Get Medieval

Get Medieval is partly simpler and partly more complex than the original Gauntlet. Simpler are combat and characters: Only a single attack type, characters are defined only by speed and strength. The Barbarian is strongest and slowest, the Elf weakest and fastest, the other two (Sorceress and Avenger) in-between. An added complexity are the artifacts which are found in treasure chests. Only one type of artefact can be held by one character at a time, which is a severe handicap for single player, for you really need the skeleton key which can open any door and will most of the times just leave the scrolls.

As a remake, Get Medieval is very well done. It keeps the gameplay, adds a few features like random dungeons and a map editor, even keeps the interface and view, yet the graphics are what you'd expect from a 1998 game. The problem is: Is Gauntlet itself, the 1985 blockbuster hit, still that much fun thirteen (or 20, or 25) years later? The opinion of contemporary reviewers was mixed, see below.

Screenshots

To take screenshots, hit F8. Screenshots will be saved in the main game directory in bitmap format. I have put a few Get Medieval screenshots online.

Reviews

• This game is Gauntlet, Tahsin Shamma correctly states:

  The strange thing is, this game is still entertaining. With SVGA graphics and the humorous sounds, it just goes to show that some formulas still work. Of course, there's no denying the fact that the game gets repetitive and boring after a while. Due to the lack of a large overhead map, the design of the levels starts to blur from one to the next. The creature design could also have been better. Some of the nuances of the denizens of Gauntlet, such as the annoying Lobbers that attacked over walls, are sorely missed.

  It's not the fact that Monolith Productions tried to remake Gauntlet that should be upsetting, it's the fact that it was done so blatantly, and without any pretense of originality. Still, perhaps the designers deserve some kudos for bringing a much-loved game back to the PC. This game may be Gauntlet, but Gauntlet is still a lot of fun.

• This game is a Gauntlet rip-off, Trent C. Ward wants to make perfectly clear:

  In the end, Get Medieval is trying to serve up Gauntlet to an older, more sophisticated set of gamers by adding improved graphics, some bad jokes and a few new play features. Sadly it's not enough. While I had a few nostalgic minutes with this title after loading it up, it wasn't long before I realized that this is a game better left in the annals of yesteryear. Bottom line? If you're an absolute Gauntlet fanatic, you should pick this title up to get another take on your favorite classic. The rest of you will be able to find better gaming elsewhere.