Gauntlet 2
REDISCOVER RETRO GAMING - CLASSIC 8-BIT NINTENDO NES
NINTENDO NES
Game Title:Gauntlet 2
System:Nintendo NES
Players:1-4 Players
Genre:Adventure
Developer(s):Atari Games
Release Date(s):1986
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Gauntlet 2 is a 1986 arcade game released by Atari Games and the first sequel to the game Gauntlet. Gauntlet 2, like its predecessor, is a fantasy-themed hack and slash game.
The gameplay is very similar to the original Gauntlet, a overhead dungeon crawl supporting up to four players.
The biggest difference from the original game is that players can choose identical classes, instead of being limited to a particular one for each controller, each player is differentiated by color. Thus, instead of having a "warrior", "wizard", and "valkyrie", in Gauntlet 2 there could be a "red wizard", a "blue elf" and a "green warrior". In addition to the new "class" system, new level designs were added, including the possibility of encountering them in altered ways by having the playing-field turned in steps of 90°. Other new features included the enemy "It", which upon contact would make a player "It" and draw all enemies towards him/her. The only way to release this curse is by touching another player or entering the exit, turning any level containing "It" into a fantasy filled game of tag. Other notable additions include the ability to ricochet shots off walls by means of a special pick-up, acid puddles that caused large, predetermined amounts of damage and a large dragon which would occupy multiple squares and require multiple hits to destroy. New level elements were also added, adding more variety to the original game. These included "all walls are invisible", "magic walls" which changed into monsters or items when hit, "stun tiles" which stunned the player, and fake exits. The graphics of the game are much like what you'd expect from the NES, except worse While the top down view is nice and user friendly (particularly for multiplayer excursions), the character and enemy designs are less than nice. Mostly, you can't really tell what your enemies look like, you just go ahead and destroy them and the hive that spawns them. Another important thing to note is that level designs can look pretty bland, with a maroon color floor and other bland colors like gray, dark blue, etc. All in all, it really looks disgusting, but it really doesn't take much away from the game. However, the graphical presentation in this game doesn't detract from the great fun that comes from the gameplay and multiplayer mode. This portion of the game is outstanding. The game allows you and 3 of your friends (using a Nintendo Four Score Controller Expansion Pack) to team up on the bad guys and play the game together. Great fun to be had. And the Verdict is...
The thing most people hate about the game is that it is ongoing. I believe you can never find the end of the game, but that doesn't matter, because Gauntlet 2 is a great game to play with friends. Even if you can't finish it, it doesn't matter, because there's no story line, so there's no ending to see. At first that may seem disappointing, but all in all, this is a really great game to play, and its quite addictive!. Be warned!. |