Record of Lodoss War was the very first VHS box set I ever bought, way back in the late ’90s at Suncoast Video. I had only heard about it through a short review or blurb in Animerica magazine. Curious, I popped in the first tape and ended up binge-watching the entire OVA in my parents’ basement, glued to the screen until I finished the final episode at 8 a.m. The moment that opening theme played, I was hooked. The music, the characters, the story, all that captivated me. That series didn’t just introduce me to anime; it pulled me into the world of tabletop RPGs like Vampire: The Masquerade and Dungeons & Dragons.

My first Lodoss video game experience came later on the Dreamcast. Roaming through familiar locations from the OVA was thrilling, but I always craved more from the series. That wish wasn’t truly fulfilled until Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth was released. It was mysterious and intriguing, just like the Grey Witch herself. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was more than ready to return to Lodoss.

The game starts with Deedlit waking up alone in some abandoned ruins, not sure how she ended up there. Before long, she runs into Parn, who encourages her to keep exploring. As she makes her way through the labyrinth, Deedlit reconnects with old friends and faces familiar foes, all while trying to figure out what’s really going on and why she’s here.

The game style is more focused on exploitation, where parts of the labyrinth will be inaccessible until you acquire special weapons, abilities, and magic within the game. (If you played any Metroidvania game, then you know exactly what I mean.) Acquiring these upgrades will aid you in defeating more difficult enemies and locating shortcuts and secret areas and will have you retracing your steps across the map. The exploration is always fun, especially when an area you saw earlier becomes accessible once you acquire a new magic spell, for example.

Combat in Wonder Labyrinth is fairly straightforward, blending environmental interaction, weapon swapping, and magic. Deedlit can wield a range of weapons like daggers, swords, axes, and more. Each has strengths and weaknesses; for example heavy weapons deal more damage but are slower, while lighter ones are quicker but less powerful. For my playstyle, I leaned heavily into the rapiers; the heavier weapons never really felt right for me. The bow was my Achilles heel, as some areas required using it mid-air along with magic, which took a lot of trial and error in order to move past the section. But I enjoyed experimenting with the arsenal until I found my ideal setup.

The same went for magic and summons. Beyond what you start with, you acquire new spells and abilities as you explore. I had a great time testing different combinations, finding a balance that fits how I wanted to play. And, as with most Metroidvania-style games, magic is not just for combat; it’s crucial for progressing through puzzles and navigating the labyrinth.

Boss fights were a real highlight, featuring characters from across the Lodoss universe. The Lady of Pharis, in particular, was a pleasant surprise. Each boss had unique attack patterns that demanded patience, something I’m not always great at. I tend to rush in headfirst, which works against me in games like Castlevania. That meant I often found myself under-leveled or ill-equipped for certain fights. After a few retries (and grabbing some potions, leveling up, and upgrading my gear), I could usually push through. Shooting Star, Arsham, and the final bosses gave me the most trouble. Honestly, I was a little disappointed that Wagnard, the main antagonist from the OVA, didn’t appear. He would’ve made an incredible late-game or secret boss.

I was a very happy fan when I saw the cast of characters from both the OVA and a surprise from Chronicles of the Heroic Knight. It was a true joy seeing the familiar faces appear. It truly felt like I was just revisiting old friends from a series that meant so much to me. While I did wish that Orson, who is one of my favorite characters, along with Shiris, had made an appearance, I know that I was a happy fan girl.

In the end, Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth was more than just a trip back to Lodoss. For fans like me, it felt like a real tribute to a world we’ve always loved. I hope that this entry into the series will bring joy to both new and old fans. I can only hope that new stories will come forth on the cursed isle of Lodoss. I will be waiting.