Gauntlet: The Third Encounter is an arcade-style dungeon crawler role-playing game developed by Epyx and published by Atari that was released for the Atari Lynx handheld system in 1990. Despite using the same packaging artwork that was used for the NES version, The Third Encounter is not a port of the original Gauntlet or its sequel, but instead is a new game developed specifically for the Lynx. It was originally titled Time Quests and Treasure Chests, but it was changed when Atari picked up the license for the Gauntlet franchise from Atari Games.[1][2]
| Gauntlet: The Third Encounter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Epyx |
| Publisher(s) |
|
| Designer(s) | Charlie Kellner Chuck Sommerville |
| Programmer(s) | Jon Leupp |
| Artist(s) | Paul Vernon |
| Composer(s) | Alex Rudis Robert Vieira |
| Series | Gauntlet |
| Platform(s) | Atari Lynx |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing, dungeon crawl, hack and slash |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay edit
The player controls an adventurer whose objective is to venture into an ancient castle populated by monsters in order to retrieve the Star Gem. The castle consists of 40 levels. At the start of the game, the player can choose from eight character classes to play as, including the Valkyrie and the Wizard from the original Gauntlet, as well as six new character classes: the Samurai, the Punk Rocker, the Android, the Gunfighter, the Nerd and the Pirate. Up to four players can be play and each class can only be chosen by a single player at a time. It is one of the few games for the Lynx that uses its vertical mode.
Reception edit
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 28/40[3] |
| IGN | 5.5/10[4] |
| Amstar | 17/20[5] |
| Atari Gaming Headquarters | 6/10[6] |
| The Games Machine | 82%[7] |
| Hobby Consolas | 85/100[8] |
| Joystick | 86%[9] |
| Micromanía | 7/10[10] |
| Power Play | 57%[11] |
Gauntlet: The Third Encounter garnered mixed reception.[12] In a review for STart, Clayton Walnum commented: "Although The Third Encounter is basically a shoot-em-up, spells and other special items take the game a step beyond that genre. Moreover, tricky obstacles like illusory walls make this dungeon diversion as much a treasure hunt as a shooter. The display is vivid and imaginative and the gameplay fast and smooth".[13]
References edit
- ^ "AGH Lynx Review -- Gauntlet: The Third Encounter". www.atarihq.com. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ Jung, Robert A. (1999-07-07). "Gauntlet: The Third Encounter". IGN. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Stockhausen, Jim (June 1990). "Review Crew: Lynx - Atari — Gauntlet 3". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 11. Sendai Publishing. p. 20.
- ^ A. Jung, Robert (July 7, 1999). "Gauntlet: The Third Encounter — Third time's not the charm". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- ^ "Le cahier des consoles n°1: Lynx - Gauntlet". Amstar (in French). No. 49. Soracom Editions. September 1990. p. 43.
- ^ Iida, Keita (1995). "AGH Lynx Review: GAUNTLET: THE THIRD ENCOUNTER". atarihq.com. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- ^ "Consoles: Atari Lynx - Reviews — Gauntlet The Third Encounter". The Games Machine. No. 33. Newsfield Publications. August 1990. p. 50.
- ^ "En Cartel: Gauntlet III (Lynx) - La fiesta de la calavera". Hobby Consolas (in Spanish). No. 7. Hobby Press. April 1992. p. 160.
- ^ Demoly, Jean-Marc (September 1990). "Tests - Lynx - Gauntlet: The Third Encounter". Joystick (in French). No. 8. Sipress. p. 119.
- ^ J.V.C. (December 1990). "Punto de mira - Lynx: Gauntlet The Third Encounter". Micromanía (in Spanish). Vol. 2, no. 31. HobbyPress. p. 54.
- ^ Gaksch, Martin (September 1990). "Power Tests - Video-Spiele: Gauntlet III (Lynx)". Power Play (in German). No. 30. Future Verlag. p. 128.
- ^ Molyneaux, Maurice (October 1990). "Gaming on the Go - Gauntlet: The Third Encounter — Atari for the Lynx". VideoGames & Computer Entertainment. No. 21. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 166.
- ^ Walnum, Clayton (December 1990). "The Lynx Collection - Gauntlet, The Thind Encounter". STart. No. 39. Antic Publishing. pp. 67–73.
