Larian Studios Forums General Chat RPG Chat Wizardy 8

I couldn't stand it anymore. I have to play an RPG. Just don't want to play d2 or dd again just now and Blade and Sword has proved to be boring. So I got to compusa 10 minutes before closing and almost bought ROTK, but then I saw Wizardy 8, which I know nothing about and I am about to install it. I hope it is good.

It's not only "Good". It's VERY, VERY, VERY GOOD. (Editor's Choice, 5/5 Computer Gaming World).
In fact, I'd run to Jamaica on foot if I could get the game there. Right now. Sadly the game had no developper so EB decided to publish it.
It was Sirtech Canada's (Wizardry 1-8, Jagged Alliance 1-2) last project to date.... But I heard that the company is slowly reforming.
Good luck, friend: it's a trully great thing you found here.

I liked it *very* much, although it's turn-based (you can switch it almost off). What I didn't like. was the fighting : Too much for my own taste.

Be careful : The characters must practise, practise, practise ! Only then they get better in their skills !

Ah, I always forget your pacifism, Alrik <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />.
They claim that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. could be finished almost without shooting <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />.

(sorry if I offended anyone).

lol, I simply don't like fighting all the time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> But it is true that I tend to pacifism. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

Like most Germans I spoke to <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.
Probably linked to the past, no?
Well, wish everyone was like you... Especially those suicide bombers...

Ok, it's going offtopic.

What I liked the most in Wizardry is the character creation/settings.
For how much did you buy it, BTW? It's probably very expencive now, isn't it?

Yes, it's almost something ... linked to the past, obviously. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

I had almost said something national, but other Germans would have protested, because some have the good point that we aren't guilty for what our grandfathers did or so.

Well, the monuments of the past are there, we cannot deny them. Therefore we here in Germany are especially sensitive towards war. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

I paid $20. I plunged right into the game, but didn't get very far. In my very 1st battle I couldn't figure out how to fight! My characters didn't die; we just sat there with nothing happening. So now I am reading about the game a bit at a time and won't start playing again for awhile.

Cleglaw,

Tell us of your progress, I am really interested <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

I wholeheartedly agree that there is WAY to much combat. Wandering the wilderness can be a pain becuase there is simply so many battles that it takes you hours just to joureney a short distance. Also the combat is very hard. Its a pity, because I quite enjoyed the game overall!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />

That was EXACTLY my opinion, too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I loved the game, EXCEPT the battles. The only advantage is, that they are getting a bit easier with stronger characters - but the "autolevelling" of the enemies isn't that good, imho, too.

I wish I hadn't spent the money on the game, because I don't really like it much. Here is why.

1. The interface and rules are awkward and overly complex. It takes far too long to master the basics. I am used to DD, D2, Dungeon Siege, NWN all of which have much easier, more intuitive user controls. I mean just to instruct you in how to open a chest there are 5 pages in the Wiz 8 manual! 5 pages on how to safely open a chest! 5 pages! I had to start new parties several times because of some minor deficit in my knowledge base. And the manual is on disc which makes it hard to refer to while playing. Of course I could print it out, but why should I throw away good money on printer's ink and paper when I don't like the game.
2. The combat is turn based, slow and again too complicated. It doesn't flow and feels very unrealistic.
3. You never get to see what your characters look like except for their faces.
4. The game does not grab and hold my interest. I would rather browse the forums or play minesweeper.

Now one could argue that since you are playing a party of 6 or more characters all of whom can be micromanaged that awkward unintuitive controls are just going to be a fact of life. However, Dungeon Siege proved that this is not the case at all. In Dungeon Siege you can put your characters on autopilot or micromanage them if you prefer in a manner which is easy, simple and pleasing to the eye. And NWN proved that D&D rules of combat could be made to flow well without the combat looking stilted.

Deathatthedoor's praise of the game helped me to stick with it for awhile and since he liked it so much I am sure the game must have a lot of merit. It does have potential. It is just not for me.

I should just wait for
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beyond.gif" alt="" />

Wizardry 8 is an old school RPG in every sense of the word. Dungeon Siege, Diablo 2 and DD are very much ACTION themed rpg's. Wizardry 8 is more like the old pen and paper role playing games than resembling Diablo 2 and the action ilk. Given your tastes im not surprised you hated it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />

I'd say the same. Mandrake, you've hit my own point of view very good. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

*Bows formally and winks* We often concur. Probably because we are old school too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />

Yes Mandrake I agree.
If anyone would like to have my copy of the game just PM me with your name and mailing address and I'll send it to you. Someone in the USA so that I don't have to pay large shipping charges.

"Signed by an Divinity Forum Member" ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/delight.gif" alt="" />

/me being an old Might and Magic player <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />.
No, really, it was an awesome RPG for me... sadly I couldn't buy it for 80$ when it was sold in MTL.
Well, you can't argue about tastes, can you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />?

Hey offer to cover his shipping costs and he'll send it to you in Canada DatD!!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />

Already did. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
Thanks for the suggestion, though. Have a cookie, Mandrake <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />