Remember Waldo’s books? Flipping through the pages searching for the little man in the striped blouse and round glasses, in the middle of the most chaotic scenarios? Yes! Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective reminded me so much of Where’s Waldo! The game is based on Hiro Kamigaki’s books, more specifically Pierre the Labyrinth Detective, which have a similar style.
Pierre is a young detective who tries to stop Mr.X from stealing the Labyrinth Stone, whose power has turned the city into…well, into enormous labyrinths! It’s necessary to piece the clues together to find the witnesses and solve the mystery of the stone’s disappearance to prevent the villain, Mr.X, from escaping! It’s up to Pierre, with the help of his friends, to investigate the scenarios where disorder prevails.
The main objective is simple: navigate the giant mazes to find a list of characters that give you the clues you need. You know where they are; the challenge is really to get there! In addition, the journey is made by collecting various items. There are several levels of item collection, although this is not mandatory. On each level, you can find:
– 3 stars;
– About 4 chests with objects;
– 4 game dev notes, with art concepts and character sketches.
– 1 “hidden” trophy.
In the main menu, you can see everything you’ve collected and select the levels that have already been unlocked so that you can have a look at them later.
It’s a game that exercises your memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills, without being complicated and tiring. It’s admittedly a children’s game; that’s why there is, in between levels, the narrator telling you the story as if they were reading the book. Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective is, after all, an interactive book that perfectly combines the playable part with the narrative. It can be played by children and the whole family. Even adults who appreciate the challenges will love it.
Countless interactive characters and easter eggs are waiting to be found in every corner. Furthermore, it’s full of references to other videogames and movies, such as Skyrim or Spirited Away.
In terms of gameplay, I only found one minor negative point. Navigation (on PC) seemed a little inconsistent, and sometimes changing direction was complicated. I refer to areas on the map with two or more possible ways or inclined planes. However, I got used to it with some practice, and I didn’t find it that hard anymore.
Labyrinth City: Pierre the Maze Detective has lovely graphics, in the most diverse environments with the smallest and most fun details: the museum turned inside out, with fleeing statues and animated paintings; the chaotic rush-hour city, with intersecting shops and lanes, people on roofs, and secret passageways; the forest with wooden platforms connected by bridges; or even the haunted house full of monsters. This game delivers everything in a classic cartoonish style, with colorful and straightforward strokes that are also dynamic and endearing. The maps are just like those in the book.
It has a rich and fun soundtrack, adapted to each level in the best possible way, always with an enigmatic tone.
Intense, addictive, and recommended for those who like challenges.
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