Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss is a first-person RPG set in a dark fantasy world. It was released on March 21, 1992, for DOS, a disk-based operating system for IBM PC-compatible computers. The game was later released for FM Towns, PC-98, PlayStation, and Windows Mobile. It was developed by Blue Sky Productions and published by Origin Systems.
While the game’s success started slow, it became an international hit. It especially was loved in Sweden, Germany, and Finland. Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss was praised for being “the next true evolutionary step in the RPG genre”. It is also known for its well-crafted puzzles and its “technical perfection”. The game has been put on many Hall of Fame gaming lists, including those by GameSpy, IGN, and Computer Gaming World. It even received several awards, like the “Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Computer Game of 1992” in the Origins Awards.
Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss Premise
The game takes place in the Great Stygian Abyss, a large, underground dungeon in Brittania. The Avatar’s dreams are haunted by the ghost of a wizard, Garamon. Garamon was betrayed by his brother, Tyball, who made a deal with a demon, the Slasher of Veils. Tyball plans to sacrifice a baron’s daughter to gain access to the demon. The Avatar must explore the dangerous depths of the dungeon and save Arial, Baron Almric’s daughter. Players can meet opposing goblin tribes, learn a new language, and play instruments along their journey.
Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss Main Character
Players can customize their character, the Avatar, at the beginning of the game. You can pick their gender, their starting skills, and their class. The skills range from what weapons you can fight with, to bartering abilities, to being able to pick locks. Players are also able to increase their skill levels by using experience points at shrines.
Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss Series
Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss is technically the thirteenth game released in the Ultima series. It is the second game in the second spin-off series, Ultima Underworld. This spin-off series is in a first-person perspective, unlike the main series. If you’re interested in continuing this fantasy and science-fiction universe, check out the titles below:
| Release Year | Title |
| 1979 | Akalabeth: World of Doom |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness |
| 1982 | Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress |
| 1983 | Ultima III: Exodus |
| 1983 | Ultima: Escape from Mt. Drash |
| 1985 | Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar |
| 1988 | Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny |
| 1990 | Ultima VI: The False Prophet |
| 1990 | Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire |
| 1991 | Ultima: Runes of Virtue (Game Boy, non-canon spin-off) |
| 1991 | Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams |
| 1992 | Ultima VII: The Black Gate |
| 1992 | Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss |
| 1993 | Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds |
| 1993 | Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle |
| 1993 | Ultima: Runes of Virtue (Game Boy, non-canon spin-off) |
| 1994 | Ultima VIII: Pagan |
| 1997 | Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (PlayStation) |
| 1997 | Ultima Online (MMORPG spin-off) |
| 1999 | Ultima IX: Ascension |
| 2010 | Lord of Ultima |
| 2013 | Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar |
| 2018 | Underworld Ascendant (Follows Ultima Underworld II) |
There are also several collections that conveniently combine some of the Ultima games in the main storyline.
Ultima Collections
| Release Year | Title | Content |
| 1989 | Ultima Trilogy | The first three Ultima games were released for the Apple II, Commodore 64, and DOS by Origin Systems. |
| 1992 | Ultima: The Second Trilogy | The second three Ultima games were released for Commodore 64 and DOS. |
| 1992 | Ultima I–VI Series | The first six Ultima games and published for DOS. Includes reprints of the instruction manuals and original maps. |
| 1998 | Ultima Collection | A collection of the first eight Ultima computer games for DOS and Microsoft Windows 95/98, including the expansion packs, a complete atlas of each game’s map, a PC port of Akalabeth, and a sneak preview of Ultima IX |
Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss Cheat Codes & Exploits
Fortunately for PC players, Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss is a classic game that utilizes the traditional cheat code system.
| Cheat Codes | Inputs |
| More Light | [F10] + [I] |
| Skip current Level | [F10] + [W] |
| Stop Monsters and Time | [F10] + [Z] |
| Unlimited Strength | [F10] + [G] |
And if that wasn’t enough, there are also several exploits players can use. Check them out in the list below:
- Unlimited scrolls and potions: Use a fireball spell on a potion or scroll. Collect the remnants of the destroyed item and use it. The remnants will have the same effect as the original potion or scroll and may be used for an unlimited amount of time.
- Tip: The spell VAS ORT YLEM can add some magic to your inventory.
- Barter Opportunity Exploit: When a barter attempt with a non-player character (NPC) reveals a poor selection of items owned by the NPC, cancel the barter, save the game, and try again. Each time the game is saved, items up for barter by the NPC will be a slightly different selection (either new items, same items with different quality, or different quantity). However, this does not affect items that the player has bartered off, they will remain up for barter in the NPC’s inventory regardless.
- No light required: If you delete the shades.dat in the DATA subdirectory, you don’t need torches or lamps in your quest anymore due to the lack of shade maps.
Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss Cheat Code FAQ
Does Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss have any cheat codes?
Yes! Whether players need unlimited strength, more magic, or to move on to the next level, Ultimate Underworld: The Stygian Abyss has several useful cheat codes and exploits.