In dungeon areas, the view switches to first person, and is also laid out in a grid pattern (similar to the game Wizardry). Movement takes place on a traditional tile-based, overhead world map. Most notably, you will not be able to enter the temple of a virtue you have not sufficiently developed.

Having too little of a virtue will prevent you from taking certain actions. For instance, running away during a battle negatively affects your valor, while giving blood at a hospital positively affects your sacrifice. Since the quest for virtue is so important to the game, a running tally of sorts is kept of your actions and can either positively or negatively affect your virtues. Up to three other characters will join your party to assist you. Fortunately, you do not have to embark on your quest alone.

You play this hero in his or her quest to master the eight virtues (compassion, valor, honor, sacrifice, spirituality, justice, humility, and honesty), recover the eight corresponding gems, and ultimately, read the Book of Knowledge.

To combat this, the king decides that a champion should be selected from among his subjects to become an Avatar to his subjects. Although the kingdom of Britannia is living in relative peace, its ruler Lord British is concerned about the lack of virtue throughout the land. Ultima: Quest of the Avatar, the second Ultima game released for the NES, is based on the fourth Ultima for the PC.

Ultima 4 quest of the avatar different on nes and pc