Beta Tester Comments

"....this game is certainly what I have been waiting for :-) (and much more, so far)"

"...what a great game so far ...and it just keeps getting better."

"The lighting, the diffraction - awesome!
The slimes - how cool! The transparent effect!
The bats - very realistic.
The crabs - well, no one wants those :-)
The Apparition - cool effects - insanity spell was wild!"

"... just to let you know, wiz8 is at least as addicting as 6 or 7. For instance, last night I started to play at 9:00pm & planned to stop at 11:30 to watch the ball drop. 5 minutes later, when I looked up it was 2:00am. I blame Sir-tech.
Thanks, it's terrific."

"My first impression is as follows......VERY COOL!!! I then started playing. I killed some crabs (which looked pretty neat) and then ventured into the dungeon where my fearless ninja made some comments about needing a strong leader. (Very cool for the whole feel of the game) It was then i saw the slimes...wow..congrats to whoever designed them . They looked very nice. I especially liked they way they seem to have a nucleus. Most slimes i have seen in these kind of games seemed very 2d, these ones looked great. After entering the next room i was mauled by a hoard of bats and rats (which btw also looked great). So after this brief encounter with the world of dominus i decided to drop you a line. Keep up the good work and i cant wait to see what lurks around the corner (once i have made a full group this time with a healer and a nuker heh)."

"May I say though that I really do like this interface. It's very intuitive for the most part (or maybe I'm just getting used to it heh). Comparing it to Wizards and Warriors, for example (since I'm playing that at the moment also), the W&W interface is constantly getting in my way. I hate having to 'fight the interface' when I know what I want to do and just can't make the durn thing DO IT. Yours is quite nice to use."

"I have to tell you, I was absolutely amazed at the quality of play. I had originally had some trepidation about moving away from the "square-based" maps, but the basic gameplay mechanic for the game works really well."

"Congrats guys..once again you have made a game that makes me want to keep up late. Cool animations on the mobs. I esp liked that apparition that jumped out of a coffin at me. Actually gave me a start :)"

"I really like the way the mobs show dmg as they are hurt more and more. Its a nice change from other games like this where there is no difference between full hp and almost dead mobs. The sound of the robots gears where a very nice touch. To be honest the sound and graphic quality took me a bit by surprise. The images of the game i had in my head are from waaaay back when i read a preview in CGW ( i think). "

"This is to let you know that I have received the CD's and got the game installed and up and running. Got to say the graphics are just cool. I especially like the slime monsters. BTW, I played for almost 7 hours before I HAD to quit and get some sleep. THE GRAPHICS ARE THE COOLEST."

"Opinion... I love the graphics.. the world so far is wonderful. I like the interface.. though not yet totally familiar with it. The game is interesting and it hold my attention. I have found a couple of things and no clue where to use.., and found a few places that need something and not found it yet. I am having fun fun fun.. cept for the headache . I really look forward to getting back to it each time I have to stop for a bit. "

"....I also liked how insanity did not last too long, nor does it seem any other effects linger *too* long. I am glad in Wiz 8 we seem to be able to recuperate more readily, like the hearty band of adventurers we are :-)"

"The farther into the game I get, the more impressed I am. This game has amazing depth. It is a great RPG. It also has strong elements of squad based combat and first person shooters. It really is as addictive as Halflife. My characters are 10th and 11th levels now, but the monsters keep getting tougher, so it is always a struggle to figure out how to beat them. You have done a very good job of raising the bar as the game goes along."

"I want to thank you once again for allowing me to participate in this beta, this has been one of the best gaming experiences I've had since I began using pc's in the early '80's. I cannot WAIT to buy the full version."

"I *love* this game!!! I actually got up early today so I could kill that horde of wasps, which promoted two of my guys, and head back towards Arnika. Oooooh dirty pool, you guys, making me choose between 'Heal All' and Set Portal (heh) when my priest got promoted. What a blast. It was awful having to turn off the PC and leave for work. ugh."

"Some scenery are breathtaking and sometimes, I pause the game just to watch it a little. I love this game. It reminds me of those old RPGs, but with today's technologies."

"I can't wait to get my mage to the point that she can use some of the really heavy duty spells...I saw a pair of opponents use the SUMMON ELEMENTAL spell for the first time. They got a Lesser Fire Elemental and a Minor Water Elemental. VERY cool spell and VERY cool monsters. The fire elemental is especially well done. Tough too."

"I am very impressed with Wiz8 so far. You have captured a lot of the best of the early Wizardry games and brought the series properly into the modern 3D world. I am as addicted to this game as I was with HalfLife. It is very satisfying to finally see a tough opponent meet his end in a pleasantly graphic manner. It is also very satisfying to see new elements of the story as you progress through it. The music and graphics are excellent. It is a real privilege to get to help test this game. I think you are going to have a winner on your hands."

"You've got an amazingly fun game here, I usually bore quickly, but even after crossing the same area 20 times with different parties, and trying to break as much as play, I'm still looking forward to every session. The multiple race/profession and personality options make me suspect I'll be playing this until Wizardry9. With every change the character dialogues make it always fresh."

"I think you have a winner in the making. I prefer the first-person viewpoint.... I think you have done an excellent job with scenery and monster rendering. I also like the gameplay and character development. Wiz 8 gives the player more freedom around the story line to decide how and when to accomplish goals. Character development also happens in a much more clearly defined set of circumstances and the player has more control over how the characters develop. I like being able to decide how to allocate bonus points and to choose new spells. You have captured all of the best of the earlier Wizardry games and brought them up to modern standards"

"I think that it is one of the best RPGs that I have played. I particularly like the combat, with the addition of true range combat for this game and the appearance of the "monsters". For the first time, I am seeing slime as monsters, and not just spots on the floor. The weapons are nicer to look at, and you still have to be "cerebral" to play the game, it is not just hack'n'slash (though there is a lot of that)."

"I hope this game becomes a smash, I really do. I play a TON of PC and console games, and I have not been this addicted to ANY game in YEARS. I believe this could be a landmark title, if marketed properly and given its due by reviewers (who don't spend enough time on these sorts of games, if you ask me). Breathtaking graphics, continuous challenges/rewards, humor, drama, action, music, sound effects, animation-you folks deserve a HUGE round of applause, each and every one. I hate to sound like a fawning "gusher", but I think this game is amazing. It has to be seen to be believed. Keep up the great work, and I and all my friends (who keep bugging me about what is keeping me locked in my room for so many hours) will be buying lots of copies. Kudos!"

"I'd like to add, if I may, that this game is WONDERFUL! I have been totally addicted since receiving the cd's, it's been simply amazing. All in all, I am enjoying it very much. The landscapes are beautiful, the plot intriguing, and the gameplay is challenging... "

"p.s. I was going to bed last night at 11:00 (figuring that testing wouldn't be very valid, pending the new CDs) but just as I almost reached the bedroom door .... I was sucked back in. I went back, turned on the lights, fired up the computer and played until 1:30 a.m. :) A true sign that this is indeed a 'Wizardry'. I just had to get past that 'We are the T'rang, you will be squashed sign". Then, once I did, had to figure out the mining cart. Then had to .... :)"

"Love the game so far.... I really liked the Voice selection aspect of character creation : )"

"Honestly, it seems far less 'in beta' than W&W final product seemed 'finished'. I can tell from what I have played and the enjoyment I have already got out of Wiz 8, it will be a game I play and keep for a long, long time. Whether it will replace Wiz 7 as my all-time favorite, remains a question of replayability. But, so far, I would say Wiz 8 has a everything it takes to be a classic."

"My initial impressions are that this game could easily be as addictive and involving as I found Wiz 1 to be 15 years ago. With the very nice environments to explore and good monsters to fight and balanced character development, I'm looking forward to finishing the monastery and seeing what's next."

"Just wanted to let you know that we are enjoying Wiz 8 very much. There are 3 different games going, with 3 distinct playing styles. None of the 3 have similar combinations of classes, personalities, portraits, or races. One group is pretty balanced, one concentrates on ranged attacks, and the last is almost totally reliant on magic. Its our opinion that the replayability factor is very high. We've also noted the change in the way that auto-swapping weapons work, and appreciate it as well. Also, high marks to the design team for forcing us to make choices in where to concentrate our "level up" points. It’s clear that no character (so far) will be able to excel in everything. The "magic team" has already figured out that its two bishops will need to have complementary specialties. This long playing and we still get a kick out of all the personality types with their dialog. "

"Of course, these are merely my humble opinions, as I approach level 20 with some of my members. You folks have created a feast of a game, and I've never had so much fun beta-testing a product. I haven't played Everquest at all since I got these cd's! Please keep up the fantastic work."

"General impressions are that the auto-look and targeting of the party AI is impressive and the monster animations are fantastic. Having never played any of the Wizardry series, the game this most reminds me of is Might and Magic 7 but much, much better and far more fun. My eccentric gnome gadgeteer has actually made me laugh outloud in his third person references to himself.."

"You all are doing a fantastic job with this game. I seriously enjoy playing it. This is one that I see as having a huge replay factor...just like Wiz1. I could see myself playing it through multiple times just to try different party compositions and to try different angles on the alliances to see all of the possible ways through the story. "