Gauntlet Review (no fat)

Game Description

Long-time gamers will instantly recognize the title Gauntlet as the innovative Arcade game, one they spent countless hours trying to beat. Famous for its ability to support four players (which was unheard of at the time of the original) resulted in many frantic, yet pleasant games between gaming buddies and complete strangers alike.

Gauntlet very rapidly established itself as one of the most popular titles of its generation. The Xbox 360 version is a direct port of the original gem, minus the surprise factor, but with several new options thrown in.

Gauntlet Gameplay

As in the illustrious Arcade original, Gauntlet’s main asset is its ability to have four players join in the same game. This Xbox 360 version thus supports a maximum of four players both in its local mode and through Xbox Live. Your objective is extremely simple, as all you need to do is hit whatever comes in your way, while collecting power-ups and items in this top-down action game. The original Gauntlet was revered for its RPG elements, and these have logically been kept in this port.

Even the core of the game itself is not different from the Arcade hit. Four characters are available, each with his particular characteristics. Obviously, each protagonist also has his strengths and weaknesses, and it’s up to you to choose a character that matches your play style.

Leading the way among this joyous bunch is the warrior, who, as his name implies, excels in brute force. The Warrior also wields a huge axe, whose sharpness will rip through his enemies with very little resistance. It’s a pity he’s so slow though.

The warrior is joined in the adventure by the elegant wizard. The wizard is supposed to be the game’s trademark magician but, unfortunately, he isn’t very effective. Striking out as a below average character, with absolutely nothing that would place him above his peers. The old geezer just loves to use his cherished fireballs to burn his opponents. However, the wizard’s relative blandness is made even more blatant by the fact that all the characters can actually earn and use magic throughout the game in the form of potions that can be picked up at different locations.

Next is the Elf, a bow-wielding fanatic who specializes in long range attacks. Watch out for his bows whose exaggerated power will very likely surprise you the first time. However, the poor chap suffers from his inability to survive as long as the other characters, as his health gets easily depleted. He’s still an excellent choice though, and relatively easy to master.

And last, but certainly not least, comes the Valkyrie, whose superiority ultimately trashes the other characters. The Valkyrie magnificently combines a high attack power and fast speed to steal the spotlight. She is obviously the best choice in the game, as simply controlling her suddenly makes the game easier. Considering that a character can only be used once in a game, attention will mainly be focused on the Valkyrie when it’s time to choose your alter ego.

All the RPG elements of the original Gauntlet have been kept to make the game as impeccable as possible. It’s not just a matter of walking forward and happily mashing the attack button. Your main objective is to collect keys to open the numerous doors that threaten to stop your journey. Without these keys, you’re pretty much doomed, as you find an unexpected door suddenly bringing your adventure to an early end.

Your quest also involves collecting a handful of power-ups and items, all of which are very useful. Grabbing these will no doubt make the game easier, with such items ranging from strength-enhancing ones to others that will grant you invisibility for a short period of time. In addition, you can also recover your health by seeking the various food items scattered throughout the game. Should you be aiming to have your name on the online scoreboard, you must also acquire the numerous treasure found in Gauntlet, as these are the best way to attain unfathomable scores.

This Xbox 360 version also has the merit of providing a four-player online mode through Xbox Live where you can test your skills against other gamers. Unfortunately, while this online mode is certainly Gauntlet’s main feature, it has been poorly exploited. You thus cannot join a game that is already in progress, but must instead wait for a new game to start. It’s still an excellent mode, but it could certainly have been better. There are moreover also various achievements that you can aim for on Xbox Live, and each of these actually requires a lot of dedication.

Gauntlet Controls

Gauntlet’s control layout is extremely simple, giving the game an enjoyable learning curve. You control your character with the right analog stick. Tap the A button to unleash an attack, or simply hold it to trigger the dreaded automatic fire. The B button is also put to use, as you’ll rely on it to tap into the power of your screen-clearing magic.

Gauntlet Visuals

While Gauntlet’s original graphics were kept to recreate the Arcade version’s atmosphere, an enhanced graphics mode has nevertheless been added. This addition is most welcome, as the game now benefits from a smoother animation. The characters also look better, and the backgrounds are more vibrant. Obviously, the original graphics look extremely outdated, but their nostalgic value is intact.

Gauntlet Sound

The sound effects themselves are merely average and generic, but Gauntlet shines through its narrator, whose booming voice and witty comments add a genial touch to the game. He won’t hesitate to highlight your wildest actions, as you confusedly walk straight into a gnome. The music comprises of excellent tracks that superbly fit the game’s atmosphere, and make it thoroughly addictive.

Gauntlet Overall

Of course, what was once a terrific innovation in the form of Gauntlet’s four-player mode is now nothing staggering. However, this Xbox 360 version is nevertheless a good idea, as the older gamers can relive the Arcade experience once more for a very low price. The younger gamers can use this opportunity to discover Gauntlet, but they will probably be rebutted by the simplistic and repetitive gameplay.

Gauntlet Cost

Gauntlet can be downloaded from Xbox Live for 400 Microsoft points, or roughly $5.