Horror games depend on their atmosphere to thrive, and co-op antics can be a quick way to shed the dread. With Labyrinthine, however, Valko Game Studios struck an excellent balance between comedy and terror. Creepy clowns and mannequins? Getting chased through an eldritch hedgemaze? Puzzles to poke, prod, and scratch one's head over between bouts of panicked running? It's a classic co-op horror formula that Valko nails. Between the game's two modes, there's a sizable chunk of content for players to survive. Now, Xbox and PlayStation players can get in on the action, too, as the game gets its console release.
In Labyrinthine's story mode, the player helps set up a new attraction at the town fair, only to get roped into a deadly mystery. There's been a disappearance at the property next door, and someone needs to be the gullible guinea pig (or horror heroine) to investigate. What comes next is a solid blend of brain-teasers, spine-chillers, and monster chases. Even when puzzles have players flipping blocks and standing on pressure pads to open gates, the tension rarely fades. The first few hours in particular have some genuine scares, with and without jumps. For those who prefer their scary stories chaotic, Labyrinthine hits the mark.
Xbox and PlayStation step into Labyrinthine's maze
Story mode is fun, but the real heart of Labyrinthine is a different mode: Case Files. These procedurally generated mazes shuffle together enemies, items, environments, and more. Leveling up unlocks new maps and monsters to keep the challenge (and fear factor) high. Whether you're braving the Backrooms alone or taking on a black forest in eight-player co-op, Labyrinthine does a lot right. Playing with others adds some levity and the comfort of familiar voices. Playing alone aims to ratchet the discomfort up until the dial breaks. Expanding the co-op scene with PS5 and Xbox Series X/S crossplay is exactly the right move.
Between the in-game voice chat, daily quests, cosmetics, and Hardcore Case Files for tougher challenges, Labyrinthine offers plenty of reasons to tackle mazes. Horror games that depend on procedurally generated levels sometimes struggle to feel unique, but Valko keeps things fresh. New cosmetics (pink flamingo and shark hat, anyone?) dropping with updates? Just one more good reason to get the Xbox and PlayStation crowd in on the action.
Fans of 1st-person co-op horror have every reason to drop Labryinthine into rotation with the likes of Phasmophobia and Devour. Whether players are getting run down by a bloody skeleton or pig-masked killer, it takes wit and reflexes to survive. With a menagerie of 30+ monsters to face, console players are in for a unique challenge every time. Beware the maze. Sometimes, lost things don't get found. Labyrinthine is now available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.