Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom

"This game stole years away from my life"

Usually, I'll write a little bit about the story at the beginning of a review, but this is your basic hack and slash RPG. Although, I would like to say that this is possibly the best hack and slash RPG I've ever played. It's got everything you need to go on a gaming binge for days on end. If you're a hardcore RPGer, get this game. Don't waste your time reading, just get it.

Gameplay
It's a 3D first person RPG, but that doesn't mean the gameplay is much different from anything you've played. A moves you forward/kicks open doors. B cancels things/opens menus. X and Y open menus. Select opens a menu. Start probably pauses the game (I never really used it, it must not be important). The shoulder buttons move you side to side in a little groovy dance. The d-pad is almost non-existent; if you're like me you'll use A to move and the d-pad to navigate the menus.
Rating: 6/10

Story
Blah blah blah.
Rating: 2/10

Graphics
Pretty good, I thought. You don't get to see your party of six, but the monsters were pretty well created. At the end of battle, it looks like you could just jump into the pile of gold at your feet like Scrooge McDuck. NPCs are awesome and they really help bring out their already perfect text characterization. I like the basic colors for menus and things; nothing too fancy. The walls and such could have used a little touching up, as they were just palette swaps of one another. Of course, you could always play the game in line mode...
Rating: 8/10

Sound
*boop blip* *dun dun dun* *swoosh* is basically all you'll hear. The music is a kinda crappy mix of your medieval fanfare and your default dungeon of death disco. Turn down the volume; it's like Chinese water torture at times.
Rating: 3/10

Replayability
Well, I've been playing this game for years, and if I'm really into it, I play it for days at a time without food. You'll most likely play it so much because you get mad. Trust me, you'll be good and pissed by the time you beat it. Finding all the items you need is a daunting task, and fining all the cool ones you catch wind of is near impossible, so replaying is a must. If you want some good solid RPGing, play this game.
Rating:9/10

Buy or Rent (or Emulate)?
With room for only one save slot, this is a must buy. Besides, you'll want to play it longer than five days. Emulation is a good choice (praise Jesus for save states) for the non-console owner.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/10/01, Updated 08/10/01