Wizardry 8

"Hardly playable beyond the first dungeon."

Wizardry 8 is the last game on a series that, in my opinion, should have ended a little earlier. It's also the third game in the Wizardry 6-7-8 continuity, which doesn't really matter as the previous games had little story to speak of, a tradition that 8 faithfully carries on. But let's not get to the story just yet, as I'd like to leave the more important things for later.

First, let me get the graphics out of the way. I didn't rate them. In my opinion, graphics have zero impact on gaming experience and I can't pretend otherwise. Not that anyone cares for the graphics of anything that's not current-gen anyway. If you feel this invalidates this review feel free to read another one.

Sound is a different story. Unlike graphics, I find this has a profound impact on gaming experience(sound effects excluded). The music for this game is hardly memorable but pleasant enough while you're actually playing, so you won't be turning the sound off. Not yet, at least. The voices have the unique aspect of being pretty much excellent quality, but being killed by thoroughly absurd repetition. Every voice actor did at least a good job, but when every character is repeating a small set of combat phrases for the entire game, muting unfortunately becomes quite temptating.

Now, story. Since the enjoying of this aspect of the game is based on each player's opinion, this is a reflection of my own. I'll not spoil anything other than the introduction cinema for you. Your party from the previous two games is hired by a person they've never met to go on a quest they're told nothing about. Then, still in the intro cinema, he explains that he actually picked your random group he's never met to go on a quest to become gods. This is easily the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Then his spaceship(?) is shot down by what could be the villain of a failed children's cartoon, and while he dies in the crash your entire party is perfectly unharmed. That's it for the intro cinema and gives you a pretty good idea of the rest of the game's story.

Next, last, and most importantly, gameplay. This entire game is built around the first impression: You're given a great variety of races and classes to create your party from, and are made to explore a fun and enjoyable first dungeon, which manages to challenge you while not stomping you too hard to make you want a refund. However, it's all just a pretty surface over a shallow experience. Races and classes are associated to each other in a way that anything the game determines "wrong" will suck. No explanation is given as to what each stat does, so you can only make obvious guesses as to what works best. Only previous playing knowledge will tell you what works and what doesn't, for example, damaging magic is completely useless. After finding out that half your party is inept, you pretty much have to restart and try something else hoping it works.

Still covering gameplay, but moving out of the subject of starting the game out: After leaving the first dungeon, you think you should be pretty close to a city, where you might get some info on what you can do, get some new equipment, take a breath, et cetera. No, you're not. There's a really, really long stretch of wasteland until the first city. This wasteland is crawling like an anthill with groups of enemies that are guaranteed to outnumber you. These battles take forever to end, and half a minute after them you inevitably come across another. It's like that for a good, long while until you get to the first city. Finally! Well deserved rest!. No, not really. Imagine my surprise upon finding out that Wizardry 8 does not differentiate between cities and wastelands much. The enemies here are just as numerous and even stronger than the ones outside, the only NPC that wasn't pretty much worthless filler was placed right in the middle of your way so the game could lead you around on a short leash, the inn is worthless as you can camp anywhere anyway, and imagine how I felt at being attacked while trying to use the bank. Yes, inside it. That battle lasted a good twenty minutes. Upon finishing it I left the bank and was immediately attacked by another 20-minute battle. This goes on for the rest of the game. This isn't fun. It's torture.

Short version: Apparently the designers for the first dungeon were fired after finishing it, because the rest of the game is torture. If you must, play this for that dungeon alone. You won't miss anything as far as story goes either.

Score: 2 out of 10. Nobody deserves this.

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 07/09/08

Game Release: Wizardry 8 (US, 11/14/01)