May 23rd 2024.
Have you ever heard of the game that started it all? GameCentral reviews Wizardry, the mother of all role-playing games. This influential video game has paved the way for titles like Final Fantasy and Fallout, yet it remains relatively unknown to many gamers.
Not too long ago, there was a debate about whether the term "JRPG" was derogatory. It was sparked by developers trying to promote Final Fantasy 16, but the argument may have had ulterior motives. In Japan, the term seems to be accepted without issue, but in other parts of the world, there is a debate about whether it refers to a specific sub-genre or all role-playing games made in Japan.
However, the truth is that it doesn't matter because all modern role-playing games can trace their roots back to Wizardry: Proving Grounds Of The Mad Overlord. This game was created by American students Andrew Greenberg and Robert Woodhead, who were inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and early computer games.
Wizardry was first released in 1981 on the Apple II computer and later on other platforms in both the West and Japan. While it has spawned many sequels and spin-offs, it remains relatively unknown in the West compared to its popularity in Japan.
It's hard to overstate the impact that Wizardry has had on modern video games. Its turn-based combat, where enemies and your party take turns attacking, has become a staple in many games. Controlling a group of characters, equipping them with gear and leveling them up, was a new concept at the time, borrowed from tabletop role-playing games.
In Wizardry, you can choose pre-made characters or create your own, with various races, classes, and alignments. This game was also one of the first 3D games, with a primitive vector graphics view on the original Apple II version. Despite its simple graphics, many games have copied this style, such as Dungeon Master and Shining In The Darkness.
Interestingly, our beloved Etrian Odyssey series shares many similarities with Wizardry. Along with Ultima 1, which was released a few months earlier, these early games that we now consider JRPGs were inspired by Western games, which were themselves influenced by Dungeons & Dragons. This creates a unique family tree, with games as diverse as Baldur's Gate 3 and Dark Souls on the outer branches.
Now, Digital Eclipse has released a remake of Wizardry for PC, which has been in early access since last year. It stays true to the original gameplay and controls, while adding quality of life features to make the experience more streamlined. The graphics may not be impressive, but the attention to detail and various options make it clear that this was a labor of love for the developers. The menus and user interface may seem complicated, but they help to navigate through the challenging and sometimes frustrating gameplay, where permadeath is a real threat.
Despite its age and difficulty, Wizardry is still an enjoyable game today. This remake allows players to customize their experience while staying true to the original. It may not be for everyone, but for fans of classic role-playing games, this remake is a must-play. It's a testament to the timeless appeal of Wizardry, the game that launched a thousand JRPGs.
In summary, Wizardry: Proving Grounds Of The Mad Overlord is a classic that has stood the test of time. It may not have aged as well as some other games, but this remake allows players to experience the game in all its original glory. With a host of options and a loving attention to detail, this is a must-play for any fan of role-playing games.
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