Whenever a game spawns a sequel, video gamers take notice and assume that the game have had some degree of success in the commercial market. Whenever a game spawns two sequels or a few add-ons, the user can be pretty sure that the game is worth having. When a game, such as Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord sparks over a half a dozen sequels, there is a good commercial reason. Publishers would not continue issuing dead games and losing money.
This is the first in a very long line of Wizardry games, and can be considered the father of the rest. This is the first of an immediate trilogy, which was later expanded, all published and developed by Sir Tech Software Incorporated. While this game has definite merit as the forefather of the series, it has more value than that. The gamers must complete this title in order to import its characters into its successor: Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds. Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord was released in the middle eighties and is a classic role playing title.
The story of Wizardry is very simplistic and easy to follow, plus it serves nicely to drive this game, as well as the remainder of the series.
Trebor is the ruler of the user’s kingdom, and he finds himself quite mad after coming in contact with an ancient artifact. Unfortunately, the power hungry ruler loses the amulet to his arch enemy, the nearly as crazy arch mage Werdna. Werdna no more knows how to utilize the amulet’s power than Trebor, and in an effort to use the amulet, Werdna stimulates an earthquake, which in turn opens a giant rift beneath Trebor’s castle. Not wishing to look incompetent, Werdan moves himself and his minions into this catacomb, as if it were his evil intent all along. Incensed by such an audacious display, Trebor vows to rid his property of the mage and his lackeys. He calls the catacombs beneath his castle “The Proving Grounds” and sends any who wish to take part in his elite honor guard to their doom below. Any hero who can return with Trebor’s priceless amulet will be deemed worthy to sit in the honor guard.
By creating a party of up to six heroes from a variety of occupational classes and a group of races, the user will prepare him for battle in the ten levels below the castle. As the user defeats more enemies and gains more experience, he will have the opportunity to raise his statistics and skill levels, making him a more formidable opponent for larger enemies in the deeper dungeons. It is a nice little dungeon crawl that offers many weapons and monsters to feel their sting. It has obvious merit as a forerunner in the genre, as well as the series, and is a good little game to boot. This game brings you a lot of fun and interest. It’s worth downloading.
