Wizard of Legend
- May 15, 2018
- Contingent99
- 24h median play time
Wizard of Legend is a surprisingly deep game despite its simple premise, fans of dungeon crawlers, roguelikes or just anyone in the market for a fun couch co-op game should definitely check out Contigent99 debut title.
"Wizard of Legend" is a fast-paced dungeon crawler where you play as a powerful wizard fighting through chaotic magical battles. With over 100 different spells to choose from, customize your playstyle and strategize to overcome the elements. Battle your way through procedurally generated levels and unlock new spells and abilities in this addictive and challenging game.
Reviews
- gameplay827 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Wizard of Legend" is characterized by its fast-paced, fluid mechanics and a strong emphasis on spell combos and customization, allowing players to experiment with various builds and strategies. While many players appreciate the engaging combat and replayability, some express frustration with mechanics like stunlocking and a lack of invincibility frames during dodges, which can lead to a feeling of unfairness. Overall, the game offers a solid and addictive gameplay loop, though it may become repetitive over time due to limited enemy and level variety.
“The elemental differences add nice depth to the gameplay, and the fact that each run is not entirely random, since you can select your starting spells and items, gives the player freedom to prepare and play with different playstyles in order for the game to feel fresh.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and more challenging than I was expecting.”
“The gameplay loop is tight and fun, with a variety of badass and fun spells.”
“The dodge mechanic ruins the whole game experience.”
“Lack of rewards = tedious gameplay.”
“The gameplay is repetitive beyond what I would expect from a roguelike, with little to no variation between runs.”
- graphics338 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, vibrant animations, and smooth gameplay, creating an engaging visual experience that complements the fast-paced combat. Many players appreciate the nostalgic feel of the retro graphics, noting that the spell effects and character designs are particularly well-executed. However, some critiques mention that while the visuals are appealing, they can occasionally feel simplistic or repetitive, lacking depth in certain environments. Overall, the art style is considered a strong point of the game, enhancing its replayability and enjoyment.
“I love the pixel art style, and there are so many small details that make the game wonderful even if it's a bit grindy and difficult!”
“The pixel art visuals are incredibly impressive, and the variety of arcana and relics make it very replayable.”
“The graphics are amazing, with a ton of spells that you use to fight, all pretty unique in design, with some slight style similarities.”
“However, the game's visuals are severely lacking.”
“While this is a good game, you really should only get it if you like its gameplay, as story, graphics, and music are subpar at best.”
“Graphics are adequate with a lot of rough edges; if you don't like rotated pixels, scaling, or things not aligning to the grid, then this game will bug the hell out of you.”
- music299 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and diverse soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, particularly during combat and boss battles. However, some players find the music repetitive and not always fitting for the game's atmosphere, with a few describing it as generic or underwhelming. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, there are calls for more variety and dynamic tracks to better match the game's fast-paced action.
“The soundtrack spans from a relaxed ambiance in areas like the hub or the museum to something high-octane and exhilarating during boss stages.”
“The music is amazing, the combos are fun, and the cost is low.”
“The soundtrack is gorgeous and I can't seem to play without it; it's basically the soul of the game and it just makes you even more attached to it.”
“The music gets old fast, as there is only 1 soundtrack for all the dungeons.”
“The soundtrack was fine, although no particular track caught my attention enough for me to really notice it as I was playing.”
“Because of this backdrop, it's hard to take anything seriously, and it is made worse by the horrible music design.”
- replayability231 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by a vast array of spells, relics, and build combinations that keep each run fresh and engaging. While some players note a lack of enemy variety and repetitive dungeon design, the game's mechanics and the challenge of mastering different strategies ensure that many find themselves returning for more. Overall, it is highly regarded for its engaging gameplay and the potential for endless experimentation.
“This is one of the most entertaining and replayable games I've ever gotten my grubby little mitts on.”
“The amount of spells, items, and robes you can choose from and combine makes it highly replayable.”
“The sheer amount of arcana means there's tons of possibilities, giving this game even more replay value than it already has with its rogue-like system.”
“Lack of progression for the skills in itself like Hades and Children of Morta hurts the replayability.”
“But don't expect it to hold your attention for very long - the replayability is just not there.”
“The replay value is in collecting all the spells, relics, and outfits, but outside of collecting, you won't see your experience change much, especially since there's only about 7 enemy designs.”
- story226 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and often described as simplistic or lacking depth, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. Many players appreciate the engaging combat and mechanics but express disappointment over the absence of a compelling narrative or character development. Overall, while the game is enjoyable for its gameplay, those seeking a rich story experience may find it lacking.
“The backstory of this game is that wizards are invited to join a competition to go through trials to become the greatest wizard in the world, meaning everything in this game is basically all just 'fake'; it's all just a game inside a game, the player, no matter what action you take, is just a part of a wizard reality show.”
“The little bit of story that there is doesn't try to BS you into feeling like there's some grandiose dilemma behind what you do: you're an aspiring badass who wants to make a name for himself as the wizard of legend.”
“The story is actually pretty epic (if you like the magic academy or isekai anime, this is right up your alley).”
“There is just the bare minimum story to drive the gameplay and explain the setting.”
“This kind of backstory makes all of the things you do in the game feel inconsequential.”
“There is no story to speak of, though the game does seem to have at least a bit of lore behind it, and the written dialogue has a bit of charm to it that I can't identify.”
- grinding92 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant emphasis on grinding in the game, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the early stages. While some appreciate the challenge and the potential for skill improvement through grinding, others express frustration over the lack of meaningful rewards and the monotonous gameplay loop. Overall, the grinding aspect is a divisive feature, appealing to those who enjoy it but potentially deterring players seeking a more streamlined experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Lack of rewards = tedious gameplay.”
“A game about being a cool wizard that gates your ability to be a cool wizard behind a bunch of tedious grinding with a boring gameplay loop that makes the whole experience a slog.”
“The downfall of the game comes down to its grindy nature to stretch out what little there actually is in the game.”
- humor46 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying its quirky spells, funny interactions, and amusing character designs. While some find the puns and repetitive jokes hit-or-miss, many agree that the game's comedic elements enhance the overall experience, making it a fun choice for both solo and multiplayer play. The combination of absurdity and challenge keeps players laughing, even in the face of defeat.
“The funny wizard game feels like it has very much depth and I recommend it a lot.”
“You can throw falcons at enemies and knock them off platforms, which I find hilarious.”
“All the deaths I've had so far have either gotten me to laugh or made me want to take another go at it, not because I'm angry, but rather because I feel like I can do better the next time.”
“The only thing you can do is run and dash; that is not funny at all.”
“The cringey puns made me laugh.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed; while some players feel empowered and challenged, likening their experience to that of a powerful wizard or a determined child, others express frustration with the game's design and narrative, leading to a sense of disappointment. Notably, the game has evoked strong feelings of pride and accomplishment for some, particularly upon completing difficult challenges, while others have found it emotionally taxing and unenjoyable. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, from joy and empowerment to frustration and regret.
“This is one of the few games that made me feel like an overzealous child who wants something very badly when I came across it, and fortunately for me, when I did give in to my desires to buy the game, I was welcomed by a generous amount of content, challenge, and fun.”
“Truly a challenging roguelite, it took me approximately five months to beat the game, and it happened live on stream which made the game extremely emotional for me.”
“Completing this game made me feel proud of myself for the first time in my life, 10/10 will die again.”
“But has annoying game design which is not rewarding and interesting for the player, boring story and enemy design.”
“Boring story, boring dungeon design, but daaamn: dat.”
- optimization15 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance and good graphics even on older hardware, others highlight issues such as unoptimized features and occasional performance hiccups. Some users experienced control stuttering at launch, but fixes were found, indicating that optimization can vary based on individual setups. Despite these concerns, many appreciate the game's art style and combat mechanics, suggesting that it is generally well-optimized for a satisfying experience.
“The graphics are great, well-optimized.”
“It runs smoothly even for my cheap 5-year-old half-broken laptop.”
“Well optimized, stable game.”
“Is no one gonna talk about how unoptimized this game is?”
“I have yet to beat the first boss, so maybe this is a skill issue, but I play roguelikes of all kinds and this game just reeks of poorly optimized game features that are dismissed. If you can't work with them or at least mitigate how much they work against you, then it's a skill issue.”
“The game also isn't frame-limited, which probably contributes to the occasional poor performance.”
- stability13 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with players reporting various bugs and glitches, particularly in combat and interface functionality. While some users experienced temporary freezes upon startup and noted that the game runs well on Linux, others highlighted issues with RNG and level design that detract from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, many players remain optimistic about future patches and content updates, appreciating the game's potential despite its current shortcomings.
“Runs great on Linux.”
“The game is quite buggy and is patched way more frequently than any other game, with the patches albeit being small and easy to download.”
“Laptop exceeds requirements, glitches like crazy.”
“After a couple more runs trying some things, the interface is kind of buggy.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its charm and uniqueness, enhancing both casual play and strategic teamwork. Players appreciate the immersive world, themed dungeons, and engaging soundtrack, which collectively create a rewarding experience. However, some critiques mention a lack of immersion due to insufficient story introduction and reliance on tutorials.
“The game is fantastic in its atmosphere and feeling.”
“The themed dungeons and bosses are really done well with each atmosphere and aesthetic being unique, the environmental traps and enemies following in suit.”
“[The setting and atmosphere are absolutely wonderful and charming. Fun, fast-paced combat system with surprising depth. Lots of freedom in creating a unique character build. Delightful NPCs, bosses, and hilarious flavor text. Satisfying sense of progression, making this one of the more approachable roguelites.]”
“So already, there is no immersion or atmosphere, and there is no proper story introduction; all the players' knowledge on the game has come from an artificial pseudo tutorial.”
“The looks, the world that was created, and the atmosphere all together.”
“Soundtrack was amazing, intro story intriguing enough to read but not too overbearing to cut into the atmosphere and gameplay.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is primarily free-to-play with microtransactions, which some users feel disrupts the gameplay experience and misrepresents the game's progression. While chaos gems provide a sense of advancement without additional costs, the presence of ads and the perceived lack of meaningful progression through purchases have led to mixed feelings among players. Overall, the monetization strategy is seen as flawed, with concerns about misleading advertising and gameplay balance.
“The game is free, but it includes microtransactions.”
“Chaos gems, the game's form of 'permanent currency', are very helpful in giving the game a feeling of progression. (Don't worry, no microtransactions! This isn't EA, after all!)”
“Conclusion, this isn't a walk in the park but it doesn't earn my review because of that. It does because I believe the ads don't match the real game in an 'harmonious way' and it also makes it seem as though there is actual progression when there is none aside from buying new items.”
“Feels like wrong advertisement.”
“☐ free, but has microtransactions.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is minimal, with a focus on fast-paced gameplay and engaging mechanics rather than deep storytelling. While the character design, particularly for merchants, is praised for its charm, players seeking complex narratives may find this aspect lacking. Overall, the game prioritizes fun encounters and a vibrant art style over extensive character arcs.
“It's fast-paced, has hundreds of spells and items, so many fun encounters, great character design, a charming art style, and absolutely riveting music that encourages you to conquer the wizard trials.”
“The character design for the merchants is fantastic.”
“Do you like complex character development and compelling stories?”
“There is very minimal story and character development, but it isn't what you're playing roguelites for.”
“The characters feel one-dimensional and lack any real growth throughout the game.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that could impact character development.”
Critic Reviews
Wizard of Legend Review
Wizard of Legend succeeds in creating a setting that’s just full of so much mystery and awe. It’s hard not to feel so completely enthralled by the game’s charm and delightful magical spells. If you have even a passing interest in a world that’s centered around elemental magic, or if you’ve always wanted a game with element bending-style combat like in Avatar but with a dash of that Disneyland childlike wonder, play Wizard of Legend.
80%Casting the Night Away
The fast-paced, hectic combat of Wizard of Legend, combined with its immense spell inventory, is what makes it shine.
70%Wizard of Legend (Switch) Review
Wizards don cloaks, spells, and a roguelite structure in this dungeon crawler.
70%