Wizardry 8

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Wizardry 8

Developer(s)	Sir-Tech
Publisher(s)	Sir-Tech
Series	Wizardry series
Engine	SurRender 3D
Release date(s)	November 15, 2001
Genre(s)	Role-playing
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: T (Teen) ELSPA: 11+ OFLC: M15+
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Media	3 CD-ROMs
System requirements	64 MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM drive, DirectX 6.0, Windows 95
Input	Keyboard, mouse

Wizardry 8 is the 8th title in the Wizardry series of computer role-playing games by Sir-Tech. It is also the 3rd in the Dark Savant trilogy, which includes Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge and Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant. It was published in 2001 by Sir-Tech. Wizardry 8 is unusual in that it does not have a subtitle.

1 Gameplay
2 Development
3 User improvements
4 External links

[edit] Gameplay

The ultimate aim of the game is to collect all three artifacts mentioned in the story, to ascend to the Cosmic Circle, and become a god.

Characters imported from Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge or Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant start in either the Umpani stronghold or in the T'Rang stronghold, depending on the player's alliance. New characters or unallied characters imported from a previous game start in the Higardi Monastery. Wizardry 8 uses different statistics than the previous games, necessitating conversions from the upper limit of 18 to the new upper limit of 100.

The game has an automap that expands into a larger map that can be zoomed in and out. Players can write notes directly onto the map. The quests are relatively simple to complete (other than the secret areas and the retro dungeons, which are not essential to the game). The game provides a journal system, with highlighted items indicating things that warrant further investigation. Games can be saved easily, with an unlimited number of games able to be saved. To delete previous saves, one can either overwrite them or use an external file manager. When characters die they can simply be resurrected, either with powders and scrolls (expensive early in the game), or by casting a resurrection spell later on in the game.

Wizardry 8 has been criticised for its dated 3D computer graphics and somewhat linear plotline.

For the first time in the Wizardry series, players are able to see enemies approaching instead of having them popping up randomly. Combat is turn-based, although a continuous-phase mode can be toggled for those who wish. Because combatants are free to move around during combat, some disadvantages of the combat engine can quickly become apparent. Fights with more than ten enemies can become tedious, while spells that cause fear can cause the enemies to run away, even though the player's party is still flagged as being in combat. Due to the way enemies tend to surround the party, it is often necessary to retreat into nooks and crannies in the terrain in order to prevent being flanked, despite having a very good formation function.

Each race and class has a balance of strengths and weaknesses. The various races and classes are designed to be balanced against each other. The game is designed so that a wide variety of parties can be assembled and still be playable. Characters may change their class as they advance, allowing a variety of combinations.

Monsters are scaled to the party level; higher level parties will face different sets of monsters than a lower level party in the same area. The scaling is limited, unlike The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion to allow variation in difficulty.

For players seeking a more difficult challenge, Sir-Tech has added a new challenge - the "Iron Man Mode". In this "permadeath" mode, players are not allowed to save the game; instead the game is automatically saved when the player quits. In a result, a death cannot be trivially undone by a simple "Restore Game".

There are three main paths to proceed through the game: Allying with either the T'Rang or Umpani, or else being enemies with both. However, players can also choose to ally with the Rattkin or the Trynnie, and players can choose whether or not to ally with the Rapax, Rattkin Razuka or Mook, none of which affects the ending of the game. Diplomacy is a major factor in the game, and choosing the right words and who to ally with greatly affects how the characters are treated and the prices of various goods.

There are many secret areas, including "retro dungeons", something which was copied in the Diablo II expansion packs and Devil Whiskey. Retro Dungeon refer to the look of the dungeons in the original Wizardry (Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord). Instead of vast open views, players are greeted with a solid, traditional grid-based dungeon in the style of Eye of the Beholder and the old Might and Magic games. Spinners, traps and teleporters combine to make these optional areas a challenge and reward for players who wish to test themselves.

The game received generally good reviews, but failed to increase the size of the franchise's fanbase. New casual gamers had some difficulty adjusting to the old-school RPG feel of the game. With a lack of widespread advertising and limited distribution, the game failed to attract much attention at its release.

[edit] Development

Wizardry 8 was published nine years after the completion of the previous title, Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant in 1992, and 5 years after the completion of Wizardry VII's Windows 95 version, titled Wizardry Gold in 1996.

During the production of Wizardry 8, its publisher, Sir-Tech, went bankrupt. The final production process was rushed, and finally Sir-Tech was forced to sell advertising space within the game itself in order to make budget. This advertising appears when exiting the game. Many players have complained about advertising in video games.

In spite of a 'final save' prior to the final battle, Sir-Tech has announced that they have no plans to make a sequel. The Dark Savant trilogy is complete, and Sir-Tech is out of business.

[edit] User improvements

Despite the closing of the development studio, Sir-Tech continued to provide support and created several patches or upgrades for the game for years after release. This support was provided with the collective help of the Wizardry 8 developers who dedicated their own time to the overall effort until such a time when alternate employment made this no longer possible. Fans of the series have continued the efforts, providing editors, mods and a wealth of game info.