Deathtrap Dungeon doesn't get the most out of its star actor Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Deathtrap Dungeon doesn't get the most out of its star actor "And how shall I think of you?" Feature by Robert Purchese Senior Staff Writer Published on 28 Jan 2020 45 comments Eddie Marsan was brilliant in the BBC adaptation of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, playing the conservative magician bringing magic back to 19th century England. He has a fearsome intensity under his mousy appearance. Watch it, you'll like it - or better yet read the book it's based on, it's even better. I mention Marsan because he's popped up in a video game - he's the star attraction. He's the narrator in Deathtrap Dungeon: The Interactive Video Adventure. He's the guy in a big leather chair who tells you the story. And as this is an adaptation of a Fighting Fantasy, choose your own adventure book, he has everything to do. He's a great signing! He certainly turned my head. But in motion he's surprisingly underwhelming, careful and measured. It's as if he's sight reading, like he could only be afforded for the day, and, as there was so much text to get through, retakes weren't an option. It would work as an audio book, but as a visual piece, where he's the only thing you're looking at - sat still in a chair, in a dark and cluttered room (the choice of framing is questionable), with very little musical accompaniment or sound effects - it's a bit flat. And the rest of the game doesn't really pick up the slack. It's not awful, not by any measure. It's still capable of transporting you to a fantasy world which delights in your undoing. It's old-school in that sense - you will go the wrong way and die, that much is certain. And there's a refreshing thrill to being hemmed in and able to make only a couple of decisions per scenario, rather than the many choices games seem to drown us in today. It ups the tension. But all this is down to the source material, really, and a better way of experiencing it is in Inkle's adaptation of the Sorcery! series from a few years ago. It's got lots more energy and seems to better understand the nature of interactivity and being a game. Plus, it's £10 for parts one and two whereas Deathtrap Dungeon is £8. I hope Deathtrap Dungeon can be polished up to more of a shine - it's in Early Access as it stands, a rather odd choice for a game like this - because there is something in being read a story, especially a story like this. And especially by Eddie Marsan. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More Features Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. 12 Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Feature What games get wrong about horses And what they could do about it. 34 Feature Shout out to all the Overwatch supports - where would we be without you? Merci. 55 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store