Survival horror games had a certain “Feel” to them back in the late 90s and early 2000s. This feel seems to have been lost over the years as the games became scarier or more focused on looks. This is where developer J.R. Hudepohl and publisher Top Hat Studios enter with Labyrinth of the Demon King, a first-person survival horror dungeon crawler. I want to thank J.R. and Top Hat for sending over a copy for me to experience, and boy, it’s an experience!
Labyrinth of the Demon King puts players in the shoes of an Ashigaru (foot soldier) who is on a quest to avenge his fallen Lord, who was betrayed by the Demon King, who wiped out his entire army, leaving you the sole survivor with a thirst for vengeance.
Now, onto the game itself! When it comes to the controls of Labyrinth of the Demon King, they’re simple to learn for the most part, just have to allow yourself time to adjust to them. What sells the game is the look and art, in my opinion, though some retro games may look slightly polished, the look of Labyrinth of the Demon King fits perfectly with the game’s tone and setting. The soundtrack is eerie and screams the soundtracks of earlier survival horror games.
When it comes to gameplay, this is where it will separate players, I think. If you’ve just been playing Oblivion Remastered, forget everything about the combat from that game with this one! Labyrinth of the Demon King‘s combat mechanics are brutal, as you can’t just charge in and kill enemies. To survive, you’ll have to be patient…very patient! Enemies can block and parry your attacks as you can, too, but your stamina drains fast as you fight and kick. Exploration is a must, as supplies are limited, so finding what you can by smashing boxes or opening closets and drawers will help you, especially if you find items to make offerings at save points to boost your health and stamina.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed playing Labyrinth of the Demon King. That “Feel” I mentioned at the start, this game has that feel of Silent Hill and Siren to me, both games are creepy and atmospheric, and Labyrinth of the Demon King is too! With the challenging combat, need to explore, retro aesthetic, spooky enemies, and intriguing story, Labyrinth of the Demon King is a good game for someone who wants to have a slower-paced game to play on a rainy day.
On my scale of 1-10, Labyrinth of the Demon King is a 10, as I have difficulty finding anything truly wrong with the game itself; the experience will mainly be determined by how the player plays.
Labyrinth of the Demon King is out now on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
