Wizard 101

Nowadays games focus on AAA graphics, incredibly realistic (and as such, buggy) physics engines and over-the-top special effects, all driven by a mature and brooding story. But there comes a time when you want to play an online game to relax, feel like magic is all around you and that even your child can play it safely. Wizard 101 is a game that fits that profile perfectly, as it is the epitome of what it means to be a child-friendly game, all while delivering an enchanting story in a unique and fantastic magical universe.

The overall graphics may be a bit dated by today's standards, but that doesn't mean that they look in any way cheap. Originally built to be a game incorporated into the browser, it was designed to be as lightweight as possible.  However, as time passed by and more expansions came along, the game became bigger and bigger, far beyond what any browser could efficiently handle, so it became an independent client. From a system resource point of view, the game runs excellently even on the oldest of PC, just as long as you have a 3D compatible graphics card.

As for the story, you take on the role of a student in the arts of magic that must save the Wizard World. You do this by first creating your character, naming it and choosing what school of magic it should belong to. Speaking of which, all schools of magic have their strengths and weaknesses, such as tanking, bursting down enemies, buffing, debuffing, healing or using dots (damage over time spells). Combat in Wizard 101 is a unique combination of CCG and TBS, allowing for the creation of intricate combat strategies. Most spells revolve around summoning creatures for one turn to do your bidding, and some spell's cinematic effects are so funny or so epic looking you won't mind looking at them over and over again.

Like all other RPGs, progression is done via experience that you gain every time you finish a battle or complete a quest. Subsequent levels allow access to more powerful tiers of spells, better equipment, and later on, more game features, such as access to the PVP Coliseum. Currency is not hard to acquire either, since you get it from battle drops, playing minigames, as quest rewards, etc. PvE is scripted well, and raids and instances are a common thing, while also being the most reliable source of end-game loot currently available.

While the graphics are a bit retro-looking, Wizard 101 is a child-friendly MMO that features a unique combat mode, a captivating and familiar universe and a sense of humor that will keep you glued to your seat for hours on end.