Atlus' DS title Deep Labyrinth isn't exactly an A-list game, but I'll be damned if there isn't some impressive tech powering it. The 3D engine is among the best that I've seen running on Nintendo's hand held, and as an added bonus, the two included adventure games are not too shabby. It's just a shame I can't say the same about everything else.

Deep Labyrinth is sort of like Bethesda's Elder Scrolls games in that it's a first person hack and slash title in which you explore a fantasy setting, all the while collecting items and slaying monsters. However, it's a lot more linear. Furthermore, it's story (stories, rather) are just awful. In both games (the game designed for the DS, and the second one, which first appeared on cell phones in Japan), you play as a young lad who's somehow managed to get sucked into some other dimension. Armed with a sword and shield (as well as some mysterious magical abilities), they set out on their quests, totally unaware of the dangers that lurk within the game's numerous corridors. From giant slimes to flaming skulls, evil appears in many deadly forms. There's also a bunch of talking animals standing about, and they're just weird.

At first glance, everything seems really sweet. The stories are crap, but gameplay is promising, as you're able to attack by dragging the stylus across the bottom screen, which results in your character swinging his sword about. But the touch screen implementation isn't very hot. I swung, then had to pick up the stylus to swing again. In other words, you can't just continue pressing down on the screen expecting to slash away. You press down, lift up, and then press down again. It's not awful, but it does take some getting used to.

Unfortunately, despite the slick 3D engine and so-so gameplay, everything else is pretty lackluster. Without solid stories, there's no point to the dungeon crawling, no real means to an end. And I'm totally not feeling the control scheme. Having to maneuver with only the d-pad really sucks. Still, while I can't play Deep Labyrinth for more than thirty minutes at a time, I do play it. It's not all that great, but it definitely has enough positives to make it a solid pick up if you're looking for a different type of DS experience. Just don't expect Oblivion quality gameplay, as it's not even close.