Wizardry Empire II PLUS: Oujō no Isan

Wizardry Empire II PLUS: Ōjo no Isan (Wizardry Empire II Plus: Legacy of the Princess) is a Japanese first-person dungeon crawler RPG and part of the Wizardry Empire sub-series, which continues the traditions of the classic Wizardry games while adding its own mechanics and story elements.

The game follows the classic Wizardry formula:

You create a party of adventurers and explore dangerous labyrinths from a first-person perspective.

Movement is grid-based, with the player navigating corridors, rooms, traps, and hidden areas.

Battles are turn-based, with enemies appearing in groups and combat commands selected from menus.

Character management is a major focus: you recruit, train, equip, and develop your party over a long adventure.

A typical party consists of up to six characters, with traditional RPG roles such as:

Fighter – strong melee attacker and frontline defender

Mage – offensive magic specialist

Priest – healing and support magic

Thief – trap detection and disarming

Bishop – hybrid spellcaster and identification specialist

Other advanced classes unlocked through progression

Story

The story revolves around a kingdom threatened by mysterious events connected to the legacy of a princess. As adventurers, your party is drawn into exploring ancient ruins and dungeons while uncovering secrets related to the kingdom's past.

Like many Wizardry games, the narrative is secondary to the exploration and character-building systems. The main appeal is the journey through increasingly dangerous dungeons rather than cinematic storytelling.

Features of the PLUS Version

Compared with the original PlayStation release, the PLUS edition includes enhancements such as:

Adjustments and improvements to gameplay balance

Additional content and refinements

Updated presentation for Windows PCs

Compatibility improvements for the PC audience of the era

Difficulty & Style

This is a hardcore old-school RPG. Players familiar with games like:

Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

Shin Megami Tensei dungeon sections

Etrian Odyssey

will find the structure familiar.

Expect:

High difficulty

Frequent dungeon preparation

Careful resource management

Character deaths and potential setbacks

A strong emphasis on grinding and optimization

Reception / Legacy

The Wizardry Empire games are considered niche entries in the broader Wizardry franchise. They were never released internationally, but they have a following among fans of Japanese dungeon RPGs because they preserve the mechanics of classic Wizardry while adding late-1990s/early-2000s JRPG design elements.

For a PC game collection, it is a notable title because Windows versions of Wizardry games from this era are relatively uncommon, and Wizardry Empire II PLUS is one of the few Japanese PC releases carrying the Wizardry name outside of the main series.