Ultima: Runes of Virtue II
| Ultima: Runes of Virtue II | |
|---|---|
 Game Boy version cover | |
| Developer(s) | Origin Systems |
| Publisher(s) |
|
| Series | Ultima |
| Platform(s) | Game Boy, SNES |
| Release | Game Boy SNES |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
Ultima: Runes of Virtue II is a 1993 video game developed by Origin Systems for the Game Boy and Super Nintendo Entertainment System and published by Pony Canyon and FCI. The game is the sequel to the 1991 Game Boy title of the same name and the second Ultima game to be released on a handheld console. Upon release, the game received average reviews, with critics praising the additions, including new animations, larger scope, and cutscenes, as an improvement to the previous game, but found the visual presentation of the game to be lacking.
Gameplay
[edit]
Runes of Virtue II is a role-playing game in which players are summoned by Lord British through a moongate and tasked to rescue Lord Tholden, the mayor of Britain, and other characters, who have been kidnapped by the Black Knight.[1] Players explore the land of Britannia to fight monsters and solve puzzles in caverns and dungeons throughout the world. Puzzles are completed by interacting with objects in the dungeon, including hitting switches, moving objects, or defeating monsters.[2][3] Players select one of four characters: the ranger Shamino, the mage Mariah, the bard Iolo and the soldier Dupre.[4][3] They engage in combat with enemies by using weapons in their hand, which can be changed using the inventory screen, and new weapons are collected throughout the game. Some items are magic items, conferring special abilities, such as restoring health, moving faster, or walking through walls, at the cost of points to the player's magic meter.[1] The Game Boy version of the game features two-player multiplayer using the Game Link Cable.[2]
Reception
[edit]| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Game Informer | 7.5/10[4] |
| GamePro | 3.5/5[2] |
| Nintendo Power | 3.5/5[5] |
Runes of Virtue II received average reviews upon release. Reviewers for Game Informer praised the game as a "brilliant use of the Game Boy in a fantasy role-play" due to the game's choices and gameplay options, animated sequences, and the "variety of objects and characters".[4] Describing the game as "bigger and better" than its predecessor, Nintendo Power praised its "involving" [sic] gameplay, cutscenes and save system, but expressed that it featured "small and confusing" graphics and was a "very complex game that isn't for everyone".[5] Reviewing the SNES version, the publication praised the game's "good depth", "interesting story", and conveyance of a "good feeling of exploring a vast world", although critiquing the game's "awkward" overhead perspective.[6] Nintedo Life praised the game for being "much larger in scope" due to the "larger, more challenging dungeons", multiplayer options, explorable settlements, although stated the game "looks rather rough and feels a little out of place when compared to the best Japanese examples of the genre".[7] GamePro highlighted the game's combination of role-playing and "solid" puzzle mechanics as an improvement on the previous game, but found the game "doesn't play particularly fast", stating "the graphics are shrimpy and the music and sound effects are repetitive".[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Ultima: Runes of Virtue II - Instruction Booklet. Fujisankei Communications International. 1993.
- ^ a b c d The Wizard of Awe (February 1994). "Ultima: Runes of Virtue II". GamePro. No. 55. p. 142.
- ^ a b "Ultima: Runes of Virtue II". Nintendo Power. No. 54. November 1993. pp. 70–73.
- ^ a b c "Ultima: Runes of Virtue II". GameInformer. No. 13. November–December 1993. p. 28.
- ^ a b "Now Playing". Nintendo Power. No. 54. November 1993. p. 106.
- ^ "Ultima: Runes of Virtue II". Nintendo Power. No. 65. October 1994. p. 105.
- ^ McFerran, Damien; Cartwright, Jon (25 January 2024). "Best Game Boy / Game Boy Color RPGs". Nintendo Life. Nintendo Life. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
