Gauntlet (2014)

 PC
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 184 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 184
  2. Mixed: 53 out of 184
  3. Negative: 30 out of 184

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  1. TimTeamTebow
    Sep 25, 2014
    7
    Gauntlet has 3 "worlds" with 4 levels each.
    Each level has multiple floors.
    The last level in each is a short boss fight about 5 minutes long.

    While the game is fun, it is extremely short. I finished the game on normal in 5 hours.
  2. draulxx
    Sep 24, 2014
    6
    The developers put to much of their own game "Magicka" into this new Gauntlet game. Those whom were huge fans of the previous games likely wont enjoy this much. However if you were into Magicka you will likely have a great time. The wizard is basically magicka lite.

    The story is there but you kind of have to look for it which really pulls you out of the game. So this game should be    The developers put to much of their own game "Magicka" into this new Gauntlet game. Those whom were huge fans of the previous games likely wont enjoy this much. However if you were into Magicka you will likely have a great time. The wizard is basically magicka lite.

    The story is there but you kind of have to look for it which really pulls you out of the game. So this game should be avoided if your looking for a story. As for a party game , or a game to be played with friends or even on stream with friends this game will hold its own. It's not a 40-60$ game and therefore you get your monies worth.

    However it is not the Gauntlet that we all deserve. It is still however better than that "Thing" we call Sacred 3. However Sacred 3 is more of an rpg than this. You do no character building. There is no loot. Super limited on upgrades and most of which requires high difficulty play to even unlock.

    There are 4 characters / classes in the game. Warrior, Archer, Valkyrie, Wizard. The Wizard is a combo based spell caster. Adding different elements creates a different spell. It has more play style than anyone else and was very obviously inspired by Magicka, hence the Magicka LITE comment earlier.

    The Archer is the most mobile class and seemed to do a decent amount of aoe. The biggest thing you noticed is that you can actually move and attack which is extremely important when playing on higher difficulties. However as an archer you have a harder time destroying the monster spawners.

    The Warrior is a barbarian. Wielding an axe you chop like the best of em. Pretty generic, Decent survivablity but playing on harder difficulties ... is well... Hard as a melee oriented class. This is definitely the class that at best is meant for killing monster spawners.

    Then there is the Valkyrie. The tank. The Paladin... The avenger.... Yea , that's right. I said Avenger. She throws her shield like Captain America. She is pretty beefy, Can do a decent amount of aoe at melee and at range. Most importantly. She has a block. She is the best at survival. Can fight at melee or ranged. She is kind of a tank anyway. She has a shield and can block but takes a lot of damage. Use of all of the tools is required to play her.

    I stuck with the Archer while my co-op partner played a Valkyrie and then later swapped to Wizard. We played through the first door with no issues. However on the first floor of the second door we encountered a game HALTERING bug. Where the key we picked up did not actually acknowledge that we picked it up. However it was no longer in the game world and we could no longer progress. That was the stopping point for me. Once you hit a game breaking bug that rings bells.

    The Drastik Measure gives this game a 6/10    … Expand
  3. deathweeper
    Sep 24, 2014
    5
    It can be a lot of fun with friends but playing solo its very frustrating, annoying and overall boring. the graphics are fine but the game play is simplistic and unrewarding. Its also frustrating seeing how small your character is. You wouldn't beat this game because its fun, you would beat it because you want to see the ending or your very bored.
  4. Tridus
    Sep 25, 2014
    7
    Fun game with friends. Get a group together and go wreak havok. Shoot the food and steal the crown to annoy your buddies! Not nearly as much fun in single player, I wouldn't recommend it if you're playing alone. But with a group, it's a good time. Also plays much better with a controller, though it doesn't seem to recognize all of them by default (it worked with my Xbox 360 one, not with aFun game with friends. Get a group together and go wreak havok. Shoot the food and steal the crown to annoy your buddies! Not nearly as much fun in single player, I wouldn't recommend it if you're playing alone. But with a group, it's a good time. Also plays much better with a controller, though it doesn't seem to recognize all of them by default (it worked with my Xbox 360 one, not with a friends PS4 one).… Expand
  5. Thaeru
    Sep 23, 2014
    6
    Generic, that's the word I'd use. While Gauntlet might've created the genre and I've got fond memories of the classics, the game's repetitive nature and less-than-stellar enemy design leaves one to become bored quite quickly.

    The game's saving grace is the chaotic nature of multiplayer, it's restricted camera and competitive cooperative nature leads to a few extra hours of enjoyment but    Generic, that's the word I'd use. While Gauntlet might've created the genre and I've got fond memories of the classics, the game's repetitive nature and less-than-stellar enemy design leaves one to become bored quite quickly.

    The game's saving grace is the chaotic nature of multiplayer, it's restricted camera and competitive cooperative nature leads to a few extra hours of enjoyment but it'll eventually stagnate and you'd lose all motivation to keep going down to the next floor.

    Decent buy if you're nostalgic about the old gauntlets but I wouldn't recommend it otherwise.    … Expand
  6. Sjalka
    Sep 26, 2014
    6
    Gauntlet 2014 is a good revision of an old classic. However, it is not Gauntlet. Some time ago, there was another reboot ( which did not have the license i think ) it was called "get Medieval" - which was much more in the spirit of Gauntlet.

    This Gauntlet however feels much more like a mixture between Diablo 3 and any other generic dual stick arcade game. 1) visuals: The game looks    Gauntlet 2014 is a good revision of an old classic. However, it is not Gauntlet. Some time ago, there was another reboot ( which did not have the license i think ) it was called "get Medieval" - which was much more in the spirit of Gauntlet.

    This Gauntlet however feels much more like a mixture between Diablo 3 and any other generic dual stick arcade game.

    1) visuals:
    The game looks OK - but not great. It does run surprisingly bad for how it looks though - and especially the settings/options menu is outright terrible.

    2) gameplay:
    The game offers non procedually generated dungeons, which limits the replayability. I am not sure if the original offered it ( i kind of doubt it ) - but from what i read about it, the actual levels were larger, a lot less restrictive.

    Gauntlet offers linear levels with occasional secret spots - but usually closes doors so backtracking or actually using the enviroment becomes unavailable. What made the original gauntlet special was the monster generators, which produced legions of monsters - turning the game more into a gorefest like "infested planet". This gauntlet is fairly conservative with its monsters it seems. The monsters are tougher - hence you get less.

    3) character classes:
    hm - they are not very balanced. While the original games classes were pretty much the same with just different sprites, in this revision the classes are a bit too different.

    the IDEA of them is not bad - and being different is very good, too. - but not if some class is much weaker.

    warrior: kind of generic melee class - but no reason to pick him when the valkyrie is better
    valkyrie: generic melee class
    archer: feels very weak, possibly a good support, but not so much suited for singleplayer in my opinion
    mage: interesting concept, but too complicated in a fast firefight. switching spells should not have been done with 3 key combinations, but rather with hotkeys - the mage already severely lacks other instant defenses ( dodgeroll, block etc )

    so for now - it is a fun game for a .. more or less fair price - if patches fix the game, especially the options menu and optimize it more.

    however, in terms of a revision of the old classic, it does not come very close.    … Expand
  7. TitaniumDragon
    Oct 5, 2014
    6
    The original Gauntlet was perhaps the pre-eminent arcade hack-and-slash quarter eating game. The 2014 remake follows in the tradition of the original game, but changes the formula somewhat; rather than having four identical classes with the levels being what really defines how you fight, instead there are four different classes where the emphasis is on your powers and teamwork.
    Overall,    The original Gauntlet was perhaps the pre-eminent arcade hack-and-slash quarter eating game. The 2014 remake follows in the tradition of the original game, but changes the formula somewhat; rather than having four identical classes with the levels being what really defines how you fight, instead there are four different classes where the emphasis is on your powers and teamwork.
    Overall, the gameplay experience was decent enough, but there wasn’t all that much of it; for $20, only about 4-5 hours of gameplay feels a bit limited, but the fairly limited nature of the gameplay meant that stretching the game out any longer would have been a mistake as well, as there just isn’t enough meat to the game for such. While there are challenges to complete which grant the player permanent minor buffs, and a number of relics which the player can unlock, in the end none of them really felt interesting or exciting enough that I had to play the game over and over again, grinding through the levels to unlock them. For $5 it would be a fine game, and even for $10 it would be okay for a lark with friends, but at $20 I expect a more substantial experience than what this game has to offer.    … Expand
  8. Cyraga
    Sep 28, 2014
    6
    I went into this game hoping for a Gauntlet Legends-esque experience. I was disappointed in that respect, but what I got is a pretty fun experience for $20. Definitely check it out on Youtube before you buy it though as it's very basic and won't be for everyone.
  9. kangggunw
    Sep 30, 2014
    5
    Game's combat systems, movements are very good. Combats are really fun and nicely programmed.
    But even for 20 bucks this is too short and too repetitive. The air and comical sense of it is wonderful and all and co-op is pretty fun but when i'm to score it, i simply have to comeback to the basic problem.
    For 1 week-with friends run it'll do 20bucks' work. otherwise If you bought it for    Game's combat systems, movements are very good. Combats are really fun and nicely programmed.
    But even for 20 bucks this is too short and too repetitive. The air and comical sense of it is wonderful and all and co-op is pretty fun but when i'm to score it, i simply have to comeback to the basic problem.

    For 1 week-with friends run it'll do 20bucks' work. otherwise If you bought it for singleplay, you have every right to be mad.    … Expand
  10. SkepticMonkey
    Sep 27, 2014
    5
    This game will entertain you for about 4-5 hours, and then after beating it you will realize the only thing left to do is grind away in the same repetitive levels trying to attain quota rewards- an experience that ends up being... unrewarding.
    The games initial enjoyment quickly fizzles and you will be left wondering about the $20 price tag. I don't know how someone could give this a    This game will entertain you for about 4-5 hours, and then after beating it you will realize the only thing left to do is grind away in the same repetitive levels trying to attain quota rewards- an experience that ends up being... unrewarding.
    The games initial enjoyment quickly fizzles and you will be left wondering about the $20 price tag. I don't know how someone could give this a '10'; People need to keep that score reserved for games like Baldurs Gate 2 and XCOM:UFO defense or else you are just skewering the rating system.
    Pros:
    - Characters have very different playing styles, which adds a few more hours of entertainment mastering the different techniques.
    - fun co-op play.
    Cons:
    - it could be so much more!!! Have the different outfits provide perks! (fire arrows for the complete 'hard' level armor set for the elf, increased fire explosions for the wizard, etc.)
    - More character customization, random level generation, and better rewards would make for a gaming experience that would keep you coming back.
    (PS: character centered viewpoint on co-op would be an improvement, even if you are still confined to a limited space... I hate being at the edge of the frame and getting hit by an enemy I cant even see!)    … Expand
  11. somedude14
    Nov 8, 2016
    6
    Slayer Edition.

    Visually this is quite dated. Ran into one glitch where an arena wouldn't unlock the paths after clearing all the enemies, forcing a restart on 20 minutes of progress. Game itself is quite short, beat it on Hard mode in just over 3 hours. Then went on to Endless and Colosseum to see what those were all about, and they're really just fluff modes. Not much to do    Slayer Edition.

    Visually this is quite dated. Ran into one glitch where an arena wouldn't unlock the paths after clearing all the enemies, forcing a restart on 20 minutes of progress. Game itself is quite short, beat it on Hard mode in just over 3 hours. Then went on to Endless and Colosseum to see what those were all about, and they're really just fluff modes.

    Not much to do after you beat the game aside from play with the other characters and/or farm gold to get new cosmetics for your favorite character, but I don't see this having appeal to most people beyond the campaign clear. Games like Gauntlet paved the way for something like Diablo, but now that Diablo has been around, Gauntlet just feels like Diablo-lite.    … Expand
  12. Voyou
    May 15, 2021
    5
    There was no invulnerable insta-killing monster constantly chasing you in the original Gauntlet of 1985.
    Why?
    Because the original Gauntlet was a good game.
  13. PaleMimic
    Aug 20, 2017
    7
    As someone who never played the original Gauntlet titles I was curious to see what made it such a popular series. With 9 titles exisiting dating way back to 1985 I felt I needed to experience this title which dated back through the decades.
    Now this iteration of the game, as is customary with the other 9 games in the series (or so the wikipedia page tells me), is a hack'n'slash, dungeon    As someone who never played the original Gauntlet titles I was curious to see what made it such a popular series. With 9 titles exisiting dating way back to 1985 I felt I needed to experience this title which dated back through the decades.
    Now this iteration of the game, as is customary with the other 9 games in the series (or so the wikipedia page tells me), is a hack'n'slash, dungeon crawler. A formula that I somewhat enjoy, having played things like Torchlight as well as Path of Exile, alongside several other games.
    In this title there are a four different classes to choose from, including a warrior (bashy bashy type class), a valkyrie (sort of like the warrior but with a Captain America-like shield which can be thrown), an Elf (who can shoot stuff and throw bombs) and finally a wizard (who has a range of spells and I've also spent most the time playing). Their skills sets are all fairly versatile ranging from the mere axe swinging antics of the warrior to room clearing fireballs with the wizard. You can also buy upgrades for each class by collecting enough gold in each dungeon level. These upgrades range from several relics, which all classes can use, and vary from radial freezing abilities to summoning gargoyles to fight with you. Alongside the relics you can also buy new weapons which grant your character different abilities, class dependant of course. And of course you can buy cosmetic items to change the look of your class. Do you feel the wizard isn't Gandalf-y enough for you? Buy him a pointy hat. Or is the warrior too scantily clad for your tastes? Then buy him some armour. Each class has about three different cosmetic options for both the head and the body. Armours, hoods, capes and hats. Take your pick. You can also unlock capes by beating numerous waves of enemies in the colosseum, which I tell you now is no easy feat.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Overall I'd say this latest iteration of Gauntlet has many of the elements that dungeon crawling, hack'n'slash titles have and need. If you've played the other Gauntlet titles or have played titles such as Torchlight or Diablo etc this is definitley worth a look. Good day!    … Expand
  14. NightGeisha
    Jul 6, 2019
    6
    Gauntlet is a very nice dungeon crawler, that I enjoyed a lot.

    The game is procedurally generated dungeon crawler, with couch co-op (4-player same-screen) and online co-op. Visually it is OK, for a 2014 game. My only complaint is the language settings of the game, since the game does not allow to change it in-game. I'm not a native English and my Steam was not set in English as    Gauntlet is a very nice dungeon crawler, that I enjoyed a lot.

    The game is procedurally generated dungeon crawler, with couch co-op (4-player same-screen) and online co-op. Visually it is OK, for a 2014 game.
    My only complaint is the language settings of the game, since the game does not allow to change it in-game. I'm not a native English and my Steam was not set in English as default, and annoyingly the game get the language that way.

    But overall the game is OK. And I fully recommend it, especially on sale.    … Expand
  15. explorerbay
    Aug 5, 2020
    6
    Its a good game to play with friends but it is way too short. Its a good remake overwall

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
65
#65 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. GameCritics
    Feb 25, 2015
    75
    In an era where action-RPGs are chock-full of skill trees, obscene amounts of loot, myriad spells and skills, the back-to-the-basics approach in Gauntlet is a breath of fresh air.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Dec 13, 2014
    75
    It’s a shame Gauntlet’s visuals are not as wonderful as its gameplay. [Dec 2014, p.75]
  3. Hyper Magazine
    Dec 2, 2014
    70
    Gauntlet needs DLC. Badly. Still, good fun in the short term. [Issue#255, p.54]
See all critic reviews »