Ultima Underworld PS1 version gets re-translated

[rusty_shackleford]

A little known port of Ultima Underworld to the PS1 was released in 1997 in Japan only. The port featured 3D models, improved textures, and (debatable) better controls. You can now play the game in English instead of Japanaru.



https://www.romhacking.net/translations/7062/

[Vergil]

But why would you want to do that?

[rusty_shackleford]

But why would you want to do that?

Oddly enough, I think this would appeal to fans of Kings Field. And be interesting to people who like the original.

[Tweed]

Neato

[rusty_shackleford]

Does anyone know if the Windows Mobile version is different from the original DOS version?

[vurt]

Does anyone know if the Windows Mobile version is different from the original DOS version?

Yes, the Windows Mobile version of Ultima Underworld (released in 2006 for Pocket PCs and Windows Mobile devices) is different from the original 1992 DOS release in several ways. Here are the key differences:

1. Controls and Interface
The Windows Mobile version was adapted for touchscreen devices, with tap-based and stylus input replacing the mouse and keyboard controls of the original.
It features a simplified interface to make navigation and interaction more intuitive on a smaller screen.
2. Graphics
The graphics were slightly updated to fit the smaller screen resolution and aspect ratio of mobile devices.
While the core visual style was retained, textures and sprites were adjusted for better readability on mobile screens.
3. Performance Optimizations
The game was optimized to run on lower-powered Windows Mobile devices, which had significantly less processing power compared to desktop PCs of the 1990s.
4. Audio
Audio quality might be reduced to save space and accommodate the limited hardware of mobile devices.
Some sound effects and music may be simplified or re-encoded in a lower bitrate.
5. Content
The content, including story, levels, and gameplay, remains largely faithful to the original. However, some minor adjustments might have been made to accommodate the platform's limitations or enhance usability on mobile devices.
6. Gameplay Enhancements
There may be small tweaks to improve the overall experience for mobile users, such as rebalancing the difficulty or streamlining certain mechanics.
7. Hardware-Specific Features
The Windows Mobile version could utilize features like soft keys or hardware buttons on devices that supported them.
Despite these differences, the core gameplay and immersive experience of Ultima Underworld remain intact. The Windows Mobile version was a remarkable adaptation for its time, bringing one of the earliest 3D immersive RPGs to a handheld platform.

(chatGPT)

[vurt]

watched the video below yesterday (mostly in the background while doing other stuff, it's 2h+), rather fun watch... it really took me back playing this gem in the 90's, but UW2 was always my favorite.
I always hated how you couldn't move freely in the early dungeon crawlers, these games really changed gaming forever.

[Tweed]

The bigger takeaway from UU is the immersive simulation philosophy, something that most developers won't attempt and aren't capable of doing properly.

[vurt]

Yes, for sure..

U7 II and UUW2 are the 2 games i probably will always compare games to because to me they stood out so much from the rest, and often they still do, which is a total tragedy. I hate how Larian started of being super inspired by U7, and now they can't even be arsed to include basic day and night cycle for example, and they're seen like the best thing ever for immersive RPG's. What a decline.

[wndrbr]

A little known port of Ultima Underworld to the PS1 was released in 1997 in Japan only. The port featured 3D models, improved textures, and (debatable) better controls. You can now play the game in English instead of Japanaru.



https://www.romhacking.net/translations/7062/

new HUD looks sovless.

[rusty_shackleford]

(some, all, most?) of the differences have been documented
https://wiki.ultimacodex.com/wiki/Techn ... on_the_PSX

[Xenich]

Oh, lets play RTS games with a controller as well! Fun! And when I say fun, I mean... shoot me now!

[rusty_shackleford]

Oh, lets play RTS games with a controller as well! Fun!

Fancy a game of halo wars?

[Bertram_Tung]

I never knew this game had a ps1 port. Those 3d models look so janky compared to the beautiful sprites of the original.

[Xenich]

Oh, lets play RTS games with a controller as well! Fun!

Fancy a game of halo wars?

Never played that one, but every one I did play was like pulling teeth, but then this was a constant problem with controllers anyway.

Controller player: move move, click click, move move, move... up up, over over up, over down down, select, down, select, back back back exit.

K/mouse player: key, move, click, escape.

[rusty_shackleford]

A friend is messing around with this version so I translated the manual for him, which also involved finding a manual scan and assembling it.

japanese manual: https://f.rpghq.org/MxSx7ksLcIPZ.pdf?n=manual.pdf
AI translated manual: https://f.rpghq.org/bV4PdghHSx6f.pdf?n=manual_en.pdf

[rusty_shackleford]

Two CD audio tracks that are on the PS1 disc, I don't know if they play during the game. I suspect these might be high quality renditions of Ultima Underworld music, maybe?

[SpellSword]

(some, all, most?) of the differences have been documented
https://wiki.ultimacodex.com/wiki/Techn ... on_the_PSX

• The inventory bug from the early PC version is present in this version.
• Another new inventory bug is that sometimes when discarding an item from a container, all the rest of the items in that container will vanish from the game.
• Having Shak repair magic items turns them into regular items.

The floppy disk version of the game had a bug in the lower levels, known as the "inventory bug". It would strike at random when changing levels, screwing up the inventory which generally resulted in loss of vital items. The CD version fixes this bug, but it re-appeared in the PSX-port. A detailed reason follows, as the cause is the game engine.

That's not good.