PS1 horror vibes meet dungeon crawling with Labyrinth of The Demon King - release in May

Great news, everyone! Japanese-inspired indie publisher Top Hat Studios, Inc., has announced that the highly anticipated Dungeon Crawler-meets-Survival Horror from solo developer Jacob R. Hudepohl will be releasing on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and the Xbox family on May 13th at 11 am EST / 8 am PST / 15:00 UTC. It's amazing to see the announcement of a release date premiere alongside a new trailer as part of the publisher's showcase on April 22nd, the game was announced for all consoles.

Set in a world authentically inspired by ancient feudal Japanese and Buddhist folklore, Labyrinth of the Demon King combines brutal, hardcore dungeon crawling with survival horror themes to create a visceral, heart-pounding experience. The game's demo, which was teased in Halloween 2024 and then released fully in this past Steam Next Fest, received critical acclaim from both critics and users. To us, this looks like if Monolith's 2006 horror brawler Condemned, meets Resident Evil, and had a baby on the PS1 ... weird combination, but when you watch the trailer, you'll see what we mean!



About the game:

Immerse yourself in the hopeless, dark, cruel world of the Demon King, a setting inspired by both feudal Japan and Buddhist folklore, and brought to life in a gorgeous low-poly, retro-grim art style - complete with dithering filters for that genuine PS1 feel. Arm yourself with your wits and a range of weapons, from katanas and naginatas to muskets and bows as you engage in brutal, challenging combat. Revel in accomplishment and extreme satisfaction as you take down not only various Yokai from ancient myth, but also the other horrific abominations that dwell in the labyrinth. The brutal world of the game ensures your soul will not find peace until the very end of your quest. Horrific enemies will test you... and oblige you to revive time and time again.

As you trudge through the dark, twisted corridors of the ubiquitous Labyrinth, be sure to explore every nook and cranny for limited resources. Sets of armour and magical talismans may change your fortunes in combat, and scour for important clues to help solve the puzzles laid out before you by the Demon King. Engage with other strange characters on your journey. Some offer things you may need (for coin, of course), others a simple moment of respite, but be careful who you decide to trust - it could affect your fate.