Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 34 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 77% | 72 | 623 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 76% | 71 | 1088 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Oct 26, 2023) · 300 reviews sampled · 1088 total reviews in window · weighted 169.8 up / 44.2 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (23)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“This game aimed to dig out of the depths of the gaming lore of "Wizardry 1" in a way that respected the original but still adapted the entire experience to modern times. It has undoubtedly succeeded. Players who want to conquer this forefather of the RPG genre will have to prepare a lot of patience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The addition of extra layers and modernity to a classic old-school dungeon crawler makes Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord‘s remake an enjoyable accomplishment. The gameplay is still punishing, but it’s more manageable with added layers of strategic planning to make bad luck easier to swallow, while the presentation’s overhaul adds enough to make everything feel exciting to be a part of.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It retains the spirit of the groundbreaking 1981 Apple II game and makes it more approachable, less exhausting, and far more glamorous than ever before. Sometimes it hews too closely to the original, resulting in tedious, taxing gameplay, but in general it delivers a dungeon-crawler worthy of the Wizardry name.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“Demonstrates how to effectively take a minimalist old-school title and make it approachable to modern audiences”
read full review ↗ - 80
“You can even swap to the dungeon layouts from the later console ports. This is an extremely faithful update of an important game. And if you're willing to give it the opportunity, you find it is just as addictive today as it was forty years ago.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“The modern incarnation of Wizardry shows the strengths of the forefather of dungeon crawler, but also the ailments it suffered from. It refers in a sympathetic way to the original game (old-school settings, preview of the classic look in the inset window). It is a pleasant reminder and memory, but with less convincing gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you persist and enjoy the loop however, you’ll find one heck of a RPG to kick off quite an influential legacy.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The update of the first Wizardry to a new era has more or less succeeded, and if you've ever wanted to play this video game from the year 1981 without straining your eyes, now's your unique chance.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“One of the oldest and most influential video games of all-time remains surprisingly entertaining thanks to this loving and option-filled remake.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is without a doubt legendary game and this remake kept that original flair and gameplay loop in tact while adding nice visuals and solid UI to it. The additional retrospective features makes this a solid title for both gameplay and historical interest perspectives.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The remake of Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord returns to its roots and offers a nostalgic and challenging gaming experience. Although it could benefit from better character customisation and a more forgiving approach for new players, it remains a solid choice for those who enjoy old RPGs and are looking for a game that challenges strategic thinking and patience.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is an absolute love letter to the original game that creates a perfect balance of old-school brutality and modern quality of life adjustments.”
read full review ↗
INDIANTVCZ
RPGamer
VGChartz
Nindie Spotlight
NintendoWorldReport
SECTOR.sk
Seafoam Gaming
SomHráč.sk
Metro GameCentral
Retrolike.net
Rectify Gaming…and 11 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update Notes for 1.1.1 (Hotfix)Aug 22, 2024
- Update 1.1: The Fast Combat UpdateAug 21, 2024
- Update Notes for 1.0May 23, 2024
- Update Notes for Patch 0.4.1Apr 12, 2024
- Update Notes for 0.4: March of the Mad OverlordMar 20, 2024
- Hotfix 0.3.1Dec 14, 2023
- Hotfix 0.2.2Nov 2, 2023
- Hotfix 0.2.1Nov 1, 2023
- Update notes for Early Access Version 0.2Oct 26, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix 0.1.0.3Sep 26, 2023
- Hotfix 0.1.0.2Sep 19, 2023
- Hotfix 0.1.0.1Sep 17, 2023
- Initial Release Version 0.1Sep 15, 2023