Editing Wizardry (video game series)

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{for|the first game in the series|Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord{{!}}''Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord''}}
{{short description|Series of role-playing video games}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Wizardry
| image = Wizardry logo.png
| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| developer  = [[Sir-Tech]]
| publisher = Sir-Tech
| creator = [[Andrew C. Greenberg]]<br />[[Robert Woodhead]]
| spinoffs = ''[[#American spin-off game|Nemesis]]''<br> [[#Wizardry Gaiden|''Wizardry Gaiden'' series]] <br>[[#Wizardry Empire|''Wizardry Empire'' series]] <br>20 more games 
| first release version = ''[[Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord]]''
| first release date = September 1981
| latest release version = ''Wizardry Variants Daphne''
| latest release date  = October 15, 2024
}}

'''''Wizardry''''' is a series of [[role-playing video game]]s originally created by American publisher [[Sir-Tech]]. The series was influential in the evolution of modern role-playing video games alongside ''[[Ultima (series)|Ultima]]'' and ''[[Might and Magic]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132024/the_history_of_computer_.php?page=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511030903/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132024/the_history_of_computer_.php?page=4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |title=The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part 1: The Early Years (1980–1983) |website=Gamasutra |date=February 23, 2007 |access-date=March 22, 2014}}</ref> The original ''Wizardry'' was a significant influence on early console role-playing games such as ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]'', ''[[Dragon Slayer (series)|Dragon Slayer]]'', ''[[Shining (video game series)|the Shining series]]'', ''[[Fire Emblem]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' and ''[[Dragon Quest]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/dragon-quest-retrospective |title=East and West, Warrior and Quest: A Dragon Quest Retrospective from |website=1UP.com |access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511003741/http://www.1up.com/features/dragon-quest-retrospective|archive-date=May 11, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/295139/10-classic-computer-rpgs/10 |title=10 Classic Computer RPGs – Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (1981) – Slideshow from |work=PC Magazine |date=March 10, 2012 |access-date=March 22, 2014}}</ref> Originally made for the [[Apple II]], the games were later ported to other platforms. The last game in the original series by Sir-Tech was ''[[Wizardry 8]]'', released in 2001. There have since been various spin-off titles developed for the [[Japan]]ese market.

==Development==
''Wizardry'' began as a simple [[dungeon crawl]] by [[Andrew C. Greenberg]] and [[Robert Woodhead]]. It was written when they were students at [[Cornell University]] and published by [[Sir-Tech]]. The game was influenced by earlier games from the [[PLATO (computer system)|PLATO]] system, most notably ''Oubliette''.<ref name="interview">{{cite interview | url = http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wizardry/wizardry-interview.htm | publisher = Hardcore Gaming 101 | title = Wizardry: A Conversation with Robert Woodhead | interviewer = Jared Petty | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611185603/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wizardry/wizardry-interview.htm | archive-date=June 11, 2017}}</ref> The earliest installments of ''Wizardry'' were very successful, as they were the first graphically-rich incarnations of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''-type gameplay for [[home computer]]s. The release of the first version coincided with the first wave of Dungeons & Dragons' popularity in [[North America]].

The first five games in the series were written in Apple [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]], an implementation of [[UCSD Pascal]]. They were ported to many different platforms by writing UCSD Pascal implementations for the target machines ([[Macintosh II|Mac II]] cross-development). [[David W. Bradley]] took over the series after the fourth installment, adding a new level of plot and complexity. In 1998, the rights were transferred to 1259190 Ontario Inc., and in 2006, to Aeria IPM. In 2008, Aeria IPM merged with [[Gamepot]], the developer of ''Wizardry Online''<ref name="venturebeat">{{cite news |url=https://venturebeat.com/community/2013/05/03/wizardrys-wild-ride-from-west-to-east/ |title=Wizardry's wild ride from West to East |last1=Carolipio |first1=Reggie  |date=May 3, 2013 |work=VentureBeat |access-date=May 27, 2017}}</ref> and in 2017, Gamepot was shut down and absorbed into its parent company [[GMO Internet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gmo.jp/news/article/5813/|title=連結子会社の吸収合併（簡易合併）に関するお知らせ|date=23 October 2017|publisher=GMO Internet|accessdate=13 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-10-27/japanese-online-game-publisher-gamepot-goes-defunct/.123197|title=Japanese Online Game Publisher Gamepot Goes Defunct|date=27 October 2017|last=Ressler|first=Karen|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=13 September 2022}}</ref> [[Drecom]] announced they had acquired ''Wizardry'' from GMO Internet on October 29, 2020.<ref name="drewiz">{{cite web|url=https://drecom.co.jp/ir/20201029_1.pdf#page=15|title=2021年3月期 第2四半期 決算説明会|date=29 October 2020|publisher=Drecom|accessdate=27 September 2023}}</ref>

In May 2024, a 3D [[remake]] of [[Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord]] with the same name as the original was released on modern platforms. Said remake was developed by [[Digital Eclipse]], who wasn't previously involved with the ''Wizardry series.''

[[Datamost]] released the menu-driven ''WizPlus'', a utility program that allowed users to make changes to both the characters and also to the playing environment of ''Wizardry''; Bob Reams reviewed the utility for ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'', and said that "''WizPlus'' should be used with great caution or the spirit of adventuring will be diluted and, more importantly, you will not be able to continue with this exciting series".<ref name="CGW11">{{cite magazine |last=Reams |first=Bob |title=Micro-Reviews |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=Jul–Aug 1983 |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=43–44|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_3.4/page/n44/mode/1up}}</ref>

==Games==
{{VG timeline
|summary = Timeline of the Wizardry games made in USA
| 1981 = ''[[Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord|Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord]]''
| 1982 = ''[[Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds|II: The Knight of Diamonds]]''
| 1983 = ''[[Wizardry III: Legacy of Llylgamyn|III: Legacy of Llylgamyn]]''
| 1987 = ''[[Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna|IV: The Return of Werdna]]''
| 1988 = ''[[Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom|V: Heart of the Maelstrom]]''
| 1990 = ''[[Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge|VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge]]''
| 1992 = ''[[Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant|VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant]]''
| 1996 = ''[[Nemesis: The Wizardry Adventure]]''
| 2001 = ''[[Wizardry 8|8]]''
}}

===Main series===
The original ''Wizardry'' series is composed of eight different titles. All of the titles were first released in North America, and then ported to Japanese computers. Some of the titles were also officially released in Europe. The first three games are a trilogy, with similar settings, plots, and gameplay mechanics. A second trilogy is formed by installments 6 through 8 – ''Bane of the Cosmic Forge'', ''Crusaders of the Dark Savant'' and ''Wizardry 8'' – with settings and gameplay mechanics that differed greatly from the first trilogy. The fourth game, ''The Return of Werdna'', was a significant departure from the rest of the series. In it, the player controls Werdna ("Andrew", one of the game's developers, spelled backwards), the evil wizard slain in the first game, and summons groups of monsters to aid him as he fights his way through the prison in which he had been held captive. Rather than monsters, the player faced typical adventuring parties, some of which were pulled from actual user disks sent to Sir-Tech for recovery. Further, the player had only a limited number of keystrokes to use to complete the game.

In Japan, the ''Wizardry'' series was translated by [[ASCII Entertainment]], and became very influential during the 1980s, even as its popularity at home declined.<ref name="maher20140625">{{cite web | url=http://www.filfre.net/2014/06/of-wizards-and-bards/ | title=Of Wizards and Bards | work=The Digital Antiquarian | date=June 25, 2014 | access-date=July 11, 2014 | author=Maher, Jimmy}}</ref> When first introduced, the games suffered from the culture barrier compounded by low-quality translation. This meant that the game was taken seriously by players who overlooked the in-game jokes and parodies. For example, ''Blade Cusinart'' was introduced in early games as "a legendary sword made by the famous blacksmith, Cusinart {{sic}}" but its meaning was misinterpreted because [[Cuisinart]] [[food processor]]s were virtually unknown in Japan. However, this misconception appealed to early computer gamers who were looking for something different and made the ''Wizardry'' series popular. Conversely, the fourth game, ''The Return of Werdna'', was poorly received, as, lacking the knowledge of subcultures necessary to solving the game, Japanese players had no chance of figuring out some puzzles.

The eight main titles in the series are:

{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord]]}}
| release1=November 1985 (FM-7)
| release2=September 1981 (Apple II)
| release3=1983 (Apple II)
| notes=
* Originally released for the [[Apple II]].
* Ported to [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], [[Sharp MZ|Sharp MZ-2500]], [[Sharp X1|Sharp X1 Turbo]], [[FM-7]], FM-77, [[PC-8800 Series|PC-8801]], [[PC-9800 series|PC-9801]], [[MSX2]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[WonderSwan Color]], Mobile phone, [[Commodore 64]], [[Commodore 128]].
* Also available for the [[PC Engine]] as part of ''Wizardry I + II'' (1993), for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] as part of ''Wizardry I-II-III: Story of Llylgamyn'' (1999), and for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] and [[Sega Saturn]] as part of ''Wizardry: Llylgamyn Saga'' (1998).
* Part of ''Wizardry Trilogy'' (1987), a compilation of the first three ''Wizardry'' games, released for Apple II and Commodore 64.
* Part of ''The Ultimate Wizardry Archives'' (1998), a compilation of the first seven ''Wizardry'' games plus the 1996 remake of the seventh game, ''Wizardry Gold'', released for Microsoft Windows and [[MS-DOS]].
* Owners of the WonderSwan Color port could download 10 extra stages exclusive to this version through a connection between the Mobile Wonder Gate add-on and a [[Personal Digital Cellular|PDC]] mobile phone.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry II: The Knight of Diamonds]]}}
| release1=December 1986 (FM-7)
| release2=1982 (Apple II) 
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Originally released for the Apple II.
* Ported to Macintosh, Sharp MZ-2500, Sharp X1 Turbo, FM-7, FM-77, PC-8801, PC-9801, MSX2, NES, Game Boy Color, Commodore 64.
* Also available for the PC Engine as part of ''Wizardry I + II'' (1993), for the Super Famicom as part of ''Wizardry I-II-III: Story of Llylgamyn'' (1999), and for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and Sega Saturn as part of ''Wizardry: Llylgamyn Saga'' (1998).
* Part of ''Wizardry Trilogy'' (1987) and ''The Ultimate Wizardry Archives'' (1998).
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry III: Legacy of Llylgamyn]]}}
| release1=1987 (FM-7)
| release2=1983 (Apple II)
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Originally released for the Apple II.
* Ported to Sharp X1 Turbo, FM-7, FM-77, PC-8801, PC-9801, MSX2, Famicom, Game Boy Color, Commodore 64.
* Also available for the PC Engine as part of ''Wizardry III + IV'' (1994), for the Super Famicom as part of ''Wizardry I-II-III: Story of Llylgamyn'' (1999), and for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation and Sega Saturn as part of ''Wizardry: Llylgamyn Saga'' (1998).
* Part of ''Wizardry Trilogy'' (1987) and ''The Ultimate Wizardry Archives'' (1998).
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna]]}}
| release1=December 1988 (PC-88)
| release2=1987 (Apple II)
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Originally released for the Apple II.
* Ported to Sharp X1 Turbo, FM-7, FM-77, PC-8801, PC-9801.
* Also available for the PC Engine as part of ''Wizardry III + IV'' (1994), and PlayStation as part of ''Wizardry: New Age of Llylgamyn'' (1999).
* Part of ''The Ultimate Wizardry Archives'' (1998).
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom]]}}
| release1=June 8, 1990 (PC-98)
| release2=1988 (Apple II)
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Originally released for the Apple II.
* Ported to [[FM Towns]], PC-8801, PC-9801, SNES, PC Engine, Commodore 64.
* Also available for the PlayStation as part of ''Wizardry: New Age of Llylgamyn'' (1999).
* Part of ''Wizardry Trilogy 2'' (1993), a compilation of ''Wizardry V'', ''VI'', and ''VII'', released for MS-DOS.
* Part of ''The Ultimate Wizardry Archives'' (1998).
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge]]}}
| release1=December 1991 (FM Towns)
| release2=1990 (Amiga, MS-DOS)
| release3=1991 (Amiga, MS-DOS)
| notes=
* Originally released for [[Amiga]] and MS-DOS.
* Ported to FM Towns, PC-9801, 98note, J-3100, SNES.
* Also available for the Sega Saturn as part of ''Wizardry: VI and VII Complete'' (1996).
* Part of ''Wizardry Trilogy 2'' (1993) and ''The Ultimate Wizardry Archives'' (1998).
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant]]}}
| release1=September 1994 (FM Towns)
| release2=October 1992 (MS-DOS)
| release3=1992 (MS-DOS)
| notes=
* Originally released for MS-DOS.
* Ported to PC-9801, PC-9821, PlayStation.
* Also available for the Sega Saturn as part of ''Wizardry: VI and VII Complete'' (1996).
* Part of ''Wizardry Trilogy 2'' (1993) and ''The Ultimate Wizardry Archives'' (1998).
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry 8]]}}
| release1=December 20, 2001 (PC)
| release2=November 14, 2001 (PC)
| release3=2001 (PC)
| notes=
* Last game in the main series, originally released for Microsoft Windows.
}}
}}

=== American spin-off game ===
In 1996, the series received the first (and, so far, only) spin-off developed in North America, titled ''Nemesis: The Wizardry Adventure''. Every other Wizardry spin-off has been developed in Japan. 

''Nemesis'' is played as a solo adventure: one character only, with no supporting party or monsters. All players use the same character, without the ability to choose class or attributes. In addition, the game contains only 16 spells, compared to 50 in the first four adventures, and more in the subsequent ones. It is also the first ''Wizardry'' title where the player saw enemies in advance and thus could try to avoid them.

{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Nemesis: The Wizardry Adventure]]}}
| release1=January 22, 1998 (Sega Saturn)
| release2=September 30, 1996 (MS-DOS)
| release3=1996 (MS-DOS)
| notes=
* Only spin-off developed and originally released in North America.
* [[Adventure game]] with role-playing elements.
}}
}}

===Japanese spin-off games===
The popularity of ''Wizardry'' in Japan inspired several original sequels, spin-offs, and ports, with the series long outliving the American original.{{r|maher20140625}} As of 2022, thirty-nine different spin-offs were released in Japan, with six of them being localized and released worldwide.<!--''[[Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land]]'', ''[[Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls]]'', ''[[Wizardry Online]]'', ''Wizrogue: Labyrinth of Wizardry'', ''Wizardry: the Five Ordeals'' and ''Wizardry Variants: Daphne''--> The latest released in both Japanese and English in 2024.

==== Wizardry Gaiden ====
{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Gaiden I: Joō no Junan}}
| release1=October 1, 1991 (Game Boy)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Also known as ''Wizardry Gaiden I: Suffering of the Queen''.
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィ外伝I ～女王の受難～.
* [[Success (company)|Success]] ported the game to cell phones in Japan in 2005 as ''Nether Domain: Second Chapter – Suffering of the Queen'' (ネザードメイン 第二章 女王の受難), dropping the connection with ''Wizardry''.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Gaiden II: Kodai Kōtei no Noroi}}
| release1=December 26, 1992 (Game Boy)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Also known as ''Wizardry Gaiden II: Curse of the Ancient Emperor''.
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィ外伝II ～古代皇帝の呪い～.
* Success ported the game to cell phones in Japan in 2005 as ''Nether Domain: Third Chapter – Curse of the Ancient Emperor'' (ネザードメイン 第三章 古代皇帝の呪い), dropping the connection with ''Wizardry''.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Gaiden III: Yami no Seiten}}
| release1=September 25, 1993 (Game Boy)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Also known as ''Wizardry Gaiden III: Scripture of the Dark''.
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィ外伝III ～闇の聖典～.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Gaiden IV: Taima no Kodō}}
| release1=September 20, 1996 (Super Famicom)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Also known as ''Wizardry Gaiden IV: Throb of the Demon's Heart''.
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィ外伝IV ～胎魔の鼓動～.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Dimguil}}
| release1=April 20, 2000 (PlayStation)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Available only in Japanese, though the original release allows changing of enemy names, item names, spells and stats to English.
* Players can transfer characters from ''Wizardry Gaiden III'' and ''IV'' through a password system.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry: Prisoners of the Battles}}
| release1=March 25, 2005 (PC)
| release2=March 30, 2023 (PC)
| release3=March 30, 2023 (PC)
| notes=
* Ported to the [[PlayStation 2]] (2006), [[iOS]] (2012) and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] (2013).
* The full Japanese title is ''Wizardry Gaiden: Sentō no Kangoku'' (jp: ウィザードリィ外伝 戦闘の監獄).
* Music composed by [[Hitoshi Sakimoto]]'s music production group Basiscape.
* The game was officially localized later in March 2023, albeit as DLC for ''The Five Ordeals'' remaster.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry: The Absence of Misericordia}}
| release1=August 11, 2005 (PC)
| release2=June 22, 2023 (PC)
| release3=June 22, 2023 (PC)
| notes=
* An expansion scenario for ''Prisoners of the Battles''.
* Ported to iOS (2012) and Android (2013).
* The full Japanese title is ''Wizardry Gaiden: Jihi no Fuzai'' (jp: ウィザードリィ外伝 慈悲の不在).
* The game was officially localized later in June 2023, albeit as DLC for ''The Five Ordeals'' remaster.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry: The Five Ordeals}}
| release1=June 8, 2006 (PC)
| release2=December 17, 2021 (PC)
| release3=December 17, 2021 (PC)
| notes=
* Originally released in Japan as ''Wizardry Gaiden: Itsutsu no Shiren – Five Ordeals'' (jp: ウィザードリィ外伝 五つの試練).
* Users can create scenarios through an online editor, as well as download other players' creations.
* Music composed by [[Hitoshi Sakimoto]]'s music production group Basiscape.
* Released in English via [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in December 2021 as Early Access and fully released in October 26, 2023.
* Ported to the [[Nintendo Switch]] on January 30, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-26 |title=Wizardry: The Five Ordeals coming to Switch on January 30, 2025 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/09/wizardry-the-five-ordeals-coming-to-switch-on-january-30-2025 |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>
}}
}}

==== Wizardry Empire ====
All the games in this sub-series were developed by [[Starfish SD]].
{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Empire}}
| release1=October 29, 1999 (Game Boy Color)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Empire: Fukkatsu no Tsue}}
| release1=December 22, 2000 (Game Boy Color)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* ''Fukkatsu no Tsue'' (復活の杖) translates as "Resurrection Staff".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Empire: Inishie no Ōjo}}
| release1=December 28, 2000 (PlayStation, PC)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* ''Inishie no Ōjo'' (古の王女) translates as "The Old Princess".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Empire II: Ōjo no Isan}}
| release1=October 17, 2002 (PlayStation)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* ''Ōjo no Isan'' (王女の遺産) translates as "Legacy of the Princess".
* Ported to PC in 2004 as ''Wizardry Empire II PLUS: Oujō no Isan''.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Empire III: Haō no Keifu}}
| release1=December 25, 2003 (PlayStation 2)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* ''Haō no Keifu'' (覇王の系譜) translates as "Genealogy of the King".
* Ported to the [[PlayStation Portable]] (2007).
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Asterisk: Hiiro no Fūin}}
| release1=December 29, 2005 (Nintendo DS)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィ アスタリスク 緋色の封印.
* ''Hiiro no Fūin'' (緋色の封印) translates as "Scarlet Seal".
}}
}}

==== Busin Wizardry ====
{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land]]}}
| release1=November 15, 2001 (PlayStation 2)
| release2={{nowrap|December 19, 2001 (PlayStation 2)}}
| release3={{nowrap|October 4, 2002 (PlayStation 2)}}
| notes=
* First Japanese spin-off to be officially translated to English and released in North America.
* Released in Japan as ''Busin: Wizardry Alternative''.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Busin 0: Wizardry Alternative Neo}}
| release1=November 13, 2003 (PlayStation 2)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Prequel to ''Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land''.
}}
}}

==== Wizardry XTH ====
{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry XTH: Academy of Frontier – Zensen no Gakufu}}
| release1=February 24, 2005 (PlayStation 2)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Also known as ''Wizardry Ekusu'' (ウィザードリィ エクス).
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィ エクス ～前線の学府～.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry XTH 2: Unlimited Students – Mugen no Gakuto}}
| release1=March 23, 2006 (PlayStation 2)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Direct sequel to ''Wizardry Xth''.
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィエクス2 ～無限の学徒～.
* Upon developer/publisher Michaelsoft's dissolution, many of the developers of ''Xth'' and ''Xth 2'' stayed together as "Team Muramasa", and joined Experience, Inc. as an in house development studio.
* Experience, Inc. would later release a PC remake of ''Xth'' and ''Xth 2'' as the ''Generation Xth'' trilogy.  Experience, and Team Muramasa specifically, have since become known for creating ''DRPG'' titles.
* ''Wizardry Xth 2'' was also seemingly ported to the PSP and re-branded as ''[[Class of Heroes]]'' (jp: 剣と魔法と学園モノ。). "PSP Wiz XTH" is notably mentioned in the program's data files. ''Class of Heroes'' would go on to spawn three sequels, a Switch remaster, and a strategy RPG spin-off.
}}
}}

==== Wizardry Renaissance ====
{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry: Seimei no Kusabi}}
| release1=November 19, 2009 (Nintendo DS)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* ''Seimei no Kusabi'' (生命の楔) translates as "Wedge of Life".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Online Mobile}}
| release1=May 24, 2010 (Mobile phone)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* First MMORPG adaptation of the franchise.
* Adopts an isometric view instead of the traditional first person view.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry: Bōkyaku no Isan}}
| release1=July 29, 2010 (Nintendo DS)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* ''Bōkyaku no Isan'' (忘却の遺産) translates as "Legacy of Oblivion".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls]]}}
| release1=December 9, 2009 (PlayStation 3)
| release2=May 16, 2011 (PlayStation 3)
| release3={{nowrap|December 7, 2011 (PlayStation 3)}}
| notes=
* Released in Japan as ''Wizardry: Torawareshi Tamashii no Meikyū'' (ウィザードリィ 囚われし魂の迷宮, literally "Wizardry: Labyrinth of Imprisoned Souls").
* Second Japanese spin-off to be officially translated to English and released in North America.
* An expansion titled ''Shūdō On'na no Akaki Kage'' (修道女の赤き影), also known as "The Red Shadow of the Sister", was made available for the PlayStation 3 in Japan on July 19, 2011.
* The original game and its expansion were also released as standalone versions for the iPhone in Japan.
* A retail release with the game and the expansion titled ''Wizardry: Full Pack'' was released for the PlayStation 3 and iPhone in Japan on July 6, 2011.
* A retail release with the game, the expansion and extra items sold individually as downloadable content titled ''Wizardry: Perfect Pack'' was released only for the PlayStation 3 in Japan on December 8, 2011.
* The game was made available for Windows by [[Xseed Games]] in January 2020.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry: Torawareshi Bōrei no Machi}}
| release1=January 27, 2011 (PlayStation 3)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* ''Torawareshi Bōrei no Machi'' (囚われし亡霊の街) translates as "City of Imprisoned Ghosts".
* A retail release with ''Wizardry: Torawareshi Tamashii no Meikyū'' and ''Wizardry: Torawareshi Bōrei no Machi'' titled ''Wizardry: Twin Pack'' was released for the PlayStation 3 in Japan on January 27, 2011.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|[[Wizardry Online]]}}
| release1=October 14, 2011 (PC)
| release2=January 16, 2013 (PC)
| release3=January 16, 2013 (PC)
| notes=
* Third Japanese spin-off to be officially translated to English and released in North America.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Tōkyō Meikyū – Wizardry 0}}
| release1=August 24, 2011 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* ''Tōkyō Meikyū '' (東京迷宮) translates as "Tokyo Labyrinth".
* Gameplay contains elements from card battle games.
* First social-network game in the ''Wizardry'' series, through the [[Mobage]] service in Japan.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry: Senran no Matō}}
| release1=January 24, 2013 (iPhone)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Also ported to Android devices.
* ''Senran no Matō'' (戦乱の魔塔) translates as "The Magical Tower of War".
* Also known as ''Wizardry: Tower of the Maelstorm''.
* Second [[social-network game]] in the ''Wizardry'' series, developed by [[Namco Bandai]].
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Schema}}
| release1=July 29, 2014 (iPhone)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Also ported to Android devices.
* Services ended in June 29, 2017.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizrogue: Labyrinth of Wizardry}}
| release1=December 22, 2014 (Android)
| release2=February 24, 2017 (PC)
| release3=February 24, 2017 (PC)
| notes=
* Fourth Japanese spin-off to be officially translated to English and released in North America.
* Implements an isometric, [[Roguelike]] system instead of the traditional first-person elements of ''Wizardry''.
* Had "free to play" and "stamina" elements common to smartphone RPGs.
* Also ported to iOS devices.
* The original Android and iOS versions have been discontinued, and cannot be played anymore.
* In 2017, the game was translated to English and made available worldwide through the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] digital distribution platform; this version implements a more traditional "buy once" business model instead of the stamina and free-to-play elements.
* The Android version was re-released under the same "buy once" model in 2017.
* An [[arcade game|arcade]] version titled ''Wizrogue: Labyrinth of Wizardry – Samayoeru Meiō'' (彷徨える冥王) was planned, but eventually cancelled.
}}
}}

==== {{anchor|Wizardry Variants Daphne}}Standalone Japanese games ====
{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Chronicle}}
| release1=March 23, 2001 (PC)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Summoner}}
| release1={{nowrap|December 21, 2001 (Game Boy Advance)}}
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Ported to the [[PlayStation 2]] with enhanced 3D dungeon graphics and new music (2005).
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Variants Daphne}}
| release1=October 15, 2024 (iOS, Android)
| release2=October 15, 2024 (iOS, Android)
| release3=October 15, 2024 (iOS, Android)
| notes=
* First-person mobile dungeon crawler featuring full 3D character models and environments.<ref>[https://www.siliconera.com/new-wizardry-title-for-mobile-devices-announced/ Siliconera]</ref>
* Initially to be released in 2022 for iOS and Android worldwide,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/04/wizardry-va-launches-in-2022-teaser-trailer|title=Wizardry VA launches in 2022, teaser trailer|date=April 5, 2021|first=Sal|last=Romano|website=Gematsu}}</ref> later [[Drecom]] postponed to fiscal year ending of March 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |title=【決算レポート】ドリコム、22年3月期は新作2本が想定届かず減収減益 今期は『ウィザードリィ』など3本投入で増収増益へ 出版やWeb3投資も積極化 {{!}} gamebiz |url=https://gamebiz.jp/news/349879 |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=gamebiz【ゲームビズ】 |language=ja}}</ref> and later decided on October along with pre-registration starting on August.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-06 |title=Wizardry Variants Daphne launches in October |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/wizardry-variants-daphne-launches-in-october |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Tentatively known as ''Wizardry VA''. The official full title was unveiled as ''Wizardry Variants: Daphne''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=Wizardry VA officially titled Wizardry Variants Daphne, delayed to early 2023 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/10/wizardry-va-officially-titled-wizardry-variants-daphne-delayed-to-early-2023 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>
* The closed beta test was announced in September 22, 2023 only in Japan with the addition of PC [[Steam (service)|Steam]] version being currently developed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-22 |title=Wizardry Variants Daphne adds PC version, iOS and Android closed beta test sign-ups now available |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/09/wizardry-variants-daphne-adds-pc-version-ios-and-android-closed-beta-test-sign-ups-now-available |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref> Its testing period started on October 10 lasted within 9 days.
* The Steam version was launched on March 6, 2025 after maintenance and version 1.4.10 update.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizlite: Everybody loved RPGs}}
| release1=December 19, 2024 (PC)
| release2=December 19, 2024 (PC)
| release3=December 19, 2024 (PC)
| notes=
*An indie game being officially licensed by Wizardry IP.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-31 |title=Wizardry×ローグライト！ 新作『Wizlite』ストアページ公開 {{!}} 株式会社5次元 / 5dims Inc. [ すべての人に、推しを ] |url=https://5dims.com/2024/05/31/1529/wizardryx%e3%83%ad%e3%83%bc%e3%82%b0%e3%83%a9%e3%82%a4%e3%83%88%ef%bc%81%e3%80%80%e6%96%b0%e4%bd%9c%e3%80%8ewizlite%e3%80%8f%e3%82%b9%e3%83%88%e3%82%a2%e3%83%9a%e3%83%bc%e3%82%b8%e5%85%ac/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |language=ja}}</ref>
*Launches Early Access on December 19, 2024.
}}
}}

==== Japan-only mobile games ====
Due to the nature of the Japanese mobile system, English localisations of the following games are unlikely.
{{Video game table|body=
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Monthly Wizardry: Shōnen-Ō no Yūutsu}}
| release1=March 1, 2002 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* First of a two-part episodic series.
* Also known as ''Getsugaku Wizardry Scenario I'' (月額ウィザードリィ シナリオI).
* ''Shōnen-Ō no Yūutsu'' (少年王の憂鬱) translates to "Melancholy of the Young King".
* Available for users of [[EZweb]] and [[Vodafone live!|J-Sky]] mobile services.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Monthly Wizardry: Andēru no Mori no Shin'nyū-sha}}
| release1=October 15, 2003 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Second of a two-part episodic series.
* Also known as ''Getsugaku Wizardry Scenario II'' (月額ウィザードリィ シナリオII).
* ''Andēru no Mori no Shin'nyū-sha'' (アンデールの森の侵入者) translates to "Intruders of the Annedale Forest".
* Available for users of the [[Vodafone]] mobile service.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|DoCoMo Wizardry 1–1: Baitokku Īhai no Hokora}}
| release1=December 1, 2003 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Available for users of the services provided by [[NTT DoCoMo]] in Japan.
* First part in a series of six chapters.
* ''Baitokku Īhai no Hokora'' (バイトック・イーハイの祠) translates to "Shrine of Bytek Irhai".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|DoCoMo Wizardry 1–2: Nazo no Chika Iseki}}
| release1=February 2, 2004 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Available for users of the services provided by [[NTT DoCoMo]] in Japan.
* Second part in a series of six chapters.
* ''Nazo no Chika Iseki'' (謎の地下遺跡) translates to "Mystery of the Underground Ruins".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|DoCoMo Wizardry 1–3: Fushi Ryū no Shinden}}
| release1=March 1, 2004 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Available for users of the services provided by NTT DoCoMo in Japan.
* Third part in a series of six chapters.
* ''Fushi Ryū no Shinden'' (不死竜の神殿) translates to "Temple of the Immortal Dragon".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Traditional I: Jū-ni Shinshō}}
| release1=May 12, 2004 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* First of a two-part episodic series.
* Also known as "Wizardry Traditional: Twelve of a Kind".
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィ トラディショナル1 十二神将.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|Wizardry Traditional II: Gekkō no Saji}}
| release1=June 16, 2004 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Second of a two-part episodic series.
* Also known as "Wizardry Traditional: Grace of the Moonspoon".
* The full Japanese title is ウィザードリィ トラディショナル2 月光の匙.
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|DoCoMo Wizardry 2–1: Īdisu no Tō}}
| release1=June 7, 2004 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Available for users of the services provided by NTT DoCoMo in Japan.
* Fourth part in a series of six chapters.
* ''Īdisu no Tō'' (イーディスの塔) translates to "Tower of Edith".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|DoCoMo Wizardry 2–2: Shin'en no Rīdo Seresuto-gō}}
| release1=July 20, 2004 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Available for users of the services provided by NTT DoCoMo in Japan.
* Fifth part in a series of six chapters.
* ''Shin'en no Rīdo Seresuto-gō'' (深淵のリードセレスト号) translates to "The Issue of the Abyss of Lead Celest".
}}
{{Video game table item
| title={{nowrap|DoCoMo Wizardry 2–3: Īdisu no Tō Jōsō-bu}}
| release1=September 13, 2004 (Mobile phones)
| release2={{N/A}}
| release3={{N/A}}
| notes=
* Available for users of the services provided by NTT DoCoMo in Japan.
* Final part in a series of six chapters.
* ''Īdisu no Tō Jōsō-bu'' (イーディスの塔上層部), translated as "Upper Part of the Tower of Edith".
}}
}}

==Reception==
The original ''Wizardry'' game was a success, selling 24,000 copies by June 1982, just nine months after its release according to Softalk's sales surveys.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|date=September–October 1982|volume=2|issue=5|page=2|title=List of Top Sellers|url=https://archive.org/details/cgw_6/page/n3/mode/2up}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filfre.net/2012/03/26/ |title=The Wizardry Phenomenon |date=March 26, 2012|website=The Digital Antiquarian}}</ref> In the June 1983 issue of ''[[Electronic Games]]'', ''Wizardry'' was described as "without a doubt, the most popular fantasy adventure game for the Apple II at the present time". While noting limitations such as the inability to divide the party, or the emphasis on combat over role-playing, the magazine stated that "no other game comes closer to providing the type of contest favored by most players of non-electronic role-playing games... one outstanding programming achievement, and an absolute 'must buy' for those fantasy gamers who own an Apple".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Explore the Worlds of Computer Fantasy|magazine=[[Electronic Games]]|date=June 1983|volume=4|issue=16|pages=52–56 [52]|url=https://archive.org/stream/electronic-games-magazine-1983-06/Electronic_Games_Issue_16_Vol_02_04_1983_Jun#page/n51/mode/2up|access-date=February 2, 2012}}{{dead-link|date=September 2021}}</ref> In the May–June 1982, issue of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'', the reviewer praised ''Wizardry'' as setting a standard by which all fantasy role playing games should be compared to, and call it an all time classic.<ref>{{cite magazine
| magazine = [[Computer Gaming World]]
| title    = Wizardry: The Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
| first    = Mark
| last     = Marlow
| date     = May–June 1982
| volume   = 2
| issue    = 3
| pages    = 6–8
| url      = https://archive.org/details/cgw_4/page/n7/mode/1up}}</ref> The series had sold over 1.5 million copies by 1987,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wizardry Trilogy: Scenarios I, II & III (1987) box cover art |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/wizardry-trilogy-scenarios-i-ii-iii/cover-art/gameCoverId,213098/ |access-date=August 5, 2020 |website=[[MobyGames]] |publisher=Blue Flame Labs}}</ref> 2 million by 1992,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gill |first=Tony |date=June 1992 |title=Bane of the Cosmic Forge |url=https://www.amigareviews.leveluphost.com/baneofco.htm |journal=[[CU Amiga]] |pages=68–70}}</ref> and over 5 million by 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sir-tech.com/press/06ubisof.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19970627082903/http://www.sir-tech.com/press/06ubisof.html|title=Sirtech and Ubisoft Sign Distribution Agreement|website=sir-tech.com|archivedate=June 27, 1997|date=September 8, 1996|accessdate=May 7, 2022}}</ref>

Spin-offs originally released in Japan received generally positive reviews in North America. [[GameSpot]] reviewed ''Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land'' in 2002, and awarded it a score of 8.5 out of 10.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wizardry-tale-of-the-forsaken-land-review/1900-2838089/ Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land Review – GameSpot]</ref> In 2011, ''Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls'' was also reviewed by GameSpot and received a score of 7.5 out of 10.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/wizardry-labyrinth-of-lost-souls-review/1900-6319313/ Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls Review – GameSpot]</ref> In Japan, readers of ''[[Famitsu]]'' magazine considered the Famicom port of the original ''Wizardry I'' to be one of the 100 best games of all time.<ref name="famitsureaders">{{cite web|date=March 3, 2006 |title=Japan Votes on All Time Top 100 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806220418/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/japan-votes-all-time-top-100 |archive-date=August 6, 2011 |work=Edge |access-date=September 8, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The series was ranked as the 60th top game (collectively) by ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' in 1996. They cited the huge dungeons with elaborate quests and tons of differing enemies.<ref>{{cite magazine
|magazine = Next Generation
|issue    = 21
|date     = September 1996
|pages    = 48, 51
|title    = Top 100 Games of all times
|url      = https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_21/page/n50/mode/1up
|issn     = 1078-9693}}</ref> Fans of the series included [[Robin Williams]], [[Harry Anderson]], and the Crown Prince of [[Bahrain]]; the latter even called Sir-Tech on the phone.<ref>{{cite book | title=High score!: The illustrated history of electronic games | year=2003 | publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] | location=New York | isbn=0-07-223172-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HJNvZLvpCEQC&pg=PA154 | first1=Rusel | last1 = DeMaria | edition=2nd | first2 = Johnny L. | last2= Wilson | page=154}}</ref>

==Legacy==
===Innovation in gameplay===
Together with the ''[[Ultima (series)|Ultima]]'' series, ''Wizardry'' established the conventions of role-playing video games.{{sfn|Barton|2008|p=114}} The command-driven battle system with a still image of the monster being fought would be emulated in later games, such as ''The Bard's Tale'', ''[[Dragon Slayer (series)|Dragon Slayer]]'', ''[[Shining Force]]'', ''[[Fire Emblem]]'', ''[[Dragon Quest]]'', and ''[[Final Fantasy]]''. The party-based combat in ''Wizardry'' also inspired [[Richard Garriott]] to include a similar party-based system in ''[[Ultima III: Exodus]]''.{{sfn|Barton|2008|p=76}} Other [[user interface]] elements were influential in Japanese role-playing games. The later ''Wizardry'' games implemented multiple endings, some of which were only accessible to people who imported characters from previous games.<ref name=hardcore>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wizardry-series-introduction/|title=Wizardry (Series Introduction)|last=Derboo|first=Sam|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|date=October 13, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129074829/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wizardry-series-introduction/|archive-date=November 29, 2017}}</ref>

''Wizardry'' features what would later be called [[Prestige class (Dungeons & Dragons)|prestige classes]].  Aside from the traditional [[character class]]es, such as [[fighter (character class)|fighter]], players could take more advanced ones that combined the abilities of multiple classes if they had the right attributes and alignment. In the early ''Wizardry'' games, some classes were inaccessible during [[character creation]] due to the high requirements; this meant the player needed to first gain levels and then change their class.<ref name=hardcore/> ''Wizardry VI'' allowed starting with any class if the player invested enough time during the random character attribute generation.

===Influence on subsequent games===
''Wizardry'' inspired many clones and served as a template for role-playing video games.  Some notable series that trace their [[look and feel]] to ''Wizardry'' include 1985's ''[[The Bard's Tale (1985 video game)|The Bard's Tale]]'' and the ''[[Might and Magic]]'' series. The specific ''Wizardry'' formula, that of a turn based RPG taking place primarily in a dungeon via first person exploration, is referred to as a [[dungeon crawl]].

''Wizardry'' is the major inspiration to the [[Nintendo DS]] title ''[[The Dark Spire]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/04/16/the-dark-spire-review |title=The Dark Spire Review |website=IGN |date=April 16, 2009 |access-date=March 22, 2014}}</ref> While the game follows its own story and maps, much of the game uses the same game play mechanics, even going so far as including a "classic" mode that removes all of the game's graphics, replacing them with a wireframe environment, 8-bit-style sprites for monsters and characters, and [[chiptune]] music. The game's publisher, [[Atlus]], also published another Wizardry spin-off, ''[[Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land]]''.

While designing the popular Japanese role-playing game ''[[Dragon Quest]]'', [[Yuji Horii]] drew inspiration from the ''Wizardry'' series, 1986's ''Mugen no Shinzou'' (''[[List of XTALSOFT games|Heart of Phantasm]]''), and the ''[[Ultima (series)|Ultima]]'' series of games. Horii's obsession with ''Wizardry'' was manifested as an [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] in one of his earlier games, ''[[The Portopia Serial Murder Case]]'' in 1983. In a dungeon-crawling portion of that adventure game, a note on the wall reads "MONSTER SURPRISED YOU". 

Wizardry's legacy continued in Japan after the parent company ended, with titles such as ''Wizardry Gaiden'', ''Wizardry Empire'', and ''Wizardry XTH'', being developed after the original games were released and generally keeping the same tropes, themes, and mechanics.

Notably ''Wizardry XTH: Academy of Frontier'' swapped the original's Gothic themes for a modern day military school setting, adding item crafting and party member compatibility to the Wizardry formula. Much like the original Wizardry, XTH spawned a direct storyline sequel, ''Wizardry XTH: Unlimited Students''. The second XTH game was used as the basis for and shared code with ''[[Class of Heroes]]'', which swapped the modern science fiction elements for a combination of High School, High Fantasy, and Anime aesthetics. Class of Heroes would go on to spawn several sequels and spinoffs itself.

Following the shutdown of Michaelsoft, the director of ''Wizardry XTH'', [[Motoya Ataka]] took a group of programmers he called "Team Muramasa" that had worked on ''Empire'' and ''XTH'' and went on to found [[Experience Inc.]], creating a series of PC games with Wizardry XTH's mechanics called ''[[Generation Xth]]''. These would later be ported to the [[PlayStation Vita]], their ports localized as ''[[Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy|Operation Abyss]]'' and ''Operation Babel''. Experience would go on to create several other DRPGs using ''Wizardry''{{'}}s mechanics as a starting point, including ''Students of the Round'', ''[[Stranger of Sword City]]'', and ''[[Demon Gaze]]''.

Starfish, the development team behind ''Wizardry Empire'', would later go on to create ''[[Elminage]]'', a series of DRPGs that retained the original Gothic aesthetic (and difficulty) of the western ''Wizardry'' games. ''Elminage'' was notable for using the expanded "kemonojin" races from ''Wizardry Asterisk'', also by Starfish, as well as the summoner class from ''Wizardry: Summoner'' —these included "Were-Beast", "Dragonnewt", "Fairy", and "Devilkin" as well as expanded classes such as "Brawler" (a hand to hand melee specialist), "Alchemist" (a combination crafting class and spellcaster), and "Summoner" (a spellcasting class that can tame and summon monsters from the dungeon). These "expanded" Japanese Wizardry mechanics would be reused in future Elminage games as well as notably ''Class of Heroes''.

After cancellation of ''Wizardry: Stones of Arnhem'' in the mid 1990s, one of the developers, Cleveland Mark Blakemore, started work on the game ''[[Grimoire: Heralds of the Winged Exemplar]]'' which is heavily inspired by ''Wizardry''. It was eventually released in August 2017.

===Wizardry Renaissance===
In 2009, several Japanese publishers and development teams started a "Brand Revitalization plan", which they called the [[:jp:ウィザードリィのシリーズ一覧#ウィザードリィルネサンス|"Wizardry Renaissance"]]. After Sir-Tech, the original ''Wizardry'' creator in the US, was dissolved, several semi-official games were created in Japan of varying quality and thematic elements. "Wizardry Renaissance" aimed to "rebuild" the brand by agreeing to a certain "worldview" and quality standards to these semi-official ''Wizardry'' games.

Wizardry Renaissance titles include:
* ''Wizardry Online'', a PC MMORPG, shut down in 2016.
* ''Wizardry: Torawareshi Tamashii no Meikyū'', a PlayStation 3, iOS, Vita, and PC RPG (localized in the West as ''[[Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls]]'').
* ''Wizardry: Seimei no Kusabi'', a Nintendo DS title.
* ''Wizardry: Bōkyaku no Isan'', a Nintendo DS title, which re-used elements from ''Seimei no Kusabi''.
* ''Wizardry Online Mobile'', a mobile phone MMORPG, shut down in 2011.
* ''Wizardry: Torawareshi Bōrei no Machi'', a PlayStation 3 RPG.
* ''Tōkyō Meikyū – Wizardry 0'', a social-networking card-battle RPG using the Mobage service on smartphones, shut down sometime in 2012.
* ''Wizardry: Senran no Matō'', a social-networking RPG for smartphones, shut down in 2015.
* ''Wizardry Schema'', an [[incremental game]] RPG for smartphones, shut down in 2017.
* ''Wizrogue: Labyrinth of Wizardry'', an isometric roguelike RPG with [[gacha game|''gacha'' game]] elements, originally shut down in 2015, it was re-launched in 2017 with the gacha elements removed.

These titles were released from late 2009 to 2016; the latest activity is the port of ''[[Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls]]'' to the PC in January 2020.

===Related media===
The popularity of ''Wizardry'' in Japan also inspired various [[light novel]]s, [[manga]] comics, [[Japanese role-playing game|Japanese pen-and-paper role-playing games]], and an [[original video animation]], produced by [[TMS Entertainment]]. A popular light novel series titled ''[[Sword Art Online]]'' also had a character who stated that his inspiration came from this game. Most have been released only in Japan, but [[Goblin Slayer]] is one such light novel series published in English by [[Yen Press]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{Cite book|first=Matt|last=Barton|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IMXu61GbTqMC&q=japanese |title=Dungeons & Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games |publisher=[[A K Peters, Ltd.]] |year=2008|isbn = 978-1-56881-411-7}}

==External links==
*Official series website:  https://wizardry.info/en/
* {{moby game|id=-group/wizardry-games|name=''Wizardry'' series}}
* [http://www.wizardryarchives.com/ ''Wizardry Archives''] - info about the ''Wizardry'' games

{{Wizardry series|state=expanded}}
{{TMS Entertainment OVAs}}

[[Category:Wizardry| ]]
[[Category:Video game franchises]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1981]]
[[Category:First-person party-based dungeon crawler video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]