There once a movie called "Labyrinth." It starred the beautiful Jennifer Conelly and the cool-eyed wonder David Bowie. The others were pretty much just muppets and puppets (how DO you know which is which). It had a young girl (Conelly) go through a large labyrinth just to reach the Goblin King's (Bowie) tower and save her little brother (muppet?). Now there's a game called "Deep Labyrinth" that's was just recently released, is it going to be populated by muppets as well? Let's see.

Most RPGs are viewed from a third person's point of view. Naturally because they'd like to see the character they're playing. If the character doesn't look good, expect the sales to go down pretty sharp. Sorry, but most RPG players like seeing their characters portrayed as cool and handsome. First Person Shooters (FPS) on the other hand, just shows the arm. That's it. FPS players don't mind because they all look the same anyway. They're pretty much happy just wearing their ski masks and Army uniforms. What's important to them is the gameplay and the way bodies explode on grenade launcher impact.

Labyrinth has mixed the two game features together. Presenting: the FPRPG. First Person Role Playing Game. You basically just see your arms most of the time in this game, but instead of wielding M-16s or spades, you'll be fighting with swords, blocking with shields, casting spells, and using items. You'll be fighting dragons and monsters, naturally.

You'll be playing as Ace, a sixth grader. You and your dog will be in search of your parents who disappeared suddenly when they entered a mansion on the road. Dog goes in, boy follows (they never learn do they?--Dogs, I mean) and you're teleported into the "Deep Labyrinth."

The story,gameplay, and music from the people who brought you Chrono Trigger, FF VII, and Xenogears: Masato Kato and Yasunori Mitsuda.

Game released stateside: August 15, 2006.

Conelly not included.

1up.com has published a review on the DS game Deep Labyrinth. And it ain't exactly raving.

According to the review, Deep Labyrinth is a game "conflicted at the genetic level, a DS port of a 3D cell-phone adventure". Shaping this conclusion is the claim that the control scheme is amazingly horrible, and the graphics are mediocre at best. And this is supposed to be a game that includes Masato Kato of Chrono Cross/Xenogears and Yasunori Mitsuda (for soundtrack) in the production's creatives list!

Okay, so the musical score is gorgeous. That much, the review had to concede. But as for the story, well, it leaves little to the imagination, at least as far as the second scenario is concerned.

Targeted as one of the problems of the first scenario of Deep Labyrinth is that it was supposedly newly-added to appeal to the DS demographic, which, as indicated by developer Interactive Brains' focus test, consisted of 8-year olds. Meanwhile, the original scenario was "unbelievably boring for the first hour or so".

But the review wasn't all jeers for Deep Labyrinth. It later goes on to say that the game eventually picks up its pace, and redeems itself with the monster-filled underground mazes, hidden pathways, and of course, heaps of cool treasures. If only it didn't take so long to get to that cool part of the game...

So, in all, Deep Labyrinth was not rated as an all-star in this review. But everything is still a matter of choice...and that means you're still free to try the game out for yourself, especially if you tend to go for treasure-huntings on the go.

Click "Read" for more of the review.

For people who are on the look-out for new games they can pick up from the game store shelves, here's a quick list of games that have been released or are going to be released very soon in the USA:

Xbox 360:

• 8/15 - Ninety Nine Nights
  
• 8/22 - Madden 07

PSP:

• 8/15 - Payout Poker Casino
• 8/15 - Super Monkey Ball Adventures

Nintendo DS:

• 8/15 - Deep Labyrinth
• 8/15 - Konductra
• 8/15 - Freedom Wings

With these in mind, get ready to make that dash to the mall! Or for those who pre-ordered it, you can start harassing your mailman within the next week or so...

Deep Labyrinth, the very first RPG for cellular phones which recently transide from being a mobile game to being an offering for the Nintendo DS, already has a website up and running. Atlus U.S.A., Inc. has recently announced that the official English website for Deep Labyrinth - designed and localized by the game's Japanese developers - is now live.

What can you expect from the site? Visitors to the Deep Labyrinth website will find descriptions and info on the game's storyline and major characters, biographies of scenario designer Masato Kato and musical composer Yasunori Mitsuda, dual-screen videos that demonstrate the game's real-time action, promotional videos, and an exclusive high-resolution wallpaper. The site also features three musical selections from Mitsuda's sweeping score. Deep Labyrinth will be setting foot on U.S. Shores this coming August 8, so while waiting for it, why don't you check its official site out.

A dog and his boy descends the Deep Labyrinth, a world populated by magical creatures and monstrous foes. You get to help them as Deep Labyrinth, the first RPG for cellular phones, goes to the DS. Exploring the deep labyrinth will be possible while casting of spells and swinging the sword is made possible through the use of the stylus/touch screen.

Deep Labyrinth is going to be out soon, but I'm pretty sure before grabbing this game most of you would like to know more about it to be able to make a wise decision, right? Wish granted. Deep Labyrinth publisher Altus' Zach Meston shares with us more info on the game.

Deep Labyrinth will feature two scenarios - "Shawn & Ace" and "Wandering Soul". The first scenario, Shawn & Ace, was developed specifically for the DS and has a cute and "cartoony" look. Wandering Soul, on the other hand, was patterned after the cellphone version of the game and harbors a darker feel. Although both scenarios have the same gameplay and shares most of the monsters, storylines are definitely different and do not intertwine.

Most people who've seen the game describe it as a pocket Oblivion, but Meston disagrees. Although highly tempting, the notion of Deep Labyrinth being an Oblivion-lookalike is unfair, says Meston. As he said, "Deep Labyrinth is more combat-intensive, for one, and more exploration-oriented, for another. It’s a dungeon-crawlery experience, if I had to give it a label, although I’d argue that it has a more compelling story—rather, TWO more compelling stores—than you’d find in a typical hack-and-slash."

Deep Labyrinth was indeed big in Japan, but we all know that not all that clicks with the Japs become a big hit in America. So what made Altus decide to import the game to the US? Because it's a hardcore RPG game that will appeal to any RPG fan regardless of race, says Meston. And also because Altus believes that Deep Labyrinth is "a good, solid title for a great handheld."

Hopefully, these info helped you out. Check out the full interview with Meston here. Deep Labyrinth arrives in North American shores next month.

Atlus has released some new screenshots for their upcoming first person role-playing game Deep Labyrinth. The game is being created by Masato Katou, the man behind Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy XI. In the game you'll explore the world by using the directional pad to move around and the stylus/touch screen to interact with objects - fighting is done in the same manner. The unique title will be hitting DS systems in the U.S. on August 15th 2006 so until then go ahead and check out the screenshots by clicking on the thumbnails below to see what kind of adventure awaits.

The Deep Labyrinth is a whole new world populated by magical creatures and monstrous foes. Dare to descend it if you're brave enough. A boy and his dog frontlines this adventure in the game named after the mysterious world.

Deep Labyrinth is the first 3D first-person RPG for cellular phones; and now the adventure goes to the Nintendo DS. Armed with swords and spells, explore dozens of dungeon levels and fight hordes of hideous monsters in real-time. Developer Altus U.S.A. Inc. boasts that the boss scenes in this game are too epic to be contained on a single screen. Deep Labyrinth – designed by the same man who brought you Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy XI Online, Masato Katou – comes out this fall. Till then, enjoy the screens.