I played all the original Ultima offline games. What we had is what we had back then. SotA is more robust and even in offline mode is a sandbox too. So one can play the offline mode for a much longer time than the earlier Ultima story-based games.
Brave bold Sir Winfield of the House PAX first of His Name, Governor of PAX Lair, holder of POT meetings, I beseech thee, lend me thine ear!
For I too, played all of the original Ultima series games, which of course were offline, and great, and Virtuous, and good! For I wish not to overstep my place, under your most gracious boot, Sir Winfield, great owner of POTs, but mine experience also encompasses that which we both play, currently, Shroud of the Avatar, blessed be it's name. While I, the InsaneMembrane, shall never enjoy Shroud of the Avatar as thee, upon thine Iron Throne, so high, high above this poor soul, I offer to thee my most meager, humble, opinion from this poor rube.
On the great matters, sandboxing, offline-ness, single playerton, and things of great robust, I beg of thee, hark! To be fair and balanced, I shall only take into account one game, Ultima VII, from days past, to hold up to that which is professed by thee, Shroud of the Avatar, so exclaimed by think person, Great Sir Winfield, for to do otherwise, using more than one game as a total body of work, would be unfair when speaking of such an exulted, established game, such as Shroud of the Avatar, blessings be upon it.
For I remember Ultima VII well! As I am quite sure thee, Ultima Online legend, maybe even pre-UO Ultima hero, this one doest not know, also remember well! This lowly soul remembers, being able to place things, and a great many of them, onto the ground! For the InsaneMembrane was born, silver spoon removed, and thus had to locate, whatever fortune he could, in the world of Britannia itself! And such a rich world it was! There were interesting companions, freedom to explore Britannia without borders, able to collect furniture, and rugs, and things far and wide. I only but had to point at a structure in the world, and thus I could make it mine, including working multiple story staircases! One or more from a selection, between eight to twelve potions, could decorate my Hearth in Britannia. If this soul was starving, he had to but drink water, find game and cook it on an open fire. Magic in Britannia was so robust, and it followed logic, each spell had its corresponding words of power, not to mention reagents. Observation of one's self also, through the eyes of another, was more revealing. Magical Axes, of the slashing variety, could be seen! Not to mention, a nice little tattoo. When one was bored, one could seek out many ways to travel Britannia, land, air, sea, all things were considered and catered for. But unless ye have thy Swamp Boots, thou shall be in danger, when thou doest look for the key, of the farmer, at Lock Lake, for the Hoe of the Cat from Outer Space. Fear not good Winfield, if thy health is low, thy may sleep thy worries away! Unless... Unless thou would be unlucky enough to come across a great lizard, and thy peons cower in fear, then thou must throw a blue potion at the dastardly reptile! Rid thyself of those peons, for they have no depth, certainly not like the illustrious Dupre, who cowers from no being save for an empty bottle. The depth of thy companions shall enrich thee. Whom, by the way, thine experience will be a breeze with, as Dupre would never stand and look at thee funny while you mutter single syllable words to in hopes for a response. And if Sir Dupre spends too much time, of course, at the Blue Boar, ye have the option of ensuring that any leakage does not escape Sir Dupre's trousers, while enjoying the cold, hard, and strong surface of the dirt where he gracefully loses consciousness. Just don't expect him to stick around, when he returns, from the land of dreams and hope.
Great, bold, cherished, Lord, Governor, Sir Winfield of PAX. I draw from me, the very breath of the Ultima spirit. This one, so below thee, humbly requests that thine eyes, from thine great station, focus on this picture he paints, so vivid, so true, so loved, of Ultima. Look upon this picture, and compare, with thy most virtuous honour, to that which is presented by that which calls itself Shroud of the Avatar, blessings, blessings. With great reverence for thee, a Force of POTs, speak not of the future, speak only of the current, the being, this moment in time. One of these great pictures, before you, Lord of Town Meetings, is more evocative than the other. For the future, while bright, and bountiful of great hope, where dreams of all reside, is unwritten. Thy Virtue and Valor may be in question, Justice for Ultima, Honour of thine word. With eminent respect, for thee, great Sir Winfield, thou must Sacrifice not thine Truth, thou cannot forsake the Love of the past, for the Pride of the current. Let Courage guide thee, if thy Spirituality answers you, great, Honest, Sir Winfield, in thine quest, thou shalt surly come to one answer, as does the InsaneMembrane, through Humility.
High Governor Lord Sir Winfield of PAX, think of Ultima VII as a book, if thy will it, through a thought experiment, from this pour pitiful soul. Read that book, again, as you have read it in the past, with open, inquisitive, and new eyes, thou wilt surly see the light.
“Books break the shackles of time, proof that humans can work magic.”
- Carl Sagan
A humble, most respectful slime beneath thy great boots of thine exalt rule,
InsaneMembrane