Gauntlet IV
{{short description|1994 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title=Gauntlet IV
|image= Gauntlet IV cover.jpeg
|developer=M2
|publisher=Tengen
|platforms=Sega Genesis
|released={{Video game release|JP|September 17, 1993{{cite web |title=Software List (Software Licensee Release) |url=https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=Sega Corporation |access-date=May 15, 2023 |language=ja}}|NA|September 1993{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-51-october-1993/page/162/mode/2up|title=Fact File: Gauntlet IV|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=51|date=October 1993|pages=162-163|accessdate=January 10, 2022}}|EU|November 1993{{cite web|title=Game Review: Gauntlet 4|url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/fa1ec58b-247f-4827-90be-86437426f330|work=Mega|publisher=Future plc|accessdate=24 September 2024|date=October 1993|pages=32-33}}}}
|designer=Masatoshi Kawasaki
|programmer=Tetsuya Abe
|artist=Masatoshi Kawasaki
Makoto Asao
Naoki Horii
|writer=Gorou Sumiyoshi
|composer={{ubl|Hitoshi Sakimoto|Masaharu Iwata}}
|genre=Action
|modes=Single-player, multiplayer
|series=
}}
Gauntlet IV{{efn|Known in Japan as {{Nihongo|Gauntlet|ガントレット|Gantoretto|lead=yes}}}} is a 1993 action video game developed by M2 and published by Tengen for the Sega Genesis. It includes a four player port of the original Gauntlet, as well other exclusive modes such as a new RPG Quest Mode and head to head battle mode, it was well received by critics.
Gameplay
Gauntlet IV features four different modes with different game play styles:
"Arcade mode", a port of the original arcade game, which has up to four players exploring a sequence of dungeons shooting at masses of enemies with projectile weapons, collecting keys to open locked doors and finding potions that wipe out all enemies onscreen. The players health decreases constantly as the game progresses and has to be replenished by collecting food items and each stage often has multiple exits which send you to different levels.
"Quest mode", which is the main feature of the game, and is set in all new dungeons with new bosses to fight against and which combines the game play of the original game with new RPG elements such as character-leveling and item purchasing as well as featuring the ability to save game progress.
"Battle mode", a deathmatch game, which has the players fighting against each other in arenas. The arenas include hidden power-ups that increase the players' attributes for that match and within this mode the projectile weapons bounce around the screen and can be used to force opponents into the exits to cause a "ring out"
And "Record mode", a single-player only variant of arcade mode in which progress is kept track via a password.
Development and release
Gauntlet IV began as a port of the original Gauntlet for the Sharp X68000 produced as a homebrew project by a group of friends in Japan who would later form the development studio M2. It was picked up by Atari Games, the makers of the original game, and used instead as the basis for a sequel for the Genesis published by Tengen, their home-publishing imprint.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtwo.co.jp/en/corp-profile/|title=Corporate Profile|date=20 December 2013 |publisher=M2|access-date=2019-09-14}} The game's soundtrack was composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata.
Reception
{{video game reviews
|rev1= Mean Machines
|rev1Score = 94%{{cite journal | title=Gauntlet 4 review | journal=Mean Machines | issue=13 | pages=50–53 | date=November 1993 | publisher=EMAP | url=https://archive.org/stream/mean-machines-sega-magazine-13/MMSega_13_Nov_1993#page/n49/mode/2up}}
|rev2 = Mega
|rev2Score = 90%{{cite journal | title=Mega review | journal=Mega | publisher=Future Publishing | issue=13 | page=32 | date=October 1993}}
|rev3= MegaTech
|rev3Score = 94%{{cite journal | title=Gauntlet 4 review | journal=MegaTech | publisher=EMAP | issue=22 | page=76 | date=October 1993}}
}}
Upon the game's release in 1993, MegaTech said that "the action is flawless" and had stood the test of time well. They continued that it was "a brilliant game, and one that warrants immediate attention". Mega praised the longevity of the game, saying it was "huge fun and a must-buy" and placing the game at No. 19 in their list of the best Mega Drive games of all time.Mega Top 100 feature, Future Publishing, issue 14, page 87, November 1993
Notes
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