So it was no surprise to learn that a redone version of the original dungeon-crawler, Gauntlet, was in the works. The original Gauntlet set the bar for the genre, and without it, we would not have games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Diablo, and the many other clones. Sure, there have been other games in the Gauntlet series between the original 1985 (there's that year again) classic, and the one that came out yesterday, but this is the one, simply titled Gauntlet, that really goes for that "old-school feel with new car smell" thing.
So, how does this one fare? Is this the hack-n-slash game we have all come to know and love, or is this a hack-n-miss? Here is what I think after a few hours with the new Gauntlet on Steam.
When you first boot up the game, you get a little tutorial on how each character plays, which, you would imagine, as being "light attack, heavy attack, special attack", well, you are right for half the characters. The Warrior and the Valkyrie play that way and it's easy to pick them up and start wailing on things. (Worth noting: I was using a 360 controller while playing this, which I find much easier than the keyboard/mouse combo). The Elf plays more like a dual-joystick shooter, with the right stick as the primary arrow-shooting attack. The Wizard will be familiar to anyone who played the criminally underrated game Magicka. You choose 2 elements by hitting the various face button combinations, and push the right stick in the direction you wish the spell to go. Some spells are attack spells, some are defense spells, it all depends on what elements you use and in what order. This difference in characters is a great way to have players try out all the classes and have unique experiences, perhaps becoming a jack of all trades and splitting time between all of them.
I've spent most of my time with Thor the Warrior, just so I can get a basic feel of the game. I know, however, that I will be messing with the other classes the more I play the game.
Before setting off on your journey, you can go to the shop and purchase relics and loot to help you along the way, using the gold you collect on your various playthroughs, effectively making this a "Rouguelike" or "Roguelite" due to some aspects being persistent between runs.
Your first time through the game, you have no gold, no relics. It's just you and your weapon against a horde of enemies. The first part of the dungeon is the same each time, with the enemies spawning in the same places and the keys and food in the same places. The 2nd part is procedurally generated, a la Diablo, while the Grim Reaper chases you, bringing instant death if you get too close. If this sounds tense and chaotic, that's because it is and it really gets your heart going. Then it's on to an arena style ending with you against a few last waves of enemies.
You can use the gold you collect to buy loot and relics when you return to the shop. As far as I can tell, the loot is purely cosmetic with no real stat bonuses. The relics are quite handy though. For instance, I have one relic that (at level 1) greatly increases my run/attack speed, and one that places a crystal down that attracts enemies and explodes when destroyed. You can have 2 relics equipped and these can be upgraded by spending that hard-fought gold.
While on the dungeon run, your actions also count towards passive abilities. For instance, if you eat so many units of food, you earn a passive ability for that character that grants you so much healing over time after you eat the food. Some abilities allow for a greater chance to find gold in the pots around the dungeon, and other various perks. These are persistent and each character has a few unique perks to unlock, all of which can be attained from normal play.
You can tackle the dungeons alone, but this game (much like the arcade game it's based on) is best enjoyed with others. There is 4-player local or online co-op, and is the ideal way to play the game. When you are on your own, you get swarmed easily and it's just a matter of time before you end up dead. While the hordes of enemies may be easier with multiple players, you may end up still dying a lot due to the competitive nature of the game. Everyone is trying for the high score and may pull the ultimate dick-move and destroy the food before you get to it. It's real easy to get into a game or to invite your Steam friends.
The game runs smoothly and I have noticed zero hitches in my time with it. It also looks great. The lighting helps add to the eerie tone and feel of the dungeons. The sound design is also impressive. The sound of your weapon making contact is satisfying, the crackling sound of Death hot on your heels, the spike traps echoing off the walls, it's all really good stuff. The game also loves to stick in a little humor now and then with the voice acting and it works well, never being too over the top. One thing I will say, there is a "classic mode" as a graphics option, don't use it. All that does is blur the screen, ended up giving me a headache.
Some reboots/re-imaginings try to throw a lot at you, while that may work for a game like Pac-Mac Championship Edition DX+ (sooooo many ghosts), Gauntlet gives fans of the game what they want; no flashing lights, no dubstep music, no fluff, it's a real straightforward hack-n-slash title worthy of the name Gauntlet. For $20, it is money well spent, even more so if you have friends who will also get this. Just keep an eye on your food.
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