wiz 8's "staying" power

[Gimli]

Is it just me or is this about the most replayable game ever? I've found myself drawn back into it again after maybe a year of not playing and I am having alot of fun with (and shaking off some rust). It started out with "let's see how it looks/sounds with the new pc/hardware" and looks like it will end up being a few more runs through. I've got a party I really like now at around level 9 or so heading for Trynton.

I've been playing with a Female/Hobbit/Bard, Female/Human/Gadgie, Female/Mook/Samurai, Male/Dracon/Lord, Male/Felpurr/Ninja and Male/Elf/Bishop, plus Vi kept as a Valk. The Bard is a music and archer-type, so I'm maxing out Sen and splitting other points between Dex and Str. She'll also haste the party alot. The Gadgie goes with gadgets/omnigun and is working on Dex/Sen. The Samurai has been going sword/shield early, later on I'll have to see whether I want to stay that way or use the GS; she's going for Str/Dex. The Lord uses a sword (gave him bloodlust) and shield and also goes for Str/Dex. I've never gotten Excalibur and might go for it for him in this game to check it out. My Ninja will be the element shield guy, so he's maxing Spd and splitting other points between Str/Dex. He's got a Hayai Bo now and will eventually use the SoD. And the Bishop is working on all the books save Psionics - he'll be the soul shielder so he's going for Spd and also Int. Vi is going with polearms and the blunderbuss - I might switch her over to the Fighter class after she gets the portal spell. Their basic formation is with the Ninja and Vi each taking a flank spot; the Lord and Samurai in the front slot; the Bishop in the center; and the Bard and Gadgie in the rear. So far they've been very fun to play and while I don't think they're a power-gaming type group, they're well balanced and effective.

[ 03-11-2004, 11:15 AM: Message edited by: Gimli ]

[dplax]

I totally agree with the games staying power. It is one of the most replayable games I have laid my hands on.

[Ziggurat]

I say the same. They really got it right this time. If they stay with this formula and include updated graphics, plot twists, new critters and a few puzzles, Wiz 9 will be a killer.

Edit: I also want to add the design of the Monastery as a training ground really encourages replay. A small improvement is to not make the next stage of the game quite so hard (getting to Arnika).

[ 03-11-2004, 05:30 PM: Message edited by: Ziggurat ]

[Wombstar]

I read that they say Arnika road in the 1st half of the game was hard.. no i don't think so, i had more trouble trying to kill the crabs on the island at the very start, lol

Dunno what id do with out my enginer, his just added a 'kill' to his weapon. Also i can't remmeber what it was called now..but it's the specail item that uses the Long metal tube i think.... i was very impressed. mind you they do make a lot of pointless stuff, (magic mirror/the progector)

i tell you i've had a lot of trouble with.. i got Lord some kind of wolf man or something.. bit of a waste.. doesn't seem to do alot.. but the savaent robot is great can't believe i almost left him behind.

[Wereboar]

mind you they do make a lot of pointless stuff, (magic mirror/the progector)

Magic morror is great sometimes. Especially handy in the SE temple fight, where the reflected spells usually kill all the cultists and elementals. Another nice spot is in the rapay castle, when enemy warlocks freeze most of thier allies.

[Gimli]

I really like eye for an eye as a counter-caster type of measure, so when I've ran gadgies I make pretty heavy use of the mirror, and just sell it to Crock to get it recharged. Not the best gadget at all but can come in handy.

My new group was making due with very limited psionic spells, but the bard just got the insanity instrument (stopped over in the graveyard while on the way to trynton) so that should really help. I really got mugged on Tryton/Arnika road. Don't have X-ray yet and I ended up getting just swarmed by 2 huge groups of Trynnie outlaws, some Crimson Poppies, plus about 10 juggernauts - all at once! I had to resort to terror and blinding flash and just keep making them scatter and pick off the stragglers, with the bishop gulping down some mana potions to keep going. Then I ran into a sige spirit (!) with a group of trynnie undead (can't remember what they were called but they looked tough) right after wiping out the mummy and leaving his courtyard area. Decided after she summoned a greater earth elemental that discretion was the better part of valor and booked out of there! I've been playing pseudo-ironman (trying not to reload at all, so far have only had to do it for the umpani obstacle/training course which I was just awful at and would have died several times trying to jump over the lava pit area) and that sige had "I'll kill your whole party" written all over her Trynton is up next and soon powercast for the bishop after one more level and a taste of the knowledge fountain.

[Psycho]

Wiz8 will stay my favourite for years to come... must have played it through about 20 times, starting a party over a 100 times...

I keep going back to Wiz, after or even when still playing another RPG, I always think of another party to try...

I played Dungeon Siege once, NWN once, KotOR twice (had to play as a dark lord once), but in a way they are all too linear...
I played Morrowind twice, but the 1 char does not charm me... I've come to the conclusion I really like those tactical battles in Wiz...
I've played Div Divinity a couple of times, even with 1 char it allows for some tactical battles...

Beyond Divinity is the game I'm waiting for now... I didn't really liked the demo, but beta-tested a later part of the game and there battles became harder and required good tactics to prevail... (+ 2 chars and Dolls you can train)

But... nothing beats Wiz8 (just too bad we can't create mods or new worlds, the party system and interface is the best I've seen yet)

One BIG fan...