wizard_of_wor Commodore 64 game

Wizard of Wor

Introduction

Wizard of Wor is an arcade video game released in 1980 by Midway. Developed by Dave Nutting Associates, it was later ported to various platforms, including the Atari 8-bit family, Commodore 64, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, and Bally Astrocade. In the game, one or two players navigate mazes filled with monsters, shooting them to clear each level. The original cartridge even offered a cash prize to the first player who completed the game.

Gameplay

Players control characters called Worriors, tasked with eliminating all monsters by shooting them. In two-player mode, player one commands yellow Worriors on the right, and player two controls blue Worriors on the left. Players can even shoot each other's Worriors for bonus points and to diminish their opponent's lives. Teamwork is effective, as players can stand back-to-back to shoot incoming enemies.

The dungeons comprise single-screen rectangular grids with walls and corridors. Monsters and Worriors can move freely through the corridors. The dungeon wraps around through doors at the left and right edges. Crossing a door deactivates it temporarily for both players and monsters. Players can re-enter doors immediately when the Worluk or Wizard is present. A radar display shows the positions of active monsters.

When a player has reserve lives, a backup Worrior is stored at the bottom corner. Upon the current Worrior's death, the backup can be brought into play within 10 seconds.

Monsters and Levels

Monsters include Burwor (blue wolf-type), Garwor (yellow Tyrannosaurus rex-type), Thorwor (red scorpion-like), Worluk (Insectoid-type), and the Wizard of Wor (blue wizard). Garwors and Thorwors can turn invisible at times but are always visible on the radar. Monsters except Worluk can shoot Worriors.

The number of Burwors decreases as the game advances, replaced by Garwors and later Thorwors. After the sixth dungeon, Garwors replace Burwors. A Garwor's death summons a Thorwor. From the second dungeon on, killing the last Thorwor introduces a Worluk that tries to escape through a side door. The dungeon ends when the Worluk escapes or is defeated, doubling point values for the next level.

The Wizard of Wor appears after the second dungeon when the Worluk has escaped or been defeated. The Wizard taunts players with speech synthesis, teleporting to approach a Worrior. He leaves after shooting a Worrior or being killed.

Players are called "Worriors" for the first seven levels and "Worlords" afterward. The "Worlord Dungeons" are more challenging due to fewer interior walls.

Special dungeons include "The Arena" (Level 4) with a large open area and "The Pit" (Level 13) with no interior walls. Players surviving the Pit levels without losing a life earn the title "Worlord Supreme."

Legacy

Wizard of Wor was moderately successful in arcades and garnered positive reviews. It was praised for its multiplayer experience and accurate ports. It's included in various game compilations such as Midway Arcade Treasures 2 and Midway Arcade Origins. Additionally, it was part of the "Arcade 1up Mortal Kombat II" cabinet under the "Midway Legacy Edition Arcade" released in 2021.