Gauntlet Dark Legacy

"Gauntlet Dark Legacy (GameCube) Review"

This game is simply one of the best games I have played in a long time. My local arcade got this game just a week before it was released. I played it a ton and got 4 characters which one is lv99 already. When I picked up the GameCube version I wasn't too sure what to expect. I barely touched the PS2 version, but I'd assume that this version is just a better version. Basically you start off in a castle area and you have to collect crystals and various other items to open new areas to explore. The levels are close to the same, but this is not the same as the arcade version and is definitely worth a play through even if you've played the arcade version to death. The Rune stones are NOT in the same location as in the arcade. The coin stages are what unlock secret characters in which I've gotten two so far. When it comes to secret weapons, I don't think you even find the appropriate weapon for a certain boss in the same world. Not sure if fighting the right boss with a certain weapon will make you loose the weapon or not. Need to wait and see. Instead of collecting keys you get puzzle like pieces for killing bosses, but it does still show a key over runes above your life bar. There are more items and you can sell them or buy them. I've had it set to hard and I'm not sure if that changes how long things last, but they don't last long at all. Then again the prices for items are cut by a third or so. The game has locked up once on me when picking up a note scroll, but I played the game for 9 hours straight with 3 players running around the whole time. Since it was at the beginning of a level after I saved, I didn't seem to care, but I'll have to watch for it again. The main thing I really don't like is that they removed the stat cap. Every character can get 999 of every stat. I had 70,000 gold and decided to buy stats because my friend had a jester with almost maxed strength and low and behold there's no cap. There are abilities now which are in the PS2 version for each character such as wizards can turn poison food into real food. Hidden Alter Ego characters have 50 more of every stat except the Ogre and the Hyena in the arcade. Not sure if this is the same way or not with the GameCube version, but it's not a big deal since there's no stat cap which still seems odd. Black deaths are a lot more rare in the home version so it's most likely best to kill bosses for exp. It's sometimes kinda a pain to get a certain item activated in time. I believe there's a way to make it use items when you pick them up, but I'm still trying to figure out how everything works exactly. If you've like any other gauntlet in existence then this game is for you. If you like multiplayer games then you may want to pick this up. Also if you like hack 'n slash games to gain levels such as diablo or something then get this game. Midway needs a lot more support so maybe we'll see a new Gauntlet all together. I know they can do better...
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Gameplay (9)
I played the game for 9 hours straight and I can't complain about the control. It's really tight. You can select from 3 configurations, but the default works great. You can do a lot more than in the arcade or at least they make it easier. You have a run button, block, attack, heavy attack, magic, team turbo attack, strafe and your Inventory. Once you get used to the layout everything is a breeze. Only thing that stops this from getting a 10 is that the inventory system isn't as smooth as it should be. Some times text may not be there. Camera is also fine, just gotta make sure everyone goes the same way 8)
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Graphics (8)
This game isn't really the prettiest game out there. Viewing it on my TV there is distortion in the text and it's a little blurry. The videos aren't great in quality, but I don't really care. I would really like to test this game out with a VGA adapter to a monitor to see if it changes anything or not. It is definitely smoother and looks a lot nicer than the PS2 version. I haven't seen any slowdown what so ever. The screen is a little dark, but it was probably just the first set of levels. I configured my tv so it looks really nice and it's brighter, but may be why it looks so blurry. This deserves a 9 with a VGA adapter if it looks good.
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Sound (8)
When I started up the game it was like, ''Oh god, not another midway game with the same booming sound.'' I found out I had my speakers setup wrong and it was a lot nicer when I fixed them. The game has stereo now, but midway just doesn't seem to hit it right at home. There's too much bass when you start and go through the menus and what not. You start getting into the game and every sounds great. Any little annoyances won't even be noticed if playing with a bunch of friends. In the arcade it's like every two seconds with my Lv99 Jackal, ''Use magic to destroy enemies.'' This was horrible. They toned it down a lot more in the GameCube version and added some help scrolls here and there. Everything is pleasing and the sayings when you steal someone else's item from a chest is really funny!
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Value (8)
Not sure where to go here since I've just started playing the game. I am still playing in the arcade even though I have the home version just trying to get more lv99 characters and to get on the scoreboard. I don't think that this version has High Scores of any sort and I'll be disappointed if there isn't simply because they are not hard to put in and it would give people something to compete for. It's fun to go through the game over and over again with different characters. I dislike the fact that there's no certain cap for stats in this version. Any character can just get 999 which seems odd, but it means you can play any character you like and make the stats however you like. Three difficulty levels are available though I've been playing hard and it's not that hard, but a lot of fun. After getting 16 lv99 characters there are other hidden characters, but I'm not sure how they will work. Just a great game to play and even better multiplayer.
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Overall (8 single player / 9 multiplayer) Not an average
***NOTE: If you have lots of friends that like multiplayer mayhem and you have 4 controllers, a decent sized tv, and a passion for the gauntlet series, then this game gets a 10 out of 10. It's simply the best home version out there. Maybe the Xbox version will surpass it, but who wants to pay for a $300 system with 3 more $40 controllers and then the game on top of that. Will have to see it first, but the GameCube version is here now and you should probably get your hands on it. Should you buy or rent it... Well if you plan on playing for like 8+ hours a day and do nothing else then you may want to rent it and try to get through the game. But trust me and just go buy it if you like any gauntlet. With 9 hours into the game with only world two complete there's so much more to do. Yes I could of just went through all the levels, but I've been racking, collecting crystals and makings sure my teammates get all the special items as well. I can play one level over and over again and would be satisfied with this game. It's a worthy addition to the GameCube. I will need to see what secrets or other glitches that come up, but as of now, the score is settled...

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/07/02, Updated 03/07/02