Wizardry 8

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,364 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Wizardry 8 Game Cover
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Wizardry 8 is a fantasy RPG that concludes the classic Wizardry series. The game features a rich, immersive story with multiple endings, and a complex character creation and development system. Players explore a detailed 3D world, battling enemies in turn-based combat and solving puzzles to progress.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,364 reviews
story100 positive mentions
grinding48 negative mentions
  • Deep character customization with a wide variety of races and classes, allowing for unique party builds.
  • Challenging and engaging turn-based combat that requires strategic positioning and planning.
  • Rich world with a mix of fantasy and sci-fi elements, providing an immersive experience.
  • Graphics are dated and may not appeal to modern gamers.
  • Combat can be slow and tedious, especially with large groups of enemies.
  • The game can be punishing for new players, with a steep learning curve and frequent random encounters.
  • story280 mentions

    The story of Wizardry 8 is a complex and engaging continuation of the Dark Savant trilogy, featuring a mix of medieval fantasy and sci-fi elements. While it offers a rich narrative interwoven with character development and faction dynamics, some players find the plot to be secondary to the tactical combat and exploration. Overall, the game provides a unique storytelling experience that rewards players familiar with the series, though it can be challenging to navigate without prior knowledge or guidance.

    • “The story is excellent, and does a great job interweaving storylines from the previous two games as well, meaning the more backstory you know the more enjoyable the game can be.”
    • “The gameplay is not the only thing crafted masterfully in this game, for the story is something to behold.”
    • “The story takes place on a classic medieval fantasy planet that is now host to a range of alien factions vying diplomatically and militarily for control over artifacts that will grant godhood.”
    • “The story, 'puzzles', and quests in this game are all solved horribly obscure because the game doesn't explain a lot to you and there's lots of 'hidden' items you can pick up or interact with.”
    • “The story is weak and a small part of the game but it is consistent with several choices to explore during replays.”
    • “There may be some sort of story buried in this game, but it's mostly just a long string of extremely frequent encounters with wandering monsters.”
  • graphics270 mentions

    The graphics of Wizardry 8 are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its age as a nearly 25-year-old game. While many players acknowledge the dated and blocky visuals, they often emphasize that the gameplay and depth of the RPG experience more than compensate for the lack of modern graphical fidelity. Nostalgia plays a significant role for fans, with some appreciating the charm of the old-school aesthetic despite its shortcomings.

    • “The music is great, the graphics are questionable but charming; the magic is amazing and full of depth.”
    • “If you like fantasy and can look past the dated graphics, this is still a gem of a game that you should experience to see the 'so-far' pinnacle of wizardry party-based RPGs.”
    • “For a game that's nearly 20 years old, the graphics aren't too shabby and the gameplay is quite fruitful.”
    • “The graphics are terrible even by 2001 standards.”
    • “The graphics are poor, the world is small and parts of it are a bit empty.”
    • “Graphics are lackluster, but sound effects are surprisingly good, especially voice acting.”
  • gameplay188 mentions

    The gameplay of Wizardry 8 is characterized by its challenging and intricate mechanics, requiring players to master positioning and character development, often leading to early deaths as they learn the system. While the graphics may feel dated, the depth of turn-based combat, diverse character classes, and strategic decision-making provide a rewarding experience that appeals to fans of classic RPGs. Despite some frustrating mechanics, the game offers extensive replayability and a nostalgic charm that resonates with long-time players.

    • “Just about everything about Wizardry 8's gameplay represents the pinnacle of the series; the magic is incredibly fun, particularly as it can now freely impact 3D space rather than just whatever group is engaged in formal combat with you, and the fighting animations and sound effects are visceral and fun in equal measure.”
    • “The gameplay itself gives players either a turn-based approach or a more active but still turn-based take on combat.”
    • “To sum up all the stuff mentioned above, I’d say Wizardry 8 is a genuinely unique RPG game featuring challenging yet still rewarding gameplay, an immersive RPG system, overwhelming sounds, and adorable dialogues.”
    • “There is absolutely nothing more boring and frustrating than a mechanic of retreating in pure turn-based combat.”
    • “However, it is ultimately crippled by tedious combat mechanics.”
    • “This mechanic is basically broken by today's standards and probably that's the reason why you don't see this in new games anymore.”
  • music56 mentions

    The music in Wizardry 8 receives mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance gameplay, particularly during battles, while others find it repetitive and forgettable. Notably, one track, referred to as the "oh shit" song, effectively heightens tension in critical moments. Overall, while the soundtrack has its standout moments, it is often overshadowed by the game's other qualities, leading to a consensus that the music is decent but not exceptional.

    • “The music is great, the graphics are questionable but charming (bias), the magic is amazing and full of depth.”
    • “Wizardry 8 boasts a fitting musical score to bring to life a variety of environments, some surprisingly good if not hammy voice acting that often manages to bring characters to life, and a no-pulled-punches approach to the gameplay.”
    • “It's soundtrack is perfect.”
    • “Excellent game overall, even with the blocky graphics and absolutely forgettable soundtrack.”
    • “The soundscape was something of a weak point, particularly the somewhat unremarkable and very repetitive music, but it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, as the other qualities of the game bear the burden of setting the mood on their titanic shoulders.”
    • “The music is really... um meh.”
  • replayability56 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its extensive variety of character classes and races, allowing players to experiment with numerous party configurations and playstyles. The non-linear storyline, combined with randomized elements and deep character progression, ensures that each playthrough can feel fresh and engaging. While some players note that the initial hours may be less enjoyable, the overall depth and complexity provide a nearly endless array of possibilities for exploration and strategy.

    • “The class/race system, as well as the open world gameplay, gives it decades worth of replayability.”
    • “Complex party creation, infinite replayability; just try different party combos, try a solo ninja, or a dual party, or multiclass 3 or 4 times to get the perfect solo character.”
    • “This adventure also does something lacking in modern games, saturated by twitch reflexes and meta gaming, by reminding old and young gamers alike that gameplay and conscious decision making are the true hallmarks of replayability in any game, even if it is two decades old.”
    • “The replayability of this game is extremely high, with different parties and styles explored, long after the story branches are all well known.”
    • “There are several ways to play through this game, with many character builds, making it have endless replayability to try new things.”
  • grinding48 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with many players finding the combat repetitive and frustrating. While some appreciate the depth of character development and the variety of party compositions, the overall sentiment leans towards the grinding feeling like a chore rather than an engaging challenge. Despite its low price point, the grind-heavy mechanics may deter players seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “This game is long, tedious, slow, and unfair (expert mode especially, oh god).”
    • “I just wanted to go to explore, but kept getting drawn into this long, tedious awfulness.”
    • “Enemies level approximately as you do, one of the first RPGs to implement this feature, making boring tricks like grinding in one area simply bad ways to play this game.”
  • character development28 mentions

    Character development in Wizardry 8 is highly praised for its complexity and depth, allowing players to feel the impact of their choices on gameplay. The system is described as rewarding and engaging, with modern conveniences that enhance the experience, such as easier inventory management and simplified NPC interactions. Overall, the combination of intricate character progression, tactical combat, and a light-hearted narrative contributes to a compelling RPG experience.

    • “Character development is definitely at the heart of the game.”
    • “No game has offered such a combination of deep character development, rich dialog options, clever tactical combat, and a crazy world to explore.”
    • “You really feel like the choices you make with character development have a direct impact on how the game plays.”
    • “Character development is very rewarding (though different compared to Wizardry 6 or 7), combat tactical and challenging while the story - well, let's say it is not standing in the way of things...”
    • “Anyone who likes complicated character development and combat simulation would like this game (because it is so old, the graphics are very dated, but the mechanics are fun).”
    • “First of all, this game offers the most complicated character development system I have ever seen.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by quirky characters with distinct personalities and outrageous accents, leading to frequent laughter through their dialogue and interactions. While some jokes may come off as cringy or corny, the variety in character classes and the ability to customize voices and personalities contribute to a fun and engaging experience. Overall, the humor enhances the RPG's charm, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate witty banter and comedic elements.

    • “Most of them are quirky, many of them have outrageous accents, and a few of them are genuinely hilarious, but all feel distinct.”
    • “You really do feel like your characters are characters, and everything from their everyday barks, responses to their triumphs and tribulations, and plot-relevant events have me laughing out loud and almost constantly grinning.”
    • “It's a good RPG where it counts, and the banter with your party can be funny and enjoyable.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, drawing inspiration from classic titles like Might & Magic 6-8, offering a unique and immersive experience for those who appreciate open-world dungeon crawlers. While some players praise its challenging environment and engaging music, others criticize the lack of coherence in its world design, where fantasy elements clash with sci-fi themes. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both nostalgic and innovative, with a blend of humor and depth that appeals to fans of old-school CRPGs.

    • “If you can understand that this is an older game that needs some steps to run, and you like the concept of an open world dungeon crawler that was innovative when it came out and still stands tall and firm in its unique atmosphere, I really recommend giving this game a go; I don't think you'll be disappointed in the least.”
    • “Unfortunately, this game is completely devoid of atmosphere, with orcs and goblins rubbing elbows with spaceships and computers.”
    • “A challenging atmosphere, where you don't know if the next group of creatures will kill you.”
    • “It draws inspiration from Might & Magic 6-8 for exploration and atmosphere.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players find emotional investment in the game through its diverse classes, engaging mechanics, and rich NPC interactions, despite it not being primarily focused on narrative depth. The immersive sound effects contribute to a visceral experience, sometimes leading to moments of emotional trauma, particularly during character deaths. Overall, while the game may not prioritize emotional fulfillment, it still manages to evoke strong feelings through gameplay elements.

    • “The varied classes and mechanics, the plethora of character barks, and the collection of NPCs, both 'recruitable' and otherwise, make it a pleasure to play and emotionally invest myself into (even if I haven't gotten very far).”
    • “Many of the sound effects are so stunningly convincing that sometimes they pierce your head, with the sudden death of your character from boiling blood causing emotional trauma.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game exhibits some bugs and compatibility issues with modern systems, but players report no significant glitches, lag, or crashes. Despite these stability concerns, the engaging combat and extensive party-building options are highlighted as strong points.

    • “There are no glitches, lag, or crashes.”
    • “There are no glitches, lag, or crashes.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any interruptions.”
    • “It's a bit buggy (or a lot buggy) and has trouble with modern systems, but it's got deep, engaging, and tactical combat, and incredibly fun party building with a myriad of choices and 30-something fully voiced personalities to choose from to accompany you through the game.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game is well-optimized for modern hardware, ensuring smooth performance, and features a low-poly 3D design that remains visually appealing. Additionally, players can expect quality-of-life optimizations that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The game has been optimized to run smoothly on modern rigs, showcasing impressive low-poly 3D graphics that hold together quite nicely.”
    • “I'm going to add a guide soon, so be on the lookout for it because it'll include tons of quality-of-life optimizations.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Players express frustration with the monetization strategy, particularly the intrusive advertisements that appear when closing the game or during crashes, promoting purchases for faster PCs. This approach detracts from the overall gaming experience.

    • “One that really bugs me is that when you close the game, or during some crashes, it will show you an advertisement to buy faster PCs before closing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

132hMedian play time
368hAverage play time
4-913hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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