Developer: Falcom Publisher: Broderbund Release: 04/89 Genre: Action
Like many I looked forward to Birthdays and Christmas for potential new video games. I was a little more fortunate in that I had older brothers who bought games year round but the promise of some new experience during the holidays was still cause for celebration. But not every present was a welcome gift. For Christmas of 1991 I received Legacy of the Wizard. Dragon Warrior and Ys had made me a fan of RPGs years prior. However Legacy of the Wizard was a bit too much for my 11-year old mind. Needless to say it was not a Merry Christmas. Now that I am revisiting it with decades of experience under my belt it is still just as frustrating as ever.
Legacy of the Wizard tells the story of the Warzen family and their attempt to destroy the ancient dragon Keela who is entombed within a painting in the labyrinth before he can wake up. The only means to defeat Keela is the Dragon Slayer sword that is protected by four crowns. Each member of the family must use their various skills to search the dungeon for the crowns and the sword to eventually slay the dragon. Legacy of the Wizard is the fourth installment in Falcom’s Dragon Slayer series, a property that is nearly as confusing as Wonder Boy in its lineage. Luckily it stands on its own.
There are five members of the Warzen family, each with unique skills and tools suited to explore specific portions of the dungeon. They also specialize in different areas. Xemn the father is physically the strongest but has weak leaping prowess. Meyna has the most magic and can eventually fly and smack blocks around. Lyll jumps the highest and can break blocks with the mattock. Pochi is a monster and cannot use items and has little magic power. However since he is a monster other monsters ignore him and he can touch them without taking damage. Roas is the only one who can use the Dragon Slayer for the final battle, meaning the entire game is preparation to make him useful in the end.
Before entering the dungeon you can choose three items. Nearly every item can be found or bought in the shops for exorbitant prices, even critical character specific items. It’s a wise choice as it can be tedious looking for certain items specifically. Every character has a projectile weapon of varying strength and reach. Every attack uses magic and while potion bottles drop from enemies regularly it still requires some management. You can stay at an inn but gold drops are random as well. In fact most basic items you need such as keys are also random drops as well. That is the least of the game’s issues.
The first thing you need to accept is that LOTW offers no guidance. Aside from the goal of finding the four crowns how you do so and in what order is entirely up to you. That freedom is both liberating and damning. Legacy of the Wizard has one of the largest maps in a NES game. Specific sections of the dungeon are clearly intended for specific characters. But with some ingenuity and abuse of mechanics you can technically explore most parts of the map with almost anyone. But unless you consult a guide you will inevitably waste far too much time exploring a part of the map destined for a certain character. The inns allow you to switch items help somewhat but not enough. There is a set order the game wants you to follow but they sure as hell don’t tell you.
Even with a map navigation is a literal nightmare. Nearly every room is full of false floors and walls that are necessary for progress. There is no indication of where they are, you literally have to hump every brick in the game to discover them. The use of the various tools feels poorly implemented and unfortunately you must use them extensively. Manipulating blocks never feels natural and it is called on the most. Between managing magic, exploration, and general navigation Legacy of the Wizard is insanely difficult. Surprisingly the bosses are the easiest part but reaching them is the trouble. If you aren’t drawing your own maps the game is impenetrable. I honestly do not know how I found two of the crowns when I was eleven but that was the point I gave up. It has not become easier with time and experience.
In Closing
I wish I could say I have come around to Legacy of the Wizard but I cannot. This remains an incredibly frustrating game even with maps and strategy guides. The obtuse design and numerous annoying little elements make it a chore to play. Like Hydlide and Deadly Towers I can see what they were going for but they missed the mark badly. Play something else; this one is not the least bit satisfying.
