Wizardry - Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (USA)

**Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord** on NES is one of the pioneering role-playing games (RPGs) that defined the dungeon crawler genre. Players begin by creating a party of up to six adventurers, choosing from various races and professions such as fighters, mages, priests, and thieves. Each character has distinct stats and skills, influencing their capabilities in combat and exploration.

The primary objective is to explore the sprawling underground maze of Castle Trebor, which harbors countless monsters and treasures. Gameplay is presented from a first-person perspective, guiding players through corridors and rooms rendered with simple yet effective graphics. Encounters with monsters are turn-based. Players must carefully choose between physical attacks, spells, or using items to achieve victory. Strategy is paramount, especially when facing powerful foes.

The magic system in the game is diverse, featuring offensive, defensive, and support spells. Managing magic points (MP) and casting the right spell at the right time is crucial. Upon winning battles, characters gain experience points (EXP) and gold. EXP helps characters level up, unlocking new skills and enhancing stats. Gold is used to purchase better equipment, weapons, armor, and healing items at the town's shop.

Beyond combat, exploration also demands attention to traps, secret doors, and puzzles. Players will need to draw their own maps or memorize routes as the game does not provide an auto-map feature. The ultimate goal is to find and defeat the evil wizard Werdna, who stole a powerful amulet from Lord Trebor. **Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord** requires patience, strategic thinking, and a high spirit of adventure, offering a challenging classic RPG experience.