Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Apple II, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, FM Towns, PC (Microsoft Windows), PC-8800 Series, PC-9800 Series, Satellaview, Super Famicom, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Turbografx-16/PC Engine CD
- Developers: ASCII Entertainment, Sir-Tech Software, Inc.
- Publishers: ASCII Entertainment, Capcom, Nintendo, Sir-Tech Software, Inc., St. GIGA
Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom is a role-playing video game developed and published by Sir-Tech Software, Inc. for the Apple II, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS in 1988. It is the fifth installment in the Wizardry series, and the first to use a first-person perspective. The game is set in the fictional world of Llylgamyn, and follows a party of adventurers who must travel to the titular Maelstrom to defeat the evil warlord Werdna.
Wizardry V represents a significant departure from the previous games in the series, with a number of new features and improvements. These include:
- A first-person perspective, which gives players a more immersive experience.
- A larger world to explore, with more dungeons, towns, and other locations.
- A new character creation system, which allows players to create characters with a wider range of abilities and skills.
- A new combat system, which is more strategic and challenging.
- A new spell system, which includes a wider range of spells and abilities.
The game was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best RPGs of all time. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, immersive world, and challenging combat.
Gameplay
Wizardry V is a dungeon crawl RPG in which the player controls a party of up to six adventurers. The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player navigates the world by moving through a series of interconnected rooms. The game’s world is large and complex, and there are many different dungeons, towns, and other locations to explore.
Combat in Wizardry V is turn-based, and the player has a variety of options to choose from when attacking enemies. These include melee attacks, ranged attacks, and spells. The game’s combat system is challenging, and players must carefully consider their strategy in order to succeed.
Plot
The game is set in the fictional world of Llylgamyn, which is threatened by the evil warlord Werdna. Werdna has captured the four elemental orbs, and is using them to create a powerful army of monsters. The player’s party must travel to the Maelstrom, where Werdna’s fortress is located, and defeat him before he can destroy Llylgamyn.
Along the way, the player’s party will encounter a variety of challenges, including deadly monsters, treacherous traps, and powerful villains. They will also meet a number of helpful NPCs, who can provide them with information, items, and assistance.
Characters
The player can create a party of up to six adventurers, each with their own unique abilities and skills. There are four different character classes to choose from: fighter, mage, priest, and thief. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses, and players must carefully consider their party composition when creating their characters.
Legacy
Wizardry V is considered to be one of the best RPGs of all time. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, immersive world, and challenging combat. The game was also a commercial success, and helped to establish the Wizardry series as one of the most popular RPG franchises in history.
Wizardry V has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation. The game has also been released on a number of digital platforms, including Steam, GOG, and the App Store.
Conclusion
Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom is a classic RPG that still holds up today. With its innovative gameplay, immersive world, and challenging combat, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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