Gauntlet 2
a game by | Mindscape |
Genre: | Adventure/RPG |
Platforms: | NES, GameBoy |
Editor Rating: | 6.3/10, based on 7 reviews |
User Rating: | 7.0/10 - 2 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Gauntlet Games |
- Manufacturer: MINDSCAPE
- Machine: NES
If you get stuck or enter a level that has fake exits, you can stand still - careful, don't shoot or move - and all the walls become exits. This takes approximately 150 points of health to do. In other words, if you stand still waiting for the exits with 2, 000 points of health, they will appear at 1850. Finally, if you have run out of keys, you can stand still for about a count of 100 and all the doors will open.
Download Gauntlet 2
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
- P-200, 32 MB RAM
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Game Reviews
- Manufacturer: Mindscape
- Versions: Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, IBM PC
The entertainment world seems dominated by sequels, and the software scene is no exception. "Roman numeral games" are popping up everywhere, as manufacturers go back to proven wells hoping for another bucket of green. Well, it's time for the inevitable sequel to the hit multi-system software adaptation of Atari/Tengen's coin-op smash, Gauntlet (Mindscape). Unlike movies, however, where sequels are generally mindless recapitulations of the more commercial aspects of the original, game sequels have a pretty impressive track record at bringing back popular titles for additional go-rounds. Gauntlet II is an excellent example of why.
Although the original Gauntlet tended toward mindless hacking, slashing and running away, the sequel has been fattened up with a generous collection of fascinating spells, bonus objects and fascinating puzzles. Once again, the variably powered warrior, wizard, elf and Valkyrie set off to conquer dangers and win treasures from a multi-chambered dungeon.
It is really a team effort because of the well-defined differences in the characters. While Thor the warrior is resilient and powerful, with an awesome battleaxe, he's somewhat plodding and not much use at magic. Merlin the wizard has no armor and no weapon with which to destroy generators (the constructs which produce the various monsters that go up against the player's character), but his magic is potent and his fireballs are effective from a distance, if not much use in hand-to-hand combat. Questor the elf is speedy, with a talent for magic, but his shot power is poor, and his dagger cannot destroy generators in hand-to-hand battle. Thyra the Valkyrie has the strongest armor and a sword which can destroy generators, but poor shot power and only moderate magical abilities.
The graphics are an upgrade, even on the excellent visuals of the original, and as a special extra attraction, digitized voice has been added. The vocal quality on the 16-bit systems (the ST and Amiga) is astonishing, with a deep, burly voice welcoming each character at the start of the game ("Welcome, Red Warrior or whomever!") and warning them when their strength is waning ("Red Warrior needs food badly!"). But the highlight is definitely the announcement that occurs when the player's character picks up a special charm or amulet. The voice tells us: "Red Warrior now has deflective shots!"; or this reviewer's personal favorite: "Red Warrior now has temporary repulsiveness!"
Gauntlet II once again employs the familiar combination of side and overhead perspective seen in the original. While physical objects (the dungeon and all objects within it) are seen from a top-down view, all characters are viewed from a side perspective. The wide variety of characters, monsters and magical icons are drawn distinctly enough that they are all discernable at a glance.
No incarnation of Gauntlet is likely to break new ground in game design or concept, but this excellent sequel improves on the original in every way, creating a game which looks, sound and plays markedly better.
In the world of sequels, you really can't ask much more than that.
- Machine: Nintendo
Sometime in the misty past, a small group of heroes descended into the Dark Dungeons to fight countless monsters in their search for treasure and power. As they conquered each level of the mazelike dungeons, they would find an exit to an even deeper level. And so their journey went, further and further into the depths of the Earth.
That's the basic story behind Gauntlet, a longtime arcade favorite, and its sequel, Gauntlet II. Now you can play Gauntlet II at home on your Nintendo. The NES version closely duplicates the arcade version, retaining all the sounds and action. Not only that, but with the NES Satellite or NES Four Score adapters, the Nintendo version allows up to four people to play at once - just like the arcade version.
You can choose from four different characters, each with different abilities. They'll be familiar to anyone who has played the arcade game: Thor the warrior, Thyra the valkyrie, Questor the elf, and Merlin the magician. Each player can choose any character, even if another player has already chosen the same one. It's possible to play a game with four warriors, for example. All of the enemies from the arcade game are here as well, plus a couple of new ones, including the deadly fire-breathing dragons.
Throughout your journey, you can find special items to increase your character's power and abilities. The key to survival is using these items intelligently. In multiplayer games, teamwork is essential, too. It may be necessary for some players to sacrifice their characters while other players build theirs up. However, since a dead player can jump right back into the game, this usually isn't a problem.
The biggest drawback in Gauntlet II is its thin storyline and lack of a solid goal. The game largely consists of room after room filled with the same kinds of enemies, over and over again. This is fine for an arcade game, but it would be nice to get a little more from a game you're going to take home and keep.
Gauntlet II is a good-looking game, though, with digitized sounds and some challenging rooms to conquer. It's especially enjoyable if you're a fan of the arcade game and play with a group of friends.
Gauntlet fans, rejoice! Gauntlet II is here, and it's an accurate version of the arcade smash, as well as one of the best four-player titles available to date for the NES. You and up to three other players can simultaneously become the famous foursome, Merlin the Wizard, Questor the Elf, Thyra the Valkyrie, and Thor the Warrior, and try to run the gauntlet once again.
ProTips:
Teamwork is key. For example, Thor the Warrior lights well but isn't skilled with magic. Let him carry Keys. Questor the Elf is very speedy and can run away from monsters quickly. Merlin the Magician is the most skilled with magic. Keep him heavily stocked with Potions.
Position one character at the edge of the screen to prevent it from scrolling. Then the other characters can take out the enemies and explore without additional enemies appearing on screen.
As in the first Gauntlet adventure, the roving band tries to work its way through 100 levels of maze-like rooms, each filled with obstacles including false walls, trick exits, stun-panels, transporters, and of course optical illusions. Each room is populated by a monstrous cast of beasties, many of whom you'll recognize from Gauntlet. But the most exciting aspect of the game is the fact that the order of the levels changes every time you play. The sequence of the first five levels is always the same, but after that where you'll end up is anybody's guess.
If you can position your characters so that they repeatedly bounce off a Transporter into an enemy they can destroy enemies without taking damage.
Every once In a while you'll come to a Treasure Room. Run around and grab Treasures as last as you can -- but don't forget to find the exit or time will run out and you'll lose your treasure.
To skip night to Level 6 search for the Exit on Level 1 labeled "Exit to 6".
During the invisible mil level its best to select a leaden and keep the rest of the party right behind the leader. Otherwise its easy for a member of your group to become trapped in this level forever.
Fire away at the walls. Some only seem solid; they may contain hidden items.
Protect yourself by attacking enemies through the walls. Just stand at a diagonal junction and fire away.
How can you survive this tortuous puzzle? Only with skill, cunning, teamwork, and clever use of the abundant special items scattered throughout the mazes. These include food and drink, special potions that increase your magic, defense amulets, attack amulets, Keys, and Treasure Chests that hold special surprises.
Reflective Shots take out a lot of enemies, but they can also damage you and your party.
Shoot containers of poison to create a deadly fog that slows down your enemies.
If you run out of Keys just stand still and don't attack anything for about two minutes. All the doors on the level will open.
If you're really stuck just stand still and don't attack anything for around 135 seconds. All the walls on your level turn into exits and you can escape.
There's much more to the mystery of Gauntlet II than meets the eye. The changing levels make for a different game every time, and playing with friends is a blast. If you loved Gauntlet go buy this game! And if you've never seen Gauntlet, go buy it anyway! It's a-maze-ing!
Thor, Thyra, Questor, and Merlin thought their work was finished when they finally made it through the 100 plus mazes in the arcade smash, Gauntlet II. Well, sorry, guys and gals, it's not over yet! Looks like you've been tossed back into an NES version of the same nightmare. If you want to help this crew find their way out of yet another 100 plus mazes, listen up! Up to four players can assume the roles of their favorite heroes (each has different skills and strengths) and travel through the eerie Dark Dungeons in search of Special Potions and Armor. Find these things, plus others, and you'll be well prepared to face the many unknown dangers. Mysterious Monster-Generators (machines that spit out monsters) appear round every corner - blow them up! Besides the Generators, there are also Grunts, Demons, Lobbers, Sorcerers, Death, Acid Puddles, "IT's," and Dragons -- creatures who are just dying to meet you. As you can plainly see there's much work to be done so waste no time getting into the groove of Gauntlet II.
Straight from the arcade comes this dazzling sequel to the original coin-op smash. Gauntlet fans will be amazed at the scope of this title, which manages to faithfully duplicate nearly every aspect of play. From the numerous monsters that patrol the dungeons, to the four-player selection, to the real digitized voice effects, Mindscape has produced a game to be proud of! Little flicker plauged the prototype we saw, even in its most complex stages.
The sequel to the original Gauntlet is coming from Software Toolworks (formerly Mindscape). This time up to 4 players can join in simultaneously, all experiencing the 100+ levels loaded with secret rooms, traps, transporters, force fields, monster generators and the full crew of villains we have learned to hate but respect from the first game. It's straight from the arcades with digitized sounds and new mazes.
People say:
5.0Gauntlet 2 does an excellent job of gathering up all the elements from the coin-op and putting tons of enemies on the screen at once. In the process, however, the game goes from what was a 78 record in the arcades, to being a 33 at home. It's there, but it's slow.
6.0Gauntlet was one of my favorites in the arcades. While I admire the company's attempt to make a 'real' 4 player game, the NES is not an arcade machine. It'sOK as a 1 or 2 player game and as such, the game does what the first version did - play a decent NES adaptation of Gauntlet.
6.0Gauntlet 2 is a good translation of the arcade game. It has all of the options you would expect, but the game lacks appeal because of washed out graphics and slow, repetitive play. The option for four players is nice, but there is so much flicker and slowdown it doesn't add much.
7.0I was disappointed by this version of Gauntlet because of slow game play and the large amount of flicker throughout most of the game. The game has a jerky feel to it, not smooth and fast paced. I like the 4-player mode but it moves even slower and choppier!