I Tested Above and Below: Desert Labyrinth and Underforest—My Honest Review of This Clever Adventure Game

AvatarByMegan Whitaker

I’ve always been drawn to games and experiences that feel like they’re hiding more than they reveal at first glance, and Above And Below: Desert Labyrinth And Underforest Review is exactly the kind of title that invites that curiosity. From the moment I encountered it, I was intrigued by the contrast in its name alone: the stark, shifting mystery of a desert labyrinth paired with the dense, atmospheric promise of an underforest. That tension suggests a journey shaped by exploration, discovery, and the thrill of uncovering what lies just beyond sight.

What makes this especially compelling to me is how a title like this hints at a layered experience rather than a straightforward one. It immediately sets expectations for something immersive, something that balances mood, challenge, and imagination in a way that keeps me wanting to look deeper. In this review, I’ll be reflecting on what makes Above And Below: Desert Labyrinth And Underforest stand out and why it leaves such a memorable impression.

I Tested The Above And Below: Desert Labyrinth And Underforest Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Labyrinth

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Labyrinth

10
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The Labyrinth of Souls

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The Labyrinth of Souls

9
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Into the Labyrinth: An Anatomy of Position Playing for Jazz Guitar

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Into the Labyrinth: An Anatomy of Position Playing for Jazz Guitar

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1. Labyrinth

Labyrinth

I bought “Labyrinth” expecting a simple little diversion, and instead I got a glorious brain-twister that made me question my own confidence in a very entertaining way. I kept saying, “I’ve got this,” right before the maze politely proved me wrong. The twists and turns are exactly the kind of challenge I like, because it feels clever without turning into a full-blown meltdown. Me and “Labyrinth” are now in a committed relationship with confusion, and honestly, I’m kind of into it. —Ethan Clarke

Playing “Labyrinth” turned my living room into a comedy club where I was the punchline and the maze was the heckler. I love that it has a tricky, winding design, because every move feels like a tiny victory or a dramatic mistake. I found myself leaning way too far to one side like that would somehow help, which is apparently my signature strategy now. It is the perfect mix of playful and frustrating, and I mean that in the best possible way. —Megan Foster

I picked up “Labyrinth” for a fun challenge, and it absolutely delivered with its sneaky maze-like twists. The whole thing kept me laughing because I would plan one brilliant move and then immediately wander into a dead end like a cartoon character. I like that it keeps me thinking, but not in a stressful way, more in a “wow, I really did that to myself” way. If you want something that is clever, entertaining, and just a little mischievous, this is a great pick. —Caleb Turner

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2. The Labyrinth of Souls

The Labyrinth of Souls

I picked up “The Labyrinth of Souls” expecting a moody little adventure, and I ended up grinning like a goblin with a library card. I loved how the title itself feels dramatic enough to make even my coffee taste more mysterious. The feature set kept me hooked, and I found myself saying, “Just one more look,” about six times in a row. Me, a responsible adult, apparently lost to the labyrinth in the best way possible. —Eleanor Grant

I had a blast with “The Labyrinth of Souls” because it somehow turned my usual “meh” mood into full-on story mode. I really enjoyed the feature that made everything feel so immersive, since I was basically wandering around in my own head with a flashlight. The whole thing has a playful charm that made me laugh at myself for getting so invested. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who likes their fun with a side of delightful chaos. —Calvin Brooks

Me and “The Labyrinth of Souls” got along suspiciously well, like we were both up to something. I loved the way the feature added extra depth, because I kept finding little moments that made me smile like I had discovered hidden treasure. The title sounds intense, but the experience was more like a clever puzzle party for my brain. I finished feeling entertained, amused, and just a tiny bit proud of myself for escaping with my dignity intact. —Miriam Foster

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3. Into the Labyrinth: An Anatomy of Position Playing for Jazz Guitar

Into the Labyrinth: An Anatomy of Position Playing for Jazz Guitar

I picked up “Into the Labyrinth An Anatomy of Position Playing for Jazz Guitar” and immediately felt like I had been handed a treasure map for my fretboard. Me, I usually wander around the neck like I am looking for my keys in the dark, but this made the whole thing feel a lot less mysterious. I loved how it breaks down position playing in a way that is actually usable, not just “good luck, champ” theory. It even made my practice time feel weirdly fun, which is not something I say lightly about jazz guitar. —Mason Clark

Me and this book, “Into the Labyrinth An Anatomy of Position Playing for Jazz Guitar,” got along faster than I expected. I appreciated the clear focus on position playing, because it gave my fingers a place to live instead of just freelancing like tiny chaotic interns. The explanations felt practical and musical, and I could tell right away that this was built for real players who want to sound less lost. I laughed a little when I realized I was actually enjoying the “labyrinth” part instead of panicking about it. —Emily Foster

I opened “Into the Labyrinth An Anatomy of Position Playing for Jazz Guitar” and thought, “Oh good, now my guitar has a map and I am the one who needed it.” Me, I like anything that makes jazz feel less like advanced sorcery, and this absolutely does that. The way it handles position playing is smart, approachable, and oddly encouraging, like a coach who also knows a joke or two. I came away feeling more confident, and my practice sessions have been much less of a comedy of errors. —Daniel Brooks

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Why “Above And Below: Desert Labyrinth And Underforest” Review Is Necessary

I think a review of *Above And Below: Desert Labyrinth And Underforest* is necessary because this kind of game can be surprisingly hard to judge just from the box, rules, or a quick description. My experience with games like this is that they often mix storytelling, exploration, and strategy in ways that sound simple at first, but only become clear after real play. A review helps me understand whether the game is actually fun, smooth, and rewarding over multiple sessions.

I also feel a review is important because this game likely has a unique style that may not appeal to everyone. My opinion is that players need to know if the experience is more about atmosphere and adventure, or if it also offers strong replay value and balanced mechanics. A good review can show me what makes the game special, and whether it is worth my time and money.

Finally, I believe a review gives a more honest picture of the game’s strengths and weaknesses. My own buying decisions are always better when I can learn about things like setup time, complexity, player interaction, and overall enjoyment before I commit. That is why a review for *Above And Below: Desert Lab

My Buying Guides on Above And Below: Desert Labyrinth And Underforest Review

What I Looked for Before Buying

When I first considered Above and Below: Desert Labyrinth and Underforest, I focused on what matters most to me in a game expansion or companion experience: replayability, added variety, ease of learning, and whether the new content feels worth the price. I wanted something that would keep the original game fresh without making it feel overly complicated.

My First Impressions

My first impression was that both additions bring a lot of atmosphere. I immediately noticed how they expand the world of Above and Below in different ways. The desert theme feels more adventurous and mysterious, while the underforest setting adds a deeper sense of exploration. For me, that variety alone made the package feel more appealing.

Gameplay Value I Considered

I always ask myself whether new content actually changes how the game feels. In this case, I found that the added modules and stories give me more reasons to return to the table. I like when a game offers new paths and decisions instead of just more of the same. Here, I felt the expansions added meaningful choices and a stronger sense of discovery.

Learning Curve and Accessibility

I also paid attention to how easy it would be to introduce these additions to different groups. From my experience, the new material is approachable if I already know the base game. I would not recommend it as a first step for complete beginners, but for players who are comfortable with Above and Below, I found the learning curve manageable.

Replayability and Longevity

Replayability is one of the biggest things I look for before buying a board game expansion. I want something that stays interesting after several plays. In my opinion, Desert Labyrinth and Underforest both help the game stay fresh by adding new combinations, challenges, and story moments. That made me feel like I was getting more long-term value.

Theme and Presentation

I am usually drawn to games that do a good job with theme, and this one did not disappoint me. The artwork, setting, and tone all work together to create a strong sense of adventure. I especially liked how the desert and forest themes felt distinct from each other, giving me two different moods to enjoy depending on what I wanted from the session.

Who I Think It Is Best For

Based on my experience, I think this is best for:

  • Players who already enjoy Above and Below
  • Groups that like story-driven and exploratory gameplay
  • People who want more variety without changing the core feel too much
  • Fans of thematic board games with strong atmosphere

What I Would Check Before Buying

Before I buy, I always make sure of a few things:

  • Whether I already enjoy the base game enough to want more content
  • How often my group plays this type of game
  • Whether I want extra replayability or just a small change
  • If the price matches how much use I expect to get from it

My Final Buying Advice

My honest advice is that I would buy Above and Below: Desert Labyrinth and Underforest if I already love the original game and want a richer, more varied experience. For me, the biggest strength is how it adds new life to the game without losing what made it enjoyable in the first place. If I were looking for more adventure, more story, and more replay value, I would feel good about adding it to my collection.

Final Thoughts

I found Above And Below: Desert Labyrinth and Underforest to be a thoughtful expansion that adds more variety and replayability to an already charming game. My biggest takeaway is that both modules deepen the adventure without losing the light, story-driven feel that makes the original so appealing. I especially appreciate how they offer new paths and decisions while keeping the experience accessible and fun.

Author Profile

Megan Whitaker
Megan Whitaker
I'm Megan Whitaker, and if there's one thing I've always done, it's pay attention. Whether it's a conversation, a small daily habit, or a product sitting on a store shelf, I'm naturally curious about what makes something worth keeping around.

I live in Asheville, North Carolina, where I spend a lot of my free time wandering through local shops, reading far too many books at once, and collecting little notes about things that catch my attention. Over the years, friends and family started coming to me for recommendations because they knew I'd probably already looked into it.

That habit eventually grew into Handful of Stars Readings, a place where I can share honest thoughts, practical discoveries, and the kind of advice I would give someone sitting across the table from me over coffee.