State of the Game – Wizard101

Wizard101 is a game from KingsIsle that by all appearances would encourage many adult gamers to look the other direction.  Its cartoon-like appearance masks a game with surprising depth however, and with a moment’s glance, the dynamics of the game become apparent.  The card-based battle system, as well as the character customization, are just some of the aspects that help separate this MMO from so many others in such a saturated market.  These parts of the game offer complex and varied experiences that are not often found in other games of the genre.

Having outlasted many other potentially ground-breaking games in the nearly two years of its life, Wizard101’s graphics could be described by some as outdated or juvenile, but in fact fit in rather nicely with the content that is available.  Whether battling ghosts and other nasties or exploring Wizard City, the colorful and storybook-like visuals help relay the vibrancy of the enemies and locations.  They also seem very solid and full of life while the effects of the monster summoning (especially the higher tier spells) appear appropriately epic and magical.

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The game-play is striking and can be exciting with up to four monsters and players each in a single battle.  Loot is handed to each player after combat and is level-specific; meaning that any gear that you receive would most likely be used, assuming you don’t already own better. Crafting does exist, although in a limited fashion.  Materials are found in random locations throughout the areas that are frequented by most players.  The items available for crafting are, on average, not as high in quality as the items that are found after battles.  They can be an excellent low-cost alternative though, if you have managed to find all of the materials.

There are seven schools of magic to choose your initial cards from, some doing more damage than others.  The evident pattern is that the greater the school’s damage potential, the greater chance for the school’s cards to “fizzle”, or just not work.  A player looking for the traditional healer roll would follow the school of Life.  The majority of the spells out of the Life school revolve around healing, but this does not mean that you can’t defend yourself or even play solo if required.  On the other hand, the closest the game has to a tank class would be the school of Ice.  Protection spells, on-average higher hit point totals and resists mean that you are more able to take a beating than other schools.

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Items and gear such as robes and hats found in game, again unlike other MMOs, are not the character breaker that some expect.  They help by giving you an increased chance for your spell cards to critically hit and to have an increased likelihood to play higher tier spells sooner.  They do not however hamper the game and development of your character if you don’t focus all your time into getting the newest and best items around. The lack of the usual single-minded need to collect and acquire is refreshing after coming from more stat-based games about grabbing everything that isn’t nailed to the floor.

Player versus player (PvP) combat is indeed an aspect of the game but not highly focused upon.  It is arena-based and follows the same combat rules as when fighting monsters out in the player versus environment (PvE) areas.  The matches consist of one on one duels and can grow up to four on four magical brawls.  The practice area can be competed in for free, but the registered matches must be paid for using the currency (Crowns) offered through the online store.

The game has made some notable improvements in the past three months. Pets, which used to be merely cosmetic, are now an important part of the game.  They gain experience much like the characters that own them and are able to participate in various mini-games.  These include catching falling fruit while dodging bombs, avoiding ghosts in a maze and repeating Simon-says sequences of arrows.  These games boost your pet’s statistics and can cause it to gain increases in level from Baby to Epic.  Once you have two pets of the Adult level, you can bring them to a character called Doctor Purreau who can then breed these pets together.  Also, the higher your pet’s statistics are, the better they are able to participate in the Pet Derby; a racing game in which players are able to win prize tickets and gold.

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The end-game content, more specifically Dragonspyre, has been rendered in a spectacular and surprisingly serious tone.  This is in stark contrast of the first few worlds that are bright and eye-catching.  This is frankly expected though, since the end quests of Dragonspyre feature the lead villain Malistaire as the last challenge of the original Wizard101 story arc.  The dourness of the scenery in the last world of the current series adds gravity to a serious situation: The final defeat of one of the greater evils ever experienced by the game’s collective of worlds.

Wizard101 is a great game for those MMO first-timers and the videogame-oriented family that is looking for something to grow into together.  Those who find that realism and PG or higher themed action are more their scene should probably swing towards a more adult-themed game.