Previous Next

Gauntlet was by far the best selling game of 1986, so it's only natural - and profitable - that US Gold should try a sequel.

There are 512 deeper dungeons. Some of them have been created by players - p'raps you - who entered the US Gold design competition on the original game's cassette inlay and most of them you'll the easiest is wicked. I managed level four, and just try beating that.

Once you've spent the best part of ten minutes loading the original Gauntlet, deciding whether you're gong to be Merlin. Thor, Thyra or Questor and feeding in the Deeper Dungeons tape you'll come face to face with the familiar monsters, treasures and monster generators. Only the layouts have changed and they're not awe inspiring.

I was impressed with the original game. But when you've seen one US Gold dungeon you've seen them all. I expected extra-devilish twists and turns within the thin-walled mazes, the odd new monster - as in 'Wow that looks different' or 'Uggh, it's ugly' - and treasure with a measure of glitter 'cos I never was one for those drab old chests. Instead all I found were the same old ghosts and goblins, but more and more and more and more of them. At times I was amazed that they managed to cram so many into such pokey holes. There was the odd glimmer of excitement as I'm still a big D&D hack-and- slash fan but eventually disappointment reigned.

Deeper Dungeons extends Gauntlet's life, but only by cramming more of them same into the game. US Gold did right by sticking on a low price tag. you might even call this a budget release.

More of the same monsters, puzzles and traps from THE game US Gold could have used more imagination.