Think You’ve Beaten Fountains? Prove it in the Gauntlet

So, what exactly is the Gauntlet Mode? Think of it as the ultimate proving ground for warriors who crave a real challenge. Originally designed on PC to accommodate the most demanding souls-like connoisseurs, it’s now arriving on XBOX just after the console version’s premiere.

It’s your turn to test your mettle!

Built for the most demanding players, the Gauntlet gives you something to sink your teeth into after the credits roll. It’s a place to push your skills to the limit, and emerge victorious… or not at all.

A bit confused about what Fountains is like? This gameplay trailer should clear things up.

Entering the Gauntlet

Along the main story, a new character appears: a very literal one. The NPC who runs the show looks exactly like a medieval gauntlet protecting a noble knight’s hand in combat. However, first you’ll need to prove you’re worthy of entrance. After defeating the final boss, have a chat with the gauntlet keeper and the challenge begins.

The Run

Here’s the deal. Fountains has ten boss fights, and the Gauntlet throws every single one of them at you back-to-back. If you own the Shattered Shape expansion, you’ll be able to choose that variant of the Gauntlet and face those bosses too. Each boss stalks their own arena, and every victory teleports you straight to the next showdown.

You’re not walking into this unprepared, though. Bring in your equipment and stock up on consumables. After your third fight, you’ll land in a rest area. Recharge your healing flasks, swap your gear and take a breath before the next round. The same safe haven awaits after the sixth fight, and again after the ninth. Then comes the tenth and final fight – the final boss of the game.

And since every consumable you use during a run is returned to you when it ends, you can spend them without a second thought.

Tips & Tricks

A few tips from the team before you dive in.

Treat every run like a lab. The Gauntlet is a trial you can repeat as often as you like, so use that freedom. Test strange builds, try bold strategies and learn what works.

Pack more than one loadout. Every boss has its own tricks, and the build that melts one might crumble against another. Bring a few sets and switch them up at the rest areas.

Spend your consumables, but spend them smart. They return after the run, but that doesn’t make them infinite during it. Don’t hoard them for a “later” that might never come. Use them boldly and make every one count.

That’s the Gauntlet! Keep a cool head, keep trying and don’t let a defeat shake you. Only the best will pass the test.

Haven’t picked up the game yet? There’s never been a better time. Fountains: Extended Edition (containing the base game and the DLC) is now 20% off, so you can jump in and take on the challenge yourself!

On the Go? We’ve Got You.

Love gaming wherever you are? Other XBOX Play Anywhere compatible titles from Crunching Koalas are on sale too, all with a -50% discount!

Heading Out – Hit the highway in a genre-bending road trip adventure that fuses high-speed racing with narrative storytelling. Outrun your fears across a mythic America, balancing roguelike routes and limited resources, all set to a jazz-and-rock Americana soundtrack and a comic-inspired art style.

Kamikaze Lassplanes– A visual novel and an arcade shoot-’em-up in one. Meet Alba and Hannah, charismatic Lassplanes who transform into deadly war planes you pilot. Your story-branching choices decide the fate of the war, and of your heart.

Once Upon a Jester – A musical comedy adventure starring best friends Sok and Jester, who plot to steal the Royal Diamond by becoming the kingdom’s best improv theatre act. Perform improvised shows, befriend a cast of wacky, fully voiced characters and sing your heart out to an original indie soundtrack.

---

Want to give Gauntlet mode a try yourself? The Gauntlet update is live now in Fountains!