43 Years Later, One of the Most Influential RPGs Ever Has a Full Remake
One of the most influential RPGs ever created, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, was originally released in 1981. Now, it has been completely remade from top to bottom and is available to play today.
Inspired by Dungeons and Dragons
Wizardry was heavily inspired by the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. It featured many of the same elements, such as character classes, spells, and monsters. However, Wizardry also introduced some new ideas to the RPG genre, such as a first-person perspective and a party-based combat system.
The Template for Final Fantasy and Other RPGs
Wizardry was a huge success in Japan and helped to popularize the RPG genre. It directly influenced the creation of many other classic RPGs, such as Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and The Elder Scrolls.
Key Influences on Final Fantasy
* **First-person perspective:** Final Fantasy and other early RPGs adopted the first-person perspective of Wizardry, which allowed players to experience the game world from the character’s point of view.
* **Turn-based combat:** Wizardry‘s turn-based combat system, where players take turns attacking and casting spells, became a staple of the RPG genre.
* **Character classes and spells:** Wizardry introduced a wide range of character classes and spells, which allowed players to create different types of characters and customize their playstyles.
* **Dungeon crawling:** Wizardry‘s dungeon-crawling gameplay, where players explore dungeons filled with monsters and traps, became a defining feature of the RPG genre.
Final Fantasy also borrowed many specific elements from Wizardry, such as the use of hit points, experience points, and magic crystals.
Conclusion
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a landmark RPG that helped to define the genre. Its influence can still be seen in modern RPGs, such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The recent remake of Wizardry is a faithful recreation of the original game, and it offers a great opportunity for players to experience this classic RPG for themselves.