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.

Gameplay
Ultima Underworld II is much more complex and larger than its predecessor, Ultima Underworld. Its story is now an integral part of the main Ultimas 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.

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

The Player as the Avatar descends into the sewers beneath the castle, where a strange, big jewel made of blackrock is found, enabling travel to other worlds. These worlds have already fallen prey to the Guardian, either being conquered or outright destroyed. The Avatar weakens the jewel by turning the Guardian's own magic against it and cutting its magical supply lines from the various worlds, while searching for a way to break the dome in the end. Just when the Guardian starts a invasion from the world 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.

Development
Ultima Underworld II is based on the same engine as Ultima Underworld, 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. According to Paul Neurath, Origin wanted the sequel out in less than a year. Despite delivering on time, it was a rush job and some corners were cut.

Ultima Underworld II was exclusively produced for the PC, therefore no other official ports of the game exist. A Japanese FM-Towns version was released, but it is almost identical to the original version, except for the language.

Translations
Only the documentation of Ultima Underworld II was translated for the European releases, while the game itself remained English. A Safe Passage Through Britannia was completely translated, including the title. These were the title's translations:


 * German: Eine sichere Reise durch Britannia
 * French: Traverser Britannia en confiance

The Japanese FM-Towns version was fully translated, both the in-game text and the documentation.

Release
The game gathered very good ratings, but sold only half of its predecessor. A third part wasn't made because poor sales killed Origin's further interest towards the Underworld series according to Paul Neurath.

It was later also released in the Underworld Series.

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.

Availability
Ultima Underworld I and II can be purchased from Good Old Games at http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/ultima_underworld_1_2.

Upgrades
Ultima Underworld II has one 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. It can be downloaded here: MIDI Patch

More game related information

 * NPCs
 * Runic Magic
 * Bugs
 * Ultima Underworld II Real-life references and easter eggs
 * Walkthrough
 * Cheating in Ultima Underworld II‎
 * Skill System of Underworld I and II

Trivia

 * There are a couple of subtle references in the game's dialogue to the opening of the 1967 miniseries  The Prisoner. When speaking to the goblin guards of Tarna, the Avatar has the opportunity to shout "I am not a slave, I am a free man!" Later, when encountering the Wisp on the ethereal plane, they may ask what the entity wants. When the wisp replies "We want information," the hero may reply "You won't get it!"


 * 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.


 * It is impressive that Lord British ordered the whole Castle Britannia to be totally changed in one year (since the events in Ultima VII).


 * Male Avatars can tell Mystell in Killorn Keep that he is called Abraham Lincoln.


 * Strangely, no completition certificate could originally be obtained after winning the game, despite later games still having the option.