Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (remake)
- 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 fully released in May 23, 2024 as well ported into current generation consoles.[3][4][5] Physical edition of the game were made by SuperDeluxe Games in Japan featuring new key art drawn by Jun Suemi.[6][7]
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
Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remake is essentially the same as in the original game 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. It was created in the Unreal Engine, but based on the original Apple II code. Added in version 0.4 onward, the player may wish to choose between the original Apple II or NES version for the dungeon floor 6, 7, and 8, and several new features that were added in said version such as new tracks composed by Winifred Phillips, hide and ambush that was first introduced in Story of Llylgamyn, achievements, and more.
Changes from the original
General
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 designs were changed such as a Level 7 Mage being turned as female.
Development
Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remake was teased in one of Digital Eclipse Twitter image post on September 15, 2023.[8] In June 8, 2023 before the official teaser, Robert Sirotek hinted on his Twitter replied to an account of other game about the copyright holders of Classic Wizardry have nothing to do with it, they will be making announcements soon and be assured it will be a worthy successor rather than what we have here.[9] Following after the initial teaser, Digital Eclipse released the game outright as Early Access on Steam and GOG.com.
After many Early Access patches was made up until version 0.4.1. Digital Eclipse has announced that they will bring Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remake next into the current generation consoles as well the stable version 1.0 for PC.[10] Released on May 23, 2024. In addition, a physical version of the game as well the Japanese limited Deluxe Edition was announced by SuperDeluxe Games on the same day.[6] The Deluxe Edition releasing on October 10, 2024 came with the physical game, three-sided case, trading card, DELUXE+ mini-magazine, Adventurer's Guide mini-guidebook, and an art card drawn by Jun Suemi.[7] Additionally, Creeping Coin replica and Wizardry remake sticker logo merchandises are exclusive to those ordered in SuperDeluxe Games store.
Reception
Soundtrack change
Among Japanese players are complaining or criticized about the soundtrack was changed in final version. During Early Access, it uses the music based on arrangements from Kentarō Haneda's work, however it was ommited due to the reason and causing some owners refunded the game. Dan Amrich bluntly stated that Digital Eclipse are ultimately unable to secure the license of the former work in favor to the new compositions by Winifred Phillips instead.[11]
Trivia
- The game was released outright after the original being unavailable for 20 years.
- Hobbit's name cannot be used and it was renamed to Halfling, presumably due to trademark issue since J. R. R. Tolkien owns the race name.
- Wizardry Chapter 1 was the first game to feature Halfling instead of Hobbit.
- A Pure Force, composed by Christopher Moe Ditelvsen was featured in the game Early Access trailer.
- This was the first Wizardry game to be released for the eighth and ninth generation consoles.
- This marks the very first time Wizardry game made available on Xbox consoles.
Nomenclature
| Names, etymology, and in other regions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Definition, etymology, and notes |
 English (United States) |
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord |
The Mad Overlord refers to Trebor. |
 Japanese |
ウィザードリィ 狂王の試練場Uizādorī Kyō ō no shiren jō |
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord |
Gallery
Early Access logo.
Early Access alternative logo.
Final release logo.
Steam header (Prior later versions).
Final release logo with Wizardry dragon.
Transparent final release logo with Wizardry dragon.
Japanese cover artwork of the physical PlayStation 5 release.
Japanese cover artwork of the physical Nintendo Switch release.
Promotional image of the Japanese Deluxe Edition for PlayStation 5.
Promotional image of the Japanese Deluxe Edition for Nintendo Switch.
Early Access main visual.
Early Access key art.
Final release key art.
Jun Suemi key art.
Console Home Menu icon.
Merchandises
Creeping Coin replica.
The game sticker logo.
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
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
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 SUPERDELUXE GAMES, 📢速報🐉 RPGの"始祖"と呼ばれるWizardryシリーズの1作目、『Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord』（ウィザードリィ 狂王の試練場）3Dリメイク版のパッケージが2024年後半に #スパデラ より発売決定‼️ 5月23日には末弥純氏が本作用に描きおろした新規キーアートを公開＆予約開始‼️👀, Twitter (X), Published: May 20, 2024, Retrieved: May 20, 2024
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 @sdxgames, ＼囁き…詠唱…祈り…念じろ！／『Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord』パッケージ版 10月10日発売決定‼️ 🧙♂️🎮通常版 📕DELUXE EDITION Nintendo Switch・PlayStation 5で展開 SDX公式ストア、各小売店にて本日より予約開始🐲, Twitter (X), Published: May 23, 2024, Retrieved: May 23, 2024
- ↑ @DigitalEclipse, (Image of a Wizardry dragon with SOON caption), Twitter (X), Published: September 15, 2023, Retrieved: May 23, 2024
- ↑ @rsirotek, The copyright holders of Classic Wizardry (the first 5 Wizardry scenarios) have nothing to do with this. We will be making announcements soon. Be assured it will be a worthy successor rather than what we have here, Twitter (X), Published: June 8, 2023, Retrieved: May 23, 2024
- ↑ @DigitalEclipse, #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 25, 2024, Retrieved: May 23, 2024
- ↑ "We were ultimately unable to secure the license for that specific music, so we commissioned new music by Winifred Phillips." — Dan Amrich, People Are Upset About the Music Change, DAN PLEASE READ! (Forum), Steam, Retrieved: June 5, 2024