Deep Labyrinth

by Atlus

Product Features

• Descend into the dark heart of the Labyrinth in this 3D first-person RPG
• Explore a world populated by magical creatures and monstrous foes
• Use dual screens and touch screen to explore dozens of dungeon levels
• Fight hordes of hideous monsters in real-time with swords and spells
• 2 engrossing scenarios weave 2 amazing stories

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000FPM7S8
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 5 x 0.8 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: August 15, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,054 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Deep Labyrinth lets you explore a world populated by magical creatures and monstrous foes. Descend, if you dare, into the dark heart of the Labyrinth, in the first 3D first-person RPG for the Nintendo DS. Take advantage of the DS's dual screens and touch screen to explore dozens of dungeon levels, fighting hordes of hideous monsters in real-time with swords and spells. Two engrossing scenarios weave two amazing stories -- one for newcomers to role-playing games, and one for RPG veterans.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Buy This Game Unless You Like Being Frustrated, January 7, 2007

By 

C. Stone "Feminist, historian, gamer, geek" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Deep Labyrinth (Video Game)

I'll get the positives out of the way. Deep Labyrinth has lovely music, aside from one repetitious, annoying, 5-note song that's played every time you talk to an NPC. It also has great but sometimes repetitive 3D graphics, some clever visuals and gameplay tricks, and two somewhat original stories.

However, it has plenty of negatives, especially with the interface. In drawing kyrie (the symbols for magic), most of them will fail, even if drawn correctly. Sometimes, a sloppy symbol will work, but a neat symbol will not. In the second quest, dialog sometimes runs during the middle of combat, but because the player is frantically tapping the screen to fight, the text is automatically advanced before the player can read it.

It's also very easy to collide with statues, NPCs, doorways, and corners of walls while walking; even if the view is mostly or entirely clear, the player will catch the edge of the object and slide all the way to one side. It's difficult to line up ranged magic attacks; tapping the D-pad to one side usually pushes the targeting grid over too far. The player cannot attack an enemy if an object is slightly blocking their view, but enemies are not bound by this rule.

At first, the game is quite easy, but about halfway through each quest, there's a dramatic spike in difficulty. Early bosses may be beaten by simply circling them and slashing away. Later bosses require a lot of running and casting kyrie -- most of which fail. In between bosses, most dungeon floors are confined to a basic formula in which there is a branching path -- one route leading to a locked door and the other to a key.

The overall experience is very frustrating, unsatisfying, and lackluster. The interface troubles ruin any shred of fun this game has to offer. King's Field fans may appreciate this unusual first-person RPG, but most gamers should stay far away.

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Casual gamer? Keep looking, September 12, 2006

By 

Ben Sullivan (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Deep Labyrinth (Video Game)

During my formative college years, I spent many hours exploring sundry underworlds, trudging through random encounters, and coveting in-game marginalia. Console RPGs possessed an easy and familiar appeal, perhaps best exemplified by their ubiquitous logic of leveling, promotion, and progress. I enjoyed the escape these games offered to the extent that I sought out and completed many average titles in the genre. Anyone versed in Paladin's Quest (SNES), Vandal Hearts and Wild Arms (PS1), or Shining the Holy Ark (Saturn) should understand this affliction. What does this confession have to do with Deep Labyrinth? Upon being killed in my first mini-boss encounter in DL, I discovered that my experience of these "also-ran" role-playing games has been irrevocably changed.

Reading the DS reviews I've contributed to Amazon, you may write me off as a self-loathing, confused gamer who stumbles through games he doesn't enjoy, only to vent in public forums. Not the case: I've loved Tetris DS, the New Super Mario Bros., Advance Wars DS, and a host of other DS-exclusive games. Enduring twenty minutes of Deep Labyrinth was evidence enough that it is no such title. In order to take advantage of the touch screen, many DS developers pursue novel ideas that result in tedious, hand-cramping repetition. "Rune"-based spell casting in real-time DS RPGs (see Lost Magic) is but one example of this marketing ploy. My take? Not much fun in practice. And if the elegant simplicity of a five-icon touch-screen interface piques your interest, rest assured the endless battles will kill any such enthusiasm.

Admittedly, the list of games I wish to play, let alone complete, shrinks every year. I need to be having a pretty good time to make it through a game. And five minutes in, it was obvious what little joy DL would provide. Equally self-evident were the strategies for successful combat: lock-on, circle opposing creature, cast appropriate spells, slash, heal as needed, and repeat. But why bother? Back at the title screen, I had no desire to dance these steps for one level, let alone twenty hours of play. This disinclination was only confirmed by DL's paltry leveling system and zero character-customization - fitting for the cell-phone title this game is based upon, not a full-fledged console release. Personally, I'll hold out for the FF3 port, where there's a story and production values to enjoy.

All things considered, I no longer have the time to circle around Cyclopean golems, mis-casting spells while my hand cramps and contorts. There just isn't enough game or personality here to draw the average player in. Whether you're an old hand or a casual gamer of any persuasion, value your time and spare yourself this disappointment.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good game, April 21, 2007

By 

Mary "mrhc45" (California) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Deep Labyrinth (Video Game)

This game is pretty good. It does get very difficult at times though.Reading early reviews about the spells not working, I found they work fine for me. They do not work until you read the slab that has a certain spell and instructions how to use it. Then you have to save your game. Is a good idea to save the game as much as you can. The only part I found hard is where you have to blow into your mike to open a door or blow up a slime. I get dizzy blowing so much! Plus people are looking at you if you are blowing or yelling into the mike! But it is a interesting game.