What were you playing back in 1981? Yeah, silly question eh, but there’s a chance you would have spent time with Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord. And if you missed it? Well, Digital Eclipse are here with a full 3D remaster of that genre definer…Â
Remastered for modern gaming
Available right now on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord was first released back in the very early 1980s by SirTech. It was the start of a series that became pretty legendary, working as the very first party-based dungeon crawler, inspiring Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and more.Â
But gaming has moved on much since those times, and Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is now found as a 3D adventure, with Digital Eclipse building on top of the original Apple II game code. That makes the experience should be preserved, just now complete with better visuals, improved party management, spellcasting and combat. If you hark back to those golden days though, the original interface can be shown if you wish.
Having been sat in PC Early Access for a good few months, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord now releases on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC in full. And it does so with all of the following features…
Key features
- 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.
Buy now!
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is on the Xbox Store, sitting behind a £33.49 asking price. From there you can get playing on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, fully optimised.Â
Alternatively, grab a purchase and download on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch or PC (Steam or GOG).Â
Our full review of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord on Xbox is on the way!
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord Description
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.
