Gameplay is similar in style to Bradley's earlier Wizardry games. Players control a party of characters through a first-person perspective and fight turn-based combats. Outside of combat, the game is real-time. Characters can join guilds that give exclusive quests, and each character maintains their own individual quest log.[3] Guilds also allow characters to switch classes. Characters can switch classes as many times as they like but can not return to a class once they change from it.[4]
Development
Development began in 1996 and lasted four years.[5] Bradley initially reported the game would have a system that allowed players to choose between real-time and turn-based combat, though this was later abandoned. Competitive multiplayer was also planned based on the guild system, though this, too, was removed.[3]
The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[6] Sam Derboo of Hardcore Gaming 101 wrote that it "feels like Bradley's alternative Wizardry 8".[3] In comparing the two games' dungeons, Derboo said the dungeons of Wizards & Warriors are more complex.[3] Andrew Seyoon Park of GameSpot wrote that the game seems to be unimpressive at first, perhaps because of its long development, but provides "many hours of exploration and character building".[14] Tal Blevins of IGN complimented the game's graphics and voice acting, though he wrote that the controls can be annoying. Blevins concluded, "If you like old-school RPGs, you'll fall in love with Wizards & Warriors."[17] Jonathan Houghton of The Adrenaline Vault likened it to EverQuest, saying that the game's unoriginal storyline is compensated for by its depth and longevity.[20] In criticizing the game's controls, graphics, and story, Will Lally and Tina Haumersen of GameSpy wrote, "Aside from some nostalgia value, there is nothing to recommend this game."[15] Doug Trueman of NextGen wrote, "What might have been a decent RPG a couple of years ago can't compete today with the likes of Diablo II and Icewind Dale."[18] Brian Wright of GamePro wrote, "RPG fans looking for a change of pace from Baldur's Gate II and who are willing to overlook a few flaws may want to give Wizards & Warriors a chance."[21][a]
Notes
^GamePro gave the game three 3.5/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 4/5 for sound.
^ abcdDerboo, Sam (October 31, 2012). "Wizardry: Stones of Arnhem". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
^D'Aprile, Jason (November 11, 2000). "Wizards and Warriors [sic]". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on April 18, 2003. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
^ abBlevins, Tal (September 29, 2000). "Wizards & Warriors (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
^"Wizards & Warriors". PC Gamer. Vol. 7, no. 12. Imagine Media. December 2000. p. 144.
^Houghton, Jonathan (October 30, 2000). "Wizards & Warriors". The Adrenaline Vault. Archived from the original on February 7, 2006. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
