Labyrinth (Acornsoft)
Encyclopedia
Labyrinth is a video game published
in 1984 by Acornsoft
for the BBC Micro
. At the time, it was a highly acclaimed Acornsoft release, with its high resolution graphics
, addictive gameplay
and fluid animation
.
Labyrinth is a scrolling 2D
shoot 'em up
, consisting of a complex labyrinth
made up of multiple levels
. Each level is made up of a number of rooms, with the player only able to see a single room at any one time. Doorways are provided allowing the player to move between rooms.
Each level contains two special rooms, the 'Gate Room', and the 'Key Room'. The Gate Room contains an impenetrable gate
, beyond which lies the next level. The Key Room contains a jewel
which will open the gate, and is generally the most well-guarded and dangerous room in the level.
Rooms are populated with a variety of monster
s, which become more and more dangerous as the player
progresses through the game. The player is able to shoot
or avoid the various monsters, as well as squash them with a "block" that the player is able to push around with them as they travel. Colliding with a monster will cause the player to lose a considerable amount of health, often leading to the player's death.
Different types of fruit
are scattered throughout the labyrinth, which will increase the player's health
when eaten
. The player slowly, but consistently, loses health at all times while in the Labyrinth, and will eventually die without eating fruit.
After Acornsoft pulled out of the games market, the game was reissued on Superior Software
's Acornsoft Hits compilation.
Video game publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that they have either developed internally or have had developed by a video game developer....
in 1984 by Acornsoft
Acornsoft
Acornsoft was the software arm of Acorn Computers Ltd, and a major publisher of software for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron. As well as games, they also produced a large number of educational titles, extra computer languages and business and utility packages - these included ROM-based word...
for the BBC Micro
BBC Micro
The BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
. At the time, it was a highly acclaimed Acornsoft release, with its high resolution graphics
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
, addictive gameplay
Gameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
and fluid animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
.
Labyrinth is a scrolling 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
shoot 'em up
Shoot 'em up
Shoot 'em up is a subgenre of shooter video games. In a shoot 'em up, the player controls a lone character, often in a spacecraft or aircraft, shooting large numbers of enemies while dodging their attacks. The genre in turn encompasses various types or subgenres and critics differ on exactly what...
, consisting of a complex labyrinth
Labyrinth
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos...
made up of multiple levels
Level (computer and video games)
A level, map, area, or world in a video game is the total space available to the player during the course of completing a discrete objective...
. Each level is made up of a number of rooms, with the player only able to see a single room at any one time. Doorways are provided allowing the player to move between rooms.
Each level contains two special rooms, the 'Gate Room', and the 'Key Room'. The Gate Room contains an impenetrable gate
Gate
A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or a moderately sized opening in a fence. Gates may prevent or control entry or exit, or they may be merely decorative. Other terms for gate include yett and port...
, beyond which lies the next level. The Key Room contains a jewel
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
which will open the gate, and is generally the most well-guarded and dangerous room in the level.
Rooms are populated with a variety of monster
Monster
A monster is any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction, that is somewhat hideous and may produce physical harm or mental fear by either its appearance or its actions...
s, which become more and more dangerous as the player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
progresses through the game. The player is able to shoot
Shooting
Shooting is the act or process of firing rifles, shotguns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows. Even the firing of artillery, rockets and missiles can be called shooting. A person who specializes in shooting is a marksman...
or avoid the various monsters, as well as squash them with a "block" that the player is able to push around with them as they travel. Colliding with a monster will cause the player to lose a considerable amount of health, often leading to the player's death.
Different types of fruit
Fruit
In broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...
are scattered throughout the labyrinth, which will increase the player's health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
when eaten
Eating
Eating is the ingestion of food to provide for all organisms their nutritional needs, particularly for energy and growth. Animals and other heterotrophs must eat in order to survive: carnivores eat other animals, herbivores eat plants, omnivores consume a mixture of both plant and animal matter,...
. The player slowly, but consistently, loses health at all times while in the Labyrinth, and will eventually die without eating fruit.
After Acornsoft pulled out of the games market, the game was reissued on Superior Software
Superior Software
Superior Software is a video game publisher. It was established in 1982 by Richard Hanson and John Dyson, two graduates of the University of Leeds, England...
's Acornsoft Hits compilation.