Ultima IX is pretty much a controversial game, that's for certain. My view is that previous parts of the series have been able to push the RPG genre forward a great deal, each part being years and years ahead of the competition. Ultima IX, however, was not quite as influential: There has been, it seems, very little to invent by this time, and this game came out in 1999 and by 2002 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind was killing it dead in almost every respect (except for NPCs, I suppose) - while the old Ultima games are still kings of the hill in their own ways. One could say Ultima IX invented 3D RPGs, but the rest of the gang trampled it, coming sneakily in from behind... It's only fitting that fans are currently remaking Ultima IX on Morrowind engine! Technically, the game is pretty good. Even in this post-Oblivion world, the graphics aren't quite offensive to the eye. The game world is technically pretty solid, though everyone would probably want a little bit bigger world. Okay, I'm not complaining much; they had some small technical constraints and didn't want to push too far, even when they undoubtedly were trying. This game could turn into much more huge and interesting game with some modern technology aboard...
I haven't played the game a whole lot (a quarter through at most), but I have to say the plot isn't really up to par compared to other games in the series. Also, people who have played the other parts of the series will probably cringe because the game contradicts the previous parts quite a lot, and some of the mistakes are pretty embarrassing. (Thank you kindly for your tight release schedule, Electronic Arts. Not!) Yet, even with these mistakes, it's still pretty brilliant compared to some of the competitors though. At least it still has its twists and turns.
So in end, we have a slightly flawed game that's not really as good as it's predecessors. But it's still one of the great highlights of the PC RPGs. If you add a few fan-made patches, you also get a better-working game and get rid of quite a ton of annoyances in the conversations (and an excuse to turn off the unmemorable voice acting...)
I can recommend this if you're looking for a decent enough RPG. Not the most brilliant I've played, but brilliant nevertheless. Also check out the previous parts (I recommend Ultima VI and both chapters of VII) if you want *really* good RPGs.
