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Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a wonderful remake of the acclaimed 1981 title. This DRPG is as basic as it gets. However, the maddening action and deceptive dungeon crawling will get under your skin. Moreover, your party of warriors, thieves, priests, and mages will die at an alarming rate. Yet, you needn’t worry too much about this as there is always someone there to take their place. This throwaway culture may take a little getting used to, but once you get into the swing of things, you’ll shrug as your leading fighter meets his/her/their maker.
This dungeon-crawling RPG was developed and published by Digital Eclipse. Furthermore, it uses a first-person perspective as you explore the claustrophobic and dangerous sprawling dungeons. The gameplay is remarkably simple and this is one of its greatest appeals. Additionally, the story is a little sparse, but this matters not. You will not need hours of epic cinematic or masses of in-depth lore. Instead, the desire to beat each of the 10 mind-boggling levels is enough to keep you going.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord lets the action do the talking.
I’m a massive fan of OTT stories. What’s more, I enjoy rich backstories and I love to lose myself in hours of lore. Yet, the lack of these elements didn’t put me off. Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord demands that you focus on the simplest of tasks. Your goal is to equip your party with the best gear you can afford as you plan a unique approach to every exploration. Whether you wanted to loot gold or you wished to dive further into the depths, a different team and tactics were required.
The limited story focuses on a powerful mage called Werdna. This madman has stolen an amulet from Trebor, the Mad Overlord. Yet, getting this trinket back is no easy feat as the dungeon is filled with monsters and a magic spell can confuse you in a second. Moreover, there are traps to disarm and the further you progress, the harder it is to get out. The maze is ever-shifting and always challenging. Accordingly, patience and a methodical mindset are required if you wish to complete your mission.
A fresh style.
If you have never played the original, you will enjoy the full 3D remake. But if you wish to experience something closer to the 1981 game, you can adjust the settings to make things work for you. I loved this blend of old and new, and I applaud the developers for their efforts. I stuck to the new style for this review as I loved the fresh material and how well it worked on my Xbox Series X.
The action revolves around a party of 6 would-be heroes. These stereotypical old-school RPG heroes follow classic genre tropes. Consequently, the thief is sneaky and a little weak. Whereas, the warrior is strong but lacks intelligence. You get the idea, and you must blend your party to create a well-rounded team. Alternatively, maybe you wish to grab some quick loot and upgrade some new party members. If this is the case, maybe you’ll pick a bunch of heavy hitters to blast through the opening stages.
A consistent gameplay loop.
Whatever style you decide to select, the gameplay loop is reassuringly consistent. The Maze/dungeon is located beneath Trebor’s settlement. Before you take your first steps, you can choose to hire a new warrior, visit the temple, try the training grounds, or upgrade your gear. Sadly, there is little else for you to do above ground, so you may as well jump right in and begin exploring. As you enter the dungeon, you soon realise that it is a claustrophobic and confusing place. Each of the corridors is laced with doors and a fog of war keeps you guessing.
This lack of direction is tough to accept, especially when magic is afoot. There was nothing worse than having your party teleported to a random and often dangerous part of this torturous place. When this happens, you must hope to get out alive or risk losing it all. The aim of each playthrough is simple; explore every room, battle anything that you encounter, and grab as much loot as possible. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! Bands of killer monsters will smash your team to pieces. Furthermore, they will poison you or paralyse you for good measure. When this happens, you must hobble to the exit and hope that you have enough gold to heal everyone. It is a cruel loop that tests your patience and your ability to fall for 80s DRPG mechanics.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is polished but wonderfully retro.
If you wish to witness a modern masterpiece with a vast open world, then this won’t be for you. Yet, if you love Dungeons and Dragons, and you want something delightfully rudimentary, then Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is the game for you. I adored the grim and earthy colours. Moreover, the simple battle layout and vast levels were brilliant. Though the animation is basic at best, it works perfectly with the first-person perspective. Yes, it takes a little getting used to, but once you set your mind straight, you lose yourself in this grim and oppressive experience.
The late Kentaro Haneda was the genius behind the original soundtrack. Subsequently, I was impressed that the developers complemented those ideas throughout. The music was spectacularly dark and the sense of drama and despair oozed from every layer. The daunting songs make each moment in the dungeon truly uncomfortable. The sound effects do their best to work alongside the fabulous music. The occasional sound bite and the odd smattering of weaponry were enough to keep me enthralled throughout. In short, though it is dated, it works perfectly.
Basic controls.
This comes from an era when controls were remarkably simple. Thankfully, the remake stays on track. The basic controls are easy to master. Furthermore, they work extremely well with a modern gamepad. I had no issues learning the fundamentals, and I was able to jump into the action in no time at all. Though there is some trial and error, this doesn’t detract from the exceptional controller layout.
Replay value and longevity are at the fore. Moreover, patience and a mindful approach are needed if you wish to succeed. Sadly, you cannot become attached to your band of warriors as death is par for the course. However, if you can learn to live with these ideas, you will struggle to put this down. Additionally, if you accept that you will get your arse handed to you repeatedly, you will love every second.
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is fantastic.
I’ve enjoyed some phenomenal remakes, but Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is up there with the best. I accept that the old-school gameplay may not appeal to everyone, but this is a DRPG fans’ must-have title. The gameplay is wonderfully simple, and the old-school imagery has had a delightfully modern polish. What’s more, the audio is simply divine. For these reasons, you must buy it here! Can you survive every level and grab that amulet? Pick your team, be patient, and hope that luck is on your side.
