Fatal Labyrinth

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Fatal Labyrinth

Developer(s)	Sega
Publisher(s)	Sega
Designer(s)	Naoto Ohshima
Platform(s)	Mega Drive/Genesis
Release date	1991
Genre(s)	Roguelike
Mode(s)	Single player

Fatal Labyrinth is a roguelike role-playing video game produced by Sega. Originally available as a Sega Meganet exclusive in 1990, it was later remade for the Mega Drive/Genesis and Sega Game Gear in 1991.

[edit] Gameplay

The player controls a nondescript hero that has agreed to enter a forbidden labyrinth, 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.

On each level of the labyrinth weapons, armor, magic rings, and other items are found, with which the hero battles monsters. 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 always hit for less damage. Bows and shurikens are included for projectile combat. Armors include helmets, torso and shields. Magic rings vary from powering up the hero or 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 and added attack power plus a better title.

Although Fatal Labyrinth does have a very basic experience system, it is not exactly a typical turn-based OR action RPG. It is more like a graphically enhanced Rogue-like or net.hack style game, with a much simpler storyline and gameplay.

Each level and its contents are randomly generated, and enemies only move and attack in response to the player's actions. 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.

The hero of Fatal Labyrinth engaged in combat.

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.