Fatal Labyrinth

[Damocles]

I've heard it called Nethack-lite, but what are everyone's impressions around here?

I had never even heard about it until I picked up the Genesis collection for my 360. After some initial frustration, it actually seems quite fun and interesting. Combat is pretty basic, especially when you learn that it's best to hide in hallways and poke from there. Then again, I find more fun in what's going to be in the room down the hall and around the corner.

Are there any other 8/16bit roguelikes, or quasi-roguelikes?

[Chacranajxy]

Fatal Labyrinth is the biggest piece of shit on the Genesis. It is a joyless, soul-sucking experience.

As for other stuff to try... I dunno... maybe Brandish? It's tough but it's kinda aight.

[ZOM]

Brandish is not a roguelike, Brandish is Brandish and Brandish is awesome(Just don't play the crappy console ports, get BR2 & BR3 for PC-98). EOS.

[Andi]

Fatal Labyrinth is an okay game. It lakes features and variety to keep it interesting for hard it is, but fundamentally everything is okay.

[The Coop]

Fatal Labyrinth is an alright game. Its randomly generated dungeons keep the game from getting stale, but they can also lead to some serious bouts of frustration. It's not a bad little game for what it is.

You can try Dragon Crystal on the Master System. It's a sequel (yes, an 8-bit sequel to a 16-bit game) and it plays a lot like the Genesis game.

[Damocles]

I'll be sure to check out Dragon Crystal.

The only time I feel like the game is unfair is when it spawns me in a room surrounded by high-level enemies (or drops me down a level into the same situation). I suppose this is balanced by the fact that there is no true permadeath.

[SuperGrafx]

I bought Fatal Labyrinth for the Genesis way back when it was originally released (1991). If I recall, it was a budget release ($39.99) and did get some minor advertising in the pages of EGM.
Can't say I was too happy with the purchase though...if it had included some type of save or password option things would have been much better.

As it was, it reminded me of a cut-rate Hydlide with slightly better graphics. Same clumsy combat, lack of depth, and horrible repetitive soundtrack. But that's how it was back in the early 1990's...lack of real RPG's on home consoles apart from the occassional Phantasy Star or Dragon Warrior title. Slim pickings indeed.

[Cthulhu]

Are there any other 8/16bit roguelikes, or quasi-roguelikes?

Well, I don't know if you want non-Sega stuff listed here, but two of the main games in the Mysterious Dungeon series are are for the Super Famicom. Neither is available in English for the actual system, but the latter title (Shiren) has an upgraded DS port that is available in English. I believe English fan translations are available for both but I haven't really looked into it.

- Torneko no Daibouken Fushigi na Dungeon / Torneko's Mysterious Dungeon
- Fushigi na Dungeon 2 Fuurai no Shiren / Mysterious Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer

Both are fun games, but I think Fuurai no Shiren is a better game by far. The DS port is exceptional and includes boatloads of extra content.

[Damocles]

How is Torneko: The Last Hope? It seems to garner positive reviews. A little past the time period I was looking for, however.

[Cthulhu]

How is Torneko: The Last Hope? It seems to garner positive reviews. A little past the time period I was looking for, however.

It has been a while since I've played it, but if memory serves me right it's a pretty good one. The thing that pretty much killed its reception in the press was the fact that you lose all your levels (and if I remember right, most of or all of your stuff) between some of the dungeons. That is, you fight through a dungeon and open up the next one by completing it. You lose your "progress" inbetween dungeons so that each one starts anew. Standard fare for a Roguealike but it sure killed the press reviews. Fans of the genre (which you obviously are ) won't be driven away by this and will find a meaty dungeon game within.

I think it goes for pretty cheap used, so it's probably worth a look regardless.

[Damocles]

I just finished up a run tonight. I was very lucky and found a Skull Lance and Weapon Strengthen scroll on level 20. That definately makes the later levels easier... I had previously un-cursed a Blood Sword and thought it was great. The lance, however, is much, much better. Has anyone tried curing cursed armor? I'm aware of the glitch that allows an AC of 99...but that's just defeating the purpose of the game.

I find it amusing that the final boss falls into the same routine low-level enemies do, i.e, allowing you to regenerate health indefinately by always being one step behind you.

[lgb]

lack of real RPG's on home consoles apart from the occassional Phantasy Star or Dragon Warrior title

Final Fantasy? Lennus? Shining, if you want to count that?

I believe English fan translations are available for both but I haven't really looked into it.

There are, for both. Virtually complete.

The DS port is exceptional and includes boatloads of extra content.

And Mega Man-like US boxart, as per usual.

[No_not_like_Quake]

I like Fatal Labyrinth more now than I did when it came out. In 1991, I bought it, thought it sucked much ass and traded it for Thunderforce 2. I played it recently and found it to be a decent, relaxing dungeon crawler.

Oh and Torneko was that PS1 dungeon crawler starring the DQIV guy right? It was good, AFAIR.

[Cthulhu]

Oh and Torneko was that PS1 dungeon crawler starring the DQIV guy right? It was good, AFAIR.

Yep, that's it. There's several games in the series starring that guy (Torneko) but that's the only one with an official English version available.

[No_not_like_Quake]

Oh and Torneko was that PS1 dungeon crawler starring the DQIV guy right? It was good, AFAIR.

Yep, that's it. There's several games in the series starring that guy (Torneko) but that's the only one with an official English version available.

Cool. Memories coming back, it's been awhile.

I remember this game around the same time I played the original Diablo. Both turned my opinion on the genre to favorable.

[Ruldra]

Rise from your grave!

I'm considering buying the Genesis Collection and noticed this game was included in the list. Never heard of it before and wikipedia says it's a roguelike, so decided to give it a go.

Aside from the repetitive music, it's actually a fun game. It's pretty much a simpler, easier Nethack. A nice way to get started with roguelikes.

Today I almost beat the whole thing. Reached floor 29, had the best equipment in the game (including Excalibur), but then made the mistake of equipping a Skull Lance (didn't know it was a cursed weapon)...all my food was drained and then I was starving to death. Rushed to floor 30 but didn't last long there

I suppose the only other roguelike available for early consoles is Shiren the Wanderer for SNES...does anyone know where I can find a translation patch?

EDIT: So there's a roguelike for Master System as well? Will check out Dragon Crystal.

[Damocles]

Protip: Use the enhance scroll on the cursed weapons. ...if you want to break the game and make it cake.

[Ruldra]

Well, that's a glitch rather than a feature...I'm trying to beat the game the way you're supposed to (which is not really that hard anyway).

[Sonic R]

I really enjoy Dragon Crystal!
a fine game for sure… of note, it was also released on Game Gear…