Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord - Review

[HiddenX]

Gamerhub reviewed the dungeon crawler Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord:

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Review - Casting Its Spell

Back in the 80s, there simply weren't that many options for "dungeon crawling" in the world of gaming. However, we did see some innovative titles that paved the way for what was to come. Like, for instance, the 1981 Sir-Tech release Wizardry.

Brutal in nature but still fascinating at its core, Wizardry introduced a compelling gameplay system using the most basic of visuals. And it moved the genre forward nicely, followed by a number of sequels for PC and consoles alike.

Now, Digital Eclipse, the retro masters that they are, have put a significant touch on the game with Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, which takes the original material and crafts an entirely new experience from it - while at the same time keeping helpful reminders about whence (whence?) it came.

The end result is a game that will definitely test your nerves, but offers something excellent for the long-term. What's more, its presentation sets a standard for how to do retro right. We'll explain a bit later in the review.

[...]

Embrace the Wizard
If you didn't bother with the original Wizardry, you may not entirely be sold on what Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord has to offer. The gameplay is mostly the same, though the new presentation does make it much more appealing.

However, I think it's worth giving a try. The battle system, though brutal in spots, is very well done, and the touches Digital Eclipse have added to this universe - especially the original Apple II overlay - is astounding. It'll definitely keep you busy for hours at a time as you level up your party to something fierce.

Give it a shot. Whether you're a newbie or a long-time fan, it won't be hard to see what kind of spell Digital Eclipse cast here.

Score: 4/5

Thanks Couchpotato!

More information.

 

[ikbenrichard]

anyone played this one?
is it possible to save anytime/anywhere or.. ?

 

[JDR13]

anyone played this one?
is it possible to save anytime/anywhere or.. ?

Not without quitting out of the game. Unless manual saves were added with the full release which I doubt. It also saves when you go back to town.

 

[tekulte]

It also doesn't appear to have a persistent auto-map which is a deal breaker.

Darned if I'm going to <ugh> draw maps at my age

 

[JDR13]

It also doesn't appear to have a persistent auto-map which is a deal breaker.

Darned if I'm going to <ugh> draw maps at my age

There's a spell that makes it persistent, and I think it's a level 1 spell.

 

[rjshae]

I watched one of the "let's play" videos and it's definitely a lot like how I remembered it: a grindy blobber. Still it has a nice nostalgia effect, being probably my first cRPG that I played a lot back in the day. I'm curious about how well it plays for younger gamers now.

 

[HellRazor]

I usually wait for discounts, but I just broke down and bought this one. I just HAVE to check this out!

 

[muhabor]

i tried, but it is very heavy random garbage. tediously slow
i will never touch it again

 

[Greygore]

It's definitely more expensive than I would want to pay considering what it is, but I do have fond memories. "heavy random garbage" and "tediously slow" are definitely reason for me at at least wait on a big discount. Any other thoughts on it?

 

[JDR13]

It's definitely more expensive than I would want to pay considering what it is, but I do have fond memories. "heavy random garbage" and "tediously slow" are definitely reason for me at at least wait on a big discount. Any other thoughts on it?

I don't think those phrases accurately describe it. He's probably never played the original. I can see how younger gamers might find it tedious, but I think most fans of old-school crpgs will like it.

 

[RikusTyr]

Remember playing this originally on an Apple II+. Using graph paper to map everything. This game was the start of my adventure into CRPGs. Will always be a classic to me. Will definitely be buying this game.

 

[Drithius]

The speed of combat is generally fine.

I've tried to get into this a couple times but, despite being a blobber fan, I've found myself bored and not too invested. I realize it's a recreation of the original, but the focus on simply grinding levels as the sole impetus for playing really doesn't do it for me anymore. I much more preferred the recent Ludus Mortis, with its better character design and tactics, as well as dungeon exploration. YMMV.

 

[HellRazor]

I haven't found it to be slow at all.

It's pretty fascinating watching/playing the original game at the same time you are watching/playing the "remastered" version.

 

[Carnifex]

I think I still have my original maps somewhere in a box....

 

[Greygore]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I still have my graph paper maps from this and Bards Tales, etc boxed up with my old Dungeons & Dragons books somewhere too .