Elden Ring vs Gauntlet: The Third Encounter
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Elden Ring is a challenging open-world action RPG that brings FromSoftware’s punishing combat into a vast, explorable land conceived with George R. R. Martin. It rewards curiosity and mastery with deep build variety and cryptic, atmospheric storytelling.
In Gauntlet: The Third Encounter, an enchanted Star Gem crashes at the base of an ancient castle, unleashing loathsome creatures that guard its power. Players must delve into the fortress, battle hordes, and retrieve the gem before its magic fuels a world‑ending threat. The game blends classic arcade hack‑and‑slash action with strategic co‑op play, letting friends team up to explore labyrinthine levels, collect magical items, and confront massive bosses in a retro fantasy setting.
Around $59.99; Shadow of the Erdtree expansion sold separately.
- Massive, rewarding open world
- Incredible boss design
- Huge build freedom
- High replay value
- Engaging cooperative multiplayer
- Authentic retro graphics and sound
- Varied magical items add strategic depth
- Challenging boss encounters
- Very difficult, steep learning curve
- Little hand-holding
- Performance issues at launch on some platforms
- Limited platform availability (PC only)
- No modern save‑system; relies on continues
- Audio can feel repetitive after long sessions
What reviewers say
Elden Ring Reviews
4.0 (2)Love it
Sunk way too many hours into Elden Ring. Massive, rewarding open world. No real complaints. Would recommend.
Fun with caveats
Picked up Elden Ring recently. Upside: high replay value. Downside: very difficult, steep learning curve.
Gauntlet: The Third Encounter Reviews
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A vast open-world action RPG with a acclaimed story and monster hunting.
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataElden Ring offers a deep, challenging open‑world RPG on modern consoles and PC, while Gauntlet: The Third Encounter is a retro‑style, cooperative arcade hack‑and‑slash limited to PC.
Key differences
- •Platform coverage: Elden Ring runs on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox; Gauntlet is PC‑only.
- •Gameplay scope: Elden Ring is a large open‑world action RPG; Gauntlet is a top‑down, level‑linked arcade hack‑and‑slash.
- •Multiplayer: Elden Ring is primarily single‑player (no coop mentioned); Gauntlet supports up to four players simultaneously.
- •Price model: Elden Ring costs around $59.99 with optional expansion; Gauntlet is a one‑time paid title (price not specified).
- •Production era: Elden Ring is a 2022 release with modern graphics; Gauntlet is a 1990 retro title with pixel art.
Gameplay & fun factor
Elden Ring provides expansive open‑world exploration and deep build variety versus Gauntlet's limited arcade levels.
Platform availability
Elden Ring supports PC, PlayStation, and Xbox; Gauntlet is only available on PC.
Price & value
Gauntlet is a one‑time purchase (price unspecified) while Elden Ring costs around $59.99 plus optional expansion.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Gauntlet offers up to four‑player simultaneous co‑op; Elden Ring has no cooperative mode listed.
Content & replayability
Elden Ring’s massive open world, hidden dungeons, and high replay value outweigh Gauntlet’s procedurally linked sections.
Difficulty & accessibility
Gauntlet’s arcade difficulty is moderate; Elden Ring is noted as very difficult with a steep learning curve.
Graphics & performance
Elden Ring features modern 3D graphics (despite launch performance issues); Gauntlet uses 1990 pixel‑art graphics.
Choose Elden Ring if…
Players seeking a modern, deep, single‑player RPG with high replay value.
Choose Gauntlet: The Third Encounter if…
Players wanting retro co‑op arcade action on PC with a lower upfront cost.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper overall?
Gauntlet is a one‑time paid title (price not specified) whereas Elden Ring costs around $59.99 plus optional expansion.
Can I play with friends?
Gauntlet supports up to four players simultaneously; Elden Ring has no cooperative mode mentioned.
Do I need a modern console?
Elden Ring runs on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox; Gauntlet runs only on PC.