When comparing Mage Gauntlet vs Hyper Light Drifter, the Slant community recommends Hyper Light Drifter for most people. In the question“What are the best pixel art games?” Hyper Light Drifter is ranked 7th while Mage Gauntlet is ranked 50th. The most important reason people chose Hyper Light Drifter is:
The combat in the game is action based in real time. Each enemy has a different attack pattern that can be learned meaning that with time the player knows when and where to hit an enemy. While the combat can be tough at time when multiple enemies are on screen, the challenge can be worth it for the enjoyment of accomplishment.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Master mode
Once the game is beaten, master mode unlocks which has mixed levels and new secret areas.
Pro Robust loot system
Mage gauntlet has a very robust loot system that includes many different armor and weapon sets as well as upgrades for spells.
Pro Unique magic system
The magic system in Mage Gauntlet consists of a limited moveset of four spells that need to be replenished from in world urns, making for a bit of a balancing act of when to use spells in order to get through the tougher parts of each level.
Pro Touch screen controls work great
Like other RocketCat games, the on screen controls are spot on.
Pro Very reminiscent of SNES era games
Mage Gauntlet has the design similar of games such as Chrono Trigger or Secret of Mana, making for a experience full of nostalgia.
Pro Good combat
The combat in the game is action based in real time. Each enemy has a different attack pattern that can be learned meaning that with time the player knows when and where to hit an enemy. While the combat can be tough at time when multiple enemies are on screen, the challenge can be worth it for the enjoyment of accomplishment.
Pro Level design full of choices
Much like older Zelda games, there are different paths that can be taken in each level, there are hidden areas as well. This allows for a good bit of exploration in the game, giving a sense that you are the one exploring and discovering this world.
Pro Tells the story through pictures
With no dialog in the game (including text), the game is told through the use of pictures. When talking to an NPC, they will tell their story through a series of pictures. This goes for all interaction in the game. Which is an interesting way to go about telling a story and is pretty unique. Luckily the game tells its story successfully through this method, making for an enjoyable story overall.
Pro Fantastic pixel graphics
While pixel graphics have seen a revival of late being that they are cheap to make, which lends itself well to the indie scene, Hyper Light Drifter is a step above any of the best offered in this style before. Everything is hand drawn and beautifully detailed. The color pallets used stand out on just their own, as the backgrounds are all quite detailed, with different color choices being used in order to differentiate each area. All the animations in the game are pretty detailed too, even for pixel graphics. T
Pro Great sound
The game actually has no dialog, meaning that the music and sound effects emote what the player should be feeling. Luckily they do their job and then some, the music is easy to listen to and works with the game well, same with the sound effects. Everything feels as though it belongs, which is quite an accomplishments due to how stylized the game is.
Pro Dynamic dungeons
The layout of each dungeon will change dynamically as you kill enemies contained within. So walls will move or disappear, making for a new path, depending on who you have killed. This makes for an enthralling experience that constantly asks the player to shift their strategy, making for gameplay that does not get stale.
Pro Many collectibles
There are many collectibles and secrets for those who like to find everything.
Cons
Con Lacks depth in gameplay
Mage Gauntlet is primarily focused on action-based gameplay and tends to forget many traditional RPG-elements such as upgrading and gathering loot. Mage Gauntlet is filled with corridor fights that aren't ideal for extended play, while boss fights lack variety because they all behave in a similar way.
Con Story is lackluster
While borrowing from many RPG greats from the past, the plot feels a bit derivative while also falling a bit flat. Better writing could have definitely helped flesh out the adventure more.
Con Gameplay can be tough
The game can get difficult, causing a good deal of frustration due to the difficulty of enemies in the game. While no impossible, many may feel it is too tough in the later portion of the game.
Con Can be difficult to figure out what to do
With no dialog it can be difficult to figure out what to do and where to go. There is no hand holding here, which is a bit of a throwback to games back in the 90s, but still can be frustrating when stuck and having no idea what to do next. This can be exacerbated by the fact that certain basses need you to be equipped with a certain upgrade in order to defeat them. Since there is no explanation of what this upgrade is, it can easily be missed leaving the player dying over and over again at the hands of certain bosses.