Gauntlet Reviews
Gauntlet is just as chaotic as its predecessors, but more refined and less haphazard too.
Gauntlet: Slayer Edition is still well-worth a play, especially for fans of hack-and-slash action. It's a streamlined dungeon-crawler with easy-to-learn combat and a great selection of time-tested characters. Things may start to feel repetitive after a while, but playing with your friends and taking breaks every couple of levels can help things feel fresh again.
Gauntlet scratches the nostalgic itch perfectly and does right by its predecessors, but outside of a long slow grind there's nothing here to demand that you keep coming back once you've completed your quest.
Gauntlet looks and sounds great in most parts. The character models move smoothly and the Gauntlet textures are all detailed nicely. The various lines the characters spout at or about each other are cute and make the game feel more alive and dynamic. In other areas, the game feels rushed, like with the overuse of the "Death Runs" and simple artwork stills to convey story elements. It's these blemishes that make Gauntlet feel like a cheap downloadable console network game.
This title cries "let's play" and would be right at home on a console, regardless if it's a past-generation or current generation title. That said, Arrowhead has gone on record and stated that there are no plans to bring this title to the consoles, a real shame. That said you can't go wrong with Gauntlet and while it is a bit short, it is a fun game especially when you're playing with others. The title is solid and I highly recommend it and a few friends to slash the night away.
A welcomed release on the PS4 that is a blast with friends for satisfying, short player sessions.
As good-looking and distinct as everything is, it gets old fast, because the actual scope of puzzles and levels are limited and extremely formulaic.
There is a lot of customization in terms of the various equipment you can outfit each character with, but it doesn't come close to the variety of builds that would have been available had the game employed a traditional loot system. Alas, Gauntlet isn't that game.
If you're going to get it do so now, because there won't be anyone around to play with by Christmas. Gauntlet needs fun, badly.
Gauntlet is a fun game when you can find others to play and this modern interpretation successfully combines the best elements of the original and throws in a few 21st century twists. The biggest letdown of Gauntlet for me are the graphics which does seem a little basic. Thankfully the gameplay works, especially in four player co-op and if you're looking for a great walk down memory lane, than Arrowhead Game Studios definitely delivers one of the best interpretations of this classic arcade game.
Gauntlet delivers a fun and challenging dungeon crawling experience that manages to avoid repetitiveness. Although it has some minor launch bugs to work through, they are easily overlooked.
Personally, I was happy to have finished the game because I was so worn out by the monotony that I just wanted to stop. If I didn't feel compelled to finish every single level in the campaign for review purposes, I probably wouldn't have bothered seeing the ending. Yet despite everything I've just said, I will say that Gauntlet: Slayer Edition does suffice as a multiplayer experience. It's serviceable enough that, if you and a couple of friends want to get together to play games over some drinks, you're not going to have too bad of a time with this title. It's still a such mindless button masher that I actually preferred playing as the Elf because it's a lot less taxing on the fingers. It's also really not all that fulfilling, especially with the particularly lackluster boss battles, but that doesn't mean that it's an awful title. If all you're looking for is an arcade-styled experience, then Gauntlet: Slayer Edition will fill that void. There's even an Endless mode that you can run through for a mostly uninterrupted experience, and you can head online if you don't mind matchmaking. However, only the most die-hard fans will probably keep playing long after the credits roll, and it's a really short game.
This could have been much better if it had made a few more modern day concessions like random loot drops and a proper XP system. Still, if you're a retro gamer who fancies a change to Diablo III, it's undeniably fun for an evening session while you catch up with friends or even with randomers online.
Gauntlet is good and fun, but I don't think about it much between sessions. And that's about it. I feel like I've said more than is necessary at this point, really. It's competently made and enjoyable and you might forget you have it if you don't play it for a week.
As gamers, we've certainly become a lot more demanding for original and varied content across the stretch of a game, and while repetition and score-beating held up well 30 years ago, it's not the case anymore. For series fans looking for a temporary time machine this'll do the trick, for most other gamers, it's a simple reminder of gaming's brilliant, but dated, past.