Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth

Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth feels like the first half of a fun, if simple, metroidvania.

Simply put, it's a title that knows what it is and seems to hit all its targets with deadly precision. This results in a game that isn't exactly transcendental, but is as solid as bedrock. Even if you're not a fan of the Record of Lodoss War source material, it is worth a look. At the very least, it took me back to my days of binging on Castlevania's Game Boy and DS titles, which I mean as a compliment. It may not be the freshest meal in the cafeteria, but it's still a tasty dish at the right price.

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth doesn't take too long to beat - even the most curious/thorough/careful player is unlikely to go over the 10-hour mark - but when the adventure's this much fun and as densely packed with creativity, does it matter? At the end of it all you're far more likely to feel satisfied than short-changed, and Deedlit's tale is a surprisingly touching one regardless of how much or little you already know about Lodoss. If you're after something with the flavour of Symphony of the Night that doesn't feel like a shallow knock-off, this is a fine alternative.

Team Ladybug's latest title is still worth your time, but pales in comparison to their earlier works.

A fantastic time all around, sure to tick all the right boxes for Metroidvania fans. Simply lovely to look at, with tight controls and nice level design.

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth's story, while light, ties beautifully into Deedlit’s personal arc of grief and acceptance, giving emotional weight to the exploration. It respects the source material while delivering a focused, replayable experience with New Game+ and boss rush modes. The gameplay mechanics and presentation are exceptional; some of the best seen in the genre. While it may be too lean for its own good and leave some gamers wanting more after it wraps up, it might be a blessing in disguise, as most games like this tend to breach the 20-hour range.

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth may not be the absolute best Metroidvania on the Nintendo Switch, but it is certainly among the best.

Who would’ve guessed that a game based on a very traditional novel series from Japan would turn out this way? The last time Record of Lodoss War had any significant presence in games was during the Dreamcast days with an equally excellent, although similarly derivative Diablo-like. Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is tightly designed, a joy to look at and most importantly, is ridiculously respectful of your time, making it an absolute must-play Switch release.

While it's not entirely an experience of the series it's based on, Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- offers all the features a metroidvania fan could want, without feeling like "just another clone" of Metroid or Castlevania. Team Ladybug was able to transpose RPG elements, the root of Lodoss War, to a simple and fair, but totally satisfying action platformer, which pleases both the longing fans of the series and gamers looking for casual gameplay.

Outside of the boss rush mode and speedrunning there just isn't much replay value I'm afraid. However, Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth is a great homage to the source material and fans will relish the experience.