Larian CEO Swen Vincke is obsessive about Ultima 7. You will discover its DNA—the numerous bizarre methods, the chances for emergent gameplay, and the superbly stackable crates—throughout Larian’s whole catalogue, and particularly in Baldur’s Gate 3. Vincke says he is “been chasing it ever since” it got here out again within the ’90s, and but he hasn’t been again and performed the sport in simply as lengthy.
In a chat with PC Gamer at this yr’s GDC, Vincke mentioned he is loath to return to classics like Ultima 7 “as a result of I’ve performed outdated video games earlier than that I assumed I used to be nonetheless going to like… I do not wish to do it once more, as a result of I am fairly certain it’s going to haven’t aged very properly.
“I do not wish to destroy that feeling, my reminiscence of it is rather fond,” added Vincke, earlier than dishing out with the nostalgia and confessing “It had a shit fight system. It was actually dangerous”.
Which is not an unfair criticism. Like many RPGs of yore, Ultima 7’s fight was a dense and awkward factor that is solely obtained more durable to deal with as recreation design has progressed. As an incorrigible lover of the Planescapes, Alpha Protocols, and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines(es) of the world, I can empathise with Vincke’s affection for a basic recreation that may really feel like a chore to play within the yr of our Lord 2024.
In addition to, Vincke tries to protect all the most effective components of Ultima 7 in Larian’s personal video games. “It had such a superb sense of exploration, and a way of wealth and freedom, and that is the bit I have been chasing ever since.
“It was so nice, in that sense. You possibly can fly, you can make your individual air balloon. You possibly can make a raft. There’s a complete bunch of issues that for a very long time you could not see in different video games all put collectively in there… To my thoughts it is nonetheless an unbelievable achievement from a growth viewpoint.”
However achievement or not, it is a robust one to play as of late. Not simply when it comes to its design, both: Vincke talked about to PCG that “your greatest wager” of working the sport as of late is to “really purchase an outdated pc”. In order golden as Vincke’s recollections are, “I do not play it once more, as a result of I do not wish to spoil the reminiscence.”
