Wizordum Review – A New Pixel Experience in Excellence

Wizordum Review

The dark, corrupting forces of chaos have found their way into the realm of Terrabruma. Mages from across the land have fought to protect the people from impending destruction. Now it is your turn to take up the fight. This is Wizordum.

Developed by Emberheart Games, Wizordum is a retro-inspired fantasy first-person shooter. While it is easy to compare it to titles like DOOM or Hexen – or the more recent Project Warlock – Wizordum has a distinct feel all its own.

Wizordum is a Fresh Take on Fast-Paced Pixel FPS Games

Set in the world of Terrabruma, your goal as a mage is simple: track down and destroy the source of Chaos. Like other fast-paced FPS titles, Wizordum offers a narrative to follow through each of the levels. While there is something of a story, that isn’t what brings players to a title like this. The appeal of Wizordum comes from its presentation and the execution of its gameplay. These are the areas the game really stands out.

In the first few moments of playing, you’ll immediately notice Wizordum’s aesthetic. Even with the darker tone of chaos running rampant in the realm, Wizordum does not stray away from vibrant colors. Being trapped in a walled city that has gone up in flames from goblin raids still uses colors that pop. This simple change from the norm already makes Wizordum stand out among its contemporaries. The game utilizes that familiar 90’s pixel style while finding a way to keep it fresh and engaging.

I was truly surprised by the scale of level design in Wizordum. As you progress through the chapter, each stage gets significantly larger. There is so much to explore in each stage that it truly is worth exploring. Level design is intuitive and clever. The map is helpful for getting around and lets you explore while looking at it simultaneously. Wizordum also utilizes fascinating yet subtle visual storytelling throughout. Finding collectible lore scrolls not only reveals secrets nearby, but provides well written yet brief backstory of current events.

Each Weapon is Distinct and Useful in Wizordum

The weapon selection of Wizordum may be limited by today’s standards, but the variety on hand is impactful. Each weapon serves a specific function and allows for diverse tactics in any situation. I initially didn’t think I would find the Frostweave enjoyable. It quickly became a staple of my strategy. Each weapon can be upgraded once, unlocking a new facet of its abilities and further complementing how you play. Ammo for each weapon appears steadily. If you favor one weapon over the others, you can swap to something else for a few minutes before finding plenty of ammo for your favorite. I felt like I had to be slightly conservative with my shots, but I never worried about finding more munitions shortly.

Like any classic FPS, Wizordum features an array of secrets hidden throughout its stages. I expected the usual “press Search here” or the classic “smash cracked wall here,” but the puzzles provided more and more engaging challenges. Lighting candles I didn’t know could be interacted with. Hidden buttons in skylights. Each stage has a hidden map which guides you to the stage’s secrets, but some of them proved too much for my “I’m here to shoot things” brain. Certain stages, while beautifully designed and a delight to explore, have additional puzzles to unlock a bonus level for more treasure. These don’t appear on the map, so you’ll need to explore every nook and cranny. These triggers can be hidden at highly specific angles. I spent far more time than I want to admit trying to solve some of these, only to come up empty-handed.

Puzzles Vary From Wall-Smashing to Finding Hidden Switches

I’m happy to spend this time exploring and trying to work out the puzzle to get that rich reward, but for whatever reason, Wizordum includes a time challenge at the end of each stage. These time challenges suggest trying to beat a stage in just a few minutes. It’s great for speed runners, but I can’t imagine the stage I spent over half an hour completing being finished in under four minutes. It isn’t detrimental to the gameplay experience; it just isn’t a feature for me. Wizordum, despite being fast-paced action, offers a lot of reasons to explore and take your time. Including a time challenge feels counterintuitive to what it offers the player.

It’s also worth noting just how fitting the soundtrack for Wizordum is. Emberheart Games didn’t just find music that worked well with the game, they crafted something that complements the experience. The soundtrack not only reiterates the fast-paced nature of the game and gets the blood pumping, but it still feels grounded in the setting. It not-so-subtly adds to the frenetic nature and is arguably as important and effective as the vibrant color scheme in telling the story.

Wizordum is a refreshing entry in the pixel FPS genre. It pays clear homage to legendary titles while offering unique, subtle features that make it new. The gameplay is familiar, fast, and engaging. Its presentation pops, and the visual storytelling, coupled with its plethora of puzzles, keeps you engrossed in the experience. Wizordum is a nostalgic throwback that still feels new and exciting to play. It’s a great step into high fantasy while being true to its inspirations.

Wizordum is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. For more information, check out the game’s official website.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher***