ShadowWulfe: Sorry the response was so long, but you tha man.
Also, was Wizards and Warriors worth it (reading your message thing)? I tried playing it back in the day but the controls were kind of off putting.
Arkose: I haven't played Wizards & Warriors which is why I'd like to see it on GOG; awkward controls don't scare me, I played Gothic. :D
Yo,
Was here looking for Wiz 6 & 7 info and see that you guys are talking about Wizards & Warriors.
I am currently in the middle of a Wiz & Wars Re-Visit after 10 or so years.
As far as the question: Is it worth it?
It depends on the person of course. I am not sure what you meant by "controls were kind of off putting" - the controls are normal for games of that era and if a player wants a different key set up they are configurable...Maybe you were referring to the original game having numpad keys for looking around - i don't know. Anyway, once you have a comfortable key board set up the game becomes much much more playable. I will accede that until movement is second nature the game can be unforgiving. I just make saving frequent and often.
There is mouse look via the LMB and the RMB allows forward movement if needed/wanted.
I have seen recently that people find it mostly unplayable since it is a Win 98/Me game { no dosbox }. Some people have been using the Windows XP emulator available from Microsoft as part of Win 7.
The problem is that the game runs too fast on modern systems and there is not really a simple solution for that currently - unless you happen to have a unlocked CPU - then all things are possible. I guess this rules out most if not all Intel people - AMD people are in luck.
I am running it on a Win 7 x64 - AMD 4 Ghz system - but, and this is the deciding factor, I have underclocked my system to 800 Mhz to run the game. I was actually surprised the game runs so well once I did that. The sound is still a little choppy and crackles now and then, but that is how it ran back in the day anyway.
I found the best configuration right now is:
Win 7 x64
AMD black edition underclocked to 800 Mhz - RAM too
Bios on default {for me this meant power to normal ranges}
Screen resolution 4:3 @ 1024 x 768 {widescreen TV monitor : native 16:9 @1366 x 768}
When I was first trying the game out on this PC it was crashing a lot. Resetting BIOS to defaults helped that and I have had very few if any crashes recently.
So back to the question is it worth it?
For me, 100% yes.
Why?
I always like the Wizardry series, Might and Magic, etc. so this game was a natural choice to try. It was/is/can be extremely brutal. If someone was to play this game Blind today I think they would be blown away by the game. It's a very large game and pretty long depending on how you play it. If your someone who likes to play games hard core mode this game can offer that, if you like story-line and not so much punishment you can play that way too. Considering an ill placed fish can wipe your party by drowning the environment can be your enemy as much as the actual mobs. You may be saying WTH? A 1 hit point Fish? It happens, along with death from falling off ladders - which can be tricky and unpredictable and other unpleasant experiences.
So, basically, a player has to learn the game controls and understand movement pretty well or else be ready to have the party perish while doing something like swimming or climbing a ladder. So - Save early and save often.
If you don't have persistence as a personality trait you probably won't like this game. If you like highly detailed , complex, interesting games that "Unfold" instead of handing you, the player, everything on a platter - you will love this game.
This Title really is a Lost Gem.
Recommend:
Try the game and do not read anything about it other than the player manual & read me. Figure out the puzzles yourself w/o referring to online hints and cheats. Play though the game in the original "order" or linearity - don't worry you will NEVER feel "led" along a path. Unlock Elite Roles as they become available, without guild hopping etc.
Come back here in 6 months after you have finsihed the game a let us know if you liked it :)
