A sequel to Gauntlet Legends, this game differs in few ways from the outdated original.

User Rating: 4.8 | Gauntlet: Dark Legacy PS2
By firebirdboi06 | Review Date:
Back when the N64, PS1 and Dreamcast was the newest systems on the block, I could not get enough of the Midway game Gauntlet Legends. Originally that and Dark Legacy was found in arcades everywhere as very large four player consoles that chomped up quarters faster than you could swing your axe. This arcade console to console translation is very much the same game - in every aspect - and that's a problem. The game fails to become enhanced with the hardware the new consoles offer, you even see the same graphics used in the Gauntlet. While yes, the game is spent from a bird's eye view for most of the game, some enhanced graphics or even new models would've been nice to see. The sound is hardly better. in most cases, you can hardly her your guide, Sumner, throughout the game, and often times a disappearing wall sounds much louder than it should from where the camera is. Also, while the demon villain, Skorne, is meant to have a demonic sound, he is almost never understood, even with the music off. The musical score fits the Hurrah adventure atmosphere the game tries to create, but even the soundtrack is recycled from Gauntlet Legends.

The storyline is also the same as before, but with more levels and characters. You and a band of adventurers are sent to help restore order to a realm taken over by the demon Skorne, and his legions of minions. The goal of the game is to colect the thirteen runestones, and eight stained glass window shards to foil Skorne and banish him to the underworld where you then follow and kill the demon. The story is simple and straight forward as are the controls. There are new characters including the Jester, the Dwarf, and the Paladin. However, these are carbon copies of the Archer, the Warrior, and the Valkyrie, respectively. There are only a few secret characters included, just enough to have one for each character + Sumner. The gameplay itself is even simpler. Run around with your control stick, hack hack slash, OOOO turbo move! That is the majority of what you'll be doing but thankfully there is a list of items you can use to break up the dull order of things, along with potion which can be used as grenades or shields. Also as time goes on your character grows in Strength, Armor, Agility and Magic and can gain added benfits at certain levels. The simplicity is good for one who plays only every once in a while, but for those that game frequently, it'll get tiresome very quickly. All in all, Dark Legacy is a carbon copy of Gauntlet Legends with a few added features. Luckily, I got this as a Christmas gift so I can't complain about wasted money but if you think of buying this for you or for another, don't. Stick with Gauntlet Legends.

Other Helpful Reviews for Gauntlet: Dark Legacy

  • Rating:6.5

    If you prepare to play in the haphazard style it was built in, you should have some fun.

    By ebbderelict | Review Date: Jun 05, 2009 | PS2

    Gauntlet Dark Legacy has quite a bit to offer buried inside, it just doesn't take full advantage of it's potential. What does come out is a pretty straightforward, yet entertaining, button mashing hack & slash experience... Read Full Review

    9 of 9 users found the following review helpful
  • Rating:8.1

    By mbottiggi | Review Date: Jun 10, 2004 | PS2

    I don't understand how this got such a bad review. This game is real fun. They did a great job making this game. Everything is consistent, the graphics are pretty decent, and the music is great. It really becomes fu... Read Full Review

    4 of 4 users found the following review helpful
Load Comments (0)