Looking for Game Similar to Wizardry VI...

[kirbunkle]

Hi, I just joined the forum, mostly because it seemed like a great place to ask this important question.

I'm a huge fan of Wizardry VI. I'm not really sure why. I think It's because it's old-school and my dad used to play it when I was younger, and I've been intrigued by it ever since then... It's very nostalgic for me. That's what got me into it in the first place. I played through it recently, though, and I LOVED the role-playing style.

After I beat the game, I needed more. I tried playing Wizardry VII and VIII. Dark Savant was a little too... eh. Unstructured, I guess. and 8 was too... Impossible after the first dungeon.

SO! I'm looking for a game that lets you build a team of characters from basically scratch, choosing classes and races and what have you. Similar to Bane of the Cosmic Forge, and more straight-forward than 7 and less annoying than 8.

Any suggestions?

[dragon wench]

I haven't played the Wizardry series, but based on the things you say you like, I'd suggest the Icewind Dale series.

Both I and II allow you to build, from scratch, a party of six with a choice of various race and class combinations.
IWD1 follows second edition D&D rules, while IWD2 follows the 3.0 rules (or is it 3.5, somebody correct me please )

I don't think there is the same role play potential in IWD I/II as with other Black Isle Studio titles, but there is some. However, if you are looking for a strategic dungeon crawl with a decent back story, fairly good writing, and extensive party customization you may want to check them out.

[kozeph]

I also second the Icewind dale series for the tactical level.

You could try the realms of arkania games, you make party of six plus one npc I think. big overmap, lots of lots of random encounters. Combat is dificult if you dont think, versatility is VERY VERY important. The game is mean really mean to the player and cities are a bit of a laberynth. You could try them if you wish I dont remenber if its was as hard as wizardry 8

[fable]

Might & Magic III. More of an RPG than Icewind Dale, which is a combat-oriented strategy title in fantasy garb. Might want to check out this page on M&M III. You navigate by selecting from topics on the left. I suggest general info, first. Graphically, it holds up very well for its age, though the music should be redone.

[dragon wench]

It also occurs to me, one way to go about this would be to play the Baldur's Gate series in multiplayer mode.
The existing recruitable NPCs in these games (most particularly BG2) are very well developed and a lot of fun, so except for my player character I never opt to create my own party.

However, it is possible to do so if you select multiplayer mode, and they are true RPG games with an excellent story, well-written dialogue and enjoyable combat.

Many people here consider the second in the series, BG2, to be amongst the best RPGs ever created. Though, part of that is due to the party interaction of the in-game recruits.

[kozeph]

yes might and magic III is probably the most similar thing you can find or eye of the beholder series you make a party of 3 or 4 dont remember to well. also BG2 would fit the bill. If your looking for combat Icewind dale is what you looking for. Also if you dont mind the suggestion look for planescape torment one of the best RPGs (storywise) if you havent play and dont mind reading a lot then look for it.

and now for something completly unreleated I noticed I became an exalted member hooooraaay for me, sheeps for everybody!
cough* carry on..

ps: had to get that of my system

[endboss]

If you do go for Icewind Dale make sure you have an NVIDIA card if you get the second one (the first is superior IMO, but the second has its merits). There's a patch for NVIDIA cards (get it on sorcerers.net - IWD2 forum, stickied thread) which removed black artifacts from the screen for IWD2. On ATIs cards, however, the game doesn't have those artifacts but it stutters like hell. I upgraded to a higher end ATI card from a low end NVIDIA and I can't play the game anymore. IWD1 though doesn't need any patch, has no video card preference, and plays perfectly on everything.

IWD1 (make sure you get the box with the Heart of Winter expansion and download the Trials of the Luremaster patch from fileplanet) has great DnD party customization (before the rules got all crazy with IWD2, BG2, ToEE, etc), an excellent atmosphere (great music, hand painted landscapes, wonderful locations), and a story that's not overbearing on your dungeon crawling. The story falls apart a little bit at the end and you're not really quite sure why you're shuffling from place to place but it's nothing that really interferes with the enjoyment of the game. There's also some different dialog topics, not many but a few, depending on your class (mainly paladins and bards). Do note that sometimes you'll have to position your party before a dialog encounter (save often!) because the NPCs will target the closest person to him or her to talk, and not necessarily the party leader (it sucks when your charismatic bard is passed over for your scowling dwarf fighter). Oh, and you need some way to attack with fire. Always have some way to inflict fire damage (you do find stuff so don't go blowing all your cash, but be conservative with fire)! The game is a little more linear that I usually like but it makes up for it by being really fun.

[dragon wench]

Also if you dont mind the suggestion look for planescape torment one of the best RPGs (storywise) if you havent play and dont mind reading a lot then look for it.

I view Planescape Torment as the best RPG ever made. The reason I didn't suggest it here, though, is because the OP specifically asked for a game wherein you entirely create your party.
Unlike with BG2, there is absolutely no way to create your whole group in PST.

And yeah, like Endboss, I consider Icewind Dale 1 to be superior over IWD2, but that's always going to be subjective.

Icewind Dale, which is a combat-oriented strategy title in fantasy garb.

While I don't consider the IWD series to be amongst the best RPGs I've ever played, I don't think I'd go quite that far..
I'd more describe the games as tactically-focused RPGs, geared toward players who prefer a greater emphasis on combat and dungeon crawling.

But, *shrugs* opinions always vary on topics like this... and opinions are like certain body orifices, everyone has one and many have an odoriferous quality.

[fable]

While I don't consider the IWD series to be amongst the best RPGs I've ever played, I don't think I'd go quite that far..
I'd more describe the games as tactically-focused RPGs, geared toward players who prefer a greater emphasis on combat and dungeon crawling.

It's pretty much a linear series of battles, with a party that has no personality of its own because you've created them. I really don't see how I could classify that as anything but a strategy title in fantasy clothing. It's not as though you're really playing a role in an environment with a range of interactive choices. I don't dislike it, or it's followup, but it's not an RPG, as I see it. Reminds me a lot of Fantasy General and the like, except with far more vividly drawn backgrounds and NPCs giving you the FedX quests instead of a parchment saying, "If you win, you get the following spoils..."

But, *shrugs* opinions always vary on topics like this... and opinions are like certain body orifices, everyone has one and many have an odoriferous quality.

Indeed! And speaking as one whom, upon good authority, has excretions that are not odoriferous at all, I can tell you that I am always correct.

[kirbunkle]

Wow, a lot of posts pretty quick. Thanks guys!

Okay, I've heard of Balders Gate, and Icewind Dale... I'll have to check those out. I hope they aren't too new. I would be running these on my laptop, which isn't old, but it's a laptop. Not really made for running high-end games.

I've actually played some other, more linear styled RPG's too, though... where the characters are pre-made, basically. I'm totally cool with trying out Planescape Torment, especially since I've never heard of it.

I'll try research these other games and let you know what I think. Thanks again.

[kozeph]

I hope they aren't too new. I would be running these on my laptop, which isn't old, but it's a laptop. Not really made for running high-end games.

most are a games from the 90s so they should run quiet well.

also like dragon wench said planescape if mostly a solo experiences but it also has party members some which are incredibly fasinating and for me are on par with BG2 companions, thats why I recommended. well have fun with what ever you choose to play

[dragon wench]

While it has its faults, this is one of the more in depth articles I've seen on [url="http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/planescape-torment-retrospective"]Planescape Torment[/url].
It provides a good sense of the game without being excessively spoilerish.


And:

[url="http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/baldursgate/review.html"]Baldur's Gate Review[/url]

[url="http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/baldursgate2shadowsofamn/review.html"]Baldur's Gate Two Review[/url]

[kmonster]

I recommend the Might and Magic series too. You can get the first 6 parts at gog.com. Icewind Dale or Baldur's Gate are also good games, but you don't have the 1st person view, you see and control your party from above, similar to rts games like Command and Conquer.