The Amiga version of Ultima III: Exodus was written by Bob Hardy and first published by Origin Systems in 1986. It’s actually a really good version of the game – maybe even the best – as it uses both mouse and keyboard controls to make playing the game faster and easier.

The use of the mouse pointer really helps in certain circumstances, like in character creation and menu navigation. Even better: you can use the keyboard to move as well as the mouse, so you’re not restricted to one or the other. Another big improvement in this version, over the original, is that the character information screens appear separately, so that you’re not restricted to scrolling text in a tiny window (as you are in the original). It just makes it so much easier to view each character’s equipped items and status and it really speeds the game up.

Combat is pretty much the same as in the original, with a separate battle screen appearing during encounters, and the speed of the action is just about right – it’s not too fast and not too slow.

The graphics in the Amiga version are arguably even better than the PC patched version, and they’re certainly better than the 8-bit versions, but are in keeping with the original. The in-game music is sweet but suitable and can be turned off if it starts to bug you.

Overall, the Amiga version of Ultima III is very good. It’s not perfect and does inherit some of the problems from the original (like items becoming unequipped if you sell stuff in shops), but it’s probably the best way to play the game. The Atari ST port is identical to this version and is just as good.

More: Ultima III: Exodus on Wikipedia
GOG: Ultima 1+2+3 on GOG.com

Ultima III: Exodus Keyboard Commands:

a = Attack with “readied weapons” (followed by direction of attack)
b = Board (mount a horse or board a frigate)
c = Cast a magic spell (followed by player number, spell type, and spell letter)
d = Climb down a ladder in a dungeon
e = Enter a town, castle, dungeon or other landmark
f = Fire ship’s cannons in the direction indicated
g = Get/open chest (followed by the number of the player who will search for traps, open the chest, and acquire its contents)
h = Hand equipment (trades equipment between two players; followed by prompts to determine what is to be exchanged)
i = Ignite a torch
j = Join gold (gives all gold in party to player indicated)
k = Climb up a ladder in a dungeon
l = Look (identifies an object in a specified direction)
m = Modify order (exchanges positions of any two players within the party)
n = Negate time (stops time for all outside the party; requires a special item)
o = Other command (enter any command desired during gameplay; includes BRIBE, SEARCH and others)
p = Peer at a gem (shows a bird’s eye view of a town, castle, dungeon or the overworld; one viewing per gem)
q = Save game to disk (from the overworld only)
r = Ready weapon for use in combat
s = Steal (from behind store counters; success depends on skill)
t = Transact; use to talk to townspeople or trade with merchants
u = Unlock and open doors (if you have the key; followed by direction of door and the player whose key is to be used; one use per key)
v = Volume (toggles sound effects on or off)
w = Wear armour (outfits player with specified armour)
x = Exit (leave behind or dismount your current transport and travel on foot)
y = Yell any word that’s typed
z = Stats (displays your vital statistics, possessions and spells)
Spacebar = Pass one game turn without taking any action