This is a rating for Llylgamyn Saga’s Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord specifically: a fantastic aesthetic update and QoL port of one of the most foundational RPGs ever put to screen.

Unfortunately, Wizardry 1 still shows its age in a lot of ways ranging from its early randomness and grind, the cruelty and brutality of its trap and enemy designs, and the general lack of ways to engage with its dungeon encounters beyond killing everything in sight or fleeing for dear life.

But when Wizardry shines, it shines bright and pure—the essence of AD&D dungeon-crawling given video game form.

A cute, charming, funny-in-a-smiling-not-laughing-out-loud-way little linear adventure game that will mostly be of interest to young kids and fans of Link’s Awakening curious to see where its engine developed.

Mechanically, there’s nothing particularly interesting or challenging about Kaeru no Tame. Most of it is an exercise in walking from one cutscene trigger to another, punctuated by trivial platforming sections and periodic automated combat. Occasionally an item exchange is involved, presaging to some extent the trading minigame that serves as a minor side attraction in Link’s Awakening. Talking to an NPC with the correct item is inventory is about the extent of problem-solving Kaeru no Tame demands of a player.

Still, the personality and presentation which would make Link’s Awakening an enduring classic are out on full display here, albeit with an even lighter and goofier tone. It’s hard not to find something to like in this frog-themed children’s story even if there’s not much of a game surrounding it.