Gauntlet Legends (PSX) - Part 2

Previously, a sorcerer named Garm summoned Demon Lord Skorne  and immediately killed by the giant demon. By using the summoning circle left by his late young brother, Sumner summons hero that hopefully can defeat the Demon Lord and his evil army. Thus a valkyrie Izenger brought to this realm. She's doing fine with slaying the evil until a red dragon kill her. But she's back with determined vengeance!

Next hub level takes me to this Valkyrie's castle which has been overran by these blue-white brutes and giant rats because we know that oversized rodents are mandatory enemy in Medieval Fantasy setting.

 

I find another 3-way shoot power up but i have maximum amount of it because i extremely seldom using power ups. Maybe i should use them more frequently.

 

There's also kamikaze guy here. ARRRGH!

 

This level introduces you with these 2-way mini teleports. I know classic Doom too well to know that red square is teleportation device.

 

Also i know that green water is very bad. But thankfully there's invisible rails that prevent me to fall to the nasty water. Demoman_sf13_influx_small03.wav

 

Now the golem is white and angrier that i killed his families on previous levels. Do you see that yellow bird item behind him? That's called "Phoenix". I bought in shop but i forget to use it because i'm stingy as hell.

 

Next level takes place in castle dungeon. Oh man! That skeleton is way taller than me. Maybe he/she dies by torture rack overdoing. God bless him/her. I don't think that's blood on hook. That's probably red alga, evildoer's favorite snack. I know the fad. Trusts me, alright?  

 

I found the obelisk pretty easily but now they hide the runestone very well that i can't find them twice in a row! Of course, my penalty is the Skorne's trash talk which is irritating as always.

 

But at least, i help Sumner to unseal the 3rd hub level which leads to Twinion Town that polluted by toxic green gas that turns people into vicious zombie! The gas is emitted by magic airship that floats nearby. I won't get there just yet. Not until i kill that dragon!

 

On deeper and darker part of the castle, you find the horror of...Walking Armors! Sniper_sf13_magic_reac07.wav

 

There's a hint says that Runestone is hanging in one of these meat hooks and i have to find the switch that raise them. I will search for it, check every crook and nook so i don't get that harsh insult again.

 

This chest contain Grim Reaper. Wonderful! [Castle-sized Sarcasm]. Never mind that! Check that soup  on that cauldron looks so sick and amazing. Evil army gotta eat, you know?  

 

They also get bomb-throwing dude! Engineer_paincrticialdeath02.wav  

 

I see that stronger enemies will be spawned by higher level of enemy generator. Damaging it will reduce its level and finally completely destroyed. Take example of those black walking armor. They're the tier-3 of the walking armors. The tier-2 is white armor equip warhammer and lastly the weakest is white armor equips light spear. It goes without saying that the walking armors are spawned from armor statue.

 

Aha! This different wall reveals the switch that lift the Runestone. I won't get any insult for this level. Soldier_cheers06.wav

 

I go back to the castle dungeon to find the missed runestone and gain more experience. After some hidden switch hunting, i find it behind this destroyable wall along this skeleton. Most likely, he/she is slave that's ordered by Skorne to hide the runestone in this room unless he/she die by The Demon Lord's hand. But later killed by  his minion instead after doing his/her task and later buried. Talking about out of the frying pan into the fire.

 

On to fancier part of the castle, my level turns into 25 and i have hawk familiar as bonus! It acts as option which shoot on the direction where i shoot. Phoenix power up actually act the same as this hawk but stronger yet limited by duration. By the way, i didn't know that my turbo attack can goes through certain wall like this one. Heavy_sf13_influx_big04.wav

 

Because i have so much power up on my pocket, i figure i will use them. Turns out i can combine them like this: "3-way shot" and "auto fire". The result is fascinating! "3-way shot" power up is self-explanatory. As for "auto fire" power up, not only you have the ability to shoot continuously by holding down the shoot button but also increase the shoot rate drastically! Because i have other power up stashed, it's hard for me to toggle on/off this power up combination in short time.    

 

Here's Untar's Ice Axe that said to be lethal weapon against The Dragon. I need to solve another switch puzzle to lower that platform and then my vengeance is as good as mine.   

 

The maximum capacity of keys and magic potion is 9. So i figure i should squander the magic a bit more. As the game instructed before by pressing both attack and magic button (default: "cross" and "circle" button), i can throw magic potion as impromptu grenade which reminds me how Fighter's flechette works in Hexen  

 

My revenge is nigh, dragon! The ice axe flies on its own and damages the dragon by 25% or so. Then the boss fight begins (again)...

 

This is the shockwave that i talked about. There's no way to avoid this attack. It's such a shame that so far the game is friendly enough but now it forces you to take mandatory damage. But this huge attack is the least damaging from the dragon's disposal. His flame breath can sap your health relatively fast but if you move to one of the corner you will be fine. You can try to hack his feet but watch out with that volcanic fault line because it hurts you extremely bad. My strategy is: use the combination of auto-fire and 3-way shoot to deliver serious damage to him and avoid his fiery breath. There's chicken drumstick on his left foot should you need to refill your health. Either because i'm over-leveled or because of the axe, the dragon goes down pretty fast. Huzzah! Vengeance has been fulfilled!

 

The boss of castle's level is this Chimera. As for the ice axe, the scimitar flies on its own toward the giant monster and depletes their health by 25% or so. The boss shoot outs fire breath from their 3 heads and that's the only thing that they can do. Plus this attack is easy to avoid. There's 3 blocks with animal engraving on them that you can destroy for nothing. No, they can't serve as cover from the boss' attack because the fire goes through them. Again, auto-fire and 3-way shoot will prevail against this boss.

 

The defeated bosses drop a piece stained glass with their drawing on it. Sumner put the glass pieces into window behind him. He looks proud of it.  

 

I forget to tell you that there's secret characters on Pause Menu in Main hub's section. The way to unlock them is to find and finish secret levels. They will inherit your character's level and that's as far as i know. They probably have different characteristic. maybe. Thing for sure is that's definitely Minotaur and i'm eager to unlock him/her. I think i will stop right here.   

 

I really love with what they did to Atari Games Corporation (Midway)'s Gauntlet Legends (2000). They put some RPG element into Gauntlet game and it definitely works! It feels like crossbreed between dungeon explore and arcade shooter game. I dare say that it's more appealing than Diablo-clone. I don't say that Diablo-clone is bad, it's just this reformed Gauntlet is more in my taste. My problem with Diablo and its clone is how cumbersome to aim precisely my attack on enemies. I have to point and click my mouse at exact spot. Sometime my aim misses and my character walks into enemies nonchalantly instead. In this Gauntlet, all you need to do is press attack button in general direction and you most likely hit the enemies well as the auto-aim works fairly good. Also the melee combat is simple: just press direction into nearby enemies. I like to add that you don't need to get close to enemies when you're Warrior unlike in Diablo-clone.  Warrior is as good at range attack as his melee attack. It goes without saying that melee attack only good for Warrior (because he has the highest melee power) and Valkyrie  (because he has the highest armor value). They suffer the least risk upon trading blow. The inventory system is pretty intuitive while the items are overall useful. Sadly there's no explanation on power up, which allow you to understand about them better. Because i'm such a big item hoarder, i feel like the shop need a feature to sell unused item. About the healing, the food items are fairly abundant throughout the levels. But not so in Boss fight. I like to suggest the shop sell healing potion that can replenish 50% health at instant but it's expensive -let's say- about 600 gold which is significantly more expensive than meat. Unlike meat or other food item that heal you on the spot, you can carry potion anywhere and use it when activated but you can only carry 2 of it. It will be very handy for boss fight. Also i like to see the shop sells stats-buff potion that last certain time. The difficulty curve is fairly friendly. I really like the idea of "Turbo" function which gives you more degree on Gauntlet-ing around. The music is pretty alright. The visual may look outdated but i think it's okay.

 

Gauntlet Legends (2000) gets my top recommendation. It has the true core of Gauntlet and they develop it into remarkable Arcade-y Action RPG! Naturally, it's much better to play this game with multiplayer. One should be Valkyrie/Warrior and the other should be Archer/Wizard or pick whoever you want. The game still very fun nonetheless! Here's some quick tip on character selection. If you like to have overall great attack power, choose Warrior. If you like "Hit and run" tactic, pick Archer. If you want to deal great damage from safe distance only, pick Wizard. If you are none of those or the uncertain like to be durable, pick Valkyrie. GL get other version than PSX and there's some of the version that allow 4-players co-op! It will be crazy fun if you play it with 4 players!

This game really opens my eyes. I only think Atari Games Corporation (Midway)'s game that awesome with modern feature is Rampage. But Gauntlet certainly great too. What makes my mind blown is there's Gauntlet game on Steam! I will check that in future!

Gauntlet Legends (PSX) - Part 1

Today, i'm taking part in another game with medieval fantasy with title contains word "Legend". It's Atari Games Corporation (Midway)'s Gauntlet Legends (2000). 

That's some pretty title screen especially with dynamic torchlight. Before we begin our conquest, i like to show you a bit about the first and the base of this game: Gauntlet made by Atari in 1985. If you're expert on old Arcade games, you should know about it already. If you don't know anything about it, here it is...

 

You will play as Warrior, Valkyrie, Wizard, or Elf depends on where do you take the player slot. It's (roughly) top down shooter where enemies come at you thick and fast. Enemies spawn from -what the game called- enemy generator. Those huts are the example of it. You can or rather advised to destroy said spawning vats to give you some breather. But with how fast the spawning rate, it isn't easy task but nigh mandatory nonetheless. It goes without saying that the game is relentless as other arcade game is. I hope i can finish Gauntlet someday provided there's no absurd nonsense on final stage like what generally American arcade games have. Anyway, there's prologue on Gauntlet Legends so there's some step up compare to the first game.     

Some sorcerer summons a Demon Lord and later get killed by said demon because he refuse to do the sorcerer's bidding. Man! Why this bloke is as stupid as that villain in Tales of Phantasia? It's freaking logic that evil powerful entity most likely wouldn't bow to its summoner! What purpose of this dangerous yet foolish act? I guess we can't find out the answer because the sorcerer is already dead. Later, there comes another sorcerer and use the same rune circle that the previous sorcerer used to summon the Evil, to summon the hero which you can pick later on.  

Here's the main menu and Midway like to show off the 3D stuff they can do right away! The menu selections spin as you switch around them. There's New Game, Save/Load menu, sound setting, and controller setting. What i feel unusual is 2nd player screen on the right which more appropriate for Arcade console. I have theory that the story progression will depends on 1st player memory slot, while the 2nd player only get the saved character.

Here's the hero class that you can choose which is derived from the first game albeit replace Elf with archer. Excuse my amateur picture edit but at least you get the information about each class on their level 1 and you can't see their stats before picking your character. For some reason, they all have the same health 400 and maximum health 500. Warrior has the most value proportion on power stats. Valkyrie has the most balance between 2 power stats and biggest armor value. Wizard has the highest shot power and magic. Archer is the fastest. You may frown upon Archer's shot power being the lowest among the other but  her arrow is the fastest projectile plus her rate of fire is the fastest so she's still a force to be reckoned with especially in firing projectile department . Wizard's magic projectile is the second fastest and can pierce through enemies. While Warrior's, Valkyrie's, and Archer's projectile only pierce through dying enemies and only once. Besides changing the class with left or right on d-pad, you can also change the color of your character by pressing up or down on d-pad. For some, reason red player always blonde and yellow player always Egyptian.

 

After selecting your hero and pick their name, you get some briefing by the yellow sorcerer on intro. He wants me to seek obelisks and rune stones. Scout_yes02.wav  

 

I decided to play as Red valkyrie because she looks like Viking opera singer. Plus i like balanced stats. I'm too late to notice that valkyrie has the highest armor value meaning she's most fitting one as "tank" role. It's really my nature to be "tank", huh? Anyway, the only warp portal that active is this one for now. To enter the portal, you have to stand still on it for quite long time.

 

Then, i'm greeted with these vicious orcs. Soldier_battlecry05.wav

 

"Destroy generators" said game and i shall do that. Moreover there's explosive barrel right near the generator/orc cave. Demoman_specialcompleted12.wav

 

One of the important item in Gauntlet game is key. You can use it to open locked doors and chests. My suggestion is you prioritize the key to open door first so you can make progress on level although i don't experience the moment where i'm out of key to finish level because i believe the game gives me enough key.

 

Across the bridge from the initial spot, you will find the first obelisk. Walk to the button to raise it and later you can touch it. Spy_quest_complete_easy_05.mp3 

 

You can find power up from chests or barrel or even lies bare on corner of the level. One of the power up is "fire breath" that allow you to blow short-range fire from your mouth that replaces your standard attack. You can toggle on/off the power up that you collect by pressing "triangle" button (default). Some power up is limited by time duration and other is limited by the times you attack such as this "fire breath" power up.

 

You can also find scroll around the level that tells you game hint or even crucial information. So keep your eyes on these floating scroll!  

 

When i test this game as Warrior, i feel that throwing axe at enemies is cumbersome because how slow the axe throwing and i wish that i can use the axe to crack their skull in melee instead. But there's no button to do attack melee and i only have button to execute ranged attack instead, which is "Cross" button by default. But then i remember about the usual gimmick feature on first Gauntlet game where you push direction toward enemies to do melee attack. It also works in here too and in better mechanism, even. In first Gauntlet, you just straight trading blow with enemies if you engage them in melee. In here, the enemies also receive flinch/hurt animation besides damage so you have safer melee combat here. You can expect enemies being stunlock with your melee attack except for Archer and Wizard class that has slower melee attack speed and obviously weaker melee attack.  

 

Not all chests contain something good. This one contain poisonous apple. I don't have time for "Snow White" moment, i have tons of evil to slain! By holding turbo button (default: "square") and pressing shoot button, i can unleash powerful wave forward. Using said special move will drain Turbo bar on top part of HUD below and it will regenerate in time. This reminds me of magic bar on Magic Sword but you don't have to rely heavily on the power bar in this game.

 

Once i step into exit portal, i'm presented with some assessment here. As you can see i get experiences and gold in this level. Unlike in previous Gauntlet game, you will be rewarded with experience for killing enemies and not just for area security. It goes without saying that, if you gain enough experience your level will goes up, which will increase your overall stats thus making your character stronger.    

 

Near the starter point, you will find unmanned shop. I miss that shopkeeper in Legend so much. The shops sells you power up, key, magic potion, and also meat to replenish your health by 100 points. This fire amulet seems not work in significant way even though it's drain over time when used. Maybe it adds fire element to my attack. Because there's other element amulet, i expect elemental affiliation in future.  

 

On next level, i find this delicious looking meat just lies in here. Don't mind if i do. Unlike previous Gauntlet, this game has friendly pace. Food item can be found pretty easily and the enemies don't spawn in dozens number. Maybe it's because of the engine limitation or maybe they want to make the game much friendlier for home console. Either way, i like this game.  

 

Sniper_jeers04.wav. Someone throw bombs at me from off screen while i can't open this door although i still have keys.    

 

The floating scroll informs me that i have to shoot suspicious dirt mound like this one. Once it's destroyed, i find the button that unlock that door.

Arrrgh! Stop bombing at me, you maniac!

 

There! I killed the bomb bastard. Sniper_revenge01.wav

 

The game tells me to throw magic potion but i realize it too late. Sorry, game. This golem disguise as stone then suddenly surprise me good. He's tougher than other enemies so far but he moves pretty slow so you can outrun him easily.

 

"Avoid dangerous object" the game said but i step into this fire geyser. I'm a rebel and a fool. 

 

I finish the level but i miss a runestone and there's sinister voice mocking me. He said "You wretched fool! Your foolishness pleases me.". I'm annoyed with that. I will replay this level but this time i don't leave no stone unturned.

 

Then i'm greeted with suicidal bomber. Arrrgh!

 

See this wall that have slightly different tone than the rest? If you shoot it, you will reveal a cave that hold said runestone. My discovery makes the sinister voice speechless. Who's laughing now, bastard? 

 

Upon return to main hub zone, the yellow sorcerer from the intro put the runestone into that circle in the middle. I didn't know he's in this place whole time. I will go talk to him.  

 

Oh my goodness, he gives me another session of info dump! From what he says, his name is Sumner and his young brother who summon the demon lord is Garm. While the demon lord is named Skorne. Anyone whose name resembles word "Scorn" is most likely evil person. That's our lesson.

 

Next level introduces us with scorpion enemy that i just stomped it to death. It cames from that pile of skeleton so i have to destroy that too.

 

I find this steel skin power up that makes me invincible for awhile. It seems i can't turn it off so i'm forced to use this temporary invincibility only in this occasion. Demoman_taunts11.wav

 

There's degree on the special move depends on how filled the Turbo Bar is. If it's filled to at least whole yellow area, i unleash this spinning slash instead of the big shockwave. While the special move for green-area filled bar, i only unleash single projectile that merely stronger than regular ones. You can move faster if you hold turbo button and then move. Obviously, it will drain the turbo bar in steady rate instead of a chunk portion of it. There's another way to use the bar: by holding turbo button and pressing magic button (default: "circle"), you will summon orbiting spheres that harm your enemies within your vicinity. But to be fair, i quite often forget to use this Turbo bar even though it's really damn useful.

 

I find this sparkling trap door not far from exit portal. What could it be?

 

It's portal to bonus stage! I have to collect these coins in this bonus stage that i assume for extra gold. Engineer_mvm_collect_credits03.wav

 

With 3 obelisk touched, Sumner has power to unlock next levels hub. But i decide to venture more level on Mountain Kingdom which is the first hub.

 

Oh no! They're the demons from original Gauntlet and they have very large teeth!    

 

Actually they're quite pushover. They're fairly faster than orcs and fairly tougher than scorpion but that's all they got.

 

Oh, damn! This lava cavern is inhabited by orcish bombers too. Soldier_HatOverHeartTaunt02.wav

 

Some buttons in this level, will raise platform that fill the gap on some part of the level. This one is mandatory because it grants me access to that runestone and i don't want Skorne mocks me again after i finish this level.

 

On next level called "Mountain Cavern", i meet grim reaper! On previous Gauntlet, he can only be defeated by using magic potion. I expect some dazzling effect when he's defeated but no. He just goes "I must go! My people need me". By the way, the magic in this game is only send circular wave around you as opposed to screen clearing bomb in previous Gauntlet. But it's fairly useful when you're surrounded.

 

In this level, i find button that will activate lift. It's functional but in rather cumbersome way. They should put the stepping button  on the lift for easier use like in Dark Soul.

 

That lift leads me to Rasha's Scimitar that thirst for the head of The castle's guardian. According to hint scroll that i found, that is.

 

Here's the last runestone on Mountain Kingdom. Mission accomplished! Do you notice that my sword looks broader? That's because i achieved level 10 before. Cosmetic change by leveling up seems unordinary to me but it's cool. There's no special jingle when you level up. So you have to check your level periodically to see if you level up or not yet. It's kind of tedious to do that. First you use L1 or R1 button to cycle the hud to your name and class and then use L2 or R2 button to cycle it to your level.

 

Next level is boss fight against dragon! And i'm dead. Look at his health bar on top! I barely make serious injury on him. The lethal move that i find it hard to dodge is the shockwave that he creates when he stomping his foot hard. It fills entire map! Maybe if i wear the wing power up, i can jump over it. You probably think that i need to level up more before fighting this dragon but i doubt it will work because there's hint that says "The Ice Axe sits in the castle's treasury. Find it before facing the dragon". So i have to find this axe on next hub level first. Fighting dragon before doing so is certain dead. Speaking of dead...

 

You get this scene for game over: Skorne grabs Sumner and drags him to infernal dimension. That looks quite harsh. Many taskmaster in other game just chills around while you fight to the death. But in this game, Sumner's life is also at stake besides yours.

Anyway, i will have my revenge on next part! Just you wait, dragon