Labyrinth of Zangetsu launches in Japan on September 29 for PS4, Switch, and PC

During the Acquire Game Show livestream, Acquire announced that dungeon crawler RPG Labyrinth of Zangetsu will launch in Japan on September 29 for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam).

Developed by KaeruPandu, Labyrinth of Zangetsu was originally announced in January 2021, promising 4 key points to the game being:

  1. The "origin point" of hack-and-slash
  2. The "Japanese style", which Acquire excels at
  3. Depicting deep "profoundness" with an ink painting style
  4. A "Japanese mix" sound with an emphasis on Japanese instruments from various periods, from Gagaku (old court music) to Noh theater.

Details on an English localization have yet to be announced.

Some footage and gameplay can be found in the embedded live stream below from ~ 1:58:00 - 2:03:30. We've also included Famitsu's description of the game from its announcement.

World View: A World Painted Jet Black by the “Ink of Destruction” Calamity

The story is set in Ido, “the city of the morning moon,” which continues to fight against the calamity that is the “Ink of Destruction.”

Ido belongs to Tokinokuni, a country that resembles medieval Japan, and is a fortress city protected by a powerful magical technology barrier located directly beneath the “moon” that always shines in the sky.

The city summons travelers from all over the world to select “Ink Destroyers” from among those with extraordinary power.

Ink Destroyers are given the task to proceed toward “Sakyuu,” the most dangerous area.

Ink Beasts: Born from the Ink of Destruction

When the living come into contact with the “Ink of Destruction,” some went mad and fell to death, while others became demons and began to attack their loved ones and devour their neighbors.

When the dead come into contact with the ink, they are resurrected and wander the world to increase their ranks.

Furthermore, inanimate objects can become ferocious, wriggling monsters…

These were called “Ink Beasts” and were feared by the people.