Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Adventure
I watched Welsh Troll stream Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Adventure this morning and was instantly hooked by this bold new adaptation of a much beloved adventure gamebook. So I subsequently purchased the game via Steam for £7.99 which is a very reasonable price. Despite being in early access, this game’s old school appeal is instantly apparent. Based upon the 1984 book by Ian Livingstone, it perfectly captures the tone and spirit of source text. Rather than providing a visual depiction of navigating a dungeon as previous video game adaptations have done, the developers, Branching Narrative, have opted for a minimalist narrative interpretation. Hence we have actor Eddie Marsan sitting in a battered leather chair, telling the story of Baron Sukumvit's "Trial of Champions” and how those who undertake the challenge must traverse a dangerous subterranean labyrinth, from which none have ever returned. There are occasional illustrations to orientate the player but overall this is an intimate experience between the player and narrator, without an excess of visual distractions. It focuses on the power of imagination and storytelling.
When first published, books with branching narratives were quite a novelty. However, despite the innovation of the format they are essentially a linear experience. Therefore, simply duplicating that structure visually, may not necessarily make for a “good” gaming experience. Hence developers Branching Narrative have decided to add additional mechanics, so that the player has more involvement in the unfolding story and a degree of control over their character’s performance. As a result, there are battles where the players statistics are combined with the score from the roll of a pair of dice. There are also the option to use consumables to heal or to boost stamina. The player can also tactically withdraw if they see fit to do so, although that too comes with a penalty. Then there’s an inventory system for storing items that you find along the way. These further add an element of interaction, affording the player more than just a series of binary choices. Furthermore, fights can potentially be avoided if a door can be opened and an obstacle bypassed. But such a choice may again have consequences. All these decisions impact on the story’s outcome, making it more like a video game without compromising the original narrative format
I grew up in the seventies and eighties when adventure gamebooks and Dungeons and Dragons were commonplace aspects of a child’s entertainment (or at least within the social circles that I moved in). Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Adventure immediately taps into this sense of nostalgia and also references wider aspects of pop culture from those decades. Seeing Eddie Marsan so eloquently narrate this dungeon adventure, made me reflect upon such TV shows as Jim Henson’s The Storyteller and the BBC’s Jackanory. The additional game mechanics that Branching Narrative have added ensure that this is more than just a story with multiple endings. The player has more agency over their character's fate and the save feature even allows you to “correct” a mistake or poor decision if you wish to. Overall, Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Adventure is a very intelligent and immensely enjoyable adaptation of an old classic. It is a great contrast to the overblown visuals of many contemporary, so-called Triple A video games. For the best results, play at a time when you won’t be disturbed and at a measured pace, in an environment without any additional distractions. That way you can savour the game’s atmosphere and Eddie Marsan’s dramatic narration.
