[Heatmiser]

My 2c

Wizardry I was probably one of the first (if not the first) CRPG that I ever played (probably second to Ultima 1). They would have had to severely mess with the game for me not to like it. With that said, I just got my party to Arnika (after several reloads from the first group of 6 Higardi Highwaymen!-they surrounded me!) So far, I love the game! One of my favorite things is the Eastern-type chars of the Sam Monk and Ninja- that you don't see in many other CRPGs. I also love the detailed skills and the char advancement system (in all the Wiz games) The combat can definitely be difficult (when I returned to the Monestery to rest and got ambushed by 5 poison seekers and 3 seekers that I wasn't expecting). I can already look ahead to replaying with a new party configuration/ different classes, etc. I probably played Wiz 7 like 6 or 7 times all the way, or almost all the way through. From what I see so far, I have no reason to doubt that I will do the same with Wiz 8.
BTW I loved both BG1 and BG2, all of the Ultimas and am looking forward to NWN too.
My final plug for Wiz 8- I just got it over the Internet (and a few stores) for (drumroll please!) $19.99 US! Great bargain for such a game.