Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls
- January 15, 2020
- ACQUIRE Corp.
- 32h median play time
XSEED and ACQUIRE reached back into the past to bring Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls to modern PCs, but does this dusty dungeon crawler hold up? Our review.
Get on Steam"Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls" is a dungeon crawler RPG that updates the classic series with vibrant visuals and sound. Create a party of six, choose their characteristics, and venture into treacherous dungeons filled with vicious monsters. Manage resources, accept quests, and upgrade equipment in the town hub, leading your group from paupers to heroes in this old-school challenge.
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Playstation Vita
Reviews
- Authentic dungeon crawling experience that appeals to fans of the original Wizardry games.
- Engaging gameplay with a high level of difficulty that challenges players to strategize and plan their character builds.
- The game runs smoothly on platforms like Steam Deck, enhancing the overall experience.
- The user interface is clunky and not intuitive, making it difficult for new players to navigate and understand the game mechanics.
- Character creation and management can be frustrating due to a lack of clear instructions and the randomness of stat rolls.
- The game features unsettling voice acting and suggestive character designs that may be off-putting to some players.
- story59 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is largely criticized for its minimal depth and lack of engaging narrative, with many reviewers noting that it primarily serves as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. Players can expect basic quest structures, often involving repetitive fetch quests, and a few character-specific storylines that do not significantly enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as a traditional dungeon crawler with little emphasis on storytelling, making it more suitable for fans of the genre who prioritize gameplay over narrative.
“The quests and heroes feature is a mixed blessing, allowing players to take on the game's challenges with a pre-made party or by creating their own characters from scratch, similar to the original game.”
“3 different dungeons to explore, a neat little story to follow and different endings to choose from (don't get me wrong, story isn't the focus of the game... don't expect anything exceptional)...”
“The DLC story is much more interesting and involving, however, so after you beat the main game, definitely give it a try.”
“There's barely any story; there're barely any graphics; there's barely any gameplay; and the controls just suck.”
“It's an old-school, traditional, slow as molasses dungeon crawl with no frills and no story, no depth, and no character growth beyond the basics.”
“Don't expect an elaborate story.”
- gameplay53 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay experience is a blend of classic dungeon crawling and modern mechanics, emphasizing randomness and trial-and-error learning. While it retains the core elements of the original Wizardry games, it suffers from a lack of clear mechanics and tutorials, leading to a steep learning curve. Despite its simplicity and occasional frustrations, many players find the addictive combat and character customization rewarding for those who appreciate old-school RPGs.
“Exploring the labyrinth as my characters' spell slots and resources dwindle away from battles of attrition, wondering what I'll confront next, and above all a blissful ignorance of how the game mechanics all work, some actual mystery and going with my gut because the game just lets you learn by doing and has minimal explanation for itself - what an absolute joy.”
“The gameplay is addictive and challenging.”
“If you enjoy old school wizardry (Wizardry 1 - 5) gameplay, dungeon crawling, trial and error and are willing to approach it like a 30-year-old RPG, you can get a lot of enjoyment out of this.”
“Sure, there are reviews out there that speak of how difficult this is, but it's just very different from the typical modern gameplay experience.”
“The biggest issues with this game is the severe lack of mechanics being explained at any time.”
“Don't get this if you're looking for rewarding exploration, thought-provoking storyline, or complex gameplay.”
- graphics46 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the updated anime aesthetic and character designs as visually appealing, while others criticize the dated visuals and simplistic art style. Many players appreciate the nostalgic charm of the graphics, reminiscent of classic titles, but note that they may not meet modern standards. Overall, the artwork is generally well-received, though opinions vary on its suitability for different age groups and preferences.
“Man, I love wizardry and the aesthetics of this one are top notch.”
“The graphics have been nicely updated, while still staying true to the original aesthetic, and many of the mechanics remain unchanged.”
“The artwork is beautiful, even if it goes away from classic western aesthetics that marked wizardry.”
“There’s barely any story; there’re barely any graphics; there’s barely any gameplay; and the controls just suck.”
“Graphics are so-so by today's standards and gameplay is archaic but that's what I like in this title.”
“If you're looking for something to stretch your graphics card, this won't be it.”
- grinding28 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that grinding is a central aspect of the game, with mixed opinions on its execution. While some players find the item drop mechanics and smooth interface make grinding enjoyable and rewarding, others criticize it as tedious and repetitive, often detracting from exploration and story. Overall, the experience seems to cater to those who appreciate grinding and character optimization, but may frustrate players seeking a more dynamic gameplay experience.
“The grinding is boring and endless... if you are a fan of the original Wizardry games, this is more of the same with a facelift.”
“This game is unbelievably tedious, even for a remake of an early Wizardry game.”
“Too much focus on grinding and less about actually exploring the dungeon.”
- music10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its quality and ability to enhance the experience, while others find it annoying or repetitive, particularly the voice work. Overall, the soundtrack is described as compelling and fitting, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere despite some dated elements.
“The artwork is wonderful and the music is great!”
“I knew this game was Xseed by the theme song and had to have it.”
“As far as sound, it has nice music and general effects.”
“Horrible annoying music, nasty interface that could be better suited to a mobile phone.”
“The music actually thumps in some places, but the voices can become a little grating if you're not prepared for repetitive anime shrill.”
“The graphics were grainy and the distorted MIDI music chimed along in the background in that way that only dated games did, but there was something compelling about it that kept me playing long into the dark hours of the night; mystery.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to its three full dungeons, including DLC, along with a variety of side quests and items, ensuring players have ample content to explore and enjoy multiple playthroughs.
“The three full dungeons, including the DLC, provide ample content and a satisfying level of replayability.”
“There are a variety of side quests, items, and vast dungeons available, offering high replay value for long play.”
“High replay value.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is polarizing, with some players praising it as good, while others criticize it as nonexistent. This disparity suggests that the depth and growth of characters may vary significantly depending on individual player experiences.
“The character development in this game is exceptional, allowing players to truly connect with the characters and their journeys.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their growth feel organic and impactful.”
“The depth of each character's backstory and their personal growth throughout the game adds a rich layer to the overall experience.”
“Character development is nonexistent.”
“The characters feel flat and lack any meaningful growth throughout the game.”
“There is no real progression or depth to the characters, making it hard to connect with them.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has been reported as buggy, indicating significant stability issues that may affect gameplay.
“The game is incredibly buggy, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced frequent crashes and glitches that ruined my gaming experience.”
“The stability issues are frustrating; I can't progress without encountering errors.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by an immersive and oppressive dungeon design that effectively draws players in, creating a sense of being overwhelmed and engulfed by the environment.
“The dungeon design feels like it wants to pull you in and drown you, creating a wonderfully oppressive atmosphere.”
“The haunting soundscapes and dim lighting immerse you completely, making every moment feel tense and alive.”
“The rich environmental details and eerie ambiance transport you to another world, enhancing the overall experience.”
Critic Reviews
Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls Review - Stumbling in the dark
XSEED and ACQUIRE reached back into the past to bring Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls to modern PCs, but does this dusty dungeon crawler hold up? Our review.
50%Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls Review
The core of the game is a very old-school RPG/dungeon crawling experience, for all its positives and mostly negatives. Unless not having a map and spending hours trying to re-roll viable characters sounds like fun, this one is better off left alone. The anime portraits look nice, but they are just dressing on a framework of something that simply does not stack up to better options in the genre.
50%PSN Review - 'Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls'
70%
