Lay down the Gauntlet! (Gauntlet Legends (DC))

Member Name: pbyron

Product:	Gauntlet Legends (DC)
Date:	11/05/01 (429 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good fun and basic, Nice graphics

Disadvantages: can get a bit samey

In the early days of home computing an arcade conversion made everyone stand up and take notice. It involved an elf, valkyrie, wizard and warrior entering a dungeon and slashing their way through ghosts, goblins and many other nasty critters in an attempt to build up as much gold as they could get, grab the keys and get out of the maze!

The game was pretty basic, top down mazes with tons of bad guys after you at every corner, but there was something addictive about it and it just kept you playing, especially with another player helping (or hindering) in your progress.

Now we have a new version of the game. Gone is the top down display and dodgy voices telling you that 'red elf has died' and in comes a 3d effect landscape and tons more bad guys, all rendered in lovely 3d graphics. The key collecting is still there, as is all the food and gates that made the original so great.

The problem is that there isn't that much of the landscape on screen at any one time, so planning your escape can be a bit hit and miss, and it does get a bit samey. To combat this, however, there are some fantastic new additions. Pathways crumble away, special platforms move boulders and other objects, and giant columns of fire flame into the sky, burning your backside, catching you unawares, and keeping you awake throught the game!

Sound is pretty nice, with some good background tunes and nice effects that are somehow reminiscent of the old game while being new and up to date at the same time.

Gauntlet Legends manages to be different from the original, but still keeps all the good bits from the first game, it's more fun with a friend and even better with 4. Just don't argue who wants to be blue elf!

Summary: