RPGFan checked out the remake Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord:

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord - Review

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord turned me into a quivering wreck. Over this last week or so, the sheer thought of losing yet more brave adventurers to enemy blades, of being teleported to a distant part of a trap-laden dungeon, or of having to return to the safety of the surface with half my party paralysed, praying I can flee from a random encounter, has taken its toll. It’s been a mentally exhausting test of patience, just as the developers intended. Be that as it may, I still enjoyed my time with this classic DRPG, even if it has sometimes been an anxious slog. Few DRPGs are so deadly and confounding, and Wizardry: PGotMO takes this approach and dials it to maximum for an experience that is every bit as battering for the player as it is for their party.

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Wizardry: PGotMO is one of those games where every step could be your last, but you’ll be entertained making those steps. Despite being a foundation of the genre, it does not provide an easy entry point for new players. It requires a high degree of patience, and this slow approach won’t be to everyone’s tastes. The graphics, sounds, and overall user experience are detailed and well thought out, with some lovely homages to the original in both setting and the number of OG player options. For a game that laid the blueprint for so much videogame history that followed it, taking a step back into the Proving Grounds felt like entering hallowed ground, like remembering a dream in vivid, modern detail. Just know that such a dream can become a quivering nightmare without warning. Be prepared to possibly lose everything in a single run, or a single combat, or even a single fudged combat round, and it’s a grand old time.

Score: 83/100

RPGamer reviewed the remake Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord:

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Review

Sally Forth Brave Adventurers

The video game industry is constantly shifting.  As an entertainment medium it has only been around for half a century, and yet, even the earliest of titles have grand legacies.  Wizardry has been around since 1981, dazzling audiences with a tabletop-style dungeon crawl brought to life.  Digital Eclipse has elected to bring back these early days of gaming with a remake of classic turn-based dungeon crawler Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.  While it has a few modern amenities and glossy visuals, the remake still harbours the most unforgiving of gameplay for those unaware.

In Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, players are contracted by their local Lord Trebor to dive into the nearby labyrinth to retrieve his lost amulet from the wizard Werdna.  The early floors of the labyrinth have little messages scrawled out that players can read, but that’s it for the story.  There’s no offering of gold or other riches, just a good luck wave.  This is thoroughly in keeping with the original release, and Digital Eclipse’s remake is built on the original code.  The harrowing journey through the labyrinth comes entirely from the gameplay.

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The addition of extra layers and modernity to a classic old-school dungeon crawler makes Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord‘s remake an enjoyable accomplishment.  The gameplay is still punishing, but it’s more manageable with added layers of strategic planning to make bad luck easier to swallow, while the presentation’s overhaul adds enough to make everything feel exciting to be a part of.  The biggest detriment is that it is perhaps too faithful to the original as the punishing difficulty is sure to turn some away even as it brings turn-based thrill-seekers ever closer to see just how hard these games can really be.  So, with that in mind, there’s still a lot to enjoy in this faithful remake of a true classic.

Score: 3.5/5

Winifred Phillips created the soundtrack for Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord - Gamerhub interviewed her: 

Exclusive: Winifred Phillips Discusses Creating the Perfect Soundtrack For Digital Eclipse’s Return To Wizardry
Return To Wizardry

In case you missed the news last week, Digital Eclipse, those retro masterminds behind a number of today’s best gaming compilations, worked their magic on a remake of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord. As expected, it’s great, but there was a nice bonus on the audio side with its music.

That’s because composer Winifred Phillips produced it. She’s worked on a number of great games in the past, including favorites like God of War, Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation and the LittleBigPlanet series, among countless others.

So what goes into composing a soundtrack for a game such as this? Luckily, Winifred took the time to sit down and talk to us about it, as well as working with the folks at Digital Eclipse. Sit back and enjoy!

How did you get involved with Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord?

Over a year ago, Digital Eclipse reached out to me to discuss music needs for a project they were working on: the full 3D remake of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord.  I’d heard of the Wizardry franchise, and I understood the importance of Wizardry to the history of roleplaying video games, dungeon-crawlers in general, and all games based on TTRPG.

The original Wizardry was developed for Apple II by two Cornell University students in the 1980s, and it went on to become a truly foundational game in the history of gaming – paving the way for all RPGs that followed, and heavily influencing game franchises like Baldur’s Gate, Dragon Quest, and Final Fantasy.  When Digital Eclipse asked me to compose the music for their remake of the very first Wizardry game, I was really excited!

What was it like working with the wizards (see what I did there?!) at Digital Eclipse?

It was amazing – the Digital Eclipse developers really are wizards!  Digital Eclipse has a history of developing lovingly-crafted remakes of important games from the history of video gaming, and their dedication and passion really shine through.  They want gamers to fully experience the heart and soul of the original games, even as they introduce updates that make the games more accessible for modern audiences.

Playing one of these Digital Eclipse games is like taking a trip through time.  Digital Eclipse allows modern gamers to play and appreciate the brilliance of early games, recognizing and celebrating what makes them important to the history of gaming.

At the same time, when developing a remake like Wizardry, Digital Eclipse is essentially recreating the magic of exploring the dungeon – the emotional awe and excitement that gamers in the 80s would have experienced – by updating the aesthetics and the interface so that they’re satisfying to modern players.  It was such an honor working with the team at Digital Eclipse!

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Thanks Couchpotato!

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.

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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!

The remake Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord has been released:

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord - Launch Trailer

The Otaku Authority reports that the Wizardry 1 remake Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord will be released on May 23:

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remake launches May 23 for consoles and PC

Digital Eclipse has announced that its remake of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord will leave Early Access and launch for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Switch, Steam and GOG on May 23.

In 1981, SirTech released the first game in what would soon become a legendary RPG series - Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord for the Apple II. As the very first party-based dungeon crawler, it was one of the key games that launched the role-playing genre, directly inspiring enduring series like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Demon’s Souls.

Now Digital Eclipse, a studio dedicated to the historical preservation of video games, is treating RPG fans worldwide to a full 3D remaster of this genre-defining game.

Following last year’s Early Access release on Steam and GOG, Digital Eclipse’s Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord remaster will be released on May 23 in its fully completed form for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

REVIEW COPIES: We’ll have keys for all platforms in early May. If you want to review Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, please write back with your preferred platform. (If you are requesting Switch or PlayStation codes, please include your hardware region.)

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Thanks blatantninja!

Couchpotato spotted a developer stream for the remake Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord:

Developer Stream! Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (PC early access)

The remake Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord has been released into Early Access:

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a full 3D remake of the first game in the legendary Wizardry series of RPGs.

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.