Around the time the first Wizardry game was released, an enthusiastic programmer known as David W. Bradley started working on an ambitious RPG called Dragon's Breath. In 1984 he sent the game to Sir-Tech, which agreed to publish it on one condition: to remake it as the fifth Wizardry.

Wizardry IV, however, got stuck in development hell and would only be completed at the end of 1987, forcing Bradley's game to be postponed for years.

This tortuous story explains why Heart of the Maelstrom is so similar to the original Wizardry on the surface, despite being released seven years later.

Yet all that time wasn't wasted idling. Maelstrom is an iterative title that meticulously improves the most lacking aspects of previous games. The Thief, for instance, used to be a pretty useless class; now he's required to pick locked doors and search for secrets, can sneak around in combat to launch surprise attacks and is able to use a bow to fight from the back row.

Other additions include polearms with extended range, the ability to swim and friendly NPCs that roam the dungeons. There are also new spells, including creature summoning, magical barriers and monster charming, all which add new tactical elements.

While these gameplay improvements make the game much better, what stands out in Wizardry V is D.W. Bradley's writing and design. Humour is ever present, making each dialogue or description feel like a reward to the player. The game allows players to interact with memorable NPCs like the annoying Pot of Gold, the pitiful Mad Stomper, the Duck of Sparks or the drunk sorcerer, and many of these characters can be bribed, pickpocketed or even attacked.

The dungeon also gained personality. With few sentences, Bradley turns wire-frame walls into dens of thieves, shady taverns or even disco ball rooms.