GR: “Rather than continuing to preach the same morals in a steadfast manner, Garriott made Ultima 5 a scathing look at absolutism. The ideals that were so present in Quest of the Avatar remained, but they had all been corrupted by Lord Britishs replacement, Lord Blackthorn. The release cant be separated from real-life politics, as its design reflected the current events that were happening in the late 80s. Outspoken evangelists would often appear on television to condemn others for certain acts, while they did the same in their private lives. Seemingly, all of the good that can come from philosophies and religion was being corrupted by humanitys greed and their constant desire for more.”
Source: N4G PC 30 Years Later: Taking A Look At Ultima 5's Legacy