So I'm interested in the series but the games look arcaic and difficult to get into, any tip?

Other tan: get used to it, it's worth it, you mean? ;-)

Start with Ultima 7: it's not too archaic in terms of graphics and controls and features the whole set of stuff that makes these games the outstanding and special gems they are.

Consider to install "UltimaHacks" before giving it a go, it makes some of the most tedious control movements (such as feeding your companions) easier and more comfortable.

And one last tip: try things (e.g. baking bread), you will be amazed what was made possible in a game so old

John

thanks

It really depends on who you ask, I guess.

The Ultima 7 games are one of my favourite games of all time, so I'd recommend them to everyone, but at the same time there are people who really dislike them. They are, in my opinion, very easy to get into though.
Meanwhile I had problems getting into Ultima 6 for various reasons, and Ultima Underworld 1 and 2 due to their poor controls, while there's plenty of people who love these games.

I'd avoid Ultima 9; I'm willing to bet people are generally unanimous in saying that this game was and still is a very bad product. Continuity is ruined, gameplay is bad, and it's riddled with bugs and crashes.
Ultima 8 is also not really good, I'm afraid. It is a serious step down from Ultima 7. I do like the setting/atmosphere, but there's a lot wrong with it due to it being a rushed release. And at times it feels like a bird's eye view platformer.

I've not played Ultima 1 through 5.

I have a similar question.

I've never played any of the Ultima games. I like old games, but I find that some games (new and old) take more free time than I have to finish, because of how hard they are to beat or something of the like. So I'd rather play the best than a lot of mediocre games. I know Ultima is a staple in the fantasy/RPG genre, so I got the Ultima 4+5+6 bundle as well as "Ultima Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams", since I like the sci-fi twist. I heard the Richard Garriott "cassette" interview and found myself more interested in the later, more complex, story and character-rich Ultima games rather than the simpler, earlier ones.

So, if you had to pick one Ultima game, out of any of them, which one would you play and why?

Ultima 5. Has the best combat, and I much prefer the UI, top down view, and crisp and more cartoony graphics to that of U 6-7.
Ultima 4 is the most novel game, but suffers from overly simplistic and slow combat coupled with excessive random encounter frequency.

Honestly, I think I like Ultima 6's combat better than Ultima 5.

(In any case, either is better than the garbage that Ultima 7's combat was. With that said, the Ultima series has really never had good combat.)