PlayStation 2

Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land

Even considering these minor shortcomings, Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land is easily one of the best PC-style role-playing games to ever grace a console. Sirtech and Atlus fans alike will definitely want to see this interesting take on the series, and those raised on console-style RPGs could find themselves enjoying a different style of gameplay if they give themselves the chance.

Wizardry is hard to recommend to those who are not from the "old school." Its graphics and gameplay is so firmly rooted in past games that its appeal to those who grew up with newer games may be limited. If you can get past this quaintness and just go with the flow, you may very well end up enjoying yourself.

Tale of the Forsaken Land makes a nod toward the classic series with its old-school gameplay, but even with the updated graphics and battle features, it just doesn?t come close to the top PlayStation 2 RPGs. Wizardry is still fun in its own way, but you should be prepared for a very slow-paced affair with a sparse story and few bells and whistles.

As horrendous as this game may appear to be, I actually found myself somewhat engrossed. Character development allows players to customize every aspect, right down to race and class, and the combat is fast and loaded with techniques. Wizardry will bore most gamers, but I have a feeling that hardcore role-players will enjoy this flashback to the simpler days of gaming.

Final Fantasy changed the world of role playing, arguably for the better. It's really not a bad thing to be spoiled by it. WIZARDRY manages to show, if barely, the benefits of role-playing in a more traditional way. Perhaps if the producers of WIZARDRY, Atlus, decide to make a sequel, they can improve upon the unnecessary difficulties of this game and start a new wave to the older style of playing.