mondblut said:
1-3 and 5 are all straightforward dungeon romps uncomplicated neither with any semblance of story nor with particularly advanced game mechanics. Get the fine-looking SNES versions instead of PC wireframe crap, or look for that "Llylgamyn something" japanese 1-3 port for PSX/Windows (beware the untranslated item descriptions and stuff).
4 is probably the most unique Wizardry and also the least ported one. As far as I know there are no versions other than the original wireframe one.
If you're wanting to try the first 5 Wizardry Games, the ports you're after are:
Wizardry: Llygamyn Saga (Remakes of Wiz. 1-3)
Wizardry: New Age of Llylgamyn (Remakes of Wiz. 4-5)
Both of the above exist for the PS and Win9x platforms (and the first one exists on the Saturn as well).
The following refer to the PC versions only (unless specified), as those are the versions that I own.
They have optional English menus, plus, patches are out, which translate everything else, although you still might need to use AppLoc to be able to run the game (or see some remaining untranslated things such as a few error messages).
The games look like the Macintosh version of the Wizardries (floating menus, one for a map, one for party, etc) rather than fixed onto the screen, so you can pretty much move them anywhere, and organize the screen the way you want.
They also allow you to run in updated graphics mode, or play the game with it's original wireframe graphics. (They're divided into two sections. Upgrade Dungeon Graphics, and Upgrade Monster Graphics. Original Monster Graphics on Textured Dungeons!!!)
Sound has also been added to the game, although with Llygamyn Saga, the PS version uses RedBook audio, whereas the PC version uses midi. I don't know if this is true about New Age of Llylgamyn, as I only have the PC version, but honestly, it's not that big of a deal. Music over no music (and the fact that I can live with midi tbh).
Automap feature has been added. Honestly, this makes the first 5 Wizardries so much easier, especially part 4.
Wizardry 4 is is essentially 2 games. You get to choose between the original version, or play an updated story version.
Spells have been made easier. Click on the spell, rather than having to type it out, figure out that you mispelled DIALMA, and watch as Werdna wipes out your party before you have another chance.
Honestly, if you're looking for a simple dungeon romp, the above two games give a nice history lesson for the Wizardry series, while being a serious upgrade in terms of technology, so they don't look to antiquated. And they add features which make the games so much easier than the original versions. Part 4 has taken the biggest change/upgrade (and is not as painfully hard). Finding them on the other hand is the biggest challenge, especially for the PC version of New Age of Llylgamyn, but I can tell you for a fact that it exists (despite what MobyGames, or IGN, or GameSpot, etc. say, as I currently have the full game with the box, manual, etc).
