Folly of the Wizards review (PS5)

Roguelikes aren’t exactly in short supply these days, but Folly of the Wizards sets itself apart by not taking itself too seriously. Developed by UpFox Labs and published by Numskull Games, it’s a 2D dungeon crawler where spell-slinging meets slapstick comedy. You play as one of four eccentric wizard apprentices, stumbling through procedurally generated dungeons in a world where magic is as unreliable as the people casting it. It’s an oddball mix of chaotic combat, quirky storytelling, and trial-and-error adventuring that can be both frustrating and entertaining in equal measure.

The narrative is deliberately absurd, with your character caught up in a bumbling wizarding cult trying to stop a demonic invasion. Instead of presenting a grand fantasy tale, the game leans into its comedic tone with ridiculous dialogue and oddball character interactions. Choices matter too, with conversations influencing whether other wizards ally with you or turn against you, adding a layer of unpredictability to each run. While the humor won’t click with everyone, those who enjoy tongue-in-cheek writing and the occasional jab at fantasy tropes will likely appreciate the lighter tone.

On the gameplay side, Folly of the Wizards follows the roguelike formula closely. Each run is different, with new layouts, enemy combinations, and loot to experiment with. The real hook lies in its magic system: relics, tomes, and scrolls let you craft wildly different builds, from fireball-flinging pyromaniacs to defensive specialists. The sheer number of possible combinations keeps things fresh, but it also introduces a level of randomness that can be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes you’ll stumble upon a build that feels unstoppable, while other runs collapse under poor synergy and bad luck.

Controls are snappy and responsive on PS5, with the chaos of combat feeling manageable even when projectiles are flying across the screen. Quick reflexes are key, but success also requires careful decision-making when choosing upgrades or deciding which affinities to lean into. That said, some of the busier encounters – particularly with multiple enemies or certain bosses – can feel overwhelming, and the balancing isn’t always consistent. The game is punishing at times, and while that’s expected of roguelikes, the reliance on RNG can make difficulty spikes feel unfair rather than earned.

Visually, the game embraces its wacky tone with colorful 2D sprites, exaggerated animations, and environments that range from gloomy crypts to bizarre magical biomes. The art style doesn’t aim for polish but rather for charm, and while it occasionally looks rough around the edges, it matches the game’s quirky humor. Audio follows suit, with playful sound effects and a soundtrack that underscores the chaos, though the repetition of certain tracks during longer runs can wear thin.

All told, Folly of the Wizards is a scrappy little roguelike that thrives on unpredictability and humor. It won’t appeal to players looking for a tightly balanced experience, but those willing to embrace its chaotic spellcasting, goofy narrative, and trial-and-error gameplay will find plenty of charm here. It’s a game that makes failure part of the fun, where losing a run often means laughing at the absurdity of it all before diving back in for one more attempt.

Score: 7.0/10