A remake of the original Wizardry gets a surprise early access release

There are few things quite like a good shadow drop, especially when the game in question is a Digital Eclipse remake of one of the most influential games of all time. The classic dungeon crawler Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is now available in early access on Steam and GOG.

In keeping with Digital Eclipse’s usual MO, this remake includes both a complete graphical overhaul with some new features for the sake of convenience and the 1981 original, not as separate games, but with the remake “built directly on top of the original Apple II game’s code”. You can switch between original and remake graphics, or even view both at the same time, while the new features—a minimap, improved party management, hints for new players, and the like— can be turned off for a more classic experience.

Though it’s an early access release, the core game is fully playable. The ongoing development will focus primarily on visual elements that are not yet fully implemented, ironing out bugs, and seeking community feedback. Although the game can be played in full, Digital Eclipse’s Wizardry remake FAQ makes clear that it is still very much a work in progress, so bugs and other inconveniences are to be expected. The team is anticipating late 2024 for a full release, although that isn’t set in stone.

Wizardry: Proving Ground of the Mad Overlord originally released in 1981, and the series it spawned inspired a whole generation of RPGs. It grew especially popular in Japan, where its influence led to the creation of both Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, a succession of Wizardry spinoffs, and the “Dungeon RPG” genre that’s seen a bit of a renaissance in recent years through the likes of Etrian Odyssey.

It’s a game that deserves the kind of preservation that Digital Eclipse specialises in, in other words, so this new Wizardry remake is a very welcome surprise.