Wizordum Episode 2: The Ultimate Wizard Fantasy Continues in Early Access

 

Are you looking for something to play that is new but also has the feel of a mid-nineties first person fantasy action game you should have a gander at Apogee's (*) Wizordum.  This retro-inspired first-person spellcaster, Wizordum has been out in Early access for a while and earlier this month's they released their second episode available starting June 5th. This latest chapter promises to elevate the wizard fantasy experience, introducing a wealth of new content, including weapons, enemies, and gameplay mechanics, adding to a solid core gameplay already established in the previous episode. Those that already dove into the early access before were really looking for more content to give the game more meat.

Revisiting the Classic Charm

For those unfamiliar with the game, Wizordum stands out as a love letter to classic 90s shooters like Hexen, Heretic, and Catacomb Abyss. It combines the nostalgic feel of those games but adds in more modern enhancements, creating a unique blend that can appeal to both old-school fans and new players. The game’s action-packed sequences are interspersed with light puzzle elements and a plethora of secrets to discover, ensuring a rich and engaging gameplay experience.

The story of Wizordum unfolds in a world where Chaos roams unchecked, mercenaries ravage towns, and a dark force spreads from the northern mountains. As one of the last Clerics of the Order of the Dawn, you stand on the brink of the town of Grimbrook, tasked with uncovering and banishing this Chaos. The narrative, combined with immersive environments and compelling gameplay, draws players deeper into the world of Terrabruma.

Emberheart games answered the call for more content with the release of the new episode. as stated earlier, episode 2 builds upon the foundation of the original episode, bringing fresh excitement and challenges to their players. As a Mage in the mystical world of Terrabruma, you'll continue your quest to track down the source of Chaos, armed with an expanded arsenal and facing off against a variety of new foes. This update is not just an addition; it's a significant enhancement that enriches the game's immersive experience.

What's New in Episode 2?

• New Weapon - Storm Gauntlets: Unleash electrifying power with these magical gauntlets, adding a dynamic combat option to your magical toolkit.
• New Enemies: Prepare to face terrifying new adversaries such as Spiders, the lurking Bog Lurker, the ethereal Phantom, and the wailing Banshee. Each enemy brings unique challenges and requires strategic thinking to defeat.
• New Traps: Navigate through perilous environments filled with deadly traps including Rolling Boulders, Fire Breathers, and Wall Crushers. These additions not only test your combat skills but also your agility and puzzle-solving abilities.
• The Sorcerer's Shop: A new in-game shop allows players to purchase weapon upgrades, consumables, and more, providing deeper customization and strategic options.

Let's go wizard shopping

A Community-Driven Experience

Besides the packaged in campaign, one of Wizordum’s other standout features is its in-game level editor, which allows players to design and share custom adventures and it might be even a bigger draw to its community. This feature not only extends the game’s longevity but also fosters a vibrant community of creators and players. The level editor’s capabilities are easy to open up from within the game and fairly easy to grasp on a basic level, making it easy to create. something and then as you learn more about the engine allow you to create more complex and unique maps, with traps, puzzles, treasures and of course enemies.  ensure that the game will continue to evolve with player-generated content, making every playthrough a new adventure. Built in Unity the game uses mod.io for its user generated content, and an easy, in game, accessible adventure browsers make it a snap to try out new content created by the community. I tried my hand at a simple level, and I could literally create something within seconds, and jump right in to run around in it. But to be fair, right now I am leaving the creating to those with more talent and patience, even though it is incredibly accessible. 

I made a map

running circles in my own world

With 2/3rds of the game now complete, the third episode for Wizordum is slated for release in Winter this year, and it promises to complete the saga. Emberheart Games has shown a commendable commitment to regular updates and patches, ensuring a smooth and evolving gameplay experience. So, if you rather wait for the 1.0 release of the game you do not have to wait too long. But if you do decide to jump in early you would be supporting a developer who has been generous and involved with support, updates and more throughout the process so far. For some it is worth the fee of entering early despite the occasional hitch that might bring or lack of content in the beginning.

If are nostalgic for those old 90's fantasy fps games Wizordum Episode 2 is definitely worth checking out. Those who appreciate a rich, magical world filled with action, puzzles, and secrets will be able to find plenty here. With its new content, challenging enemies, and engaging gameplay, Wizordum captures the soul of that era and those games and provides great entertainment value.. 

Title:    Wizardum (episode 2 update)
Publisher: Apogee
Developer: Emberheart Games
Platform: PC (Steam/GOG) 
Release Date: 5 June 2024
Price: $14.99 ($11.99 at time of writing)

About the writer: DadGeek (Rob) is the co-founder of GeeksVsGeeks. He is a product of the eighties and never let go of his geek interest and hobbies no matter how often someone told him to stop. His love for gaming and all things geeks has been part of his parenting style and permeates throughout the whole family. A family of Geeks vs Geeks 

(*) **GeeksVsGeeks is part of the Apogee Creators group**