Publisher Atlus today announced Master of the Monster Lair, an original dungeon-crawling RPG adventure for the Nintendo DS.

Players assume the role of an architect, constructing a multi-story labyrinth with a talking shovel while vanquishing the monsters lurking within. Defeated monsters drop new weapons and collectible items, thereby expanding your architectural options. Additionally, the game will allow players to trade their own dungeon designs over local WiFi connection and challenge friends to survive their creation.

Master of the Monster Lair is slated to hit North American retailers on September 2. The whole dungeon sharing aspect of the game sounds rather neat. Hit the jump for the first screenshots.

Master of the Monster Lair Screenshots

ATLUS UNEARTHS RPG “MASTER OF THE MONSTER LAIR” FOR NINTENDO DS
If you build it, they will come…

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA — JUNE 19, 2008 — Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced the dungeon-designing, monster-hunting RPG adventure Master of the Monster Lair for Nintendo DS™. Dream it, design it, dig it… then explore it! In order to trap the freeloading monsters of South Arc, you must become the architect of a vast labyrinth, crafting intricate levels designed to lure and capture all manner of beasts. Level after level, every monster disposed of offers the promise of new weapons and items, allowing for more unique dungeon designs and more efficient means of ridding South Arc of the nasty baddies.

On September 2nd, shovel talks. You dig. Monsters die.

Visit the official site:
http://www.atlus.com/monsterlair

Official Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hbDNNNCbco

About Master of the Monster Lair:
The quiet town of South Arc is about to have some monster trouble. Foul creatures with serious attitude problems have infested nearby forests and are now slowly moving into the village. The townsfolk, fearful for their safety, do not even dare to leave their homes. Calls for help have gone unanswered, likely because every other town in the Kingdom is similarly troubled.

As a young lad off in search of your calling, you stumble across a talking shovel. The verbose tool forcibly binds you to the task of digging a dungeon on the outskirts of South Arc, hoping to bait and trap the scrounging monsters.

Looks like you found your calling, Master of the Monster Lair. Now start digging!

Key Features:
• It all begins with a talking shovel – The discovery of a talking shovel begins an eccentric adventure where you become the master of the monster lair! As the shovel’s new owner, you’re given the incredible job of digging a dungeon and hunting the monsters that come to live in it.
• Be the architect of your lair – Transform a small hole in the ground into a huge dungeon for hunting monsters! Fill it with over 20 different types of rooms, including Chapels, Cellars, Stables, Trash Dumps, and more to attract different types of monsters and help you obtain different items.
• Share your lair! – Challenge your friends to reach the end of your custom monster lair and see what monsters and items are waiting in theirs. Trade designs over local wireless and prove that you’re the best dungeon digger around!

Master of the Monster Lair has been rated “E10+” (Everyone 10 and older) with Language and Mild Fantasy Violence by the ESRB.

Read more: Atlus: Master of the Monster Lair Delayed, Monster Lab Also Hitting DS, Izuna Returns For A Stateside Release, Gallery: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 2, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker Goes Gold