Survival Horror Game Redefinition: Labyrinth of the Forsaken, With Inception's Flair, Garners Pre-Launch Accolades on PlayStation 1 Era, Leaving Gamers Impressed
I'll tell ya, the first indie demo I played at Digital Dragons 2025 was a no-brainer for me. Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken was a winner from the moment I laid eyes on that flyer. This pulpy point-and-click adventure, with its blend of survival horror, intricate puzzles, turn-based combat, and the ability to manufacturer some handy weapons? Excuse me, but I practically shoved that computer out of the way. And when it took the top prize at the Indie Dragons awards later on, I was more than pleased that I'd caught it when I did.
Scriptwelder's surreal dreamscape is a wild ride, right between familiar and fresh. Sure, the DNA of classic Resident Evil games pulses through its isometric, 2D pixelated world, but instead of sprayin' and prayin' my way through a zombie-infested mansion, I spent my nights terrifying myself with subconscious nightmares - every last second of it was pure gold.
Dream a little bigger, sugar
I fired up a new save file, and the first thing to catch my eye was a typewriter. I mean, there were other things scattered about, but c'mon - it's a typewriter. That's little details like that that make Deep Sleep special. It's a reminder of the survival horror greats that came before, but it's also a signal that Deep Sleep has got some tricks to show us. I examined the retro art style with a squint, taking in the 2D framing and Amy's cozy bedroom filled with bizarre gadgets. I knew what the deal was - Amy's tryin' to reconnect with her presumed dead brother through dreams, and that intriguing premise had me hooked.
But it was the typewriter that had me hangin' off the edge of my seat. I ain't gonna lie, I just had to check it out. Turns out, I needed an ink ribbon to get it workin', which was just the kinda charm I was lookin' for - nods to the genre legends never hurt anyone.
Once I got that pesky little detail out of the way, I clicked on the electrodes again, ready to dive into dreamspace.
Up, up, and away in my nightmare hot air balloon
The dreamscape was a bewilderin' mix of Inception and Assassin's Creed, if ya ask me. I'd control Amy's dreams and direct her into different nightmarish landscapes. I can't remember the name of the first dungeon I picked, but it reminded me of a hotel, where hallways spiraled and doors were locked - just like Spencer's mansion in those classic Resident Evil games.
This ain't Resident Evil, though. The game is a unique blend of point-and-click adventure and survival horror, and it's on a whole nother level once you hit the dreamspace. I checked my inventory, but instead of a trusty ol' gun, I found a bone fragment. I mean, it's not the worst thing to find yourself with in a survival horror game, but I was a bit disappointed. A quick search of the room turned up a wrench instead, which was more in line with what I needed. I armed myself, ready to crack some skulls.
I left the cozy bedroom and stepped into the dimly lit hallways of that hotel, the shadows hid shufflin' creatures. I flicked on my flashlight, because I'm not afraid of a little darkness, boo. I grabbed the nearest enemy and was greeted by a tense turn-based combat sequence - exactly what I'd been cravin' for. It was time to see what this game brought to the table.
Combat required some careful strategizing, unlike the action-packed sequences I was used to. I had to choose my weapon, plan my attacks, and... well, I can't say it was a walk in the park, but it was a hell of a lot of fun. I defeated the creature and looted a new bone for my collection.
The game had me runnin' throughout the hotel, puzzles catches, and enemies to dispatch. Eventually, I found myself face-to-face with the hotel's concierge, who was less than happy with my tardiness. He gave me a pile of suitcases and sent me on a wild goose chase to deliver them to different rooms. I had to find the right suitcase for the right room, and it was a clever little twist that kept me on my toes.
Alas, my demo time was up, and I had to reluctantly step away from Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken. But I was starved for more. This game is a breath of fresh air, wrestling the survival horror genre back into my heart and injecting it with some much-needed new ideas. Deep Sleep is shaping up to be an original, non-linear type of survival horror game, with a dream-based narrative and puzzle-solving mechanics that make it stand out from the crowd.
If you're as excited about the upcoming wave of PC games as I am, then you won't want to miss out on Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken. It's already blazing its way to the top of my 2025 must-play list.
- In the game Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken, I found myself captivated by a typewriter, a detail reminiscent of survival horror classics, but also hinting at the game's intended uniqueness.
- The dreamscape in Deep Sleep was a mesmerizing blend of Inception and Assassin's Creed, offering a new take on survival horror with its point-and-click adventure elements.
- I took charge of Amy's dreams, directing her through various nightmarish landscapes, starting with a hotel reminiscent of the Resident Evil series.
- Instead of standard action-packed combat sequences, Deep Sleep offered tense turn-based combat, requiring careful strategy and planning for success.
- As I progressed, I encountered puzzles to solve and enemies to defeat in this innovative new entrant to the gaming world, eager to make its mark in the entertainment industry.
- With its engaging dream-based narrative, intricate puzzle-solving mechanics, and unique blend of genres, Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken is one of the most exciting upcoming PC games and is high on my 2025 must-play list, promising a fresh take on the survival horror genre.
