By Joseph Walter
Some of my favorites include the overtly menacing The Dark Spire, the musically gorgeous Wizardry, and the overwhelmingly gargantuan, ruthlessly unforgiving Daggerfall, the absolute best game in the Elder Scrolls series (challenge me... if you dare!)
The one we're focusing on today, though, is the Genesis' odd addition to the genre: Fatal Labyrinth.
Not exactly a classic, first person dungeon crawler like The Dark Spire or a sprawling RPG like Daggerfall (and inarguably inferior to both), Fatal Labyrinth still manages to be a fairly enthralling experience with its harsh difficulty, dreary atmosphere, randomly generated dungeon floors, endearingly clunky gameplay and surprising addition of "Rogue-like" elements.
Now, considering that this article is an entry in the "Title Screens" series, it's probably time we get to discussing why Fatal Labyrinth has earned its place amongst the pantheon of superior title screens, with peers such as Ocarina of Time and Xenoblade Chronicles.
Soon after, the gigantic, ominous castle erupting from the ground very clearly paints a menacing picture, fitting quite well with the already bleak environment (and its occasional lightning bolts!)
Then there's the title itself, crudely carved from stone and protected by the skeletons of dragons, appearing in the air as the world around it continues to swirl with the excellent use of parallax scrolling.
All of these elements, including the unexpectedly tranquil music, combine into an impressive title screen that truly conjures (and sells) the vibe of the game with great success.