Fatal Labyrinth
Encyclopedia
Fatal Labyrinth is a role-playing
video game produced by Sega
. Originally available exclusively on the Sega Meganet
multiplayer gaming service in 1990, it was later remade for the Sega Mega Drive
in . The game appears in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
for Xbox 360
and PlayStation 3
. An ESRB listing for the game recently came up for the 360 and PS3, most likely for Xbox Live Arcade
and PlayStation Network. The game was released on September 13, 2010 for Steam
. A Master System/Game Gear version of the game was made called Dragon Crystal
.
, battle various monsters, and make way up to the 30th floor where an evil dragon
guards a stolen Holy Goblet. The hero may walk about town talking with the villagers for advice prior to entering the labyrinth. Upon defeating the dragon and reclaiming the Goblet, the player flies back to the village to speak to villagers, who offer praises and congratulations for the hero's efforts.
Although Fatal Labyrinth does have a very basic experience points system, it is not exactly a typical turn-based OR action RPG. It is a graphically enhanced "roguelike
", with a much simpler storyline and gameplay. Each level and its contents are randomly generated, similarly to Chunsoft
's Mysterious Dungeon series.
On each level of the labyrinth weapons, armor, magic rings, and other items are found, which can be equipped or thrown. Melee weapons includes axes, swords and polearms {although the length of the weapon determines its characteristics}. Short weapons (axes, short swords) are more powerful but hit less while longer weapons (broad swords, polearms) usually hit for less damage. Bows and shuriken
s are included for projectile combat. Armors include helmets, torso and shields. Magic rings vary from powering up the hero to using them as magical throwing projectiles.
Fatal Labyrinth also has a wide variety of other items including scrolls, canes and potions. A key part of the game revolves around identifying which of these items benefit the character and which ones have curses. Sometimes throwing these items can cause projectile damage. After defeating monsters the hero levels and gains health points, added attack power and receives a better title.
Enemies only move and attack in response to the player's actions; i.e., when the player takes a step, the enemies take a step. Checkpoints exist on every fifth floor; upon dying, the player is returns to those floors if they were reached. If the hero wanders around a level for too long the screen will flash and the monsters will respawn. Some floors have pits in which the character falls down one level and has to fight monsters on that level again. The hero may also step on an alarm and may become trapped by monsters. Sometimes the hero respawns in a room with no visible doors, so he might need to search for a hidden door.
Food is an important part of the game. When fed, the hero slowly regenerates health. If unfed for extended periods of time, the hero becomes hungry and loses health. Conversely, if too much food is eaten, the character dies of overeating. Some items can help or hinder the digestion in the hero.
Like many role-playing games, gold
is present, though the only role it serves is to provide the player with a better funeral service upon death.
Role-playing
Role-playing refers to the changing of one's behaviour to assume a role, either unconsciously to fill a social role, or consciously to act out an adopted role...
video game produced by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
. Originally available exclusively on the Sega Meganet
Sega Meganet
The Sega Toshokan, Sega Game Library or Sega Meganet was a network service in Japan for people using the Sega Mega Drive. Debuting in 1990, this was the first time online multiplayer console gaming was possible. However, the service was not very successful and was eventually discontinued...
multiplayer gaming service in 1990, it was later remade for the Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis is a fourth-generation video game console developed and produced by Sega. It was originally released in Japan in 1988 as , then in North America in 1989 as Sega Genesis, and in Europe, Australia and other PAL regions in 1990 as Mega Drive. The reason for the two names is that...
in . The game appears in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, known as the Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection in PAL regions, is a compilation of video games developed by Backbone Entertainment for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles...
for Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. An ESRB listing for the game recently came up for the 360 and PS3, most likely for Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
and PlayStation Network. The game was released on September 13, 2010 for Steam
Steam
Steam is the technical term for water vapor, the gaseous phase of water, which is formed when water boils. In common language it is often used to refer to the visible mist of water droplets formed as this water vapor condenses in the presence of cooler air...
. A Master System/Game Gear version of the game was made called Dragon Crystal
Dragon Crystal
Dragon Crystal is a video game released for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear...
.
Gameplay
The player controls a nondescript hero that has agreed to enter a forbidden labyrinthLabyrinth
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos...
, battle various monsters, and make way up to the 30th floor where an evil dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
guards a stolen Holy Goblet. The hero may walk about town talking with the villagers for advice prior to entering the labyrinth. Upon defeating the dragon and reclaiming the Goblet, the player flies back to the village to speak to villagers, who offer praises and congratulations for the hero's efforts.
Although Fatal Labyrinth does have a very basic experience points system, it is not exactly a typical turn-based OR action RPG. It is a graphically enhanced "roguelike
Roguelike
The roguelike is a sub-genre of role-playing video games, characterized by randomization for replayability, permanent death, and turn-based movement. Most roguelikes feature ASCII graphics, with newer ones increasingly offering tile-based graphics. Games are typically dungeon crawls, with many...
", with a much simpler storyline and gameplay. Each level and its contents are randomly generated, similarly to Chunsoft
Chunsoft
is a Japanese video game developer specializing in console RPGs and visual novels. It was founded by Koichi Nakamura, a video game designer from Enix...
's Mysterious Dungeon series.
On each level of the labyrinth weapons, armor, magic rings, and other items are found, which can be equipped or thrown. Melee weapons includes axes, swords and polearms {although the length of the weapon determines its characteristics}. Short weapons (axes, short swords) are more powerful but hit less while longer weapons (broad swords, polearms) usually hit for less damage. Bows and shuriken
Shuriken
A shuriken is a traditional Japanese concealed weapon that was generally used for throwing, and sometimes stabbing or slashing...
s are included for projectile combat. Armors include helmets, torso and shields. Magic rings vary from powering up the hero to using them as magical throwing projectiles.
Fatal Labyrinth also has a wide variety of other items including scrolls, canes and potions. A key part of the game revolves around identifying which of these items benefit the character and which ones have curses. Sometimes throwing these items can cause projectile damage. After defeating monsters the hero levels and gains health points, added attack power and receives a better title.
Enemies only move and attack in response to the player's actions; i.e., when the player takes a step, the enemies take a step. Checkpoints exist on every fifth floor; upon dying, the player is returns to those floors if they were reached. If the hero wanders around a level for too long the screen will flash and the monsters will respawn. Some floors have pits in which the character falls down one level and has to fight monsters on that level again. The hero may also step on an alarm and may become trapped by monsters. Sometimes the hero respawns in a room with no visible doors, so he might need to search for a hidden door.
Food is an important part of the game. When fed, the hero slowly regenerates health. If unfed for extended periods of time, the hero becomes hungry and loses health. Conversely, if too much food is eaten, the character dies of overeating. Some items can help or hinder the digestion in the hero.
Like many role-playing games, gold
Currency
In economics, currency refers to a generally accepted medium of exchange. These are usually the coins and banknotes of a particular government, which comprise the physical aspects of a nation's money supply...
is present, though the only role it serves is to provide the player with a better funeral service upon death.
External links
- Fatal Labyrinth: The Most Cynical RPG! at I-MockeryI-MockeryI-Mockery is a pop culture humor site owned and operated by Roger Barr that has existed online in various forms since 1996. Before then, it was a printed periodical called Visionary Darkness. Free copies of Visionary Darkness were distributed in local high schools and record shops...