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The Minotaur, a monstrous creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man, is a well-known figure in Greek mythology. Imprisoned within the intricate Labyrinth by King Minos of Crete, the Minotaur’s ferocious nature made it a formidable threat. As punishment for the death of his son, Androgeos, Minos demanded a gruesome tribute: fourteen Athenian youths, seven boys and seven girls, were sent into the Labyrinth as sacrifices to the beast. It was on the third such offering that the hero Theseus volunteered, entered the Labyrinth, and ultimately slew the Minotaur. Inspired by this timeless tale, the puzzle-adventure game TAURONOS was born.

Developed and published by S.C. 16 BIT NIGHTS S.R.L., TAURONOS places players in the role of a nameless protagonist navigating the treacherous maze, dodging traps, and evading the relentless pursuit of the Minotaur. As one of the last legacies of the Steam Greenlight system, does TAURONOS offer a compelling experience that warrants players’ time and attention?

A Captivating Atmosphere

TAURONOS’s greatest strength lies in its ability to cultivate a captivating atmosphere of mystery and suspense within its sprawling labyrinth. Players are immediately drawn into the enigmatic world they inhabit, each level presenting a unique puzzle with its own set of secrets to uncover.

alt text: Screenshot of TAURONOS gameplay showcasing the dark and mysterious atmosphere within the labyrinth.

Hidden within the maze’s shadowy corners are power-ups, health replenishments, and extra lives. Players may also stumble upon playful Easter eggs referencing pop culture icons like Pacman or even the dreaded Blue Screen of Death. Survival hinges on becoming stronger, making these upgrades essential for progression.

However, the Labyrinth is far from a safe haven. The Minotaur poses a constant threat, its presence looming large throughout the game. The protagonist is unarmed, making direct confrontation impossible.

alt text: Screenshot from TAURONOS showing the player character hiding from the Minotaur in the shadows of the labyrinth.

Evasion is the only viable strategy. Limited visibility provided by a flickering torch further intensifies the tension. Without a map, locating the Minotaur is challenging, relying on infrequent observation points or the chilling realization that the beast is already dangerously close.

The diverse level design keeps the gameplay fresh and challenging. Some levels demand swift navigation and obstacle avoidance while the Minotaur gives chase, while others require cunning traps and strategic maneuvering to outsmart the creature. As the game progresses, the Minotaur becomes increasingly aggressive, its speed and damage output escalating the difficulty.

The labyrinth’s intricate design, the ever-present threat of the Minotaur, hidden secrets, and a captivating narrative woven with metaphorical imagery all contribute to the game’s immersive atmosphere.

Creative Potential: Level Editor

While the core gameplay revolves around the single-player story mode, TAURONOS offers a unique feature that extends its longevity: a level editor. Upon completing the main campaign, players gain access to tools that allow them to create and share their own custom mazes. This feature opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing players to design their own challenging levels and share them with the community.

alt text: In-game screenshot from TAURONOS demonstrating the level editor tools and interface.

This level editor adds significant replay value and fosters community engagement. While the game may not be widely recognized, the potential for user-generated content could expand its reach and solidify its place within the puzzle-adventure genre.

A Frustrating Design Choice: Permadeath

As a smaller title developed by an independent studio, TAURONOS has its share of shortcomings. One particular design choice, however, stands out as particularly frustrating: permadeath. Players are given a limited number of lives, and upon losing them all, they are forced to restart the entire game from the beginning, not just the current level.

alt text: TAURONOS screenshot highlighting the game's challenging gameplay and permadeath mechanic.

While intended to increase the challenge, this mechanic ultimately detracts from the overall experience. With over 40 levels spread across six chapters, the prospect of replaying vast portions of the game due to a single mistake can be demoralizing, potentially leading to player frustration and abandonment. This punishing system also discourages exploration and experimentation, as players become hesitant to take risks knowing that failure could result in significant progress loss. While exploring the maze can yield extra lives, even a single death can render these efforts futile.

Conclusion

TAURONOS offers a captivating and atmospheric labyrinthine adventure. Its intricate level design, combined with the ever-present threat of the Minotaur, creates a truly immersive experience. The inclusion of a level editor adds significant replay value and fosters community engagement. However, the frustrating permadeath mechanic ultimately hinders the overall enjoyment and may deter players from fully experiencing all the game has to offer.

Game Information

• Developer: S.C. 16 BIT NIGHTS S.R.L., CAVALIE.RO, CONRADPROTEUS
• Publisher: S.C. 16 BIT NIGHTS S.R.L.
• Genre: Adventure
• Release Date: August 4, 2017
• Platform: PC

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 7
• CPU: Intel Celeron @ 1.80GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Graphics: DirectX 11 compatible
• Storage: 700 MB

Tested System Configuration

• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• CPU: Ryzen R7 1700 @ 3.7 GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• Graphics: PowerColor HD7770 GHz Edition
• Storage: Samsung 950 Pro 256GB