Dark Wizard (1993-)

Dark Wizard was developed by Sega and first released in 1993 for the Sega CD. Published by Sega, the game was an ambitious tactical role-playing title that aimed to take advantage of the CD-ROM format, offering players expansive gameplay, a large soundtrack, and cinematic sequences that went far beyond what cartridge-based systems could provide at the time. Its development was notable for attempting to merge the depth of strategy games with the presentation value of a fantasy epic, setting it apart from other RPGs on the platform.

The story of Dark Wizard is set in the kingdom of Cheshire, a land threatened by an evil sorcerer named Velonese who was once a high priest but turned to darkness after being cursed. Players can choose from one of four protagonists—Prince Armer, cavalry commander Robin, sorceress Krystal, or vampire Amon—each with their own storyline, armies, and magical abilities. The gameplay focuses on turn-based tactical battles across sprawling maps, with players summoning units, managing armies, and capturing territory in a struggle to defeat Velonese and restore peace to the land.

Dark Wizard was exclusive to the Sega CD and never received ports to other consoles or computers, which limited its reach. However, its use of the CD-ROM allowed for features such as a fully orchestrated soundtrack and animated cutscenes, which were major selling points at the time. These enhancements gave the game a unique identity within the strategy RPG genre, though its exclusivity meant that many players never had the chance to experience it firsthand.

There were no prequels to Dark Wizard, and it was designed as a standalone title within Sega’s RPG library. However, it shared some similarities with other fantasy strategy games of the era, most notably the Shining Force series, though Dark Wizard was more complex in terms of resource management and large-scale battles. Its design suggested Sega’s desire to experiment with deeper, more mature RPG experiences on the Sega CD to rival the offerings of Nintendo and third-party developers on the Super Nintendo.

Promotion for Dark Wizard emphasized the sheer scale of its content, boasting dozens of hours of gameplay and different experiences depending on the chosen protagonist. Marketing materials also highlighted the game’s use of the Sega CD’s capabilities, including its symphonic soundtrack and elaborate cutscenes, which were intended to impress players who were eager to see what CD-ROM technology could offer over traditional cartridges. Despite this, the Sega CD’s small install base hindered its visibility and limited its commercial impact.

Reception at the time of release was generally positive among critics who had access to it. Reviewers praised the game’s depth, replay value, and presentation, noting it as one of the stronger titles in the Sega CD’s limited library. However, some criticized its slow pace and steep learning curve, which made it less accessible to casual players. Over time, Dark Wizard has gained a reputation as a hidden gem, appreciated by fans of tactical RPGs for its ambition and scope, even though it never reached the widespread acclaim of genre staples on competing platforms.

Images from MobyGames