Difference between revisions of "Ultima Ratio Regum"

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|developer = [[User:UltimaRatioRegum|Mark Johnson]]
|developer = [[User:UltimaRatioRegum|Mark Johnson]]
|theme = Strategy Games
|theme = Strategy Games
|influences = [[Dwarf Fortress]], Civilization, Total War, Nethack, Supreme Commander, Tomb Raider
|influences = [[Dwarf Fortress]], La-Mulana, The Outer Wilds, Nethack, Europa Universalis, Borges, Eco
|released = ~Summer 2012 (alpha)
|released = ~Summer 2012 (alpha)
|updated = 5 March 2021 (0.8.2b)
|updated = January 2023 (0.10)
|licensing = [[Closed Source]]
|licensing = [[Closed Source]]
|language = [[Python]]
|language = [[Python]]
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== Description ==
== Description ==


A semi-roguelike game inspired by the literature of Jorge Borges, Umberto Eco & Neal Stephenson, and the games Europa Universalis and Dark Souls.
Ultima Ratio Regum ("the last argument of kings") is a game designed to combine the massive and varied world of games like Dwarf Fortress or Europa Universalis with the cryptic puzzle-solving and clue following of games like The Outer Wilds and La-Mulana. Set approximately around the Scientific Revolution, the player is tasked with discovering a conspiracy via identifying procedurally-generated clues hidden throughout the world's cultures, religions and societies; the game features extensive procedural generation of everything from tombs and religious altars to (in the future) paintings and sculptures, any or all of which may contain the clues required in a given playthrough. The latest major releases, 0.9 and 0.10, introduce currencies, procedurally-generated items, trade, and ship-board travel. 1.0 is coming soon - watch this space!


== Where to find Ultima Ratio Regum ==
== Where to find Ultima Ratio Regum ==


The latest build can be downloaded at:
The latest build can be downloaded at:
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/games/ultima-ratio-regum/
[https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/games/ultima-ratio-regum/?title="MarkRJohnsonGames"].
 
== Developer's Goals ==
 
Ultima Ratio Regum ("the last argument of kings") is a game which aims to integrate thematic content on historiography, philosophical idealism and the rise of modernist grand narratives, with the deep, complex and challenging gameplay one expects from a "classic" roguelike (and, of course, an ANSI display and permadeath). Set approximately around the Scientific Revolution, the player is tasked with discovering a conspiracy via identifying procedurally-generated clues hidden throughout the world's cultures, religions and societies; the game features extensive procedural generation of everything from tombs and religious altars to (in the future) paintings and sculptures, any or all of which may contain the clues required in a given playthrough


== Reviews ==
== Reviews ==
Line 30: Line 26:
''“Ultima Ratio Regum is one of a few ambitious, long-term projects which I think represent the most exciting things about indie game development, about PC games, and about what technology can do for the games of tomorrow.”''
''“Ultima Ratio Regum is one of a few ambitious, long-term projects which I think represent the most exciting things about indie game development, about PC games, and about what technology can do for the games of tomorrow.”''
- Graham Smith, Rock Paper Shotgun
- Graham Smith, Rock Paper Shotgun
Ultima Ratio Regum ("''the last argument of kings''") is a ten-year project, of which 3.5 years have been finished via coding part time whilst completing my doctoral work. It's a game which aims to integrate thematic content on historiography, philosophical idealism and the rise of modernist grand narratives, with the deep, complex and challenging gameplay one expects from a "classic" roguelike (and, of course, an ANSI display and permadeath). Set approximately around the Scientific Revolution, the objective of this year is to finish all remaining worldbuilding (~2.5 months), and begin to integrate early gameplay focused around strategic choices, NPC interaction, and hopefully combat too. Screenshots:
Screenshots:


== Images ==
== Images ==
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Tomb22.png
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Eck7.png
<BR><BR>
<BR><BR>
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Newone2.png
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Cathar.png
<BR><BR>
<BR><BR>
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Parl1.png
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Eck3.png
 
<BR><BR>
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/SS.png
<BR><BR>
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/TT1.png
<BR><BR>
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Cathar-2.png
[[Category:Open ended roguelikes]]
[[Category:Open ended roguelikes]]

Latest revision as of 11:09, 17 May 2023

Ultima Ratio Regum
Beta Project
Developer Mark Johnson
Theme Strategy Games
Influences Dwarf Fortress, La-Mulana, The Outer Wilds, Nethack, Europa Universalis, Borges, Eco
Released ~Summer 2012 (alpha)
Updated January 2023 (0.10)
Licensing Closed Source
P. Language Python
Platforms Windows
Interface ASCII, Keyboard
Game Length Hour or two (currently)
Official site of Ultima Ratio Regum


Description

Ultima Ratio Regum ("the last argument of kings") is a game designed to combine the massive and varied world of games like Dwarf Fortress or Europa Universalis with the cryptic puzzle-solving and clue following of games like The Outer Wilds and La-Mulana. Set approximately around the Scientific Revolution, the player is tasked with discovering a conspiracy via identifying procedurally-generated clues hidden throughout the world's cultures, religions and societies; the game features extensive procedural generation of everything from tombs and religious altars to (in the future) paintings and sculptures, any or all of which may contain the clues required in a given playthrough. The latest major releases, 0.9 and 0.10, introduce currencies, procedurally-generated items, trade, and ship-board travel. 1.0 is coming soon - watch this space!

Where to find Ultima Ratio Regum

The latest build can be downloaded at: "MarkRJohnsonGames".

Reviews

“Ultima Ratio Regum is one of a few ambitious, long-term projects which I think represent the most exciting things about indie game development, about PC games, and about what technology can do for the games of tomorrow.” - Graham Smith, Rock Paper Shotgun

Images

Eck7.png

Cathar.png

Eck3.png

SS.png

TT1.png

Cathar-2.png