Fatal Labyrinth
System: Genesis
Release Date: August 1991
Developer: Sega CS
Publisher: Sega
Genre: RPG
Climb a foreboding tower to save the world in Fatal Labyrinth! Dragonia, the castle of doom, has appeared once again. The dragon and his goons are back to terrorize the countryside. To top it off, the Holy Goblet, the only source of light has been stolen from the nearby village. It’s up to the hero Trykaar to enter the unholy castle and climb 31 floors, fighting enemies and finding gear along the way. Do you have the fortitude and luck necessary to save the day?
In this roguelike, you need to find your way to the exit of each room without dying along the way. The user interface shows some information to help you along your way. The level of the labyrinth you’re on, as well as your rank are on the top row. Your rank increases as you earn the requisite experience from killing enemies. The next row shows your current and maximum hit points. These increase with your rank and by the use of some potions. Food and gold are on row 3. Food slowly ticks down as you move around and gold is accumulated for better gravestones when you die. It’s best not to collect too much food, because if you reach 99, you die! The bottom row shows your power and armor ratings. These increase with ranks and by equipping better items.
There are 9 categories of equipment strewn about the labyrinth that you can ready and use. Three main classes of weapons start you off, swords, spears, and axes. Swords are average overall with decent power and accuracy. Spears are accurate, but weak, while axes are strong, but inaccurate. Shurikens also exist for long range attack, but are not strong. Shields, helmets, and armor can also be upgraded, but they are linear upgrades. Bows also provide a different style of long range attack that I didn’t find to be too useful. Some pieces of equipment can be cursed, providing no stat boost and destroying all of your food.
Other items are described with a color and have effects that are unknown until you identify or use them once. There are canes that can cast magic spells ranging from direct damage to utility spells to directly removing an enemy from existence. Potions can heal or harm you, but the harms only last until the curse is lifted or until you leave the floor. Magic scrolls are wildcards that can save you if you’re in trouble. Confusing all monsters with Chaos or powering up a favored weapon is nice in a pinch. Rings can be worn or thrown at enemies. Finding a power up ring early is nice, but once your power is high enough, a healing ring became by choice.
Items, as well as enemies, appear in tiled rooms that are connected by hallways. You attack enemies by walking into them. Sometimes you hit and sometimes you miss. They then get a turn to attack with the same results. Some enemies can move into hallways, while others can not. You can use this to funnel your enemies to a spot you can take care of them more easily. Some enemies can only attack you in an adjacent square, but many have a projectile or spell that can hit you from farther away. Other enemies will dance around you, staying in a corner, stopping you from attacking. In this circumstance, you can press Button A to pass a turn, then change the direction you’re facing by holding Button B and a direction. Some halls seem like dead ends, but they hide secret doors that must be opened by pressing Button A. Making it to the top of the castle puts you into a battle with the King Dragon. He will confuse you and teleport you, but this makes it easier to refill your hit points, as long as you have enough food.
Graphics: 2.0
Nothing to be too proud of. The floors, hallways, and items are reused each level. Enemies look okay.
Sound: 2.0
The music changes every 10 levels and are pretty short loops. The sound effects aren’t too pleasing, either.
Gameplay: 2.0
Walk around, find items, walk into enemies and hope your attacks connect more than you get hit.
Difficulty: 3.0
It’s up the random number generator on how well you’ll do. You get to continue as many times as you want beginning on the floor of the last multiple of 5 you reached.
Fun Factor: 2.0
I had an alright time. Enough to go through and beat it, but I don’t think I’d go back.
Overall Rating: 2.2
Fatal Labyrinth earns a C+. This is a stripped down roguelike that isn’t offensive, but doesn’t do a whole lot to push the genre.