Difference between revisions of "Ultima Ratio Regum"

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(Huge (and long overdue!) update on URR's roguebasin page bringing the game from 0.3 -> 0.5.1)
(Updating after a mere 8 years)
 
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{{game-alpha| name = Ultima Ratio Regum
{{game-beta| name = Ultima Ratio Regum
|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 =
|updated = January 2023 (0.10)
|licensing = [[Closed Source]]
|licensing = [[Closed Source]]
|language = [[Python]]
|language = [[Python]]
Line 10: Line 10:
|interface = [[ASCII]], [[Keyboard]]
|interface = [[ASCII]], [[Keyboard]]
|length = Hour or two (currently)
|length = Hour or two (currently)
|site = http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/
|site = https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/games/ultima-ratio-regum/
}}
}}


''“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.”''
== Description ==
- Graham Smith, Rock Paper Shotgun
 
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!


'''A semi-roguelike game inspired by the literature of Jorge Borges, Umberto Eco & Neal Stephenson, and the games Europa Universalis and Dark Souls.['''
== Where to find Ultima Ratio Regum ==


The latest build can be downloaded at:
The latest build can be downloaded at:
http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/downloads/
[https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/games/ultima-ratio-regum/?title="MarkRJohnsonGames"].


URR aims to explore several philosophical and sociological issues that both arose during the sixteenth and seventeenth century (when the game is approximately set), and in the present day, whilst almost being a deep, complex and highly challenging roguelike. It explores questions of philosophical idealism, cryptography, linguistics and the writing and formation of the historical record, and will challenge players to hopefully think in ways and about themes that are rarely touched upon by games.
== Reviews ==


http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2011/08/New1.png
''“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
A defining feature of the game is the “procedural graphics” system which allows for the generation of huge numbers of graphical assets – flags, coats of arms, weapons, armour, and everything else – anew each game. A nation with its choice of leadership, its name, its policies, its flag and its religion will never be generated again, making each playthrough unique within a complex web of factions, nations and individuals.
 
http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2014/04/Savemenu.png
 
The game thus explores what can be done with ASCII graphics to detail and explore a deep generated world. These graphics are not merely side-dressing – many of them are essential to gathering clues and information to aid you through the world. There is little direct exposition – a central challenge in the game is piecing together the information the player is able to acquire about the game world in order to uncover the path forward. In this regard the game is heavily inspired by the story and world design of the Souls series, especially Dark Souls 1.
 
http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2011/08/New21.png
 
Set in the 16th/17th century, the game contains a number of relics of earlier civilizations, which can be explored. These temples and tombs will be full of murals generated according to ancient myths (see the art generation objective), but these murals serve not just an aesthetic purpose – they will give clues to the locations of artefacts, or catacombs containing great wealth. They will also contain procedurally-generated puzzles, mazes, and other challenges, whilst also shedding light on some aspects of the great political and sociological changes going on in the world the game is set in.
 
http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2014/05/TerrainTest10.png
 
Ancient languages can be learnt to give greater insight into murals or ancient texts – there are a number of ancient civilizations in the game that have all but faded from view, and understanding these is key to completing and understanding the game. These languages challenge the player to decipher their meaning and subsequently use this understanding to uncover much of the secret content within the game world.
 
http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2014/03/Hist1.png
 
http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2011/08/New3.png
 
http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2011/08/New4.png
 
http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2011/08/New41.png


http://www.ultimaratioregum.co.uk/game/files/2011/08/Gentest1375.png
== Images ==
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Eck7.png
<BR><BR>
https://www.markrjohnsongames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Cathar.png
<BR><BR>
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]]

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