One of our favourite publishers here at MKAU Gaming, Devolver Digital, once again returns to the forefront with Minos. Developed by Artificer, Minos, as you may have guessed from the name alone, does, in fact, feature the Greek mythological beast, the Minotaur, but not in the way you would expect.

Minos flips the familiar myth on its head. As legend goes, the Minotaur lives in a labyrinth/lair, and the tales told feature regular humans trying to escape. However, in Minos, you’re not the hero escaping the labyrinth; you’re the monster building it. Playing as Asterion, legend has it that you are either the son of the Minotaur or the eventual next in line. Guided by Daedalus, your job isn’t to survive the maze… It’s to make sure no one else does.

Given its already unique approach, the team at Minos double down by combining a dungeon-based, top-down view gameplay approach (similar to that found in the Diablo series) with tower defence-style mechanics. Each level/run has you designing and reshaping a labyrinth by placing traps, redirecting paths, placing walls, and setting up elaborate kill zones for waves of incoming adventurers.

What really stands out and boosts replayability is its approach to design freedom. You’re not just placing defence; you’re actively sculpting the battlefield. Corridors can twist, gates will shift, and traps can be chained together, delivering satisfying domino-style effects of carnage and chaos.

There’s a strong sense of “just one more run” here. Every close call or failure pushes you to refine your layout, experiment with trap synergies, and think more like a sadistic architect than a traditional player. This approach keeps things fresh, with new enemy types and evolving strategies forcing constant adaptation.

There are options to spend in-game currency on new items and traps, whilst another menu helps build up your character with new skills and abilities (e.g. health, weapon damage, speed, etc.).

Controls are clean and functional, leaning into drag-and-place mechanics for building your maze. Like other dungeon scrollers, it’s left-click to move and also left-click to place your traps. There are also other abilities, such as speeding up time, that can be activated with a simple key press.

The only friction comes when things get busy: fine-tuning paths or reacting mid-run can feel slightly clunky, particularly when you’re juggling multiple systems at once. Though not a gamebreaker, it’s frustrating enough to prompt you to adapt or rage quit. We recommend adapting.

Minos opts for a stylised, slightly playful take on Greek mythology rather than going full grimdark. Highly detailed animated characters appear on screen, each one feeling new and fresh. As the game progresses, new characters and enemies emerge, adding to both the story and the depth. Level designs feel common, yet fresh. They’re detailed enough that you don’t notice them being a hindrance or a distraction if something goes wrong.

An added bonus is the option to highlight where your traps are located on the map, saving time and frustration from searching around, only to find one trap hidden behind a wall or obstacle. As you venture deeper into the game, levels begin to feel more alive, offering alternative switches, options, and pressure pads that help activate a trap near and far.

The details of the surrounding world are engaging and pleasant. As you crawl deeper into the labyrinth, it reveals more tricks, treats, and designs that elevate the visuals. While building traps and preparing an adventurer’s doomed journey, background elements like fire, tubes, and darkness heighten the maze’s mystique and the horrors that await the brave.

The sound design does a stellar job of creating an immersive experience. The sound effects are crisp. Each trap snap, crush, and trigger delivers satisfying feedback. The ambient soundscape reinforces the tension as you wait for your setup to either succeed or fall apart.

Music/soundtrack takes a backseat here, but that works in its favour. This is a game about anticipation and payoff, not grandstand spectacle.

Minos is a smart, systems-driven experience that rewards creativity and patience. It won’t grab everyone immediately, but if you enjoy strategy, experimentation, and watching your plans unfold (or fail spectacularly), there’s something genuinely compelling here.