Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is the latest game from developers Team Ladybug and publishers Playism and Why So Serious?, which attempts to meld the world of the Record of Lodoss war into the genre of a tightly refined platformer. Developed under the supervision of series creator Ryo Mizuno, Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is both for fans of the series, and for those who are familiar with more retro style platformers. While it has its caveats, this title offers a pleasantly positive experience that is sure to cater to hardcore fans and newcomers to the genre.
There is a tangible sort of weight behind the movement in Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth. It feels good, if cumbersome at times, which suits the genre it draws immediate inspiration from. While this may deter players unfamiliar with this style of platformer, you unlock double jumps and levitation skills within the first few hours of the game. And unlike Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth seems to sample extremely heavily from, the back dash provided for Deedlit doesn’t require any extremely technical inputs to fluidly traverse between areas at relatively quickly speeds. It feels like an improvement on these systems at the very least, even if they lack the mechanical complexity.
However, that doesn’t mean Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth lacks any sort of in-depth platforming or won’t require a set amount of skill for any individual player. Instead, players will need to combine various abilities acquired through traversing the labyrinth. There were instances that I found particularly challenging, such as alternating between the Salamander and Sylph which allows players to switch between being able to absorb fire damage and levitate respectively. More than a handful of platforming puzzles, and even boss fights, require precision when switching between these different “stances.” Additionally, these stances provide various passive abilities. The Salamander stance allows for Deedlit to deal more damage, while the Sylph stance allows Deedlit to levitate and even recover health under specific circumstances. However, health regen isn’t limited to the Sylph stance.
Outside of this, certain enemies are immune to the damage done by these two stances which adds a layer of complexity to combat. There is one boss in particular that teaches players this mechanic, outside of enemies you encounter early on in the labyrinth itself. It’s a nice combination of skills and stances that slowly build on one another that make Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth a somewhat unique experience among modern platformers. While it doesn’t require the same technical finesse as something like Hollow Knight, it’s still enjoyable and offers challenges in its very own way.
That being said, due to some of the various systems in Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth I feel like it is a more accessible experience to newcomers to the genre. Players can regen health, which circumvents a need for health potions once you get the mechanics down, and ranged weapons and spells work in tandem to easily best standard enemy encounters. The combat in the game is simple, with a total of four weapon types available for players to choose from. Each has their own unique benefits, be it range or attack speed. I personally favored swords that granted me more attack speed over raw power, as the Salamander stance helped supplement my attack sufficiently enough. There isn’t enough variety to feel truly overwhelmed, but there is enough deviation in the way that the game expects you to progress that doesn’t leave the player bored.
I did get frustrated with some of the areas I had to progress through, mostly areas that involved a very specific kind of plant enemy that required use of the bow. Thankfully there is a visual indicator that shows players where they’re aiming, which means you’re not shooting aimless into the air hoping for a hit to land. However, ranged combat was not my forte and while the game tirelessly tried to teach me how to cleverly use my bow through physics based puzzles, or even through specific enemy placement I never got the hang of it entirely. Players will more finesse will no doubt have little issue when taking up ranged weapons in Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth. Those like myself may need a bit more time with the mechanic before getting a hang of it.
Progression in the game is stock and standard, with players needing to locate items to unlock skills to further gain access to later levels in the labyrinth. Boss fights help progress the story, and they can be challenging as they require quick reflexes. In addition, there can sometimes be issues with visual overstimulation. Thankfully there are save points aplenty, and teleportation spots, even early on in the game. Backtracking is a must within this specific style of platformer, and players will find themselves heading to previously explored locations to uncover new secrets and items.
I initially thought Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth would be a game that would have a relatively short playtime, but I was quickly proven wrong. The game has a plethora of bosses and a large enough map to pad out your experience. Additionally, the story presents itself in short cutscenes that are mostly open ended or give those unfamiliar with the Record of Lodoss War series an idea of who these characters are. Deedlit awakens in a labyrinth, unsure of how she has come to this unfamiliar place. The narrative primarily navigates through her meeting party members and other familiar faces she met during her initial journey, only to realize they may not be who she believes them to be. At first you may feel a bit like Deedlit, lost in a scenario you can’t quite grasp, but the narrative unfurls and explains things sufficiently enough, revealing that this is a story about loss and reconciliation with the passing of a loved one. Those who are already familiar with the series will enjoy what the story has to offer, and the way characters have been implemented either as bosses or as NPCs.
The music in Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is catchy, and doesn’t grind on the nerves after hours navigating through the game. Each locale features a unique score, which helps set the atmosphere for the gorgeous pixel environments you’ll find yourself in. Each landscape is lovingly detailed with vines crawling over pillars and gothic windows lining dark, moody hallways. The animations for enemies, and for Deedlit herself, are well done and emphasize their individual animations. The game itself is gorgeous, and those who appreciate pixel art will no doubt enjoy what the game will have to offer on that front. If anything, Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a feast for the eyes. However, the menu user interface leaves something to be desired, as it is minimal at best and lacks any kind of significant aesthetic that ties it into the artistic theme of the game.
Overall, Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a solid platformer that engages players with complex puzzles that utilize simple, and easy to understand mechanics. It is a successful homage to formative titles in the genre that have come before it, yet offers something unique. If you’re looking for a platformer to satisfy your craving for something Castlevania-esque, or something more engrossing and a bit more technical, then this is exactly what you’re looking for.
Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is immediately available for PC.
