Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights

Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights
The Ghosts'n Goblins series logo as seen in Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights
Developer(s)	Capcom
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Platform(s)	Apple iOS
Release date(s)	Gold Knights: November 11, 2009 Gold Knights II: August 12, 2010
Genre(s)	Run and Gun Platformer
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	Apple: 9+

Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights (魔界村騎士列伝, Makaimura Kishi Retsuden^?, lit. "Hell Village Knight Biographies") and Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II (魔界村騎士列伝II, Makaimura Kishi Retsuden II^?) are a pair of run and gun platformer video games developed and published by Capcom for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch devices and are the latest games in the Ghosts'n Goblins franchise.

They are the first games in the series to offer a choice of playable characters in addition to the series standard, Arthur. Similar to Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins they employ 3D graphics, while maintaining much of the 2D gameplay mechanics of the earlier games.^[1]

Story

Whenever demons threatened to plunge the world in darkness, the knight Arthur would come forward and stop them. Yet, the hard-won peace has ended as demonic hordes have once again appeared stealing the souls of innocent maidens. In order to protect her kingdom , Princess Prin-Prin assembles the greatest knights in the land. Sir Arthur and Lancelot set out to rescue the maidens and learn the secret of the demons' return. After defeating Astaroth and the demon lord however, Lancelot is attacked and kidnapped. Sir Perceval manages to save Arthur from a similar fate and the two set out to rescue Lancelot. They encounter a mysterious Black Knight who attempts to stop them. After defeating him, they realize that the Black Knight was Lancelot forced to wear demonic armor and that the demon lord has returned and is ready to attack the human realm.

Both games represent a single continuous story, with Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II beginning directly after the cliffhanger presented in Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights.

Playable characters

• Arthur: Available in both Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights and Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II. In Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights Arthur has stronger weapons and armor but slower attack speed than Lancelot.^[2] In Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II he has a larger selection of weapons than Perceval and can use magic.^[3] Arthur is based on King Arthur of Arthurian Legend.

• Lancelot: Available in Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights, Lancelot has a higher rate of fire than Arthur at the cost of less power and durability. He uses similar weapons and magic as Arthur in addition to possessing a unique jump attack. Lancelot is kidnapped at the conclusion of Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights.^[2] He is based on the Lancelot of Arthurian Legend.

• Perceval: Available in Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II, Perceval is a close range fighter with higher attack power and durability than Arthur. He uses a variety of elemental swords and cannot perform magic, but possess a unique dash attack. Perceval rescues Arthur at the conclusion of Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights.^[3] He is based on the Perceval of Arthurian Legend.

Microtransactions

For both Gold Knights I & II, Capcom offered optional additional microtransactions designed to decrease the difficulty of the game. These included such options as to enable unlimited lives, increase the power and durability of weapons and armor, grant new abilities such as a triple jump, or remove traps and simplify stages.^[3] Reviews praised this method of optional DLC designed solely to assist the player as opposed to selling additional game content.^[4][5]

Reception

Reception for both games was mostly positive calling the titles "solid action titles" that will "appeal to fans of the old-school Ghosts'n Goblins games."^[4] Reviewers also praised the additional playable character which played differently enough to warrant a second play-through. However, both games were criticized for somewhat "fuzzy" controls and lack of support for Apple's Retina display. It was also noted that the traditional high-level of difficulty usually present in the franchise was toned down to accommodate the limitations of mobile gaming.^[4][6]

See also

• Ghosts'n Goblins (series)

References

1. ^ http://wireless.ign.com/articles/104/1044021p1.html
2. ^ ^{a b} "Ghosts n’ Goblins: Gold Knights Official Site". Capcom. http://www.capcom.co.jp/iphone/gng_en/. Retrieved 2010-10-13. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Ghosts n’ Goblins: Gold Knights II Official Site". Capcom. http://www.capcom.co.jp/iphone/gng2_en/. Retrieved 2010-10-13. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Ghosts'N Goblins: Gold Knights II iPhone Review". IGN. 2010-08-13. http://wireless.ign.com/articles/111/1112310p1.html. Retrieved 2010-10-13. 
5. ^ "Ghosts n’ Goblins: Can’t Beat It? Spend Some Money On Virtual Armor". Inside Social Games. 2009-11-17. http://www.insidesocialgames.com/2009/11/17/ghosts-n%E2%80%99-goblins-can%E2%80%99t-beat-it-spend-some-money-on-virtual-armor/. Retrieved 2010-10-12. 
6. ^ "Ghosts 'n Goblins: Gold Knights Review". IGN. 2009-11-10. http://wireless.ign.com/articles/104/1044021p1.html. Retrieved 2010-10-13. 

External links

• Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights Official Website
• Ghosts'n Goblins: Gold Knights II Official Website