The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

GAUNTLET

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Alias          : THE GAUNTLET

Game Type          : Arcade; Shoot-'em-up; DEFENDER clone

Author             :

Standalone Release(s)   : 1984: GAUNTLET, Micro Power, £6.99

Compilation Release(s)   : None

Stated compatibility    : Electron

Actual compatibility    : Electron, BBC B, B+ and Master 128

Supplier            : MICRO POWER, 8/8A Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, LEEDS

                    LS7 4PE. Tel: 01532 683186.

Disc compatibility     : CDFS E00, DFS E00

Instructions

From the depth of space come the hostile Reegs. Fly X15 over the desolate landscape to protect the Cannisters from the attacking forces. LANDERS follow the shape of the landcape in search of Cannisters. If a Lander grabs a cannister and succeeds in carrying it to the top of the screen, it turns into a MUTANT.

Shoot the alien shop and catch the cannister as it falls. If it falls a long way, it will disintegrate on impact.

CRUISERS unleash a convoy of BUZZERS when they are hit.

Activating a SMART BOMB will cause everything on the screen to disintegrate. On higher waves, each MINE LAYER will launch three KILLERS unless destroyed beforehand.

If all the cannisters are destroyed then the land disintegrates and you have to contend with a swarm of mutants.

Scoring

Lander .................................. 10

Mine Layer .............................. 20

Crawler ................................. 30

Mutant .................................. 40

Killer .................................. 40

Cruiser ................................. 40

Buzzer .................................. 50

Destroying Cannister ..................... 0

Cannister landing safely ................ 60

Cannister caught while falling .......... 80

Cannister returned to earth ............. 80

A bonus is awarded for each remaining cannister at the end of every wave. An extra life and an additional Smart Bomb is awarded every 1,000 points.

Game Controls

A - Up,   Z - Down,   <RETURN> - Fire,   <SHIFT> - Thrust

<SPACE> - Reverse,   <CAPS> - Smart Bomb

Instructions' Source   : 10 COMPUTER HITS (Beau Jolly) Inner Inlay

Review (ELBUG)

GAUNTLET shows just what can be done with an Electron if you try. GAUNTLET is a version of the now ageing arcade classic, "Defender", in which you have to defend a planet's surface, and more importantly the beings upon it, from the invaders.

The invaders come in all forms. The most important are those that actually kidnap the planet's natural inhabitants. You can perform thrilling mid air rescues to return the beings to the surface. Other invaders are just there to get you. Some split up when hit to form several very fast moving smaller critters.

To aid you in this quest you have but a small craft equipped with a long range scanner and a front-facing laser and a few 'smart bombs' which destroy every hostile thing visible on the screen.

As such, GAUNTLET is a fairly standard version of "Defender". That is what is so good about it. Not so long ago nobody thought it possible to perform such smooth moving, action-filled games as this on an Electron. Micro Power has proved the point very convincingly. The graphics are excellent. All the action is very fast and smooth, the controls responsive and the colours well thought out. There is so much going on all the time. Some of the 'set pieces' such as your craft exploding (It does happen occasionally!) are brilliant - better than the original or Acornsoft's much acclaimed PLANETOID.

As if all this wasn't enough there is even a demonstration mode. If your fingers get worn too close to the bone you can sit back and watch it all happen with the Elk at the controls. Marvellous.

Next to a masterpiece such as ELITE, I guess GAUNTLET looks pretty tame, but it is an excellent version of an old favourite and as such will probably do as well for Micro Power as it will for you. Rating: ****

Geoff Bains, ELBUG 2. 2

Review (Electron User)

For anyone who likes the traditional arcade type games, this is one for you. You're given sole control of an X15 space fighter and as you're zooming along over a decidedly hostile-looking terrain you find that your airspace isn't exactly friendly either.

Endless battalions of Reegs seem intent on knocking the living daylights out of you as well as stealing the precious canisters of...well, what it is that they're trying to steal is not quite clear, but it must be mighty important as your mission is to rescue as much of it as possible.

Happily, you're not totally defenceless, as you can fire back at the Reegs. I advise you to do this, quickly and smartly. If you see a Reeg making off with a canister shoot him and rescue the canister. Placing it on the ground can be very point-profitable. If the Reeg gets the canister to the top of the screen, it develops into a mutant and they're very hard to shake off.

As you go through waves of attack your problems become more and more frustrating. Mine layers, cruisers, buzzers and crawlers are just some of the nasties you'll meet appearing out of nowhere.

And by the way, don't let all your canisters be destroyed, or everything will disintegrate and you'll have a swarm of mutants on your hands.

Should all else fail your smart bomb blows everything to smithereens. All in all it's an enjoyable game for all the family. Graphics are well up to standard and the keys are simple to handle: A and Z for up and down, <SHIFT> for thrust, <RETURN> for fire and CAPS LK for the smart bomb.

Good stuff. A must for arcade freaks.

Keith Young, ELECTRON USER 2. 8