It was the 1986 when a film was released in theaters that later became a classic of its kind. Not for nothing, the fans still talk about it today, remembering with a certain tenderness those sweet and suggestive scenes that made the fortune of the opera. The film in question is Labyrinth - Where everything is possible, directed by the same creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson. A fairytale-like atmosphere and an adventure full of dangers in such an imaginative setting had made millions of spectators fall in love, confirming the beauty of this work over time. If we then add an exceptional cast, in which a very young girl appears Jennifer Connelly e David Bowie, the game is done.
And it is precisely the term "game" that acts as a common thread in a new and equally intricate labyrinth. Jim Henson's film, in addition to having given birth to countless interpretations, inspired an RPG that immediately garnered a wide consensus, both from critics and the most passionate players. Let's talk about Labyrinth: The adventure game, written by Ben Milton e Jack Caesar and published by River Horse Games. It all came thanks to Need Games!, a publishing house that since 2017 offers the role players a high quality catalog; but let's go into more detail of this intriguing product.
Journey into the endless labyrinth
Labyrinth: The adventure game is an RPG mainly based on narration and collaboration between the characters. The setting is the same as the film of the same name and recreates a 'atmosphere with a magical taste capable of satisfying all ages. The system of rules present is very simple, allowing you to create new characters with ease and speed. Newcomers are therefore welcome, while those who have gained more experience over time will not feel out of place.
If you love more structured role-playing games, which allow crazy and adrenaline-pumping actions, perhaps this title is not for you. The intent is precisely to immerse the player in that labyrinth full of dangers that were encountered in the film, there where the Goblin King he commands undisturbed, all while you have to give your all to be able to complete your mission before it's too late. From a first reading it is clear that this game has a family size, especially compared to those that foresee blows of mind and endless adventures. It is no coincidence that Labyrinth was awarded thegold like Best product for families and l 'silver for the best maps to Ennie Awards of 2020. In short, two goals not to be underestimated.
The game consists of a single A5-format manual of 296 pages, within which you will find all the rules necessary to immerse yourself in the adventure, which will be aimed at both players and the King or Queen of the Goblins (this is how the master). The bulk of the manual is entrusted to aadventure through which you can begin to understand the mechanics and the rules; is a first game proposal, which hopefully will be followed by many others. Finally there is a sort of concluding chapter that will help the master to make the sessions even more interesting through suggestions from traps, objects, potions and random encounters… And of course, the much loved one too bestiary.
Let the Labyrinth adventure begin
The Goblin King is certainly not a friendly creature and indeed, as happens in the film, he usually appropriates something that does not belong to him. The theft it may have happened to only one party member or to all players, thus giving a pretext to set out to discover the labyrinth and begin the adventure. To complete the task it will be necessary reach the center of the maze and face the Goblin King. All apparently simple, were it not that the protagonists of the story will have only 13 hours of time; otherwise? They will be the new pawns of the master in future adventures.
In Labyrinth the master plays a fundamental role which is not always encountered in RPGs, since its task does not include only the narration or the management of events. He is a real player who will not only describe the infinite and claustrophobic ways of the labyrinth to the characters, but will have the opportunity to personally intervene in the action. He will be the one to mark the time of the game in chapters that form the adventure, divided in turn into several scenes. At the same time, however, this must not be an obstacle to the development of the action and to the plot. The manual reminds that the Goblin King must do the cheering for the players, don't see them as enemies.
Having laid the initial foundations for the adventure, the character cards. The mechanics are very simple and will be learned very quickly by the party. At this stage we must take into account five aspects that will give your adventurer personality. It starts with the lineage, a sort of "race" in the most classic RPGs, among which you can choose:
- Horned Beast
- Knight of Time That Was
- Fiammetto
- Goblin
- Nano
- Human
- Worm
It then continues by establishing i strengths and defects of the character, his equipment and purpose of the journey inside the labyrinth. Once this is done, the participants of the game will be ready to let themselves be guided by the narration of the Goblin King. THE enemies who will meet on the way they appear in very varied groups, but forget for a moment the fights you are used to. In Labyrinth they count thecunning collaboration, the acumen and you will seldom resort to weapons. The bloodshed here is not properly covered.
Labyrinth: In short, the adventure game has all the credentials to entertain, excite and make you live an adventure different from the usual. The time it's a factor to consider and this will certainly make the action more adrenaline, putting the players involved in the quest to the test. It's a title that differs from "classic" RPGs, the more adventurous ones like D&D, but it makes a sweet and splendid figure. To better immerse yourself in the atmosphere, it is certainly recommended to watch the film letting yourself be conquered by that magical world. Be careful not to miss, however, that 13 hours go by faster than you might think.
