Wizardry Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Review (PlayStation 5)

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Wizardry Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Review 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.

Wizardry Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Review Pros:

  • Beautiful graphics.
  • 1.45GB download size.
  • Platinum trophy.
  • First-person dungeon crawling gameplay.
  • Five save slots.
  • Two versions – Original (keeps the level layouts from the 1981 game) and Console (more complex and challenging level layouts).
  • Options – you can use the original settings, modern, console, or customize them to your liking.
  • Custom settings options – bient map, DUMAPIC map (gives graphical feedback of location, not Coordinates), conversion hints, bad stuff on party wipe, surprise round casting, hide and ambush action, enemy ID system, action redirection, run away in turn order, starting attribute points, level up attribute advancement, character age theming, in config, temple design, and character recruiting.
  • The initial party is a case of having a party picked for you or you can pick each member.
  • You have a main town where you choose what to do in between adventures.
  • Gilgamesh Tavern is where you go to add/remove or edit party members.
  • Training grounds are where you edit characters.
  • Adventurers is where you heal, level up, and sort out your spells, etc.
  • The Maze is the entrance to your next adventure.
  • Temple Of Cant is where you can restore and reassure t dead characters.
  • Boltacs Trading Post is the shop where you can buy and sell gear, identify treasures, and remove curses from items.
  • Old school feel from the atmosphere to the music and how the game plays, it’s old but modern.
  • Does a cool thing of showing actions etc on a rolling old-school text table in the corner and shows how the game looked originally with its low graphic style which is how we played it back in the day.
  • The Bestiary fills in as you encounter people, creatures, etc.
  • When playing the game you have a map in the corner that fills in as you move around.
  • Has every element of an RPG.
  • You move step by step in the dungeon.
  • Unless you change the setting, you have to identify new enemies to learn about them.
  • It is so much fun to play.
  • The sense of adventure is just all-consuming, you want to check out every corner, every tunnel.
  • Turn-based combat and you have the traditional options of fight, run, parry, and identify.
  • I’m combat you set everyone’s action all together then watch it play out.
  • All new powerful soundtrack.
  • Chests can be found or given as rewards and you may have to inspect them or disarm traps on them before you open them.
  • If you have ever played games like Etrians Odyssey then that’s how the map uncovers and how the game plays out.
  • Handy quick select option for combat so you can just get on with it.
  • The game performs really well and shows off fantastic lighting.
  • Full running text commentary of combat.
  • The dungeons can actually shift and move around as you are playing.
  • Supports using the stick or d-pad for movement.
  • Camp can be triggered whenever you want and it’s a good way to do quick inventory checks.
  • Every party member has their own character card showing stats and abilities.
  • The little old-school graphics layout can be enlarged to fill the screen or turned off.
  • At any time out of combat, you can leave the dungeon.

Wizardry Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Review Cons:

  • No clear way to target particular enemies in a fight.
  • A lot to take in.
  • Cannot remap controls.
  • You have so many options and choices that it can take a few games to learn what’s what and how you want to play.
  • You don’t see enemies or what triggers encounters most of the time.
  • A built-in save and load system would have been a great help as you are never sure when it saves or what it saves.
  • Had it a few times where when looking at a chest I can move the options (disarm/open) but I also have a menu saying abandon or stay at the chest but that’s what the X button does so I end up messing up constantly. It doesn’t happen all the time just after a few failed disarm attempts.
  • Some of the fights go on for a really long time.
  • Finding hidden doors is just a case of seeing the prompt in the corner.
  • No combat speed option or ability to skip animations.

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Wizardry Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord:

Official website.

Developer: Digital Eclipse

Publisher: Digital Eclipse

Store Links –

PlayStation

  • 8/10
    Graphics - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Sound - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Accessibility - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Length - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Fun Factor - 8/10
8/10

Summary

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a game that beautifully blends the old with the new. With its beautiful graphics and powerful soundtrack, it provides an immersive gaming experience. The game is a 1.45GB download and offers a coveted Platinum trophy for the dedicated gamer.

The game features first-person dungeon-crawling gameplay and offers five save slots. It comes in two versions – the Original, which keeps the level layouts from the 1981 game, and the Console, which offers more complex and challenging level layouts. The game provides a plethora of options, allowing you to use the original settings, modern, console, or customize them to your liking.

The game’s old-school feel is evident from the atmosphere to the music and how the game plays. It does a cool thing of showing actions etc on a rolling old-school text table in the corner and shows how the game looked originally with its low graphic style which is how we played it back in the day. The Bestiary fills in as you encounter people, creatures, etc. When playing the game you have a map in the corner that fills in as you move around.

The sense of adventure is all-consuming, you want to check out every corner, every tunnel. The turn-based combat is engaging, and you have the traditional options of fight, run, parry, and identify. In combat, you set everyone’s action all together then watch it play out. Chests can be found or given as rewards and you may have to inspect them or disarm traps on them before you open them.

However, the game is not without its flaws. There is no clear way to target particular enemies in a fight. The controls cannot be remapped, and there is a lot to take in initially. You have so many options and choices that it can take a few games to learn what’s what and how you want to play. You don’t see enemies or what triggers encounters most of the time. A built-in save and load system would have been a great help as you are never sure when it saves or what it saves. Some of the fights go on for a really long time. Finding hidden doors is just a case of seeing the prompt in the corner. There is no combat speed option or ability to skip animations.

In summary, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a game that will appeal to both fans of the original and new players. It offers a rich, immersive gaming experience with its beautiful graphics, powerful soundtrack, and engaging gameplay. However, it does have a steep learning curve and some minor flaws that are more in line with the original game but still. Despite these, the game is fun, and a piece of playable history with a rich and rewarding experience that is worth checking out.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!