Wizardry Variants Daphne Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary with New Dungeon and Job Class

Classic Dungeon Crawler Marks One Year of Success

Wizardry Variants Daphne is celebrating its first anniversary this month, marking a year since the free-to-play dungeon crawler brought the legendary RPG franchise to modern platforms. Originally launching on iOS and Android in October 2024, the game expanded to Steam in March 2025, now offering cross-platform save synchronization between mobile and PC.

A Legacy That Shaped RPG History

For those unfamiliar with the series, Wizardry debuted in 1981 as one of gaming's pioneering 3D dungeon-exploration RPGs. Its first-person perspective, party-based combat, and maze-like dungeons became blueprints for countless RPGs that followed—from Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy to modern dungeon crawlers like Etrian Odyssey. More than 40 years after its debut, the franchise maintains a dedicated global following, particularly in Japan where it profoundly influenced the RPG landscape.

Anniversary Plans: New Content on the Horizon

To celebrate the milestone, developer Drecom has announced upcoming expansions for later this year:

New Dungeon: Narak A fresh challenge area planned for release within 2025, expanding the dangerous realm players must navigate.

Trap-Specialist Job Class A new character class focusing on trap detection and manipulation is expected to arrive by year's end, adding tactical depth to party composition. This specialized role pays homage to the series' infamous dungeon hazards that have challenged players for decades.

Cross-Platform Progression Players can now seamlessly switch between smartphone and Steam versions with synchronized save data, allowing adventurers to tackle the Abyss whether at home or on the go.

Staying True to Wizardry's Challenging Roots

Wizardry Variants Daphne maintains the series' commitment to first-person immersion and unforgiving difficulty. Players navigate the dangerous realm known as the Abyss, experiencing threats from an up-close perspective—monster encounters, environmental traps, and chance meetings with other adventurers all unfold through your character's eyes.

The game introduces an innovative "reverse right hand" resurrection mechanic, allowing fallen characters and lost equipment to be recovered—a modern quality-of-life feature that respects player time while maintaining the series' notorious permadeath stakes.

The Story: A Kingdom on the Brink

The narrative centers on the Abyss—a cursed phenomenon that emerges once every century to consume the continent. Born from a Warlock's obsession with death, this supernatural threat has historically been sealed away by the kingdom's rulers. But with the king's mysterious disappearance, the seals have weakened, and death spreads unchecked across the land.

Free-to-Play Accessibility

The free-to-play model makes this one of the most accessible entries in the franchise's history, with optional in-app purchases supporting ongoing development. The anniversary celebration continues throughout the year with special campaigns and events.

Game Information

Official Website

For the latest information, trailers, and updates, visit the official Wizardry Variants Daphne website.