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| OLD GAMES |
| REVIEW SITE |
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| If you don't already know the Gauntlet series then you really should wake up and try this game. Gauntlet 1 originally hit the arcades way back in the early 80's, and gaind wide spread praise from all corners of the world, its gameplay was simple to play but equally difficult to actually complete. This version, for the Sega Megadrive, was released in 1993, and is the fourth in the long running series. In the decade that passed between the original and this game, hardly anything changed. with gameplay and graphics staying very faithful to the arcade original. |
| Gauntlet 4 |
| That isnt to say that this is just Gauntlet rehashed, nope this has quite a few nice tweaks which really make this one of the better games in the series. The biggest change is the addition of a quest mode, in this you must find some crystals that have been left in a set of towers, this involves going through the floors of each tower trying to work out how to get to a certain floor, which isnt as easy as it sounds. If you find all of the crystals then you get to enter the castle, where you may find a secret stash of hidden treasure, or you might find a bunch of rubble, who knows? This mode adds a semi Rpg feel to the game, with the ability to buy items from shops, such as weapons or healing potions. |
| You also gain experience points for completing areas, these are used to increase the stats of your chosen warrior, and give them almost god like strength. Okay so its not a Final Fantasy beater, but it does add a lot of depth to what could have been an otherwise dull game. The main action is viewed from above, and you must guide your hero into certain exits, which take you to another level or floor, this wouldnt be a problem if it wasnt for the stupendous amount of enemies that populate these areas. There can be hundreds of the evil beings floating around, ready to feel the wrong end of your axe, or sword. |
| One of the best things about this game is the level design, with the areas being layed out like a series of devious mazes, where you must use keys and special floor tiles to open doors, and you will have to explore to work your way out. Some floor tiles will affect the way your hero fights, for example some tiles wont let you fire your weapon, or use magic, whereas some tiles will damage you if stood on. Other than the quest mode tyhe game also features a two player battle, which can be fun but a little short lived. There is also an Arcade mode, which is basically the same as the original arcade game, in the fact that you must fight through an unlimited supply of levels, trying to get an high score. |
| Graphically this is as close to the original arcade machine as you will get without actually playing that version. For the Megadrive the game moves surprisingly fast seeing as you can have hundreds of sprites on screen at any one time. Oh and just remember, dont shoot the food! |
| Overall 7/10 |
| SEGA MEGADRIVE |
| ARCADE ACTION |
| 1993 |