Dark Chambers: Atari 7800 June Review

Dark Chambers: June featured game

It’s June and it’s #AtariMonth so this month’s review is a game described as the spiritual successor to Gauntlet, Dark Chambers, a remake of the 1983 game, Dandy.

Dark Chambers Atari 7800
Loading screen

There’s no mistaking this is a form of Gauntlet. The game starts and instantly you recognise the playing field. My first instinct was to brace myself for hordes of enemies… that, apparently, didn’t get an invite. Taking a quick walk around I got the feeling I’d entered this dungeon during a bank holiday, or maybe everyone was Social Distancing? I encountered approximately 10 enemies in the first area, most seemed disinterested in the fact I was roaming their dungeons.

Dark Chambers Atari 7800
Hello! You over there? Could you point me in the direction of the nearest exit my good chap?
Gameplay

The aim of the game is to collect food, drink, potions and keys in order to make it through to the next level… In other words, Gauntlet!

Dark Chambers plays exactly like Gauntlet except at a slower pace, in short, it’s Gauntlet Jr. There’s not really much to say about the gameplay other than you roam around collecting items, grabbing keys, and head to the exit. All that said I actually enjoyed the slower pace for a change although it’s not something I’d play often. In 1983 it was probably exciting but must’ve felt like a Poundshop Gauntlet when it was released in 1988. Dark Chambers was probably more suited to younger players back in the day.

Graphics

For what I expect, the graphics are well done for the Atari 7800. The sprites are distinguishable as to what they’re meant to be and I particularly liked Death. I found the colours worked well for a limited colour palette, subsequently 25 on screen from a palette of 256 if I recall correctly.

Sound

The title screen music is good for the Atari 7800 although the sound effects in-game are a little “blippy”. It works though, I guess.

Gameplay:3 out of 5 stars (3.0 / 5)
Graphics:4 out of 5 stars (4.0 / 5)
Sound:3 out of 5 stars (3.0 / 5)
Final Score:3.3 out of 5 stars (3.3 / 5)

Publisher: Atari
Release Year: 1988
Players: 1-2 (simultaneous)
Genre: Arcade: Dungeon Crawler
System: Atari 7800
Controls:

    • Joystick

Play @ archive.org