Review: 'Gauntlet Dark Legacy' sees the light

Platform: PlayStation 2

From...

By Dr. Zombie

(IDG) -- "Gauntlet: Dark Legacy" is a solid conversion of the arcade hit, presenting the same features, along with new characters and levels to re-create the "Gauntlet" button-mashing experience. But the true key to "Gauntlet" arcade fun was the social interaction of multiplayer games where you explored as a team; going solo, you'll inevitably find the linear action repetitive no matter how great the conversion.

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One to four players team up as medieval warriors in search of rune stones and gems in more than 20 worlds. Each world has its own attributes and challenges, but the mission is the same: Kill hordes of uglies, discover secret power-ups and treasures, and find the portal to the next world.

The controls are responsive, and a variety of creative control modes moves you through each world with ease. The Robotron mode, which uses both analog sticks, is especially effective.

"Gauntlet" attempts to exercise the PS2's graphical muscles, but because of the locked overhead-camera angle, there's only so much detail and special effects to see amidst the tiny characters scurrying about. The overall color palette seems too dark, but the FMV cut-scenes deliver plenty of visual pizzazz. The sound effects are decent, creating an ominous mood, yet some of the voice-overs are hokey.

"Gauntlet: Dark Legacy" will be a blast as a weekend rental with friends over, but as a solo adventure game, other more engrossing options are available.

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