Labyrinth of Zangetsu

Labyrinth of Zangetsu is a 3D RPG inspired by old-school dungeon crawlers. It was developed by the Japanese studio KaeruPanda and is set in a black-and-white world threatened by destructive ink.

Plot

Labyrinth of Zangetsu is set in Tokinuki, a country inspired by feudal Japan. The game revolves around Ido, The City of the Morning Sun, in a state of constant battle against corrupting ink. It kills living creatures or turns them into ravenous demons, who devour their neighbors and loved ones. It also causes the dead to rise from their graves and turns inanimate objects into deadly beasts.

Heroes from all around the world, gifted with special abilities, gather in Ido to fight the unspeakable terror. The city itself is protected by a magical barrier, the source of which is the illuminating moon. Groups of adventurers thus set out from Ido to a dangerous region of Sakyuu to put an end to the plague.

Mechanics

Labyrinth of Zangetsu is heavily inspired by old-school dungeon crawlers. The player traverses narrow corridors and paths from the first-person perspective. Combat is turn-based, letting us control the team of chosen heroes. They all represent different classes and races known from fantasy novels.

Technical aspects

Labyrinth of Zangetsu combines the old-school, corridor-based structure of a dungeon crawler with anime-derived fantasy and visuals inspired by Japanese paintings. The soundtrack does its best to maintain the atmosphere, being inspired by different old genres of Japanese music, ranging from courtly gagaku to noh theatre.

Last updated on 20 April 2023