[[quoteright:220:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rex220116.jpg]]

-> "Roll up, roll up, see the amazing Tyrannosaurus Rex, king of the dinosaurs in his lair. Perfectly preserved in silicon since prehistoric times, he is brought to you for your entertainment and exhilaration."
->-- '''Part of the intro narration'''

''3D Monster Maze'' is a video game released in 1982 for the Platform/ZX81. The game was initially released by J. K. Greye Software in December 1981 before being re-released the following year by programmer Malcolm Evans' own company. It is one of the first ever 3D games, as well one of the first SurvivalHorror games ever made, coming out seven years before ''VideoGame/SweetHome1989''. In it, you roam in a maze to find the exit while avoiding a ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' that chases you. The goal is to collect as many points as possible by avoiding getting eaten and getting to the exit.
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!!This game provides examples of:
* AndIMustScream: After dying, the game tells you you were sentenced to roam the maze forever. You do have the option to appeal in attempt to get out, which basically ends the game.
* BeastInTheMaze: Rex, he's a ''T. rex'' living in a maze.
* CircusOfFear: The amusement attraction has brought a ''T. rex'' from across time perfectly preserved in silicon for your entertainment. The management accept no responsibility if the monster catches you.
* EndlessGame: No matter how many mazes you clear, there's no escape.
* FauxFirstPerson3D: Among the first of its kind, but can make navigating the maze disorientating as you have no map, and panicky when running away from Rex.
* GettingEatenIsHarmless: Subverted. Getting caught by Rex means you'll be trapped with him in his labyrinth ''[[AndIMustScream forever]]''.
* ItCanThink: Successfully eluding Rex will make him very angry, and the game states more luck is needed to escape him again.
* JawsFirstPersonPerspective: The first example in video games. When Rex is dangerously close to you, your [[ImpendingDoomPOV POV]] becomes ''his mouth''. Death always immediately follows.
* JumpScare: When you see Rex from the front, he'll walk into you and then kill you. It was rather intimidating for the time. Rex can also sometimes ''wait for you to come straight to him'', blindsiding you from round a corner.
* LivingDinosaurs: Rex is a ''Tyrannosaurus'' that got preserved in silicon during the Cretaceous and was released in modern times.
* NoobBridge: The Platform/ZX81 had no directional arrow keys. To move you have to use the "5", "7" and "8" numeric keys instead. This contributed to the Survival horror aspect of the game (and maybe considered the first example of TankControls); seeing the monster coming at you, turning around and sprinting the other way, was a manic dance across the keyboard.
* NothingIsScarier: Technical limitations of the [=ZX81=] prevented the game from having any sound... which makes being stalked by Rex even creepier.
* ScoringPoints: Five for each step you take in the maze when Rex hunts for you.
* SlasherSmile: Once Rex has got you in his sights, he sports a creepy smile on his face, [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/83/3D-monster-maze-T-rex-2-steps-away.png before he puts those pearly whites]] [[GameOver to good use.]]
* TerrifyingTyrannosaur: The first example in video game history. The presence of a ''T. rex'' hunting for you in the maze is what makes the game pure horror.
* VisibilityMeter: You will receive different warnings depending on how close Rex is to you. From farthest to closest: "REX LIES IN WAIT", "HE IS HUNTING FOR YOU", "FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING", "REX HAS SEEN YOU" and "RUN HE IS BESIDE/BEHIND YOU".
* YouCanRunButYouCantHide: There's no safe haven in the labyrinths of time, if you idle, Rex will eventually find you.
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-> [[HaveANiceDeath You have been posthumously awarded 45 points]] [[JustForFun/TVTropesWillRuinYourLife and are sentenced to roam this wiki forever.]]
-> To appeal press [=STOP=], else press [=CONT=].
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