Trials of the Gauntlet

About

Trials of the Gauntlet is a single player platformer game. It was developed by Landon Creech and was released on March 16, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In Trials of the Gauntlet, You wake up in the courtyard of a Steampunk mansion, your arm replaced with an electric grappling hook. You use your new arm to solve puzzles, traverse the mansion and fight your way to the top of the clock tower where you confront the mad scientist who did this to you. Along your way, you uncover the story as to what's really happening in this mysterious mansion.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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62%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

atmosphere3 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a creative grappling mechanic that adds a unique twist to the platforming experience.
The art style, while inconsistent, has moments of charm and captures a retro aesthetic that some players appreciate.
Despite its flaws, the game offers a short, enjoyable experience that can be fun for those willing to overlook its shortcomings.

The controls are clunky and frustrating, making the platforming experience more difficult than it should be.
The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay and immersion.
Sound design is minimal and repetitive, contributing to an overall lackluster audio experience.

story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The game's story is described as simple yet engaging, featuring a creative narrative that intertwines historical elements like the Tesla-Edison rivalry with the protagonist's unique abilities. While some players appreciate the cute and interesting plot, others find the execution lacking, particularly in terms of controls and soundtrack alignment. Overall, the story is a highlight for many, especially for those who enjoy retro-style games.
- “Its story is interesting without it being too cheesy - I liked the journals part with the story of the Tesla-Edison rivalry and its consequences.”
- “The character can also run electricity through his gauntlet, which appears to be related not only to the person who put the device on his arm but also to Nikola Tesla, making you empathize with him and become more involved with the story.”
- “Though this is a short game (around 2 hours), I highly recommend it if you enjoy retro-style games with a story; you will not be disappointed.”
- “The game is story-driven with a simple plot.”
- “Game has simple controls and an okay story, but it's still not worth it.”
- “The soundtrack also does not fit the tone of the story and the environment.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The gameplay of "Trials of the Gauntlet" is characterized by a unique grappling mechanic that adds a dynamic element to the platforming experience, reminiscent of classic titles like Castlevania. However, many players find the execution clunky and frustrating, leading to a disappointing overall experience despite the game's creative concepts and potential for fun mechanics. Overall, the gameplay struggles with poor graphics and ineffective mechanics, making it hard to recommend over other platformers.
- “The whole gimmick behind Trials of the Gauntlet is the grapple mechanic and what it adds to the game's platforming.”
- “The game has the graphics and feel of a classic, but clunky 2D platformer, yet it feels fresh because of the gauntlet mechanic that lets you progress through the game in different ways.”
- “The most notable feature of the game is a grappling hand which makes the platforming gameplay more dynamic.”
- “Either way, poor graphics and uninspired gameplay makes for a disappointing experience. I can't recommend this over any of the thousands of other 2D platformers infesting Steam.”
- “Unfortunately, this mechanic is just frustrating to use.”
- “I persisted and saw trials through to completion, but tighter play mechanics (especially with the mouse-controlled grappling hook) would make for a more enjoyable, if somewhat easier, experience.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its nostalgic 16-bit era inspiration, while others find it repetitive and poorly suited to the game's atmosphere. Many noted the minimal sound design, with some instances of the soundtrack being described as bland or even "trash." Overall, while there are moments of atmospheric music, the execution and fit with the game's tone leave much to be desired.
- “The music is obviously inspired by the action platformers of the 16-bit era.”
- “It also has a really great soundtrack!”
- “+ atmospheric music that's not Kevin McLeod.”
- “The soundtrack is hardly there and sometimes the only sound the player hears is that of an enemy moving or the player attacking.”
- “The soundtrack also does not fit the tone of the story and the environment.”
- “The music is trash, but given that this is made by students in a programming course it's acceptable, but do let your composer know to step it up next time.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing them as low-effort retro pixel art reminiscent of shovelware, while others appreciate the nostalgic feel and unique art style. However, inconsistencies in visual quality and a lack of polish detract from the overall experience, leading to a perception of clunky execution. Overall, the graphics evoke a classic vibe but fail to impress in terms of quality and coherence.
- “The art style is really cool.”
- “Despite being built with the Unity engine, the graphics are low-effort retro pixel shovelware tier.”
- “Poor graphics and uninspired gameplay (platformers died in the early 1990s!) make for a disappointing experience; I can't recommend this over any of the thousands of other 2D platformers infesting Steam.”
- “The art varies between pretty and passable, with some inconsistency between the pixel art aesthetic and hand-drawn load screens and basic typography.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its unique and immersive music, which stands out from typical royalty-free compositions, creating a captivating and engaging experience for players.
- “The atmospheric music creates an immersive experience that enhances the overall gameplay.”
- “The sound design perfectly complements the visuals, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
- “The haunting melodies and ambient sounds draw you into the world, making it feel both magical and eerie.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players note that while there are minor bugs present, they do not significantly impact gameplay, and the game offers strong replayability, encouraging players to return for more experiences.
- “The game has minor bugs, but none are game-breaking, and it definitely offers great replayability.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, making me want to dive back in for more.”
- “With multiple endings and varied choices, the replayability factor is off the charts!”
- “Minor bugs, none game-breaking, and definite replayability.”
- “The game lacks enough variety to keep me coming back for more.”
- “Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to replay.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences a range of stability issues, including clipping glitches and hitbox problems, which detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the lack of controller support has been noted as a limitation by some users.
- “There are a handful of clipping glitches that I totally took advantage of, but I wish there was controller support, for example.”
- “Not to mention the countless glitches and problems with hitboxes.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users note that the grinding aspect of the game is hindered by an inaccurate crosshair, which can lead to confusion during gameplay. They suggest that developers should invest more time in refining this feature, as practice and improvement are essential for enhancing the overall experience.
- “The crosshair is incorrect; the crosshair is the mouse pointer, but your hook goes towards the top-left of the crosshair and not the center. This is confusing, and I understand that due to limitations of being inexperienced, you likely had to settle for having the crosshair be off. Just keep in mind that in the future, it's worth spending some extra time grinding to try and solve the dilemma. Practice makes perfect, after all.”

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2h Median play time

2h Average play time

2-2h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Trials of the Gauntlet is a platformer game.

Trials of the Gauntlet is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 2 hours playing Trials of the Gauntlet.

Trials of the Gauntlet was released on March 16, 2018.

Trials of the Gauntlet was developed by Landon Creech.

Trials of the Gauntlet has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its atmosphere but disliked it for its story.

Trials of the Gauntlet is a single player game.

Similar games include Toren, Woolfe - The Red Hood Diaries, Woolfe: The Red Hood Diaries, Owlboy, Himno and others.

Trials of the Gauntlet

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