The introductory cut scenes are some of
the most incredible seen in a fantasy game. Warriors gather, then face
an onrushing horde of goblin-esque monsters. Using swords and staves, the
few fell the onrushing mass, until only one remains the boss. High
above, a solitary figure watches. When the field is clear, he reaches for
the massive weapon strapped to his back, then launches himself into the
air. Down he flies, toward the creature, his sword raising up and back.
He delivers the blow as he lands; cleaving
the beast’s head in two and cutting the creature’s right shoulder and arm
from the body. The foes are vanquished; time to pose for the group picture.
Black Stone: Steel & Magic, a Xbox
release from Xicat, does indeed feature one of the most compelling opening cut
scenes of late. Then the game itself reduces itself into an upgraded
version of Gauntlet Dark Legacy.
The story for Black Stone is rather simple:
it has been a thousand years since the dark mages were defeated at Zedan,
and instead of vanishing completely from the land, they lay hidden in the
Tower of Babylon. It may have taken a century, but for the dark mages,
that was not a time spent idle. Their powers have grown and finally they
have been able to awaken the ancient volcano known as Moon-eye. Moon-eye
has weakened the powers of the Holy Light, which was protecting the land.
Without that protection, the dark mages
were able to steal the souls of the people of Zedan and turn them into
slaves. And the leader of the group, Xylon, has managed to secure many
pieces of the Black Stone, which has fed his power and led him to challenge
for control of the world.
As one of five character classes, your
job is to stop him. This game is basically a dungeon crawl through 26 levels.
As you move along, you collect Black Stones hidden in the level. Monsters
drop gold and spells and keys. The keys open a chest holding other treasure,
as well as food to help heal health-point loss.
While this game bears a striking resemblance
to Gauntlet, Black Stone does have some features that will lure players
to its arcade-like game play. You can actually find creatures to ride,
which will attack for you. They are on a timer though, and after a certain
amount of time, they will disappear.
The game also features a different array
of moves, and even melee combatants can carry and use missile weapons.
The camera angle, though it does follow
the action, is fixed on one side of the dungeon, which doesn’t afford the
best view of all that was happening.
Black Stone Magic & Steel is, more
or less, a Gauntlet clone. It does have some improved graphical attributes,
the action is a little more fluid, but this game borrows from the style
of gaming, sound and set-up that made Gauntlet Dark Legacy so popular.
If you have played Gauntlet and are looking for more of the same style
of gaming experience, you will enjoy Black Stone.
This game contains blood and
violence, and rated T (teen).
Gameplay: 7
The mapboards are big, but linear in nature.
This is a maze, with a pop-up map that will help you thread your way through
from the start to the finish. Collecting power-ups along the way is part
of the key of the game.
Graphics: 7.9
Walls are not necessarily impenetrable.
You can stand on one side and hack the mobs on the other to death. The
animation and special effects are improved over Gauntlet, and you have
to be careful what you target. You can do damage to fellow players in the
multiplayer setting.
Sound: 7
This is average, all the way.
Difficulty: Medium
The game’s challenge is tied to working
through the monsters from one end of the level to the next. The control
elements have a short learning curve, and this is a dungeon crawl, with
simple puzzles, but a lot of enemies to work through.
Concept: 6.5
This may have some new and/or improved
elements, but this is a clone, nonetheless.
Multiplayer: 7.5
Much like Gauntlet, this game is locked
so that multiple gamers cannot get too far from one another. However, this
game is more fun when playing in a group.
Overall: 7.2
This is the same score Gauntlet Dark Legacy
received. This may have slightly better graphics, and some new elements,
but this game is virtually a clone arcade role-playing game. That is not
a bad thing, though, if you like Gauntlet.
