Wizardry 8, by the now defunct Sir-Tech Software, is an excellent neo-old-school RPG. By that I mean it retains the feel of classic RPGs like Might & Magic, Bard's Tale, and the early games in the Wizardry series, while updating the gameplay nicely. Wizardry 8 is to RPGs what Zelda: Ocarina of Time was to adventure games.
Wiz 8 takes the original Wizardry formula, turn-based first person RPG adventuring, and brings it into a fully 3D world. The upgrades are many. Magic is simple and easy to learn and use. Combat is intuitive, using both ranged and melee attacks. NPC interaction isn't bad, especially compared to some of the older RPGs.
Where this game shines, IMHO, is the skill system. Characters have access to various skills based on their class and race. Skills can be upgraded through use/practice, and when leveling. This creates a very satisfying system in which players are constantly rewarded for completing what could otherwise be repetitive combat. Sure, you only go up 1% at a time, but after finishing a long battle it's very cool to see what areas characters have improved in.
I didn't love the story, music, or graphics, but the overall gameplay was great. Be warned: The first 5-10 hours of this game can be extremely difficult, especially for players new to the Wizardry world! But it's cheap now, so check it out and have fun.
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