DESCRIPTION

Like Roadwar 2000, Wizard's Crown puts SSI war game spirit squat in the framework of a role-playing game. In the land of Arghan, your party of eight characters gains skill points and suffer incredibly harsh and complex damage rules as you fight to reclaim the Emperor's lost crown from the minions of evil. Most of the game is spent beefing up your abilities in battles with the city's brigands and the giant spiders who lurk outside town. Then, when you're seasoned, you somewhat awkwardly move eight heroes through sinister catacombs, one person at a time. But forget the plot and clunky dungeons. The true appeal is the superb hex-based combat system, which provides fog-of-war conditions not often seen in RPGs. And as in Microprose's Darklands, magic is downplayed so that bloody swordplay can take center stage. Wizard's Crown was followed by a more magic-intensive sequel, The Eternal Dagger. ~ John Gorenfeld, All Game Guide