DosBox loads U4 just fine, but then when I get to the start screen I can't use my arrow keys or enter key to select any Options. The manual was no help, either.

[edit] just to clarify, when I hit a key, I get a beep & a very brief pause, so I know the keys are registering with the game, the game just seems to not like my choice of keys.

Just press the key corresponding to the first letter of the menu option.

D'oh! I should've thought of that! I've been gaming since the days when hitting the first letter to choose an option was the norm!

Once you get to Ultima VI you'll finally get mouse driven menus.

:)

That's IF I get to U6. I never played any of the Ultimas back in the 80s, so I don't even know if I'm gonna like it or not. I was a Might & Magic player back then & I was too stubborn to learn another game system. But being that I got U4 as a freebie, I thought I'd try it.

Thanks for your help. :-)

If four isn't to your liking, still give V and VI a chance. I really loved V, but haven't been able to play through IV or VI. You don't need to play through them in order or completely to enjoy them on their own. The manuals to V and VI will give you the backstory you need, and the mantras and basic map layout stay the same.

There's a small benefit to playing them in order - in V and VI you can import your (hopefully maxed-out) character from the previous game to get a nice boost to starting stats.

I found IV a bit tough and unforgiving: you really need to talk to everyone and take good notes, or you can miss one of the dozen or so crucial tips that you need to finish the game.

I found V to have a more interesting plot, and more accessible graphics and controls. It also helps that 90+% of the NPCs have something useful to say, compared to maybe 20% of the NPCs in IV.

VI is a big leap forward technologically, but some of the 'improvements' also made it a bit less streamlined to play: Spells don't require mixing in advance anymore but, infuriatingly, can only be cast when you equip your spellbook; and inventory management is now a real pain because of weight limits and individual icons for items instead of a list. The game is bigger, longer, and has a better plot but I think I still prefer V.