A call to vengeance is a great catalyst for any game. Combine it with a demon-infested feudal Japan, PS1-era dithering effects, and a host of weaponry at the player’s disposal, and the result isLabyrinth of the Demon King, a first-person survival horror game set to release this May. Developed by J.R. Hudepohl and published by Top Hat Studios, the indie horror looks to embody the classic tenets ofthe survival horror genrewith a dungeon-crawler twist. A duty-bound foot soldier sets out to avenge his Lord as the last of his army, traversing the titular labyrinth in an attempt to put an end to the demon that betrayed them.
The disorienting nature of dungeon-crawlers is conducive to all sorts of scares, andLabyrinth of the Demon Kinglooks to be capitalizing on this. Dim corridors and a grainy, narrow field-of-vision are primed for enemy ambushes, but the same holds true for the opposite.Labyrinth of the Demon King’s release date trailershows its environment used to the player’s advantage as they sneak through the dark to backstab an enemy, while running from a foe necessitates quick reaction and choice that could either hurt or hinder. Which way to go is a difficult decision when a Yokai is drawing near, and with the game’s monsters being just as privy to melee weapons as the player, there’s even more danger to contend with.
Labyrinth of the Demon King is Set to Make its Indie Horror Mark
Survival Horror Meets Dungeon-Crawling
Labyrinth of the Demon Kingwon’t be completable through battle prowess alone. The game’s Steam page emphasizes the player’s wits as much as their weapons; puzzles in its gameplay, not unlike theclassic games of survival horror’s past, are tantamount to successfully venturing through the labyrinth, as are armor and talismans that can be picked up throughout its corridors (complete withResident Evil-style door transitions). Resources are limited, and so is the good will of the characters that the player will come across, who can be as deceitful as the Demon King himself. Trust seems to be a commodity in the world thatLabyrinth of the Demon Kingis set to explore, and how this is shown in consideration of the game’s plot will be interesting to see.
In terms of its combat,Labyrinth of the Demon Kinglooks to consider all sorts of defensive and offensive capabilities, ranging from bows and swords to a simple kick in the groin orIsaac Clarke-esque stomp, useful for the many abominations that the game sets loose. Light is also its own resource; a torch can be held, or a lantern tied to the waist, taking into consideration the dual-handed weaponry that the title offers. Heavy attacks factor into stamina, which is its own resource to manage alongside health. The ability to guard, or simply run away, is just as effective as going for the guns-blazing approach, though perhaps equal amounts frantic considering the twisting corridors that the player must navigate.
There Was a Hole Here. It’s Gone Now…
Coupling a labyrinthine setting with a descent beneath the ground is enough to make anyone feel claustrophobic, and having lumberingYokai stalking aroundeach corner doesn’t help. There are some genuinely compelling enemy designs revealed for the game thus far; some are faceless, another has eyes hanging from their sockets. Demons can be seen fighting each other, though most are more keen on the player’s blood, brandishing anything from swords of their own to ladders and wooden planks. The idea that the demons are perceptive, or at least resourceful, is an excellent touch, as they can guard and attack as effectively as the player can, posing a genuine threat in the case of outnumbering.
A demo forLabyrinth of the Demon Kingwas released duringSteam Next Fest, and is currently available for PC players should they wish to give it a shot. The title’s full release on May 13th will be multi-platform, making it accessible across the Xbox Series X/S, PS4 and PS5, and Nintendo Switch. The same holds true for its languages, with eleven available for its interface/subtitles. More information is viewablevia the game’s Steam page. In the wake of indie horror’s more recent focus on co-op, a survival horror dungeon-crawler could be just what the genre needs to shake things up.
