Ultima - Runes of Virtue II (GB)

In Ultima - Runes of Virtue II, players assume the role of the Avatar, Britannia's valiant hero, in a top-down action RPG adventure. The primary objective of the game is to reassemble the eight lost Runes of Virtue and defeat the nefarious Black Knight, who threatens the kingdom's peace.

Gameplay revolves around exploring various towns, the expansive overworld, and especially the perilous dungeons. Each dungeon is a multi-level maze teeming with monsters, traps, and environmental puzzles that need to be solved. Players control the Avatar in real-time, engaging enemies in direct combat.

The combat system is straightforward yet effective. Players can wield a variety of melee weapons such as swords and axes, or ranged weapons like bows. Furthermore, magic plays a crucial role, allowing the Avatar to cast offensive, defensive, or supportive spells, consuming mana points. New spells can be discovered or learned throughout the game.

Puzzles in Ultima - Runes of Virtue II are often environmental, requiring players to push blocks, activate switches, find keys, or use specific items correctly to open pathways. Item collection is also integral, including gold, potions, weapons, armor, and crucial quest items. Players can also interact with NPCs (non-player characters) in towns to receive quests, obtain hints, or buy and sell equipment.

Upon defeating enemies, the Avatar gains experience, which helps in leveling up and improving stats like strength, defense, and mana capacity. This blend of exploration, real-time combat, and puzzle-solving creates an engaging classic RPG experience on a handheld system.