Ultima IX: Ascension

Ultima IX: Ascension is a 1999 computer role-playing game developed by Origin Systems and published by Electronic Arts for Windows 95/98. It is the ninth main installment in the long-running Ultima series and the final chapter of the Age of Armageddon saga. The game renders Britannia in full 3D for the first time, using a third-person perspective as the Avatar returns to a world corrupted by the Guardian. The story intertwines the eight Virtues, moral choices, and a vast open world filled with towns, dungeons, and wilderness. Gameplay combines real-time combat with five weapon categories and a deep magic system where spells are bound into a spellbook through ritualistic steps. The inventory is organized into a toolbelt for quick access, and the journal handles saving, quest notes, and character statistics. Despite a troubled release marred by severe performance issues and high system requirements, Ascension is noted for its detailed world, atmospheric sound and music, and an uncommon emphasis on conscience and consequence. A special Dragon Edition included cloth map, tarot cards, ankh pendant, soundtrack CD, and the entire series on one disc.