Labyrinthine is a first-person perspective, co-op horror game, for up to eight players, which can be played solo. You must survive the nightmare maze by solving puzzles, suffering jump scares and finding collectibles. There is a narrative, as such, which is played out on the tapes you find and play. The co-op games are cross platform.

Discover the fate of fairground worker, Joan

The game comes with three modes, the story mode, which unlocks chapters by successfully completing the previous one. Over six lengthy chapters you discover the fate of fairground worker, Joan.

The game also contains procedurally created cases and custom cases which are your daily challenges and provides a near endless collection of layouts, puzzles and mazes to experience.

This means that no two play throughs will be the same, adding great replay ability. If you like it, there is great incentive to return repeatedly. The co-op gives you the option to join someone else’s game or host one yourself. I was unable to play it in co-op so I’m not sure how that works, whether you follow each other or if you get the chance to both become lost in different parts of the maze.

Each chapter, in story mode, is a maze with a different monster stalking you as you both try to get out of the maze and solve the various puzzles. There are safe areas within each maze. If you get lost it can take some time to get through the maze, that is unless the monster gets you first. The game does provide checkpoints, so if the worst happens at least you don’t have to start at the beginning.

No two play throughs will be the same

The soundscape of the maze is one of creepy effect, rather than music, interspersed with various unnerving noises the monster makes as it makes it way towards your vulnerable person.

Overall, the game is very dark, making it sometimes difficult to see while you traverse the maze, this can be offset if you crank your machine up to its highest settings. Mostly, the screen is limited to the area illuminated by your torch/glowsticks which adds to the claustrophobic sensation, which the game does well, it really captures the horror vibe and creepy atmosphere.

As it stands, it makes for a great survival horror game, though would have been better if it could have been released for VR. That would seriously creep you out.

6

Nick Smithson