Game News Wizardry 6-8 Released on GOG

[Infinitron]

Tags: GOG; Sir-Tech; Wizardry; Wizardry 8; Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge; Wizardry VII: Crusaders Of The Dark Savant

Good news for oldschool RPG fans! The latter three titles in the classic Wizardry series, which together comprise the Dark Savant trilogy, have been been released for digital distribution for the first time ever over at GOG.com. For $6, you can get a pack that contains both Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge and Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant, the latter in both its original DOS version as well as the controversially "enhanced" Windows-compatible Gold version. The final game in the series, Wizardry 8, is available separately for $10.

A hearty thanks to GOG for making these titles available for purchase for the first time over in a decade. Unfortunately, due to decades-long legal proceedings by series co-creator Andrew C. Greenberg, I'm not sure if we'll ever see the first five Wizardry games (which he worked on) released in the same way. Now, when are you guys going to get the Gold Box games?

 

[cvv]

I'm so going to replay this as soon as I stop rejoicing.

Also, dem bonuses I have never owned these games. Tis the first time I see the manuals and maps and cluebooks.
There's a hilarious order form in the cluebook. Apparently Wiz6 cost 60 bucks back then and you could also order Dark Savant T-shirt AND Wizardry Hat for just 9,95!

 

[Bruticis]

I see they put a shout out and link to the codex as well, you'd think they'd know better.

 

[Black]

A shame it doesn't put money into sirtech's pockets but it's a rare opportunity to get legit Wizardries.

 

[Essegi]

Maybe the games i was expecting more on gog...

 

[evdk]

What are the reasons to prefer one version of Wizardry 7 other the other? Do they make changes to the encounter design, the character progression, the lore, or is it just about technical aspects?

The Gold version was optimized fro W95 and is, let's say, slightly buggy on modern systems (text scrolling to quickly to be readable, stuff like that).

 

[JudasIscariot]

What are the reasons to prefer one version of Wizardry 7 other the other? Do they make changes to the encounter design, the character progression, the lore, or is it just about technical aspects?

The Gold version was optimized fro W95 and is, let's say, slightly buggy on modern systems (text scrolling to quickly to be readable, stuff like that).

The scrolling text bugs are fixed in our version of the game

 

[cvv]

What are the reasons to prefer one version of Wizardry 7 other the other? Do they make changes to the encounter design, the character progression, the lore, or is it just about technical aspects?

I've never played Wiz Gold before. I've just tried it and - it's a gigantic pile of unplayable crap.
The whole game runs in a weird windowed mode, the screen is tiny, the opening sequence is apparently only partially skippable, everything reacts with incredibly annoying delay and worst of all - the music. They changed the original Wiz7 music, one of the most epic ever, to some sort of silly synthpop.

I have no idea just WHAT they were trying to accomplish with this version but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be sick.
I can't imagine why would anyone play this over the original.

 

[Infinitron]

What are the reasons to prefer one version of Wizardry 7 other the other? Do they make changes to the encounter design, the character progression, the lore, or is it just about technical aspects?

The Gold version was optimized fro W95 and is, let's say, slightly buggy on modern systems (text scrolling to quickly to be readable, stuff like that).

The scrolling text bugs are fixed in our version of the game

No shit. What else is fixed (in all of the games, not just WizGold)?

 

[MaskedMan]

No Arnhem? weak

I'll buy this if they've fixed Wizardry Gold, if it's just a straight dosbox I can do that myself...

 

[Fowyr]

I've never played Wiz Gold before. I've just tried it and - it's a gigantic pile of unplayable crap.
The whole game runs in a weird windowed mode,

Use 640x480 or 800x600.

They changed the original Wiz7 music, one of the most epic ever, to some sort of silly synthpop.

Really? I thought they used the same music.

I have no idea just WHAT they were trying to accomplish with this version but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be sick.
I can't imagine why would anyone play this over the original.

Pretty graphics.

The Gold version was optimized fro W95 and is, let's say, slightly buggy on modern systems (text scrolling to quickly to be readable, stuff like that).

Also it had annoying bug with unused skill points and completely broken identify.

 

[JudasIscariot]

No Arnhem? weak

I'll buy this if they've fixed Wizardry Gold, if it's just a straight dosbox I can do that myself...

If you're referring to Stones of Arnhem, it's totally impossible to release an unreleased game :D.

 

[Fowyr]

Stones of Arnhem

It's a philosopher's stone of CRPGs.

 

[Jaesun]

The scrolling text bugs are fixed in our version of the game

Very cool.

 

[evdk]

No Arnhem? weak

I'll buy this if they've fixed Wizardry Gold, if it's just a straight dosbox I can do that myself...

If you're referring to Stones of Arnhem, it's totally impossible to release an unreleased game :D.

Why did not GOG bid for the demo version diskettes? Decline of Potato.

 

[Infinitron]

GOG could actually provide Stones of Arnhem bonus materials together with Wizardry 8. It was supposed to be the original Wizardry VIII after all. Ask the people who bought things in the auction to scan and send them.

 

[Cosmo]

The scrolling text bugs are fixed in our version of the game

Would it be even remotely possible to export music and portraits from Wiz7 to Gold ?

 

[Overboard]

I'd never seen the Wizardry Gold portraits before, it being released after I'd stopped playing Wiz7, but having seen them now I believe this picture expresses how I feel:

 

[JudasIscariot]

What are the reasons to prefer one version of Wizardry 7 other the other? Do they make changes to the encounter design, the character progression, the lore, or is it just about technical aspects?

The Gold version was optimized fro W95 and is, let's say, slightly buggy on modern systems (text scrolling to quickly to be readable, stuff like that).

The scrolling text bugs are fixed in our version of the game

No shit. What else is fixed (in all of the games, not just WizGold)?

I personally don't recall anything else popping up bugs-wise with the games but keep in mind that I don't deal with the technical side (programming, compatibility fixing etc., etc.). Hope that helps :D.

 

[JudasIscariot]

GOG could actually provide Stones of Arnhem bonus materials together with Wizardry 8. It was supposed to be the original Wizardry VIII after all. Ask the people who bought things in the auction to scan and send them.

If they ever do send us anything, we'll accept it :D.

 

[Infinitron]

JudasIscariot Oh yeah, you could also try to get this: http://www.mobygames.com/game/nemesis-the-wizardry-adventure

 

[Brayko]

Wizardry 8 is the only decent one in the series.

In before

 

[JudasIscariot]

JudasIscariot Oh yeah, you could also try to get this: http://www.mobygames.com/game/nemesis-the-wizardry-adventure

 

[Jaesun]

Wizardry 8 is the only decent one in the series.

Why?

 

[evdk]

Wizardry 8 is the only decent one in the series.

In before

I don't like you and your taste, good sir. (Note that I believe 8 is good, but it's by no means unique in that regard)

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