Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

From the moment you step into Ian Livingstone’s Deathtrap Dungeon, the game’s core loop of exploring, fighting and puzzle-solving immediately grabs your attention. Players choose between two distinct characters—Red Lotus, the nimble rogue, or Bandog, the brute-strength warrior—each offering a unique approach to combat encounters and environmental challenges. The third-person perspective, reminiscent of Tomb Raider, provides a clear view of incoming threats and hidden secrets, allowing you to strategize before diving into the chaos.

Combat in Deathtrap Dungeon is refreshingly varied. You can brawl with bare fists, wield steel swords, or crush enemies with a magic-enhanced war hammer. Ranged users will appreciate the arsenal of bombs and a fire-thrower, while spellcasters can unleash fireballs or even the delightfully absurd exploding pig. This trifecta of melee, ranged and magical attacks keeps each skirmish dynamic, forcing you to adapt on the fly depending on your chosen character and the foes you face.

But it’s not all about brute force. The dungeon’s many traps—spinning blades, hidden pits, crushing walls—demand careful navigation. Riddles and key-based puzzles are woven into the environment, requiring you to hunt for levers, discover secret rooms and match ancient devices to their corresponding locks. Progression hinges as much on your wits as on your martial prowess, creating a balanced challenge that rewards both exploration and tactical thinking.

Graphics

Visually, Deathtrap Dungeon leans into a gritty, gothic aesthetic that complements its dungeon-crawling premise. The stone corridors feel damp and oppressive, lit by the flicker of torches and the glow of arcane sigils. Occasional environmental details—a cobweb-strewn alcove, a pool of stagnant water—foster an immersive sense of place, reminding you that this labyrinth has claimed countless adventurers before you.

Character models, while not cutting-edge by today’s standards, are remarkably expressive. Red Lotus moves with lithe precision, her animations emphasizing speed and stealth. Bandog’s heft is palpable when he hefts his war hammer, with each strike causing a satisfying camera shake. Monsters, too, are distinct: grotesque humanoids scuttle in low-light corners, giant spiders lurk in cobwebbed hallways, and the occasional drake or lesser demon ambushes players in wider chambers.

Lighting and particle effects enhance the sense of danger. Spells leave lingering burn marks on walls, and flying embers dance through air shafts. When traps trigger, you’ll witness sparks fly and gore spray realistically across the terrain. Though the draw distance can sometimes lead to pop-in texture issues, the overall atmosphere remains cohesive, making every descent into the dungeon feel like an unpredictable plunge into darkness.

Story

The narrative backdrop of Fang adds weight to your quest. Once a prosperous city, Fang fell under the iron rule of Baron Sukumvit and was renamed the City of the Lost Souls. Now, the villainous baron uses his Deathtrap Dungeon to both imprison enemies and entertain himself, betting on whether challengers survive to slay his red dragon, Melkor. The stakes are clear: triumph and you earn 10,000 gold pieces—and the baron’s abdication.

This high-stakes premise propels the story forward, driving you through the dungeon’s ever-escalating challenges. Occasional in-game scrolls and carvings expand on Sukumvit’s tyranny and the lore of Fang, hinting at rituals performed in shadowy shrines and past champions who fell to the dungeon’s malevolence. These narrative breadcrumbs reward thorough explorers and flesh out the world beyond sword-and-sorcery clichés.

While dialogue is minimal, the interplay between your chosen hero and the environment delivers much of the drama. The relentless pursuit of survival, coupled with the promise of ultimate reward, keeps motivation high. The looming presence of Melkor, hinted at through tremors and distant roars, builds tension that culminates in a final confrontation worthy of the epic setup.

Overall Experience

Deathtrap Dungeon offers an engaging blend of combat, exploration and puzzle-solving that should appeal to fans of action-adventure and classic dungeon crawlers alike. The dual-character system adds replay value, as playing Red Lotus or Bandog dramatically changes your approach to fights and traps. Each level feels meticulously crafted to challenge your reflexes and intellect in equal measure.

Though the graphics engine shows its age at times, the art direction overcomes technical limitations by delivering a consistently moody atmosphere. Sound design—torches crackling, distant monster growls and the clang of metal against stone—further immerses you in this perilous underworld. Multiplayer modes like Deathmatch and Last Man Standing extend the game’s longevity, allowing you to test your skills against friends or strangers.

Whether you’re drawn by the thrill of vanquishing horrific beasts, the satisfaction of solving devious puzzles, or the lure of a gold-laden finale, Ian Livingstone’s Deathtrap Dungeon delivers a rich and entertaining ride. This is a title that wears its old-school roots proudly while offering enough modern touches to remain accessible and enjoyable for new audiences.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10