I remember first stumbling upon Chariot as it appeared on the Xbox One Games Store at the latter end of 2014. Turning up as a free Xbox Live Games With Gold title, questions were asked as to why it was being given away for free to the majority of Xbox One owners. Was it because it was rubbish and not worth a price tag? Or was it just because both Xbox and Frima Studios wanted to get it out to as many players as possible? Thankfully it seemed to be due to the latter, because after spending a good few hours with the grumpy old King, it transpired that Chariot was a fairly in-depth journey in which the player would be treated to much exploration, many moments of jumping madness and the occasional glimmer of humour.
It all worked well, at least when the single player campaign was to be spoken of, with only a rather disappointing local multiplayer system taking it down a notch. Chariot was, and still is, very nearly one of those under-the-radar must-play titles and it’s been something that I’ve occasionally gone back to for the odd 15 minutes as I attempt to explore the riches-laden catacombs for another entrance, more loot or just to try and plough through in a speed run.
Now though, one year on, Chariot is making a name for itself yet again with the inclusion of some rather nifty downloadable content. No, it’s not an online multiplayer mode and no, it doesn’t fix the issues that local players will no doubt still have. What it does do however is makes what was a reasonably tricky game, just that bit easier as five new gadgets have been brought into play. But were they needed? Well, yes and no.
The Royal Gadget Pack breathes fresh life into a dead King’s soul and one year on from it’s original debut, ensures that those new to Xbox One or those who have still to check out their free game from way back in October 2014 have something to look forward to. Not only do you get to now play as the talkative skeleton shopkeeper, taking your tally of different characters to three, but at least two of the included new gadgets are near on life savers.
The Warp Beacon gives you the opportunity to save yourself from trouble. Quickly placed, it will ensure that should either you or your precious chariot fall from grace, into the abyss or just get plain stuck, then a quick warp back to a point in time gives you another shot at the cherry. It basically works as a mobile checkpoint system and even with a number of safe points already in place, gives you that extra little assurance that should things go wrong, they are easily rectified.
Alongside warping to safety, the second most useful addition that comes with the Royal Gadget Pack is that of the Royal Arms. Looters are a nuisance in Chariot (occasionally so much so that it can be a bit of a chore to progress further), pinching your valuables at the most inopportune of moments, but a quick fire of the Royal Arms will see them taken down easily, giving you the chance to escape swiftly. With different Royal Arms available for each character, there is a slight tactical joy to Chariot when using this most useful of gadget.
Whilst the above are both superb additions to the game, I have to admit that the other three included, that of the Omni-Boot, Stasis Field and Shield Bubble all fade away in comparison. It’s nice to be able to walk normally on any surface with the new boots, completely disregarding the likes of ice and lava, whilst firing off a Stasis shot, freezing everything and anything in sight can at times be a little helpful. Indeed, shielding yourself from trouble is always a great hand as well, but for the most part I can see the vast majority of gamers venturing underground with either the Royal Arms or the Warp Beacon attached and only really using the other gadgets once or twice.
With no less than ten new achievements to go for and a super low price most certainly tempting you into a purchase, the Royal Gadget Pack is a decent but not life changing content pack for Chariot. By all means go and pick it up because it’ll not only give you the motivation to go searching for that final resting place once again, but it’ll make things a bit easier in the process.
Just don’t expect a full on game changer…not unless you were really struggling first time around anyway!
You can read our full review of Chariot on Xbox One right here.
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