10 Greatest Western RPGs Of All Time
2. Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss
One of the founding cornerstones of western RPGs, as we know them today, is the Ultima series by the tragically EA'd Origin Systems. And in that venerated series, few are more influential than Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss.
You, the Avatar, are framed for aiding in the kidnapping of a princess in the mythical land of Britannia, and are thus thrown into the deepest dungeon in all the land - The Stygian Abyss, where the princess was taken. To earn your freedom, not to mention your life, you must travel to the bottom of this infamous hellhole and rescue her.
The larger narrative is unimportant, which is good, because the main story is kinda bad, not helped by REALLY bad voice acting. It's the sidequests and the world-building that make this game what it is. The abyss has been established throughout the series, as the single worst place in the land of Britannia. The last time your character went in there, you barely survived with endgame gear, and now you have to work your way through it with basically nothing.
What results is one of the finest immersive sim RPGs ever made, where you are expected to look out for yourself at every turn. From being able to take your own notes on the map, to having to scrounge for literally everything while interacting with the various clans and factions within the abyss, Ultima Underworld is a hardcore RPG of the highest quality.