Gauntlet: Dark Legacy
Score: 60% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Midway Developer: Midway Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Arcade/ Miscellaneous
Graphics & Sound: Pure and simple, this is a direct port of the PS2 and GC versions. This isn't a bad thing, per se - just don't expect to have the Xbox's graphical capabilities pushed to the max. But then again, does it really need to? What's here is very nicely done, the models all move with a smooth, gracefulness and the areas, although flat, are still able to throw in a little eye candy every once in awhile (by far, the coolest is the Mausoleum area). Although the change is usually minor - it is still fun to see your characters evolve in appearance as they gain levels. I WANT THIS SOUNDTRACK!! It's just that good. From the expressive trumpet fanfares of the castle level, to the 'psycho merry-go-round' type music in the mystery level, it is all really well done. Attentive listeners will even catch a cord or two from the original Gauntlet theme. Of course, the only sound you really need is...(dramatic pause) THE VOICE! After playing through Gauntlet numerous times, I fail to see how I am able function through my life without a booming voice announcing tidbits of obvious, yet insightful wisdom. Just imagine how cool that would be...
Gameplay: One of my earliest memories of Gauntlet is when I was eight. After every swim meet, we would always go to the local Godfather's Pizza. There, nestled in the corner was a small, unlabeled arcade machine that always seemed to have a crowd of at least six people around it at any given time. Since I never saw the title screen, the game became know as 'The Godfather's Game'. It wasn't until a few years later when Tengen released a version for the NES that I learned not only the name, but also how addictive it could be. Gauntlet was never meant to be a very deep game. For all intents and purposes, this is a dungeon hack. Grab a friend or three, choose your character and just go for the glory. However, Gauntlet in the arcade and Gauntlet on a console are two completely different experiences. In the arcade game, one of the challenging points is the 'count-down' of your character's health bar. This made grabbing health powerups all the more vital. Yet, this component was completely left out of the console version, which takes much of the challenge out of the game. Power-ups aren't as important and the game can now be explored at a leisurely pace, killing one of the game's most vital parts. This isn't a game you can just sit and play by yourself - it's designed for at least two or more players. Teamwork is key. Going back to the absence of the 'ticker' on your health bar, much of the 'I've got your back' teamwork is also lost, killing some of the fun factor. Don't get me wrong - it's still a fun game, but that 'spark' which made it great is missing.
Difficulty: I found Gauntlet just as hard my third time through as I did my first. I hate to beat this point to death, but without the ticker, the game is way too easy. Since there's no real rush to find the exit as quickly as possible, much of the challenge is gone. As easy as the game is, character creation and selection is still important to your success. Players who choose one of the power classes, like the warrior or knight, will have an easier time from the start, while speed and magic users will have a difficult time in the beginning, but as their levels increase, they will possess some of the most powerful characters in the game. It's all about knowing your play style and which character compliments it the best.
Game Mechanics: Hack, hack, slash. Hack, hack, slash. Guiding your character through the labyrinths of Gauntlet is a piece of cake. You have one button for your normal attacks, another for a power attack, and one for magic. The instruction book says that some button presses can be strung together to create combos - but after all the time I've spent with the game I'm still not convinced. The amount of enjoyment you will get out of Gauntlet is proportional to how often you have friends over to play games. This is a party game, no doubt about it. Lone players will have fun, but are honestly better off looking for something a little deeper.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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