Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a remake of an iconic 1981 RPG on the Apple II computers, the first game in history to feature a playable party. The remake was developed by Digital Eclipse, a studio known for refreshing old games. They are also known for The Making of Karateka, Street Fighter: 30th Anniversary Collection and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection.

Plot

We play as a group of adventurers employed by Trebor, a local ruler. He offers them wealth and fame for reclaiming his priceless amulet. The artifact was stolen by Trebor's former advisor, Werdna, who took it down to a dangerous dungeon. The adventurers must stop the evil wizard before he discovers the amulet's secrets.

Mechanics

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a dungeon-crawler mostly revolving aroud combat. First, we must form our party by choosing pre-made characters or creating custom ones. To create a custom character, we must choose one of five races (human, dwarf, elf, halfling, gnome), attribute stat points (strength, intelligence, dexterity, luck, etc.) and alignment (good, neutral, evil). Each of the six party members can represent one of the standard classes (fighter, thief) or hybrid ones, combining different abilities (like bishop, who combines cleric spells with arcane magic).

Having prepared our party, we can venture down into the dungeon. We can issue commands to them during combat, ordering them to attack, defend, cast spells or run away. After issuing orders, our characters execute them, then so do the enemies. Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is difficult and our party members will die often. Losing our entire party doesn't end the game, but it forces us to create a new one.

The player will often return to the town, where they can recruit new characters, resurrect fallen adventurers, rest in the tavern (which is required to level up) or purchase new gear.

Technical aspects

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord features remastered, 3D visuals, but the player can switch to the original 1981 interface at any time.