toupz111: I like '' Openworld/non-linear '' overworld, Srsly i can't find any game to reach these masterpieces, old or not... Not even magic candle.. perhaps what i'm looking for doesn't exist? And for fuck sake don't say skyrim lol.
There is no game like Ultima 7. The only game that gives me at least similar vibes is Baldur's Gate 1:
- The massive, practically open world is just brillant and there is so much to explore. Yes, it's broken in segments, but every segment fits to the next and the overall experience is that of one single, organic world. That's why I still prefer BG1 to its otherwise much more refined second part.
- The game is very non-linear. While there is the linear main storyline you can explore and solve quests as you like. The city of Baldur's Gate is closed until the story allows it to open, but other than that there are no restrictions from the beginning of the game.
- It's party based and has some memorable characters.
- The environment and the NPCs feel realistic and living and there is much more reactivity to your actions than in most RPGs. Ok, there are no elaborated schedules like in UVII, but at least there is a clear difference between day and night. Guards help fighting against enemies and people call the guards if they catch you stealing or murdering. And if you're really evil, mercenaries will try to hunt you down wherever you go.
- The peaceful, rural atmosphere reminds me strongly on Ultima VII: Like in UVII you can just leisurly stroll over meadows, wander along the shores of the northern Sword Coast, walk in the lonely forests and remote woods. Like in UVII there is the feeling of a breathing, living nature around you and like in UVII not everything is hostile: There are birds, squirels, cows and other animals that have no gameplay value but are there purely for the sake of atmosphere. The weather has no impact on gameplay but it further enhances the atmospheric experience.
The main differences for me are in the writing (BG1 tells a good story with interesting twists but it doesn't tell so many side stories as Ultima VII does) and in the combat system (BG1 has a properly working, party based combat system with much room for experimentation and tactics). These two games are my favourite RPGs.