Lapis x Labyrinth Reviews
Nippon Ichi Software has hit a great formula that avoids the worst excesses of repetition or frustration. An addictive mix of 2D exploration and combat, Lapis x Labyrinth is a cavalcade of colour and complex systems that doesn't outstay its welcome through a sizeable 20-hour campaign.
Lapis x Labyrinth shields its repetitive nature with a flashy presentation and interesting RPG mechanics.
But it's easy to ignore those complaints when the core gameplay is this fun and flashy. I went into Lapis X Labyrinth expecting a breezy dungeon crawler and that's exactly what NIS delivered.
This is a game where I could plug a few minutes in, try to make some kind of progress, and gain experience either way. There may not be a ton of complexity to be had, but what it offers is plenty of variety, fast-paced action, and a desire to push forward. While the labyrinth is full of dangers, the rewards can be great.
Adorable chibi characters stacked on top of each other like Japanese dango? Fast-paced, old-school 2D action with buttery animation and colorful visuals? Sign me up! Lapis x Labyrinth is a charming dungeon crawler that combines loot-based action with modern hand-drawn visuals that old-school gamers will appreciate. While the story feels tacked on and the grind can wear you down if the RNG gods decide not to smile upon you, Lapis x Labyrinth still checks off a lot of boxes that fans of hectic side-scrolling action appreciate. Check it out if you’re itching for some 2D looting action.
Way too repetitive and dull in its level design and gameplay mechanics, Lapis x Labyrinth fails to be as engaging as it looks. So unless you're a loot-addict, this dungeon-crawler from Nippon Ichi Software is not worth the try.
Review in French | Read full review
It's fun, but I'm not sure how much I'll come back to it. The repetition can't be avoided when playing for any real length, both in gameplay and level design. Lapis x Labyrinth has too many concerns that prevent me from giving it a broad recommendation at $29.99. But I can't deny that it offers some short-term, if shallow, fun, so bookmark this one for a future sale if it sounds interesting to you.
If you’re not looking for a deep adventure, engrossing RPG mechanics or foes that test your builds limit, then this is a fantastic choice. Otherwise, you might be a little underwhelmed, though I’d argue there is still more than enough to get your moneys worth.
We enjoyed our time with Lapis X Labyrinth, expecially if played in short bursts with the Switch undocked, but its limited gameplay and repetitive dungeons keep it from excellency.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Lapis X Labyrinth has a lot of flash that just gobbles away any substance it might have had.
If the thrill of collecting loot and the joy of upgrading your party is enough for you, then definitely make sure Lapis x Labyrinth is on your radar. If you hope for a little depth in terms of narrative development and refined combat, you won’t find it here. But you will find a lot of chaotic fun. With its bite-sized levels and constant rewards, it’s the perfect game to pick up and play in short bursts on Nintendo Switch.
Lapis x Labyrinth is an excellent palate cleanser. I think the long haul of trying to actually finish the game could dip more into a mindless march, rather than the frantic energy the first time Fever Mode is activated, but the game overall can be a fun distraction in between more dramatic or demanding titles.
If you’re planning to play a grindy dungeon crawler in short bursts over a long period of time, you’d be in the best position to get something out of Lapis x Labyrinth – but if you’re looking for something a little deeper than a button masher you might walk away disappointed.
The combination of the very fun core gameplay, visual spectacle and loot festival makes Lapis x Labyrinth a game that surpasses its shallow script and overall repetition to motivate the player to go where no other adventurer has ever gone.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
undefined.Loot-driven action RPGs can find themselves in a pattern of being repetitive, relying on the desire for the next shiny piece of armor to keep players engaged. Lapis x Labyrinth certainly falls into that category, but unfortunately despite the huge number of items you earn, many tend to be downgrades. However, the diversity in each character type works to its advantage, promoting mixing and matching party members to help reduce the feeling of grinding in this outrageously stylistic 2D Action RPG.
Lapis x Labyrinth is all that a one could want from a rogue-lite. Countless hours will be spent engaging in simplistic yet also compelling hack 'n' slash action. The eight playable classes offer plenty of diversity in their skillset and play-style. Forming them into a squad and maximizing their effectiveness is lots of fun. The frame-drops are regrettable, but can be alleviated somewhat by skilful play. Oh and of course you've got to love the FEVER. Why is FEVER in all-caps anyway? It's because lower-case letters can never hope to contain its awesomeness.
If you want a simple 2D hack and slash action RPG then Lapis x Labyrinth is definitely a good game to wind down with after a long day.
Lapis X Labyrinth is an incredibly average hack and slash with not much going for it. You enter a dungeon, beat up enemies, gain new weapons, loot and skills, and then repeat ad nauseam with little incentive to keep going or play this for long bursts at a time. On Switch, at least you do have pick up and play possibilities, but I found even when playing this game in those sessions, it just wasn’t that engaging.
I have to say I was very surprised at how good Lapis x Labyrinth was. After 20 hours I found the gameplay fast, fluid and most importantly fun. The upgrade system is slowly introduced so you never feel overwhelmed, and I thought the difficulty curve was just about right for this type of game. Some of the maps can get a bit confusing even with guidance they give you and some of the enemies late in the game can be very cheap with attacks that cause instant death or knock your stack out of whack. Still I have to say if you want a great Action RPG you could do a lot worse at the $49.99 price for the limited edition that comes with some extra goodies.
By design, it’s awesome, by gameplay, somewhat convoluted. Sure, there’s the minor framerate skip here and there, but that does not take you out of the element at all. The game’s charm, and wit will keep you right into this amazing world, and will want you to continue exploring the labyrinth over and over again. I totally love the grind of Lapis X Labryrinth.