Wizardry is a multi-level minimum graphics adventure game where a party of six profession/race-based characters quest together in an attempt to defeat the evil mage Werdna. Quite complex for its era, Wizardry is the cornerstone from which character-based computer role-playing game adventures evolved.

Unlike later games of this type, there is no primary character, but rather a party-based viewpoint of a group of up to six characters. There is a good choice of professions available, including thief, fighter, mage, cleric and bishop, the latter of which is an initially weaker combination of mage and cleric.

Combat is turn based, with each "square" representing a small discrete section of the dungeon. The party encounters secret doors, trapped chests, and an increasingly difficult array of monsters while journeying through a multi-level maze.