13 min read

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece

Last updated: January 16, 2026

Overview

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece is a graphic adventure game released in 1981 for the Apple II by On-Line Systems (later known as Sierra On-Line)1. The game is part of the Hi-Res Adventures series, a pioneering collection of early 1980s adventure games that helped define the graphical adventure genre2. Players take control of Ulysses, the legendary Greek hero, who is tasked by the king with finding the golden fleece, a legendary treasure protected by the gods3.

The game represents a significant entry in Sierra’s early catalog, serving as the fourth installment in the Hi-Res Adventure series that would help establish the company as a leader in adventure gaming4. As an adventure game, it is considered a tad fairer than the previous entries in the series, offering players a mythological journey through ancient Greece filled with puzzles and encounters with legendary creatures5. The game utilizes a two-word parser command system, requiring players to type verb-noun combinations to interact with the game world6.

ScummVM, the modern game preservation platform, added support for Ulysses and the Golden Fleece in version 2.0.0, making it possible to run this classic point-and-click adventure on modern platforms by replacing the original game’s binaries with native interpreters7. This support has helped preserve the game for contemporary audiences interested in experiencing early Sierra adventures.

Story Summary

The game transports players to ancient Greece, where they assume the role of Ulysses, the famous hero of Greek mythology3. The narrative begins when the king tasks Ulysses with a perilous quest: to find and retrieve the legendary golden fleece, a treasure of immense value that is protected by the gods themselves9. This mythological premise draws inspiration from the classical tales of Greek heroes and their encounters with supernatural beings.

Throughout the adventure, players encounter various mythological characters and creatures that populate the ancient Greek world10. The journey includes encounters with King Neptune, the god of the sea, as well as the dangerous Sirens whose enchanting songs lure sailors to their doom10. Players must also contend with the Cyclops, the fearsome one-eyed giant, adding to the mythological authenticity of the experience10.

The quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece takes Ulysses across treacherous waters and mysterious lands, requiring the player to solve puzzles, collect items, and navigate dangers both mortal and divine11. The story pays homage to classical Greek mythology while adapting it into an interactive adventure format suitable for early home computers. References to other Greek heroes, including Hercules, appear throughout the game, enriching the mythological tapestry6.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Ulysses and the Golden Fleece employs a text parser interface, requiring players to type two-word commands in a verb-noun sequence to progress through the game6. To progress through the story, the player needs to enter commands to interact with the environment, talk with other characters, collect items, and solve puzzles11. The game features a split-screen design with color images depicting the current situation displayed at the top of the screen, while text input and descriptions appear below8.

The technical specifications include support for keyboard input as the primary control method1. Players can toggle between graphics and text display modes, allowing them to focus on either the visual representation or the textual descriptions of their surroundings6. The game allows saving progress at any point, a player-friendly feature for its era that permitted experimentation without permanent consequences11.

Structure and Progression

The game follows a linear adventure structure where players must explore locations, gather necessary items, and solve puzzles to advance toward the ultimate goal of retrieving the Golden Fleece11. The adventure spans multiple distinct locations inspired by Greek mythology, each presenting unique challenges and encounters.

The gameplay unfolds across various environments:

  • Starting Location: The kingdom where Ulysses receives his quest from the king
  • Sea Voyage: Nautical sections involving encounters with sea gods and mythological maritime dangers
  • Island Encounters: Various islands featuring creatures like the Cyclops and the Sirens
  • Final Destination: The location where the Golden Fleece is guarded

Puzzles and Mechanics

The puzzle design in Ulysses and the Golden Fleece relies heavily on item collection and appropriate usage within specific contexts11. Players must collect items throughout their journey and determine when and how to use them to overcome obstacles or satisfy characters they encounter. The inventory system allows players to carry multiple objects and examine them when needed.

The game features encounters with mythological beings that often require specific solutions or items to pass safely10. Sound effects are minimal, primarily consisting of simple beep sounds rather than elaborate audio accompaniment6. The graphics, while basic by modern standards, represented a significant advancement for their time as part of the “Hi-Res” adventure series that distinguished itself from purely text-based adventures5.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Contemporary reception of Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece reflected the appreciation for graphical adventure games during the early 1980s. The game was recognized as part of Sierra’s influential Hi-Res Adventure series, which continued to build on the foundation established by earlier entries like Mystery House and The Wizard and the Princess4.

Reviews from the era noted the game’s mythological theme as a compelling setting for an adventure game, distinguishing it from the fantasy and mystery themes of its predecessors in the series5. The two-word parser system, while limited by modern standards, was consistent with adventure game conventions of the period6.

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospective assessments of the game acknowledge its historical significance within Sierra’s catalog and the broader adventure gaming genre. One reviewer noted that “as an adventure game, it actually feels a tad fairer than the previous entries in the series,” suggesting improvements in puzzle design compared to earlier Hi-Res Adventures5.

The game continues to attract interest from vintage gaming enthusiasts and historians of the adventure game genre. Its inclusion in ScummVM’s supported titles list demonstrates ongoing preservation efforts for this classic title7.

Aggregate Scores:

  • MobyGames: 61% (based on user reviews)1
  • MyAbandonware: 4/5 (user rating)12

Development

Origins

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece was developed by On-Line Systems, the company that would later become Sierra On-Line and ultimately Sierra Entertainment4. The game was designed by Bob Davis and Ken Williams, with Davis contributing the creative vision for the mythological adventure and Williams providing technical and design expertise1.

The game represented a departure from the mystery and fantasy themes of earlier Hi-Res Adventures, instead drawing upon the rich tradition of Greek mythology for its setting and characters10. This thematic choice allowed the designers to incorporate famous mythological figures and locations that would resonate with players familiar with classical literature and culture.

Production

Development of Ulysses and the Golden Fleece occurred during Sierra’s formative years as a game publisher. The Hi-Res Adventure series itself was associated with Roberta Williams, who designed several entries in the line2. The game was developed for the Apple II as its primary platform, consistent with Sierra’s focus on Apple hardware during this period13.

The development team utilized Sierra’s established Hi-Res Adventure framework, which combined graphical displays with text-based interaction through a parser system8. This approach allowed for the creation of visually appealing scenes while maintaining the puzzle-solving depth expected of adventure games.

Development Credits:1

  • Designer: Bob Davis
  • Designer: Ken Williams
  • IBM PC Implementation: Jay Sullivan, Frank Randak11

Technical Achievements

The Hi-Res Adventure engine represented one of the early attempts to combine graphics with adventure gaming, distinguishing Sierra’s products from purely text-based adventures like those produced by Infocom2. The game featured static-screen graphical adventure presentation, with color images depicting scenes from the player’s journey through ancient Greece14.

The graphics system allowed for what was described as “Hi-Res graphics” on the Apple II platform, pushing the capabilities of early home computers to create visual representations of the game world5. While primitive by later standards, this approach helped establish the visual adventure game as a distinct category.

Technical Specifications

Apple II Version:13

  • Graphics: Hi-Res graphics mode
  • Audio: Minimal beep sound effects
  • Media: 5.25” Floppy Disk
  • Save System: Single save slot

Atari 8-bit Version:15

  • Supported Systems: Atari 400/800 Series
  • Minimum RAM: 48 KB
  • Media Type: 5.25” Floppy Disk
  • Input Devices: Keyboard

General Specifications:12

  • File Size: Approximately 275 KB
  • Perspectives: 1st-Person, Text-based, Fixed/Flip-screen
  • Players: Single player
  • Business Model: Commercial

Version History

VersionDatePlatformNotes
Original1981Apple IIInitial release1
PC Booter1982IBM PCDOS port1
Atari 8-bit1982Atari 400/800Console port1
FM-71983Fujitsu FM-7Japanese release1
PC-881983NEC PC-88Japanese release1
PC-981983NEC PC-98Japanese release1
Commodore 641984C64Final platform release1
Atari Re-release1986Atari 400/800Green Valley Publishing edition16

Package Variations:1

  • Original Release: 2 x 5.25” diskettes in On-Line Systems folder
  • Second Release: 2 x 5.25” diskettes in SierraVenture folder
  • Final Release: 5.25” diskette in Sierra On-Line box with manual

Technical Issues

The game’s copy protection utilized a Key Disk/Tape system, requiring players to have the original media to play11. For modern players attempting to run the DOS version, using the ScrollLock key has been noted as a workaround for certain input issues when running through emulation17.

As with many early adventure games, the two-word parser system could be limiting, requiring players to guess the exact verb-noun combinations expected by the game6. The Commodore 64 version was noted as being the third and final Hi-Res adventure to be released for that platform, as Sierra had limited support for C64 adventures6.

Easter Eggs and Trivia

  • The game includes references to Hercules, another famous hero of Greek mythology6
  • Ulysses and the Golden Fleece was marketed as part of Sierra’s Hi-Res Adventures catalog, which emphasized the graphical nature of these games compared to pure text adventures13
  • The game’s mythological setting distinguishes it from other entries in the series, which focused on mystery and fantasy themes10
  • It was considered the fifth game in Sierra’s Hi-Res adventure series chronologically in development6

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece contributed to Sierra’s growing reputation as a premier developer of adventure games during the early 1980s4. The game’s release across multiple platforms, including Apple II, PC, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, and various Japanese computer systems, demonstrated Sierra’s commitment to reaching the widest possible audience1.

The title appeared in various packaging configurations over its commercial lifespan, including releases through secondary publishers such as StarCraft, Inc. and All American Adventures, indicating ongoing commercial interest in the title1. Green Valley Publishing released an Atari version as late as 1986, with an original price point of £9.9916.

Collections

The game was documented as part of Sierra On-Line’s Hi-Res Adventures Catalog, which showcased the company’s early graphical adventure offerings13. This catalog served as both a marketing tool and a historical record of Sierra’s pioneering work in the adventure game genre.

Fan Projects

Modern preservation efforts have ensured the game remains playable through various means. ScummVM added support for Hi-Res Adventure #4 in version 2.0.0, enabling the game to run on contemporary operating systems and platforms including PSP Vita and RISC OS7. This support allows modern audiences to experience the game without requiring original hardware or dedicated emulation.

  • Original Manual: Included with Sierra On-Line box release, providing game instructions and command reference1
  • Hi-Res Adventures Catalog: Sierra promotional material featuring the game alongside other series entries13

Critical Perspective

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece occupies an important position in the evolution of graphical adventure games. Released before Sierra’s landmark King’s Quest, which would revolutionize the genre with animated graphics and a third-person perspective, Ulysses represents the company’s formative period of experimentation with combining visuals and text-based gameplay4.

The game’s mythological setting proved to be a compelling choice, demonstrating that adventure games could draw upon classical literature and cultural traditions for their narratives10. This approach would be echoed in later Sierra titles and adventure games from other developers. As one commentator asked when discussing classic graphical adventures, “What’s your favorite static-screen graphical adventure game of all time?”14, highlighting the nostalgic appeal these early titles continue to hold for gaming historians and enthusiasts.

The Hi-Res Adventure series, of which Ulysses was the fourth entry, helped establish Sierra’s identity as an adventure game company and provided the foundation for the company’s later success with series like King’s Quest, Space Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry2. The series demonstrated that graphical presentation could enhance the adventure gaming experience, paving the way for increasingly sophisticated visual adventures throughout the 1980s and beyond.

Downloads

Download / Preservation

Manuals & Extras

  • Original documentation available through abandonware archives

Series Continuity

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece is the fourth installment in Sierra’s Hi-Res Adventure series, a pioneering collection of graphical adventure games from the early 1980s2. The series was designed by Roberta Williams and represented Sierra’s first major venture into graphical adventure gaming, preceding the influential AGI-based games that would follow.

The Hi-Res Adventure series established many conventions that would become standard in Sierra’s later adventure games, including the combination of graphics with parser-based text input8. While subsequent Sierra adventures would move to animated graphics and eventually point-and-click interfaces, the Hi-Res Adventures remain important historical artifacts documenting the origins of the graphical adventure genre.

References

Footnotes

  1. MobyGames – Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece – release dates, platforms, publishers, designers, ratings, version information ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20

  2. Sierra Fandom Wiki – Hi-Res Adventure – series information, Roberta Williams design credit ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  3. MobyGames – Game Description – plot description, gameplay overview ↩ ↩2

  4. Wikipedia – Sierra Entertainment – company history, Hi-Res Adventure series context ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  5. Player None Blog – Hi-Res Adventures #4 Review – gameplay analysis, fairness compared to earlier entries ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  6. MobyGames – User Review by Katakis – parser system, technical specs, Hercules reference, C64 version notes ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10

  7. Internet Archive – ScummVM 2.0.0 Release Notes – ScummVM support, modern platform compatibility ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  8. Sierra Gamers – Ulysses and the Golden Fleece – engine details, interface description, package versions ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  9. Consolidated Research Sources – game description, quest objectives ↩

  10. Sierra Gamers – Mythological Characters – King Neptune, Sirens, Cyclops encounters ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  11. PixelatedArcade – Hi-Res Adventure #4 – gameplay mechanics, save system, IBM implementers, copy protection ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  12. MyAbandonware – Hi-Res Adventure #4 – user rating, file size, technical perspectives ↩ ↩2

  13. Internet Archive – Sierra On-Line Hi-Res Adventures Catalog – Apple platform, catalog documentation ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  14. Vintage Computing – Retro Scan of the Week – static-screen adventure commentary, release dates ↩ ↩2

  15. MobyGames – Atari 8-bit Specs – Atari technical specifications, RAM requirements ↩

  16. EveryGameGoing – Atari Version – Green Valley Publishing release, pricing ↩ ↩2

  17. MyAbandonware – Play Online – ScrollLock workaround, executable information ↩

Graph View

Backlinks