Ultima 7: Forge of Virtue by Origin Systems
Reviewed by Adam Pletcher
 
Requirements:
 
  o Ultima VII: The Black Gate
  o IBM 100% compatible 386/25 (BARE minimum) or higher
  o 2 megs of RAM (4+ recommended)
  o 2-3 more megs of HD space (bringing grand total to around 24 megs)
  o VGA compatible graphics adapter
  o MS-DOS 3.3 or above
  o SoundBlaster, Roland sound support
 
NOTE:  While FORGE contains the latest 3.4 update for ULTIMA VII, it 
apparently DOES NOT fix the now famous "vanishing key" bug.  Amazing, 
huh?  But fortunately there's another free-floating patch available 
through FTP sites (and from me, if you'd like it emailed to ya).
 
:: PREMISE ::
 
Claiming to be the gaming industry's first "add-in" game, FORGE OF
VIRTUE allows players to expand the ULTIMA VII Britannian world to reach
new lands and wonders.  Being able to jump in and out from the regular 
Black Gate plotline into the new plots of Forge offers new challenges
for those wanting a break from chasing Elizabeth and Abraham all over
creation.
 
The story is this:  the ancient Isle of Fire, long since lost beneath 
the waves, mysteriously reappearing after a series of earthquakes.  
The ever-present Lord British informs you that the Isle of Fire was 
initially the home of the three principle Shrines of Love, Courage, 
and Truth, created solely for the Avatar's further enlightenment in 
the ways of Virtue.  He explains that the Isle sank into the sea soon 
after the Shrines' completion, and was presumed lost. Until now.  A 
great magical force has raised the Isle of Fire from its grave... 
and guess who gets to investigate?
 
:: GAME PLAY ::
 
After boarding a ship bound for the mystical Isle, you soon discover the
Castle of Fire where you banished Exodus ages ago (Ultima III for those
interested), and a slightly loony mage that apparently summoned the Isle
up from the depths.  While the mage's motives remain suspicious at best,
you are soon confronted with the three Tests of Virtue.  The tests range
in difficulty from very easy to very difficult, and are said to be 
designed to further boost your characters' abilities before the 
much awaited ULTIMA VII: PART 2, due sometime near year's end.  
 
Midway through your quests in the three Tests, you are given the 
opportunity to forge the great Shadesword (also known as the Blackrock
sword, greatly hinted at in other areas corners of the land).  This
sword is beyond any other magic item in the game (yes, even that damned
Hoe!), and gives the Avatar unmatched powers.  Of course, it isn't all
roses... without offering up too many spoilers, I'll just say the
end result is somewhat reminiscent of Michael Moorcock's ever-doomed
Elric and his ego-sword Stormbringer.
 
:: SIGHTS & SOUNDS ::
 
FORGE OF VIRTUE offers a few new bells and whistles for those of you
wanting something new in the land, but is mostly more of the same.
While I kept hoping the Guardian would take interest and make a few
new digitized comments, I remained disappointed with the lack of new
effects and sounds.  Even at the game's climax, we are offered nothing
resembling the breathtaking cinematic sequence at the culmination of
the Black Gate plotline.  Strangely enough, neither did I see any
vague appearance of the two preview scenes Origin gave us for
Game Bytes #4...hmmm.  
 
:: SUMMARY ::
 
While I was slightly disappointed with FORGE OF VIRTUE's brevity and lack
of new whiz-bangs, it serves its purpose.  It's $20-$25 retail price may
seem a few buckazoids high for some, but for others, it's a welcome
stepping stone on the way to what's bound to be bigger and better
things from Origin.    
 
FORGE OF VIRTUE's overall rating:  >> 3 << out of 5
                                                   
This review is Copyright (C) 1992 by Adam Pletcher.  All rights reserved.