Genre: Action-Adventure / Hack-and-Slash
Developer: Asylum Studios
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Year: 1998
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Deathtrap Dungeon is a third-person action-adventure game developed by Asylum Studios and released by Eidos Interactive in 1998 for Windows PCs, concurrent with a PlayStation version. Based on the Deathtrap Dungeon gamebook by Ian Livingstone, the game places players in a treacherous labyrinth filled with deadly traps and monsters as they guide one of two heroes through the gauntlet to survive and defeat its challenges.
Players choose between two protagonists—male barbarian Chaindog or female assassin Red Lotus—and navigate through a sequence of dungeon environments. Action takes place from a behind-the-back camera perspective, with gameplay combining melee combat, ranged weapon use, and magical abilities. The protagonist must overcome traps, solve environmental puzzles, and manage limited resources like health potions and keys to progress.
The game includes a variety of enemy types—from goblins and orcs to dragons—each requiring players to adapt tactical approaches. Combat systems support the use of swords, hammers, firearms, bombs, and magical spells. Puzzle elements often hinge on navigating perilous terrain and activating mechanisms under pressure, enhancing the feeling of danger and urgency.
