Focus on: The Wizardry Series

A look at the Wizardry series by Sir-Tech, which ran from 1981 to 2001 and spawned numerous Japanese spin-offs that are still appearing (with one announced for 2022). Here, parts 1 to 8 plus the American-produced spin-off Nemesis are covered, as usual in the context of the time and with inside information about the people who produced the games.
Legal information:
The “Llanrwst Bus Tour” sign (www.flickr.com...) was taken by National Assembly For Wales / Cynulliad Cymru (www.flickr.com...) and is licensed under CC BY 2.0 (creativecommon....
The photo of Brenda Brathwaite (www.flickr.com...) was taken by Official GDC (www.flickr.com...) and is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
All other material was created by the author, is freely usable or in the public domain, or is featured here under the assumption of “fair use” (including the photo of D. W. Bradley).
As usual, find more information (including comprehensive credits) at www.vintrospek...

[@astrades2601]

It was nice quick glance for what is it Wizardry series. Those big old computer RPG series like this or Might and Magic or Ultima are quite fascinating for me because they started whole genre and are nothing like we have today, but I also find them too intimidating to try what it was like in 80s and early 90s.

[@vintrospektiv]

Thanks for the comment! Actually, the early Wizardry games are really a bit boring by today's standards, especially graphic-wise - the stories are interesting, but most of them is left to the imagination. Parts 6-8, however, are quite nice even when judged from a current viewpoint, and I'd recommend to at least have a look at part 7, which is similar to the Eye of the Beholder games.

[@astrades2601]

@@vintrospektiv Yes, parts 6-8 are surely looking to easier to jump in and i even bought them on some GOG sale to try someday. But when this someday will happen, i don't know.

[@poppers7317]

The Might and Magic games aren't intimidating at all. Just try World of Xeen. It's really easy to play and is still a lot of fun.

[@astrades2601]

@@poppers7317 Good to know. In sometime in the future i want to try complete Might&Magic games.

[@Kromulus98]

Great Review.

[@organicketchup5171]

Wizardry 8 looks absolutely amazing. They're not really similar, but I love the weird and old school RP world of Morrowind, so I'd like to get into W8 too, one day. It's apparently very difficult and with a steep learning curve, however.

[@vintrospektiv]

Thanks for your comment! I haven't played Wizardry 8 very thoroughly, but for the half an hour or hour I played, it was pretty straight-forward. Combat was very intuitive, the interface was standard. Maybe those comments about the learning curve were made by people who know only very modern or only very old-school games? I wouldn't worry too much.

[@MrMalimer]

This is amazing!

[@Devstro]

Good stuff. Any insight into the Wizardry console ports?

[@vintrospektiv]

Thank you! I'm afraid I only gave the console ports a quick glance, but it might be worth to look into them a little deeper for an addendum to this video.

[@megamonstercookies]

I would love a video on this

[@BoofsBoofington]

Llylgamyn is their street name, and is pronounced 'Lil' Gamin'"

[@vintrospektiv]

That would be awesome indeed, but their business address was the much less creatively named Main St. in Ogdensburg.

[@erculano4647]

Great

[@matthiashartmann3083]

What happened to David W. Bradley?

[@vintrospektiv]

That's a good question. He founded his own company, Heuristic Park, in the 90s, and published his last two games under that label: Wizards & Warriors in 2000 and Dungeon Lords in 2005. The last heard of him was the re-issue of Dungeon Lords MMXII in 2012. After that, no new works can be found. Maybe it would be interesting to interview him, but I don't have any contact details (though the Heuristic Park website still exists).