Trials of the Gauntlet

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

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 story is interesting and engaging, with elements related to Nikola Tesla that enhance player empathy.
Despite its flaws, the game offers a fun and quick experience, making it a decent choice for fans of retro-style platformers.

The controls are clunky and frustrating, making platforming difficult and detracting from the overall enjoyment.
The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches, including issues with the grappling hook and inconsistent character movement.
Graphics and sound design are subpar, with low-quality visuals and a repetitive soundtrack that fail to enhance the gaming experience.

story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The game features a simple yet engaging story that intertwines historical elements, such as the Tesla-Edison rivalry, with creative gameplay mechanics involving electricity. While some players appreciate the cute narrative and character development, others find the controls lacking and the overall experience short. Despite its flaws, the story is generally well-received, particularly by fans of 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 (~2hrs), I highly recommend it if you enjoy retro-style games with a story; you will not be disappointed.”
- “The game has a simple plot that feels underdeveloped.”
- “The soundtrack does not fit the tone of the story and the environment.”
- “I like the story, but the controls are horrible.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
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, the execution is marred by clunky controls and frustrating mechanics, leading to a mixed reception where creativity is acknowledged but overshadowed by poor gameplay quality. Overall, while the game offers some fun mechanics, it struggles to compete with more polished 2D 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 criticize it as bland, repetitive, and poorly fitting the game's tone. The soundtrack is often described as minimal, with some instances of atmospheric music, but overall, it lacks depth and originality, leading to a generally mediocre impression. Many reviewers suggest that improvements are needed for future projects, especially regarding the composition and integration of music.
- “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; however, 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 quality and a lack of polish detract from the overall visual experience, leading to a generally disappointing impression.
- “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.”
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; I wish there was controller support, for example.”
- “Not to mention the countless glitches and problems with hitboxes.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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 perfectly complements the game's immersive environment.”
- “The sound design creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that draws you in.”
- “Every element of the atmosphere, from the visuals to the audio, enhances the overall experience.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
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.”
- “I love how each playthrough feels unique, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps the game fresh, ensuring I can replay it multiple times without getting bored.”
- “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.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users note that the crosshair's misalignment with the hook's trajectory can lead to confusion, suggesting that developers should invest more time in refining this aspect. They emphasize that practice and grinding can improve gameplay, indicating that addressing such issues could enhance 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.”