Nubsauce
This is a rough draft only. Many improvements can be made. However, I think the route is just about optimal. Also, I realize that Exult is more than likely not expectable as a game to be ran here at SDA officially. However, it’s a lot of fun, and might be entertaining to watch for those who are familiar with the series, or those who like classic RPGs.
Seven Segments:
Running Time (part 1): 5:08
Running Time (part 2): 2:00
Running Time (part 3): 2:54
Running Time (part 4): 3:22
Running Time (part 5): 1:57
Running Time (part 6): 1:41
Running Time (part 7): 4:00
Total Running Time (parts 1-7): 21:02
YouTube links:
Segments 1 and 2
Segments 3, 4, and 5
Segments 6 and 7
General Thoughts
This is a rough draft in seven segments. It is presented as three YouTube videos for convenience. However, this game really screams for a single-segment run. Using this many segments, it’s almost too easy. Still frustrating at times, but fairly easy
Before doing this run, I had played Ultima 7 a few times, but never really got very far. I recently started playing it again with Exult and thought, “Wow, I’d like to speed run this thing”. Apparently, Rake here on the forums got the notion of running Ultima 7 a few days before I did
Anyhow, here it is.
“Ultima 7: The Black Gate” is, like most Ultima games, completely non-linear. I spent about two days researching the fastest routes through the first part of the game, only to find out later that most of it was not needed. Specifically, you never have to speak with the Time Lord, meaning that you never have to talk to the Wisps and get the Notebook.
I went with a fairly aggressive, luck-dependant strategy with regards to lock picks. Rather than getting more, I re-ran segments 2 and 3 over and over until I didn’t break my picks. And in the end, I only had 1 pick left.
Segment 1, Trinsic, Castle British, and the Rug
First, a little toilet humor. “That Guy” that I point out with the cursor looks like he’s taking a massive dump on the street (and you would too, if you had just seen what he had). Secondly, Iolo (that dude with the cross-bow) is standing directly beneath a horse’s butt (the sign). Awsome.
And now, a little RP motivation. That blacksmith done got F’ed in the A! Would you stick around to figure out who did it, or you would high-tail it back home? I’m voting for the second candidate, thank you very much.
Next I steal a gold ring and 100 gold coins from the Fellowship (the curch). They’re the bad guys anyway. Note that the gold ring is used to open Penumbra’s house in Segment 3. I also steal a hammer from the dead blacksmith’s shop, also used at Penumbra’s.
Those copy protection questions really bite. I still mess that part up about half of the time.
Next I steal an hour glass (used to access the Sphere Generator ) from a blind woman, and a spool of thread (also used at Penumbra’s House) from a poor farmer woman who’s husband has been wrongfully imprisoned for stealing apples. Ain’t life a beach sometimes?
Note to Self: Horrible country music reference, commit suicide in the morning.
Next I grab a bag of Reagents (used to cast spells), a spell book, and a bed roll from Castle British. This equipment is intended to be taken by the player. I also buy the only two spells I need in the game here, “Unlock Magic” and “Telekinesis”. Although Telekinesis is not required to finish the game, it speeds things up.
I skip the Orb of the Moons. Getting this item and using it to gate to Yew may save some time in this segment.
I finish off by grabbing the Magic Carpet.
Segment 2, Magic Carpet FTW!
This segment is the single worst one of the run. I spent almost two hours attempting to get this thing down, and this is all I came up with.
First, I head off to Rudyom’s house. Here I collect four pieces of Black Rock (used to shield Penumbra in her house) and Rudyom’s Wand. The wand is supposed to be used to destroy the Black Gate at the end of the game. Even though I skip this step, I still get the wand. This is in part out of habit, but I am also toying with the last segment to see how quickly I can pull off the “Good Ending”. Two miss-clicks here.
Next I head off to Buccaneer’s Den to grab the Black Gate key. There are three miss-clicks here. The first is on the door (tried too soon), the second my mouse pointer went clear out of the game window and onto the desktop, and the third while trying to grab the key. The reason these are in the video? It took dozens of attempts to get that damned chest open without breaking a pick.
Segment 3, Harpy of Doom and Dismay
I snag all four of the Glass Swords from Parrett Island, the ring of invisibility, and the lockpick (which, as it turns out, was needed!). Next, I go whacks-up the Stone Harpy. This is the only thing I kill during the entire run. Sometimes one glass sword will end it, other times the thing will still be alive after all for have burnt up. I use the invis ring to prevent damage during the fight.
I then snag the Ethereal Ring and another ring of invisibility from the harpy’s chamber. Two invis rings are needed for my route to work correctly, as you will see in segment 7.
Next, it’s off to Penumbra’s house. I place all the junk I’ve collected in from of the door and do my little dance. Then, I wake Penumbra up using the Orange Potion in her house. I then place the Black Rock pieces on the pedestals so she won’t flip out on me. I also take some of her sleeping powder for the next boss.
Seven Segments:
Running Time (part 1): 5:08
Running Time (part 2): 2:00
Running Time (part 3): 2:54
Running Time (part 4): 3:22
Running Time (part 5): 1:57
Running Time (part 6): 1:41
Running Time (part 7): 4:00
Total Running Time (parts 1-7): 21:02
YouTube links:
Segments 1 and 2
Segments 3, 4, and 5
Segments 6 and 7
General Thoughts
This is a rough draft in seven segments. It is presented as three YouTube videos for convenience. However, this game really screams for a single-segment run. Using this many segments, it’s almost too easy. Still frustrating at times, but fairly easy
Before doing this run, I had played Ultima 7 a few times, but never really got very far. I recently started playing it again with Exult and thought, “Wow, I’d like to speed run this thing”. Apparently, Rake here on the forums got the notion of running Ultima 7 a few days before I did
“Ultima 7: The Black Gate” is, like most Ultima games, completely non-linear. I spent about two days researching the fastest routes through the first part of the game, only to find out later that most of it was not needed. Specifically, you never have to speak with the Time Lord, meaning that you never have to talk to the Wisps and get the Notebook.
I went with a fairly aggressive, luck-dependant strategy with regards to lock picks. Rather than getting more, I re-ran segments 2 and 3 over and over until I didn’t break my picks. And in the end, I only had 1 pick left.
Segment 1, Trinsic, Castle British, and the Rug
First, a little toilet humor. “That Guy” that I point out with the cursor looks like he’s taking a massive dump on the street (and you would too, if you had just seen what he had). Secondly, Iolo (that dude with the cross-bow) is standing directly beneath a horse’s butt (the sign). Awsome.
And now, a little RP motivation. That blacksmith done got F’ed in the A! Would you stick around to figure out who did it, or you would high-tail it back home? I’m voting for the second candidate, thank you very much.
Next I steal a gold ring and 100 gold coins from the Fellowship (the curch). They’re the bad guys anyway. Note that the gold ring is used to open Penumbra’s house in Segment 3. I also steal a hammer from the dead blacksmith’s shop, also used at Penumbra’s.
Those copy protection questions really bite. I still mess that part up about half of the time.
Next I steal an hour glass (used to access the Sphere Generator ) from a blind woman, and a spool of thread (also used at Penumbra’s House) from a poor farmer woman who’s husband has been wrongfully imprisoned for stealing apples. Ain’t life a beach sometimes?
Note to Self: Horrible country music reference, commit suicide in the morning.
Next I grab a bag of Reagents (used to cast spells), a spell book, and a bed roll from Castle British. This equipment is intended to be taken by the player. I also buy the only two spells I need in the game here, “Unlock Magic” and “Telekinesis”. Although Telekinesis is not required to finish the game, it speeds things up.
I skip the Orb of the Moons. Getting this item and using it to gate to Yew may save some time in this segment.
I finish off by grabbing the Magic Carpet.
Segment 2, Magic Carpet FTW!
This segment is the single worst one of the run. I spent almost two hours attempting to get this thing down, and this is all I came up with.
First, I head off to Rudyom’s house. Here I collect four pieces of Black Rock (used to shield Penumbra in her house) and Rudyom’s Wand. The wand is supposed to be used to destroy the Black Gate at the end of the game. Even though I skip this step, I still get the wand. This is in part out of habit, but I am also toying with the last segment to see how quickly I can pull off the “Good Ending”. Two miss-clicks here.
Next I head off to Buccaneer’s Den to grab the Black Gate key. There are three miss-clicks here. The first is on the door (tried too soon), the second my mouse pointer went clear out of the game window and onto the desktop, and the third while trying to grab the key. The reason these are in the video? It took dozens of attempts to get that damned chest open without breaking a pick.
Segment 3, Harpy of Doom and Dismay
I snag all four of the Glass Swords from Parrett Island, the ring of invisibility, and the lockpick (which, as it turns out, was needed!). Next, I go whacks-up the Stone Harpy. This is the only thing I kill during the entire run. Sometimes one glass sword will end it, other times the thing will still be alive after all for have burnt up. I use the invis ring to prevent damage during the fight.
I then snag the Ethereal Ring and another ring of invisibility from the harpy’s chamber. Two invis rings are needed for my route to work correctly, as you will see in segment 7.
Next, it’s off to Penumbra’s house. I place all the junk I’ve collected in from of the door and do my little dance. Then, I wake Penumbra up using the Orange Potion in her house. I then place the Black Rock pieces on the pedestals so she won’t flip out on me. I also take some of her sleeping powder for the next boss.
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