If you enjoy traditional RPGs, this is a truly exceptional game. Graphics will be dated, but Wiz8 is one of the handful of games where story, combat, strategy, challenges, and concept totally override any lack in graphics. This is simply a great party-based RPG. Nonetheless, don't waste a dime if you are a casual RPGer and like linear, scripted games in the Arcania Dungeon Siege 3, or Diablo 3 variety. First of all, there are no pretty bubbles telling you what to loot or where to go. Most of all, you will not survive the combat with the first spiders in the basement, and when you hit the Arnika road you will be WAY over your head. Wiz8 has very tough combat that makes you really think through your strategy and tactics. If you survive Arnika, you will give up totally when you discover the Tanto wasps! :-) There are several mods for Wiz8. Most are not needed. There is one worth tracking down that fixes an annoying glitch in end-of-combat flagging that is worth chasing down. Given turn-based combat, if an enemy is retreating, you can have times it takes 5 minutes for them to get out of range enough for you to exit combat and continue. But if you like a beautifully designed RPG challenge, plan on keeping track of things, remembering quest dialogs, and solving some fun puzzles. This is a game that you will love!
One thing not obvious in the description is that GoG appears to have included the community patch (v1.03) that fixed almost all of the quest breaking bugs. Their splash screen states version 1.3 If not, many sites (CelestialHeavens.com is about the best for the MM series) have the patch. Te above reviews are accurate if the patch is NOT installed, but do not reflect the community improvements.
