Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds



Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds is the second installment of the Underworld series and the eleventh in the entire series. It was developed by Looking Glass Studios and published by Origin for the IBM-PC in 1992. It is part of the "Age of Armageddon" saga.

The second installment is based on the same engine as the first, but with enhancements. The viewing window is now bigger, digital sound effects are implemented, the casting system is easier. The portraits of the people are now much better and bigger, the game is also much more complex and larger than its predecessor. The main plus point however is the story, which is this time a integral part of the story line, with another plan of the Guardian to attack and conquer Britannia, and many of the backgrounds to the evil mastermind behind these plans are explained. Together with the brilliant atmosphere in the cut off Castle Britannia it is a masterpiece of story.

The game gathered very good ratings, and also sold much better than its predecessor. Sadly, a third part wasn't made.

Included with the game
The release of Ultima Underworld II included these things with the game:
 * The Book A Safe Passage Through Britannia.
 * A paper map of Castle Britannia.

Differences between the ports
Ultima Underworld II was exclusively produced for the PC, therefore no other official ports of the game exist.

The Story
A year has gone by since Ultima VII and Lord British is inviting many people, including the Avatar, to a party to celebrate the reconstruction after the crisis. But the next morning, disaster strikes. The Guardian attacks and traps Castle Britannia with all people with in a Blackrock Dome, paralyzing the land.

The Player as the Avatar descends into the sewers beneath the castle, where a strange, big jewel is found, enabling travel to other worlds. These worlds have already fallen prey to the Guardian, either conquered or outright destroyed. The Avatar weakens the jewel by turning the Guardian's own magic against it and cutting its magical supply lines, while searching for a way to break the dome in the end. Just when the Guardian starts a invasion from Killorn Keep through the jewel, led by his champion Mors Gotha, the Avatar has found the solution. Killing Gotha in battle, the Avatar and Nystul manage to break the dome with the Horn of Praecor Loth, sealing the gateway between the worlds.

Britannia is again saved from the Guardian.

Trivia

 * The Trilkhai in Killorn Keep are an obvious hint at the Kilrathi of Wing Commander. Their backstory reflects the aftermath of Wing Commander III at the time of Underworld II.
 * If Armageddon is cast, the wall to return to Britannia is destroyed as well. Exile is the least you deserve...
 * It is quite astounding that Lord British ordered the whole castle to be totally changed in one year. Now the "Reconstruction" makes sense.
 * The Avatar can tell Mystell in Killorn Keep that he is called Abraham Lincoln.

Upgrades
Ultima Underworld II has only one kind of upgrade available. It is a patch to convert the music for General MIDI usage instead of Roland Sound, thus making it far more compatible with modern soundcards. Look at it here: MIDI Patch