Fatal Labyrinth

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Fatal Labyrinth
European cover art
Developer(s)	Sega
Publisher(s)	Sega
Designer(s)	Hirokazu Yasuhara
Artist(s)	Naoto Ohshima
Platform(s)	Genesis
Release	JP: November 21, 1990[1] NA: April 1991 EU: 1991
Genre(s)	Roguelike, role-playing
Mode(s)	Single-player

Fatal Labyrinth, titled Shi no Meikyuu: Labyrinth of Death (死の迷宮) in Japan, is a roguelike role-playing video game developed and published by Sega. Originally available exclusively on the Sega Meganet multiplayer gaming service in 1990, it was later released physically for the Sega Genesis in 1991.^[2][3] The game appears in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and was later included in Sega Genesis Classics for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game was also released for Microsoft Windows through Steam on September 13, 2010, which is an emulation of the Genesis version.^[4] The game is similar to and shares assets with Dragon Crystal, which was also released around that time.

The player controls an undistinguished hero who has agreed to enter a forbidden labyrinth, battle various monsters, and make their way up to the 30th floor where an evil dragon guards a stolen Holy Goblet. The hero can walk around town and talk to villagers for advice before entering the labyrinth. Upon defeating the dragon and reclaiming the Goblet, the player flies back to the village to speak to the inhabitants, who offer praise and congratulations for the hero's efforts.

On each level of the labyrinth, weapons, armor, magic rings, and other items are found, which can be equipped or thrown. Melee weapons include axes, swords and polearms (although the length of the weapon determines its characteristics). Short weapons (axes, short swords) are more powerful, but less accurate while longer weapons (broadswords, polearms) usually hit for less damage, but are more accurate. Bows and shurikens are included for projectile combat. Body armor, helmets and shields can also be found. The effects of 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-up and gains health points, increased 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 returned 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, and may need to search for a hidden exit.

Food is a vital 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 over-eating. Some items can help or hinder the digestion of the hero.

Like many role-playing games, gold is present, though the only purpose it serves is to provide the player with a better funeral service upon death. The more gold collected in the game, the more detailed the hero's grave. More people will attend the hero's funeral based on their level when killed.

Ars Technica noted that Fatal Labyrinth was "the earliest Japanese-made roguelike of note" and said its gameplay was very similar to Rogue.^[2] Hardcore Gaming 101 gave a positive review, stating that "the appeal of [Fatal Labyrinth] is found in that “just one more” feeling of attempting to top a previous best, to go down farther than before and eke out another floor or two."^[4] Destructoid stated that the game is very challenging, but was fun to beat, and noted that the checkpoint system sets it apart from other roguelikes.^[5]

• Fatal Labyrinth at MobyGames
• Fatal Labyrinth: The Most Cynical RPG! at I-Mockery
• Fatal Labyrinth review at segadoes.com
• Fatal Labyrinth debug page at tcrf.net