While still a little fresh from playing A Way Out, we’ve all started to crave for more co-op options for consoles. Thankfully, Wizard of Legend has been paying attention to the crowd because this is the game that’s not only charming and beautiful but packed with an abundance of action and fun.
Platform Reviewed: PS4
Platforms Available: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Contingent99
Publisher: Humble Bundle
Release Date: May 15, 2018
MSRP: $19.99
This review is based on a review code provided by Humble Bundle.
In vibrant pixel art, Wizard of Legend takes us to the Kingdom of Lanova where Wizards are deemed as heroes who are forever remembered in an interactive museum frequently and repeatedly visited by a number of guests. The player begins in a visit to the museum to learn about the Wizards, their enemies, and how Wizards may challenge the annual Chaos Trials, as well as to test out “Arcanas” to play with for the interactive exhibits.
Arcanas are like cards with specific elemental powers that the player can possess and use for combat, the Arcana is assigned to your action buttons and the player may only hold four (a basic attack, dash, magic, and a special).
While exploring the museum and learning early on about the lore, you are suddenly pulled in to that time of Wizards and monsters after glancing at one of the museum’s artifacts. You are now one of the Wizards chosen to undertake the Chaos Trial and aim to receive the coveted title of “Wizard of Legend.”
Firstly, the introduction of the game brought out its charm. Starting at a museum to already take in the lore without long and annoying conversational tutorials gave me the fast heads-up, as well as a fun experience, likened to visiting an interactive museum in real life. The game afterward then mainly revolves and centers on you passing the trials in this dungeon crawling adventure.
The trials, as you will learn in the museum, is a way to test your skills as a Wizard to achieve an official status. You are to fight three bosses of different elements. Fire, Earth, and Ice (order changes every time), while undergoing two dungeon runs between them. The game is about passing the trials and easy as it may sound, you are going to spend loads of time going in and out and just trying to get past the second boss with still an ample amount of life.
Simple as it may be and completely straightforward, it does take an immense amount of time to get used to the many Arcana to choose from, as there are five elements in total (fire, earth, ice, lightning, air) to mix and match with whatever you feel best and are comfortable with. But exploring the different Arcana powers available is just the tip of the iceberg for a fast-paced video game like Wizard of Legend. Besides the use of Arcana, you may also possess Relics. Relics are items in the game that may enhance your skills and help you along the way.
Before entering the trial, however, you may only possess one relic and (again) four Arcana cards. It is during the trial itself where you may be able to obtain new and stackable relics as well as additional Arcana cards to slot in your L1 and R1 buttons. This is one of the features that made me almost addicted to the game; the idea of collecting, grinding for coins to use in the in-dungeon shops, and testing out new Arcana, while trying to survive until the final boss brings both a relaxing and exciting routine. It reminds you of simple co-op games in the past, where it’s just you and your buddy fighting off baddies and completing a level, with a visual appeal likened to classic Zelda games.
My only drawback, however, is that it is a repetitive game and overtime you will be able to even predict during dungeon and boss fights. It’s a game that gets easy as you keep going. However, despite this, it’s still a game I’ll be willing to play again soon with a different buddy.
