Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
- For the original game, see Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a modern remake of the first game same name, which itself originally released on the Apple II with elements from Nintendo Entertainment System port, developed and published by Digital Eclipse released on September 15, 2023 as of Early Access via Steam and GOG,[2] and sets the full release alongside port for the current generation consoles on May 23, 2024.[3][4][5]
The remake features full enhanced 3D graphics, quality-of-life, and improved visuals.
Summary
The first party-based RPG video game ever released, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord was a direct inspiration to series like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Digital Eclipse's revival preserves the appeal of the classic, with many upgrades for modern role-playing game fans.
Dungeon Crawling, Deluxe
Craft your own party of adventurers and head into the labyrinth at the behest of the mad overlord Trebor, in search of the amulet stolen by the evil wizard Werdna. Battle groups of challenging enemies, avoid hidden traps, and make your way deeper into the dungeon as you prepare for the ultimate battle: Facing Werdna himself.
Commitment to Accuracy
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is built directly on top of the original 1981 game's code. Although it looks all new, underneath the hood is the authentic game. You can even view the original Apple II interface as you play.
Challenge Without Hassle
While the well-known difficulty of the enemies has not been altered, quality-of-life improvements have been added in every area. Party management, navigation, spellcasting, and combat have all been significantly enhanced.
A Legend Reborn
If you're just discovering the legendary Wizardry franchise, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is the perfect jumping-in point for new players. Series veterans will love the gorgeous new graphics and sound, and the streamlined interface.
Gameplay
Gameplay is remainily the same as everything of the Wizardry franchise with a first-person view of the grid-format labyrinth map. The player can move or turn around the character either through using the keyboard or buttons. The game's remake was created in the Unreal Engine, but based on the original Apple II code.
Changes from the original
Gameplay
Several major mechanical changes were made to modernize the game:
- The Old School Option is implemented, players may wish to choose three presets based on Modern, Original, and Classic Console or customize freely such as hides mini-map, text-only Dumapic, and disable hints.
- The Apple II version screen overlay can be optionally switched on and customized.
Designs
Several monster's designs are based upon Jun Suemi's artwork, however, there are lot of monsters retain the same appearances, some received redesigns (i.e. Werdna), and few enemy designs were changed such as a Level 7 Mage being turned as female.
Gallery
Red text variant of the game logo.
Steam header (Prior later versions).
Main visual.
Key art.
Official Screenshots
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Official Early Access screenshot.
Stairs.
Door.
Combat.
Videos
Trivia
- The game was released outright after the original being unavailable for 20 years.
- Hobbit's name can't be used and it was renamed to Halfling, presumably due to trademark issue since J. R. R. Tolkien owns its race name.
- Wizardry Chapter 1 was the first game to feature Halfling instead of Hobbit.
- A Pure Force, composed by Christopher Moe Ditelvsen is used only for the game Early Access trailer music.
- This was the first Wizardry game to be released for the eight and ninth generation consoles.
References
- ↑ Winifred Phillips, I'm so excited to share that my latest project is music for the full 3D remake of Wizardry - one of the 1st and most influential RPGs of all time! Such an honor and a joy to compose music for Wizardry!! The whole game is playable in Early Access right now!, Twitter (X), Published: September 15, 2023, Retrieved: September 19, 2023
- ↑ Digital Eclipse, The wait for the original #Wizardry is over! Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord has returned after being unavailable for 20 years. Test your mettle against the OG RPG! Our 3D remake is available NOW via early access on GOG & Steam!, Twitter (X), Published: September 15, 2023, Retrieved: September 19, 2023
- ↑ Digital Eclipse, #Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is coming to PlayStation, Xbox, Switch & PC on May 23! One of the most challenging & influential RPGs of all time returns with 3D visuals and modern upgrades., Twitter (X), Published: April 24, 2024, Retrieved: April 24, 2024
- ↑ Sal Romano, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remake launches May 23 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC, Gematsu, Published: April 24, 2024, Retrieved: April 24, 2024
- ↑ Wizardryシリーズ第1作 『Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord』 のフル3Dリマスター版が5月23日（木）にリリース決定！, Drecom, Published: April 24, 2024, Retrieved: April 25, 2024