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Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows - info, screens, trailer
|
|
| NEXT BOX 2005-02-17, 6:21 pm |
|
trailer
http://www.gamespot.com/cgi/chkpt.p...t_tr0216_wm.zip
page where trailer can be found if above link does not work
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...itle/index.html
screens
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...creenindex.html
preview:
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...ew_6118692.html
"Ever since the rumors began swirling around Midway's upcoming Gauntlet
title, expectations have run high for the game. The classic arcade franchise
was successfully revived seven years ago with Gauntlet Legends, an arcade
release that found its way to home consoles. However, the revival missed the
online phase of this generation's platforms, and the subsequent Gauntlet
titles that appeared remained strictly offline experiences. As word of a new
Gauntlet title has made the rounds, anticipation has grown for it following
the revelation that the development team currently working on it at Midway's
San Diego studio is being led by industry vets John Romero and Josh Sawyer.
With Quake and Doom on Romero's resume, and with Icewind Dale and other
beloved role-playing games crafted by Black Isle Studios on Sawyer's resume,
the pair brings an impressive amount of experience to the project. To add to
the growing anticipation, the last Gauntlet game, 2002's Gauntlet Dark
Legacy, didn't live up to expectations, which has resulted in fans of the
series anxiously hoping for a console Gauntlet game that will take advantage
of the current generation of consoles. Midway will try to make that hope a
reality for fans with its upcoming Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows for the
PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
The Gauntlet series first captivated players in 1985 as an arcade game that
featured a simple but addictive formula that mixed hack-and-slash gameplay
with the exploration and item collection found in RPGs. The basic formula
has stayed at the core of the various entries in the franchise that have
come since, but more-traditional RPG elements were invariably added, such as
character development, for example. This approach to growing the franchise
continues in Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows, which retains the gameplay mechanics
of the previous games but adds some fresh new elements to the mix.
The game's story, which has become deeper since its simple arcade
beginnings, features much more prominently this time and ties into the
mythos of the franchise by messing with what we know. The Gauntlet mythos
has always revolved around the archetypal tale of four great warriors that
team up to take down a great evil. Anyone who's up on his heroic narratives
knows exactly how that kind of story is supposed to end: Evil is vanquished,
peace returns to the land, and more. However, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows heads
off into darker and less predictable territory. The premise still revolves
around four immortal heroes who set out to kill the most powerful and evil
emperor their age had ever known. But things didn't end up quite as sunny as
you'd expect. The four brave warriors failed. To pay for their crime, they
were all crucified to a tree at the bottom of the world and left there for
the past two centuries.
Fortunately, the quartet is mysteriously freed from its woodsy site of
crucifixion to prepare to try the whole "save the world" thing once
more...though this time with feeling. But their quest isn't quite that cut
and dried, because their foe, the evil and powerful emperor, is in a pretty
weird mental place. Driven to grief by seven acts of deep cruelty and
selfishness, the emperor isn't entirely sane these days and is hoping for
some redemption. Of the six heinous acts that have him in his current
situation, the biggie is the murder of his lover, Cusirimay. While the
emperor's quest for redemption sounds good in theory, he's being a little
heavy-handed about it by wreaking havoc on the land. So, for better or for
worse, the heroes set out to help their enemy to save the world.
As we've mentioned, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows' gameplay is shaping up to offer
the mix of old and new you'd expect from an update of the series. The "old"
grounds the title with a number of familiar trappings. As a result, you'll
be able to play as the franchise's signature quartet of heroes, which
includes: the burly warrior, the buxom valkyrie, the mighty wizard, and the
food-needing elf. Each will have his or her own unique strengths and
weaknesses that will lend themselves to different styles of play. The game's
structure is also a returning staple that will require you to guide your
hero through a variety of locales by slashing the heck out of anything that
gets in your way. You'll collect items, earn experience, and search for
hidden areas as you make your way through to the next area. The core
multiplayer mechanics will be back as well, letting you and up to three
friends plow through the game.
Fresh additions to the game include two new playable heroes, though which
classes they belong to remains a mystery. All six of the playable heroes
will have their own unique backstory, complete with emotional baggage to
sort, that will figure into the quest. A tweaked leveling system will let
you buff up your hero's weapons, equipment, and magic via what's being
termed "weapon, class, and iconic skills." The characters will also have
access to "junction skills," which appear to be team attacks that let you
work with your fellow players to unleash hefty attacks on clumps of foes.
The basic combat system, traditionally a button-mashing fest of
cramp-inducing proportions, is being expanded to both be deeper and offer
two levels of play. From the sound of it, less-seasoned gamers will be able
to get by with old-school button mashing, while vets will be rewarded with
more-complex layers of moves and attacks to add depth to combat.
As cool as all that sounds, the most significant addition to the experience
for many will likely be the tweaks and expansions to the multiplayer
component of the game. Besides the expected offline multiplayer modes,
Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is set to offer some meaty online options as well.
The game will support up to four players online for co-op play, which is
just what the doctor ordered for many fans of the series. In addition,
Midway is aiming to create a community for players with the inclusion of a
trade and barter system that will let you make enterprising use of the items
you collect.
The visuals are shaping up well, from what we've seen, and they showcase a
rich new overall look that's a far cry from the initial 3dfx-powered upgrade
the game got for its arcade makeover in 1998. Character models are all
nicely detailed and feature some good old-fashioned sword-and-sorcery-style
designs that work well with the darker tone. Animation appears to be a bit
stiff right now, but the game is still very much a work in progress. (We're
hoping that will be fixed as development continues.) The environments
feature some fresh designs and inspirations, such as the Persian-influenced
courtyard seen in the trailer. At the same time, you can plan on seeing
old-school environments, such as open plains and elemental areas, on the
receiving end of visual updates.
Fresh looks also extend to the characters' special attacks, which retain the
basic looks of the ones we've seen before but feature generous helpings of
special effects to give them extra bits of oomph. The most eye-catching
aspect of the visuals at the moment regards the camera. While it's hard to
get an exact sense of how the camera's going to work in the game, we're
intrigued by the cinematic aesthetic we're seeing. If the team can balance a
smart and functional 3D camera with some slick cinematic angles, we'll be
pleased.
We haven't heard much of the audio, but it seems to be sticking closely to
the collection of weapon clashes, groans, and shrieks (punctuated by a
deep-voiced announcer) that we've come to expect from the series. Hopefully
the game will also feature a soundtrack that will match its audio style.
Based on what we've seen so far, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is shaping up to be
the next step in the franchise that fans have been hoping for. The updated
look has an undeniable charm that's a welcome improvement over the last
console Gauntlet game. The gameplay appears to be following suit thanks to
tweaks made to the core systems, as well as the overdue addition of online
multiplayer. All told, we're excited to see how this game turns out. There's
a lot of promise here that we're hoping is fulfilled when it ships this
winter for the PC, PS2, and Xbox."
| |
|
|
| Lizzy 2005-02-17, 10:12 pm |
|
Can't wait, hope the music is as cool as Dark Legacy.
"NEXT BOX" <nextbox@xbox2.net> wrote in message
news:Boydncp9HcfMUInfRVn-pw@comcast.com...
quote:
>
> trailer
> http://www.gamespot.com/cgi/chkpt.p...t_tr0216_wm.zip
>
> page where trailer can be found if above link does not work
> http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...itle/index.html
>
> screens
> http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...creenindex.html
>
>
> preview:
> http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...ew_6118692.html
>
> "Ever since the rumors began swirling around Midway's upcoming Gauntlet
> title, expectations have run high for the game. The classic arcade
> franchise
> was successfully revived seven years ago with Gauntlet Legends, an arcade
> release that found its way to home consoles. However, the revival missed
> the
> online phase of this generation's platforms, and the subsequent Gauntlet
> titles that appeared remained strictly offline experiences. As word of a
> new
> Gauntlet title has made the rounds, anticipation has grown for it
> following
> the revelation that the development team currently working on it at
> Midway's
> San Diego studio is being led by industry vets John Romero and Josh
> Sawyer.
>
>
>
> With Quake and Doom on Romero's resume, and with Icewind Dale and other
> beloved role-playing games crafted by Black Isle Studios on Sawyer's
> resume,
> the pair brings an impressive amount of experience to the project. To add
> to
> the growing anticipation, the last Gauntlet game, 2002's Gauntlet Dark
> Legacy, didn't live up to expectations, which has resulted in fans of the
> series anxiously hoping for a console Gauntlet game that will take
> advantage
> of the current generation of consoles. Midway will try to make that hope a
> reality for fans with its upcoming Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows for the
> PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
>
> The Gauntlet series first captivated players in 1985 as an arcade game
> that
> featured a simple but addictive formula that mixed hack-and-slash gameplay
> with the exploration and item collection found in RPGs. The basic formula
> has stayed at the core of the various entries in the franchise that have
> come since, but more-traditional RPG elements were invariably added, such
> as
> character development, for example. This approach to growing the franchise
> continues in Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows, which retains the gameplay mechanics
> of the previous games but adds some fresh new elements to the mix.
>
> The game's story, which has become deeper since its simple arcade
> beginnings, features much more prominently this time and ties into the
> mythos of the franchise by messing with what we know. The Gauntlet mythos
> has always revolved around the archetypal tale of four great warriors that
> team up to take down a great evil. Anyone who's up on his heroic
> narratives
> knows exactly how that kind of story is supposed to end: Evil is
> vanquished,
> peace returns to the land, and more. However, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows
> heads
> off into darker and less predictable territory. The premise still revolves
> around four immortal heroes who set out to kill the most powerful and evil
> emperor their age had ever known. But things didn't end up quite as sunny
> as
> you'd expect. The four brave warriors failed. To pay for their crime, they
> were all crucified to a tree at the bottom of the world and left there for
> the past two centuries.
>
> Fortunately, the quartet is mysteriously freed from its woodsy site of
> crucifixion to prepare to try the whole "save the world" thing once
> more...though this time with feeling. But their quest isn't quite that cut
> and dried, because their foe, the evil and powerful emperor, is in a
> pretty
> weird mental place. Driven to grief by seven acts of deep cruelty and
> selfishness, the emperor isn't entirely sane these days and is hoping for
> some redemption. Of the six heinous acts that have him in his current
> situation, the biggie is the murder of his lover, Cusirimay. While the
> emperor's quest for redemption sounds good in theory, he's being a little
> heavy-handed about it by wreaking havoc on the land. So, for better or for
> worse, the heroes set out to help their enemy to save the world.
>
> As we've mentioned, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows' gameplay is shaping up to
> offer
> the mix of old and new you'd expect from an update of the series. The
> "old"
> grounds the title with a number of familiar trappings. As a result, you'll
> be able to play as the franchise's signature quartet of heroes, which
> includes: the burly warrior, the buxom valkyrie, the mighty wizard, and
> the
> food-needing elf. Each will have his or her own unique strengths and
> weaknesses that will lend themselves to different styles of play. The
> game's
> structure is also a returning staple that will require you to guide your
> hero through a variety of locales by slashing the heck out of anything
> that
> gets in your way. You'll collect items, earn experience, and search for
> hidden areas as you make your way through to the next area. The core
> multiplayer mechanics will be back as well, letting you and up to three
> friends plow through the game.
>
> Fresh additions to the game include two new playable heroes, though which
> classes they belong to remains a mystery. All six of the playable heroes
> will have their own unique backstory, complete with emotional baggage to
> sort, that will figure into the quest. A tweaked leveling system will let
> you buff up your hero's weapons, equipment, and magic via what's being
> termed "weapon, class, and iconic skills." The characters will also have
> access to "junction skills," which appear to be team attacks that let you
> work with your fellow players to unleash hefty attacks on clumps of foes.
> The basic combat system, traditionally a button-mashing fest of
> cramp-inducing proportions, is being expanded to both be deeper and offer
> two levels of play. From the sound of it, less-seasoned gamers will be
> able
> to get by with old-school button mashing, while vets will be rewarded with
> more-complex layers of moves and attacks to add depth to combat.
>
> As cool as all that sounds, the most significant addition to the
> experience
> for many will likely be the tweaks and expansions to the multiplayer
> component of the game. Besides the expected offline multiplayer modes,
> Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is set to offer some meaty online options as well.
> The game will support up to four players online for co-op play, which is
> just what the doctor ordered for many fans of the series. In addition,
> Midway is aiming to create a community for players with the inclusion of a
> trade and barter system that will let you make enterprising use of the
> items
> you collect.
>
> The visuals are shaping up well, from what we've seen, and they showcase a
> rich new overall look that's a far cry from the initial 3dfx-powered
> upgrade
> the game got for its arcade makeover in 1998. Character models are all
> nicely detailed and feature some good old-fashioned
> sword-and-sorcery-style
> designs that work well with the darker tone. Animation appears to be a bit
> stiff right now, but the game is still very much a work in progress.
> (We're
> hoping that will be fixed as development continues.) The environments
> feature some fresh designs and inspirations, such as the
> Persian-influenced
> courtyard seen in the trailer. At the same time, you can plan on seeing
> old-school environments, such as open plains and elemental areas, on the
> receiving end of visual updates.
>
> Fresh looks also extend to the characters' special attacks, which retain
> the
> basic looks of the ones we've seen before but feature generous helpings of
> special effects to give them extra bits of oomph. The most eye-catching
> aspect of the visuals at the moment regards the camera. While it's hard to
> get an exact sense of how the camera's going to work in the game, we're
> intrigued by the cinematic aesthetic we're seeing. If the team can balance
> a
> smart and functional 3D camera with some slick cinematic angles, we'll be
> pleased.
>
> We haven't heard much of the audio, but it seems to be sticking closely to
> the collection of weapon clashes, groans, and shrieks (punctuated by a
> deep-voiced announcer) that we've come to expect from the series.
> Hopefully
> the game will also feature a soundtrack that will match its audio style.
>
> Based on what we've seen so far, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is shaping up to
> be
> the next step in the franchise that fans have been hoping for. The updated
> look has an undeniable charm that's a welcome improvement over the last
> console Gauntlet game. The gameplay appears to be following suit thanks to
> tweaks made to the core systems, as well as the overdue addition of online
> multiplayer. All told, we're excited to see how this game turns out.
> There's
> a lot of promise here that we're hoping is fulfilled when it ships this
> winter for the PC, PS2, and Xbox."
>
>
>
>
>
| |
| Jonah Falcon 2005-02-18, 4:14 am |
| John Romero still acting like he made Quake and DOOM. (rolling eyes)
Jonah Falcon
"NEXT BOX" <nextbox@xbox2.net> wrote in message
news:Boydncp9HcfMUInfRVn-pw@comcast.com...
quote:
>
> trailer
> http://www.gamespot.com/cgi/chkpt.p...t_tr0216_wm.zip
>
> page where trailer can be found if above link does not work
> http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...itle/index.html
>
> screens
> http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...creenindex.html
>
>
> preview:
> http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/gau...ew_6118692.html
>
> "Ever since the rumors began swirling around Midway's upcoming Gauntlet
> title, expectations have run high for the game. The classic arcade
> franchise
> was successfully revived seven years ago with Gauntlet Legends, an arcade
> release that found its way to home consoles. However, the revival missed
> the
> online phase of this generation's platforms, and the subsequent Gauntlet
> titles that appeared remained strictly offline experiences. As word of a
> new
> Gauntlet title has made the rounds, anticipation has grown for it
> following
> the revelation that the development team currently working on it at
> Midway's
> San Diego studio is being led by industry vets John Romero and Josh
> Sawyer.
>
>
>
> With Quake and Doom on Romero's resume, and with Icewind Dale and other
> beloved role-playing games crafted by Black Isle Studios on Sawyer's
> resume,
> the pair brings an impressive amount of experience to the project. To add
> to
> the growing anticipation, the last Gauntlet game, 2002's Gauntlet Dark
> Legacy, didn't live up to expectations, which has resulted in fans of the
> series anxiously hoping for a console Gauntlet game that will take
> advantage
> of the current generation of consoles. Midway will try to make that hope a
> reality for fans with its upcoming Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows for the
> PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
>
> The Gauntlet series first captivated players in 1985 as an arcade game
> that
> featured a simple but addictive formula that mixed hack-and-slash gameplay
> with the exploration and item collection found in RPGs. The basic formula
> has stayed at the core of the various entries in the franchise that have
> come since, but more-traditional RPG elements were invariably added, such
> as
> character development, for example. This approach to growing the franchise
> continues in Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows, which retains the gameplay mechanics
> of the previous games but adds some fresh new elements to the mix.
>
> The game's story, which has become deeper since its simple arcade
> beginnings, features much more prominently this time and ties into the
> mythos of the franchise by messing with what we know. The Gauntlet mythos
> has always revolved around the archetypal tale of four great warriors that
> team up to take down a great evil. Anyone who's up on his heroic
> narratives
> knows exactly how that kind of story is supposed to end: Evil is
> vanquished,
> peace returns to the land, and more. However, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows
> heads
> off into darker and less predictable territory. The premise still revolves
> around four immortal heroes who set out to kill the most powerful and evil
> emperor their age had ever known. But things didn't end up quite as sunny
> as
> you'd expect. The four brave warriors failed. To pay for their crime, they
> were all crucified to a tree at the bottom of the world and left there for
> the past two centuries.
>
> Fortunately, the quartet is mysteriously freed from its woodsy site of
> crucifixion to prepare to try the whole "save the world" thing once
> more...though this time with feeling. But their quest isn't quite that cut
> and dried, because their foe, the evil and powerful emperor, is in a
> pretty
> weird mental place. Driven to grief by seven acts of deep cruelty and
> selfishness, the emperor isn't entirely sane these days and is hoping for
> some redemption. Of the six heinous acts that have him in his current
> situation, the biggie is the murder of his lover, Cusirimay. While the
> emperor's quest for redemption sounds good in theory, he's being a little
> heavy-handed about it by wreaking havoc on the land. So, for better or for
> worse, the heroes set out to help their enemy to save the world.
>
> As we've mentioned, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows' gameplay is shaping up to
> offer
> the mix of old and new you'd expect from an update of the series. The
> "old"
> grounds the title with a number of familiar trappings. As a result, you'll
> be able to play as the franchise's signature quartet of heroes, which
> includes: the burly warrior, the buxom valkyrie, the mighty wizard, and
> the
> food-needing elf. Each will have his or her own unique strengths and
> weaknesses that will lend themselves to different styles of play. The
> game's
> structure is also a returning staple that will require you to guide your
> hero through a variety of locales by slashing the heck out of anything
> that
> gets in your way. You'll collect items, earn experience, and search for
> hidden areas as you make your way through to the next area. The core
> multiplayer mechanics will be back as well, letting you and up to three
> friends plow through the game.
>
> Fresh additions to the game include two new playable heroes, though which
> classes they belong to remains a mystery. All six of the playable heroes
> will have their own unique backstory, complete with emotional baggage to
> sort, that will figure into the quest. A tweaked leveling system will let
> you buff up your hero's weapons, equipment, and magic via what's being
> termed "weapon, class, and iconic skills." The characters will also have
> access to "junction skills," which appear to be team attacks that let you
> work with your fellow players to unleash hefty attacks on clumps of foes.
> The basic combat system, traditionally a button-mashing fest of
> cramp-inducing proportions, is being expanded to both be deeper and offer
> two levels of play. From the sound of it, less-seasoned gamers will be
> able
> to get by with old-school button mashing, while vets will be rewarded with
> more-complex layers of moves and attacks to add depth to combat.
>
> As cool as all that sounds, the most significant addition to the
> experience
> for many will likely be the tweaks and expansions to the multiplayer
> component of the game. Besides the expected offline multiplayer modes,
> Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is set to offer some meaty online options as well.
> The game will support up to four players online for co-op play, which is
> just what the doctor ordered for many fans of the series. In addition,
> Midway is aiming to create a community for players with the inclusion of a
> trade and barter system that will let you make enterprising use of the
> items
> you collect.
>
> The visuals are shaping up well, from what we've seen, and they showcase a
> rich new overall look that's a far cry from the initial 3dfx-powered
> upgrade
> the game got for its arcade makeover in 1998. Character models are all
> nicely detailed and feature some good old-fashioned
> sword-and-sorcery-style
> designs that work well with the darker tone. Animation appears to be a bit
> stiff right now, but the game is still very much a work in progress.
> (We're
> hoping that will be fixed as development continues.) The environments
> feature some fresh designs and inspirations, such as the
> Persian-influenced
> courtyard seen in the trailer. At the same time, you can plan on seeing
> old-school environments, such as open plains and elemental areas, on the
> receiving end of visual updates.
>
> Fresh looks also extend to the characters' special attacks, which retain
> the
> basic looks of the ones we've seen before but feature generous helpings of
> special effects to give them extra bits of oomph. The most eye-catching
> aspect of the visuals at the moment regards the camera. While it's hard to
> get an exact sense of how the camera's going to work in the game, we're
> intrigued by the cinematic aesthetic we're seeing. If the team can balance
> a
> smart and functional 3D camera with some slick cinematic angles, we'll be
> pleased.
>
> We haven't heard much of the audio, but it seems to be sticking closely to
> the collection of weapon clashes, groans, and shrieks (punctuated by a
> deep-voiced announcer) that we've come to expect from the series.
> Hopefully
> the game will also feature a soundtrack that will match its audio style.
>
> Based on what we've seen so far, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is shaping up to
> be
> the next step in the franchise that fans have been hoping for. The updated
> look has an undeniable charm that's a welcome improvement over the last
> console Gauntlet game. The gameplay appears to be following suit thanks to
> tweaks made to the core systems, as well as the overdue addition of online
> multiplayer. All told, we're excited to see how this game turns out.
> There's
> a lot of promise here that we're hoping is fulfilled when it ships this
> winter for the PC, PS2, and Xbox."
>
>
>
>
>
| |
|
|
| Jonah Falcon 2005-02-18, 6:19 pm |
| Of course. That's why I bought Midway Classics (Gauntlet) and Midway
Classics 2 (Gauntlet II).
Jonah Falcon
| |
| Raymond Martineau 2005-02-19, 4:10 am |
| On Fri, 18 Feb 2005 14:11:21 -0500, "HockeyTownUSA"
<magma@killspam.comcast.net> wrote:
quote:
>
>
>
>Anyone here a big fan of the original Gauntlet arcarde games?
I've only played the Gauntlet ports (e.g. C64 version of Gauntlet, and
Amiga version of Gauntlet II), but having to go through over 100 levels
that take a while to complete can be a little tedious.
quote:
>OMG, I must
>have dumped hundreds of dollars playing those things with a couple other
>buddies for hours on end. Took my allowance money and wasted it like that.
>Guess I haven't changed much though, take my personal spending money and buy
>PC and XBOX games and accessories with it now 
True - video games are expensive, especially if you want to try to find
known underdogs.
|
| |
|
|