I had the deluxe box set, which had that map and that "orb" included. Wow. Memories.

The funny thing is that the Avatar still manages to forget his orb, even though it's right next to his monitor.

 

[hal900x]

In a way, I'm glad I have a lousy long term memory. I've played all the greats, I think every Ultima game, even the crappy ones. But I remember very little, so this will all be new to me.

On a technical bent: I have a very large monitor (50" plasma) at 1920x1080. I also play some games on my laptop (15", also 1920x1080, LOL tiny fonts), but the scaling on most laptops is lousy, and mine isn't much better. Anyway, any input on the best resolution + scaler combo? I am NOT a purist when it comes to enhancing the graphics. However, I don't want to display so much of the screen that I break the intended plot mechanics. Right now I'm at 640x480 and running the OpenGL scaler at 2X. It's a pretty good compromise, I guess. I know visuals are subjective but I'd like your opinions.

About 20 edits later: don't mess with OpenGL. Not ready for prime time. I thought messing with the sound packs was giving me trouble, but it was the scaler.

 

[Ammar]

I was always rather happy with hq3x.

 

[hal900x]

I was always rather happy with hq3x.

Yeah, OpenGL is just the only high-end scaler that does >3x. If you want to use it, you have to remember to just set it back to a different scaler before you quit your game. Otherwise you'll find yourself editing the .CFG for the same purpose, as having OpenGL enabled when you load a game will cause the crash. But with my screen and viewing distance, I settled on 400x300 using HQ3X and it looks pretty good while still being able to read the text and see smaller objects. Any higher resolution than that on my screen and I'm pixel hunting.

 

[MetalCraze]

If only somebody made graphical enhancement for U7 that changes perspective. Original one was always a show stopper for me and gives me nausea.

 

[Kingston]

Hohoho, Skyway, the graphics whore!