Gauntlet II
System: NES
Release Date: September 1990
Developer: Eastridge Technology
Publisher: Mindscape
Genre: Action
The green elf shot the food once again in Gauntlet II. There are over 100 new maze levels to explore as you… errr… something. Just kill stuff, loot all the treasure that you can see, and find the exit to the next level to win. Choose from the Warrior, Valkyrie, Wizard, or Elf in your journey. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. The Warrior may be strong and take hits, but his magic is worthless. The Valkyrie has great defense, but is otherwise weak. The Wizard has strong magic, but worthless otherwise. The Elf is fast, but lacks the strength to keep you safe.
This is really more of the same from the original Gauntlet, but it certainly doesn’t do anything new and novel to get you to play it. The first five levels are set, but after that are sort of randomized. They seem to be ordered in blocks. Your goal is to find the exit to move to the next level. Monsters continue to spawn as long as there is a monster generator on the screen. Enemies are quite annoying. Some can be attacked and killed, but others are immune to you. Just go ahead and use magic you say? The potions allowing you to use it are few and far between.
The manual is unhelpful talking about hand to hand combat and switching around what the A and B Buttons do. You can only hold a total of six keys and magic potions combined. If you are full, you can get yourself stuck by not being able to pick up another key. I guess the manual warns you not to pick up too many keys. Your health is your timer, as it clicks down steadily. Collecting food and cider keeps you going for longer. Just make sure you don’t collect the poison stuff.
Some levels have special gimmicks to them, like the one with hundreds of exits, but only one of them works. Others have a moving exit. Don’t have enough keys? Then wait around for a couple minutes and the walls will all turn into exits for you. The same thing happens a bit sooner, but with all locked doors opening. The powerups are hit or miss. If you happen to get both the reflective and super shots, you’ll be destroying all of the food and drink on the level. Transportability power stops you from walking into items, instead teleporting over them, as well as walls. Sounds useful, but isn’t. Playing this game is difficult.
Graphics: 1.5
It doesn’t look particularly good. Bland colors and tiles are waiting for you.
Sound: 1.5
Music is pretty much non-existant. Sounds are unpleasant and the digitized voice is silly, but not super terrible.
Gameplay: 1.5
I feel like it’s a downgrade from the original. The powerups aren’t very fun to play with and all the characters feel weak.
Difficulty: 1.5
Oh, hey look, it’s a bunch of things that you can’t kill! And those keys are in your way, but you can’t pick them up.
Fun Factor: 1.0
Probably better in a multiplayer game, but as a single player, it leaves a lot to be desired.
Overall Rating: 1.4
Gauntlet II earns a D+. This is a subpar sequel to what many consider a classic. I’m actually quite disappointed in it.