Labyrinth of the Demon King Review (MyWifeHitsMe)
REVIVE! REVIVE!
(NOTE: This review focuses more on elements outside of the core gameplay loop)
I’ll start by simply saying I haven’t been this impressed by a horror experience since the remake of Resident Evil One. This is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, world-building, and reverent Japanese mythological homage.
Right from the opening sequence, Labyrinth of the Demon King establishes something far more interesting than many of its kind never even bothers to do. It goes a few steps beyond than just setting a mood, it builds a world. There’s cultural weight woven into this game, the game draws heavily from the admittedly slightly overdone Japanese traditional myths without ever feeling unoriginal. It reinterprets those legends through a sincerely inspired survival horror lens, creating something familiar but proudly unique.
The story is paced brilliantly, it’s always compelling. it understands that survival horror gradual ramp up, in that increasingly stressful but rewarding way. As you explore deeper into the labyrinth and its surrounding environments, the narrative expands with layers and symbolism. And when the final reveal lands, it re-frames the plot and all the struggle you’ve gone through in such a satisfying way.
Side characters in survival horror games are usually relegated to merchants of some kind, and that’s no different here. However, in this case, they managed to be interesting (both visually and thematically) enough to a point you want more out of them just because it's so well crafted, and this is all done while building into the world flawlessly. It’s a small thing but it just adds that extra layer of care that goes a long way. This extends basically every aspect of the game. for example, the idea of being incentivised to sit down and make tea when you enter the hub is such a thought-out way to make it feel like a true “safe haven” and these small intentional design elements just make to whole experience feel handcrafted and well designed.
The enemy designs are also a solid piece of the puzzle. Every creature feels built with soul- not just in appearance, but in purpose as well. And that’s my main takeaway, this is a game with actual soul, like the people who made it were passionate and are proud of this, and they absolutely should be.
Visually, the game is a work of art. Enough said on that. But if your wondering- Yes. Even something as simple as how the game looks when paused is done with the aesthetics and thematic feel in mind.
The soundtrack is equally exceptional, mixing traditional Japanese instruments with eerie, silent hill reminiscent sound design. You’ll hear taiko drums in the distance, subtle shakuhachi melodies intertwined with tasteful effects, and this does help lead to that very heavy and oppressive atmosphere this game absolutely nails. Just the haunting ambient tones that constantly remind you this place is not right feel so damn thought out. It’s one of the few horror game scores in recent memory since silent hill that feels like a living part of the world, not just a background effect.
In terms of Gameplay. Its survival horror. Very good survival horror. Don’t be expecting sekiro’s combat system, but there’s a decent amount to master and learn here and it feels very satisfying to do so. You feel the physical engagement in the system; the katana feels like a katana. And although there are games that do this aspect much better, for a survival horror game in this style? It’s pretty damn good, and most importantly, satisfying.
In the end, what makes Labyrinth of the Demon King so special is its soul. And you can really feel that throughout. It rightfully treats itself as a work of art and there’s truly something special here.
Final Verdict: 9.5/10
Labyrinth of the Demon King is an extraordinary survival horror experience that pays deep, meaningful homage to Japanese folklore while delivering a very well-made story, unforgettable atmosphere, and terrifying enemies. It's a beautifully crafted descent into the haunted soul of purgatory itself. A must-play for horror fans, and an absolute triumph for indie survival horror.