Wizard Of Walls

[h3]RANKING:[/h3] [table] [tr] [td] [h3][strike]AVOID[/strike] | [b]LACKING[/b] | [strike]MAYBE | WORTHWHILE | COMPELLING | UNMISSABLE [/strike] [/h3] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [h3]SYNOPSIS:[/h3] [table] [tr] [th][b]WHAT TO EXPECT:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]Wizards of Walls is a top-down dungeon shooter with a simple premise and minimalistic gameplay. Players take control of a warrior armed with only a weapon and any power-ups they can find during a level. Their goal, to survive as many maze-like levels of hostiles as possible. Enemies spawn periodically, increasing in speed the longer the level remains active. As progression is made enemy bosses appear in increasing numbers at the end. Made with Unity, it can be played in single-player and has full multiplayer support [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [td][b]STATUS:[/b][/td] [td]Released. Looks complete but rather basic [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]AUDIENCE:[/b][/td] [td]For nostalgic fans of the old classic Wizard of Wor (or its clones) [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]VALUE FOR MONEY:[/b][/td] [td]Perhaps a little high, but expect to see it on sale more often than not [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]REVIEWED USING:[/b][/td] [td][b][/b]Intel i5 6600 3.3GHz, 8GB RAM, GTX970 @ 4GB 1920x1080 windowed, EVO850 SSD Speedlink HEOX Pro Analog Gamepad USB [/td] [/tr] [/table] [quote]Follow [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32732116-IndieGems/]IndieGems[/url] for more reviews like this one.[/quote] [i]More info below....[/i] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2867705914 [h3]BREAKDOWN:[/h3] [table] [tr] [td][b]THE GOOD:[/b] [/td] [td] + Simple uncomplicated, easy to learn gameplay + Use of neon for graphics gives it a nice futuristic aesthetic to its visuals + Electro soundtrack is basic, but immersive and captures the ambience of the game well + Excellent multiplayer support with combined games of local and internet, for 2-4 players in COOP or PVP possible [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]THE BAD:[/b][/td] [td] - Only two types of power-up: shoot & move faster - Online multiplayer reported as laggy by some players. Couldn't test for myself - Power-up ability status isn't shown, so can't be sure if these are reduced at death - Enemies are distinct, but with only four types - to few in number - There are currently no 'special' levels as per the original - No online activity makes it tough to get a COOP or PVE game setup [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]AND THE REST:[/b][/td] [td] * Simple objective - survive as many levels as possible * Levels are a rotation of the following: Double Score, DS with Extra life and Spiders * Levels spawn greater numbers of monsters with speed with progression * Several maze configurations, but all a variation on a theme * Some arcade style mechanics: power-ups, double-score levels, extra-lives * Two different boss types spawn at the end of levels, increase in numbers after level 20 * Controls are fine, but not precise enough when the player collects too many speed-ups or needing to move in a tight space * Steam supports overlay and online play only [/td] [/tr] [/table] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2867705241 [h3]OBSERVATIONS:[/h3] [table] [tr] [td][b]HOW DOES IT PLAY?[/b][/td] [/tr] ːfssnipeː Plays like my memories of Wizard of Wor back in the day, apart from missing levels. Feels like Pacman, but with lasers. ːfssnipeː It is remindful of arcade games of the time that were easy to play, but difficult to master. It also captures that feeling that requires replaying the game over and over to hone ones skills. ːfssnipeː Games are geared up to be short and over fast unless the player possesses demon-like reflexes. ːfssnipeː Controls have two niggling issues. No fault deaths with some imprecise controls that nudge your character too near an enemy are frustrating. Diagonal movement and shooting can get you killed if not avoided. ːfssnipeː Did not find an online multi-player lobby after looking several times during each day, over the course of a fortnight. ːfssnipeː Managed to play two local multiplayer games but these were very short as my co-player was not a skilful player. I imagine that playing friends would take its gameplay to another level. ːfssnipeː Using a controller is comparable to keyboard and mouse. Both were fidgety with high speed and near spider eggs placed in tight spaces. So choice is down to preference. Personally I found keyboard and mouse more responsive than my controller. [tr] [td][b]BALANCE vs DIFFICULTY[/b][/td] [/tr] ːfssnipeː Having slow reactions or hand-eye coordination will hinder enjoyment of this game. Timing and placement, along with a good reading the evolving gameplay are requisites. ːfssnipeː There is only one difficulty, but the speed at which enemies speed up increases at the start of each new level and gets faster with progression. [tr] [td][b]LONGEVITY vs REPLAYABILITY[/b][/td] [/tr] ːfssnipeː Its obviously made to be highly replayable to get higher up the high score table. ːfssnipeː Fun in the beginning, this begins fade the more times its played; due to a lack of variation. Partial offset would be possible with coop play. ːfssnipeː Any real longevity would depend on achievements and multi-player. Without these there is little to keep me playing beyond the odd game now and again. [tr] [td][b]QUALITY[/b][/td] [/tr] ːfssnipeː For a simple game, its has excellent quality. Visually the use of neon glow, character and enemy models and minor items are good. Would just like to see more. ːfssnipeː The soundtrack is basic, but a perfect fit and supporting audio nails that arcade ambience. ːfssnipeː The few gameplay mechanics are a good facsimile of those used in the original. ːfssnipeː There are no settings to configure either input method. ːfssnipeː No bugs were encountered. [tr] [td][b]WHATS LACKING?[/b][/td] [/tr] ːfssnipeː The GUI could do with some indication of the power-up/speed levels currently held by the player's avatar. ːfssnipeː I would have like to have seen more varied level types. ːfssnipeː A few more power-up, more bosses and enemy types would be welcome. Perhaps even a few more mechanics such as teleporters, rotating/disappearing walls etc. ːfssnipeː One or two variants would have given this game a stronger sense of staying power. i.e: a randomised level mode or an adventure mode of linked levels. [tr] [td][b]IS THIS FOR ME?[/b][/td] [/tr] ːfssnipeː It trades on nostalgia and is perfect for anyone who experienced any of the original or clones back in the day. ːfssnipeː Its a very simple game of anticipation and positioning, that requires great reflexes and hand-eye coordination. ːfssnipeː Needs a willingness to accept seeing the 'Game Over' screen a lot or an investment in playing time to hone skills better suited to progressing past previous high scores. [/table] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2867710667 [h3]VERDICT:[/h3] Wizard of Walls is a capably made nod to the retro classic Wizard of Wor. This robust effort captures most of the original's features, style and feel. Despite no major flaws, gameplay is too shallow to appeal past its nostalgic roots. Without achievements and an active multi-player community, there are only leader-boards to keep players playing. I enjoyed playing the game however, for the average gamer there may not be enough for a recommendation while it remains [b]LACKING[/b] in features and content. If these were added, I would happily update my review. [quote=]Thank you for reading. | Follow my curator[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/40556040-The-Irregular-Gamer/] here[/url].[/quote]