A Journey of Self-Reflection Through Interactive Literature
🌀 Project Overview
Labyrinth of the Mind is an interactive text adventure that uses classic literature and symbolic spaces to guide players through self-discovery.
Unlike traditional games focused on winning, this experience invites players to pause, reflect, and explore their inner landscape.
IMPORTANT
Live Demo: https://labyrinthofthemind-pzaxk5g8jds8xtihxepjvu.streamlit.app/
Repository: https://github.com/BasinLeon/Labyrinth_of_the_Mind
📖 Core Philosophy
The labyrinth is one of humanity’s oldest symbols. Unlike a maze (designed to confuse), a labyrinth has a single winding path that leads to the center and back out.
It represents the journey inward—the willingness to face what’s at our core.
The Three Keys
To complete the labyrinth, players collect three symbolic keys:
| Key | Symbol | Meaning | Earned By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Key | 🗝️ | Acceptance of hidden self | Acknowledging parts you deny |
| Light Key | ✨ | Embrace of potential | Accepting you are worthy of becoming your best |
| Truth Key | 🔑 | Authentic story | Embracing your unique journey |
🏛️ The Labyrinth Structure
Original Rooms (18)
The game launched with 18 interconnected rooms across 5 room types:
- Entrance – The Threshold, Hidden Inscription
- Reflection – Hall of Mirrors, Garden of Forking Paths, Library of Lives, Well of Memory
- Challenge – Shadow Chamber, Light Chamber, Final Door
- Revelation – Shadow’s Embrace, Light’s Blessing, Your Story, Memory rooms
- Exit – Beyond the Labyrinth
New Rooms (12) — Added January 2026
The latest update introduces four new symbolic areas, each with sub-rooms:
🌊 River of Time
“No man ever steps in the same river twice” — Heraclitus
Explores impermanence and presence:
- The Eternal Now – Flowing with the present moment
- The Still Point – Observing time without being swept away
🔥 Forge of Creation
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” — Pablo Picasso
Explores creativity and deferred dreams:
- The Maker’s Joy – Creating something uniquely yours
- Gallery of What-If – Confronting abandoned projects
🧘 Temple of Silence
“Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.” — Rumi
Explores stillness and inner voice:
- The Voice Within – Finding peace in silence
- The Echo Chamber – Learning the cost of noise
💝 Chamber of Gratitude
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” — Aesop
Explores appreciation and abundance:
- Gift Given – Offering thanks
- Abundance Remembered – Receiving grace
📚 Literary Companions
The game features quotes from 15+ authors who explored the inner landscape:
| Author | Work/Quote Theme |
|---|---|
| Carl Jung | Shadow integration |
| Rumi | Wounds and silence |
| T.S. Eliot | Exploration and stillness |
| Jorge Luis Borges | Infinite paths |
| Leonard Cohen | Light through cracks |
| Marianne Williamson | Fear of power |
| Oscar Wilde | Memory |
| Robert Frost | Paths not taken |
| Joan Didion | Self-narrative |
| Joseph Campbell | The hero’s journey |
| Rainer Maria Rilke | Inner journey |
| Kurt Vonnegut | Identity |
| Thich Nhat Hanh | Present moment |
| Pablo Picasso | Creativity |
| Heraclitus | Impermanence |
🏆 Achievements System
24 Total Achievements
Completion Achievements:
- 🎯 First Steps – Complete the labyrinth
- ⚡ Speed Runner – Complete in ≤10 steps
- 🗺️ Thorough Explorer – Visit 15+ rooms
- 🏆 Completionist – Visit every room
Key Achievements:
- 🗝️ Shadow Keeper – Obtain Shadow Key
- ✨ Light Bearer – Obtain Light Key
- 🔑 Truth Seeker – Obtain Truth Key
- 👑 Key Master – Collect all three
Reflection Achievements:
- 💭 Self-Aware – First reflection
- 🧠 Deep Thinker – 3+ reflections
- 📜 Philosopher – 5+ reflections
New Room Achievements:
- ⏳ Time Traveler – Flow with the River
- 🔥 Soul Forge – Create in the Forge
- 🧘 Silent Sage – Find inner voice
- 💝 Grateful Heart – Offer gratitude
Secret Achievements:
- 🚪 Persistent, 🔄 Full Circle, ☯️ Balanced Soul, 💫 Dreamer Awakened, 🔇 Echo Breaker
🎭 Multiple Endings
Your journey determines your ending:
| Ending | Condition | Color |
|---|---|---|
| The Enlightened One | 4+ reflections, high acceptance | Gold |
| Shadow Walker | Embraced darkness as ally | Purple |
| Light Seeker | Reached toward potential | Amber |
| The Swift Traveler | ≤8 steps | Emerald |
| The Wanderer | 12+ rooms explored | Blue |
| The Journeyer | Default – completed your way | Gray |
🎮 Game Features
Character Archetypes (5 Unlockable)
- The Seeker – Balanced starter
- The Scholar – +Wisdom bonus
- The Warrior – +Courage bonus
- The Mystic – +Introspection bonus
- The Phoenix – Unlockable after multiple completions
Special Modes
- ⏱️ Timed Challenge – Complete in 5 minutes
- 📝 Reflection Journal – Export your responses
- 📤 Share Card – Downloadable SVG result
Accessibility
- High contrast mode
- Large text option
- Save/load system
- Profile persistence
💻 Technical Stack
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Framework | Python + Streamlit |
| State | SessionState + JSON persistence |
| Visualization | Custom SVG map generation |
| Styling | Custom CSS with animations |
| Architecture | Modular (rooms, models, achievements, archetypes, profile) |
📊 Code Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Rooms | 30 |
| Achievements | 24 |
| Literary Quotes | 30+ |
| Lines of Code | ~2,500 |
| Room Types | 5 |
| Personality Traits | 6 tracked |
🎯 Design Principles
1. Reflection Over Achievement
The game asks questions rather than testing knowledge. There are no “wrong” answers, only self-discovery.
2. Literature as Guide
Classic quotes aren’t decorations; they’re emotional anchors that set the tone and offer wisdom.
3. Meaningful Choices
Each path represents genuine alternatives, not puzzles to solve. Rejection is valid. Avoidance is valid.
4. Exportable Journey
Players can download their reflections as a personal journal—the game becomes a keepsake.
✨ What This Project Demonstrates
As a portfolio piece, Labyrinth of the Mind showcases:
- Product Thinking – Designing for emotional experience, not just functionality
- Content Design – Curating literary quotes that enhance meaning
- System Design – Modular Python architecture with clear separation of concerns
- UX/UI – Progressive disclosure, accessibility, personalization
- Gamification – Achievements, archetypes, multiple endings that reward exploration
🔗 Related Projects
This game is part of the BASIN::NEXUS ecosystem:
- Executive GTM Signal Engine – Commercial-grade GTM OS
- Interview Prep Simulator – AI-powered practice
👤 Contact
Leon Basin
Builder • Revenue Architect • Writer
- GitHub: BasinLeon
- Blog: basinleon.com
- Live Demo: Play Labyrinth
“The only journey is the one within.” — Rainer Maria Rilke
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