Ultima 5 Warriors of Destiny

Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny - the 1988 role-playing adventure for
Commodore 64 from Origin Systems.

Return to Britannia to rescue Lord British and challenge the corrupt
regime of Lord Blackthorn, whose twisted rule perverts the Eight
Virtues into tyranny.

Core loop
- explore towns, castles, and wilderness for allies and clues
- engage in turn-based tactical battles on detailed maps
- converse with NPCs using keyword dialogue to uncover quests
- descend into dungeons and seek the Codex to free Britannia

Systems and items
- full day/night cycle - affects NPC schedules and visibility
- morality and choices - actions influence reputation and dialogue
- party of six - each with stats, inventory, and combat roles
- sailing and moongates - travel faster and reach hidden lands
- musical instruments and tools - solve puzzles or open new paths

Level design and feel
Expansive tile world with living towns that feel truly inhabited.
Dungeons, castles, and wilderness blend seamlessly with the moral depth
of dialogue-driven exploration and strategic combat.

Why it is notable
- advanced simulation and narrative complexity for 8-bit hardware
- closing chapter of the Commodore 64 Ultima saga
- praised for atmospheric day/night transitions and ethical themes

Tips
- travel by day; monsters are stronger and more numerous at night
- talk to everyone—keywords often appear in casual dialogue
- stock torches and reagents before deep dungeon runs

At a glance
Year - 1988
Developer - Origin Systems
Design and programming - Richard Garriott (Lord British)
Graphics - Denis Loubet
Music - Kenneth W. Arnold
Publisher - Origin Systems
Genre - Role-playing adventure
Players - 1
Controls - Keyboard - optional joystick in port 2 for movement