Gauntlet: The Third Encounter (1990)
Action

Publisher	Atari
Developer	Epyx
Series	Gauntlet

Programmer

Jon Leupp

Generations ago an enchanted Star Gem crashed to Earth at the base of an ancient castle. Loathsome creatures crept from the castle and carried the Gem into the dept of the fortress. All attempts to retrieve the Star Gem failed. The adventurers were destroyed. 1 to 4 players.

No, you're not mistaken. GAUNTLET: THE THIRD ENCOUNTER is _not_ a Lynx
adaptation of any of the GAUNTLET arcade games. Instead, this was originally a
similar game developed by Epyx called TIME QUESTS AND TREASURE CHESTS. When
Atari bought the rights to the Lynx, they gave it a quick name change in hopes
that the GAUNTLET title would enhance its market appeal.

In any event, the game pits you and up to three companions against the
demonic hordes of an abandoned castle. Players can choose to be one of eight
characters, each of whom is rated differently in speed, strength, fighting
skill, and health. Your objective is to fight through a dungeon of 40
maze-like levels, and retrieve a mysterious Star Gem of immense power. Along
the way, you will find food, treasure, keys, magic potions and scrolls, and
computer terminals(!) which offer information and sell supplies. You lose
health from time and attacks, and die when it disappears. The action is seen
from a scrolling overhead map, along with a second window that provides a
first-person view of the action.