Gauntlet: Dark Legacy is a hack and slash action game for the Gamecube. Midway was somehow able to retain some of the best parts of the past titles. However, this game has some serious flaws as well.

The first thing that you will see after the Gamecube is booted up is a good intro movie. Basically it tells everything there is to know about this game and what you are trying to do before you even get to the main menu. Once you do finally make your way to the main menu, you'll notice that there isn't much to explore. Only a few options, along with the game's logo and background art, are scattered along the screen, and it all seems very generic.

When you first start your game up, you'll be asked to pick your character. There are quite a few to choose from when you first begin, but there will be plenty of others to collect throughout the game. Once you pick your character, your game will begin.

If you like simple gameplay, than this game is for you. Basically you only have one button for weapons, and that is all you are going to need. Most of the enemies are very easily dealt with, and if they aren't there is another button in which you can use an item on an enemy or just to help you get through the level.

The rest of the time is spent exploring the various paths. The only thing stopping you from reaching the end of the levels is an opponent or finding a key to open a locked gate. There aren't a whole lot of different paths to choose, but the ones that are there offer various rewards and items as you go through which may help your quest or are items that you may even need to proceed (The most prominent being a key). Other than that, the paths are pretty linear and take you to where you need to go.

The puzzles in this game are, well, nonexistent. There are no real puzzles in this game, and it is all very straightforward. However, because the game is a good one to play if you are looking to relax from a hard day or maybe from a game that has frustrated you.

One of the first things that you will notice when you first start the game is the graphics, and unlike most other games that are released in these days, that is not a good thing. The graphics could be compared to that of a high resolution Nintendo 64 title. The characters in the game are mostly bland (Heck, they look better when you actually pick them before the game begins), and the backgrounds could have used some work, as they were generic in terms of the areas that they belonged to. Also, The FMV movies between the levels was rather grainy. The one good thing about the graphics with this game were the effects. The exploding mini volcano, or the lava spewing up from the pit makes the game a bit better.

Sound did not play a major part in this game. I can barely remember any of the music from any of the levels (I don't even know if there WAS music in the levels, that's how uninspired the music in this game was). There were a few different sound effects, but once you've heard them once you'll be dying to turn down the sound effects volume. The rest of the game didn't have all that much music, except for the main menus, which is about the only music that I could really remember and actually liked hearing.

Despite the game's downfalls, The replay value in this game is very high. There is always something in all of the levels that you probably missed, and always something new that you can go back and unlock. Also, doing a 4 player game is very fun so even if you have played it through a couple of times by yourself, you almost can't compare it to the fun you have when there are three other people playing the game with you.

Although the game is a fine experience by yourself, you would most likely have tons more fun if you gathered three of your friends and played through the game together. It makes beating things much easier and it makes the game that much more fun and bearable.