Lode Runner is a simplistic platform title originally developed for museum worthy systems such as the Apple II and Commodore 64, which has now been revamped with clean HD graphics, online multiplayer and a level editor for the Xbox Live Arcade courtesy of Tozai Games and Southend Interactive.
Like many old-school games, the aims in single player modes are relatively simple - collect items without getting hit by the baddies. Lode Runner briefly follows this regime, with the task in hand being the safe collection of gold un-conveniently spattered around the map, only with enemies following you around trying to nab it for themselves. However, Lode Runner takes this seemingly simple formula and twists it by not allowing you to jump. The only item at your disposal is a cannon that blasts rocks, allowing you to either drop to a lower level or trap enemies in giving you time to re-think your strategy. The problem here is that you cannot blast directly underneath ? only to either side ? meaning you have to blast as wide as you do deep.
The core single player mode, Journey, sets you on a quest through 80 brilliantly crafted levels, each with their own different visual backdrop. Aztec walls, inner volcano?s and ice levels are to name a few of the variety you?ll come across. Special blocks appear in each setting, with the ice levels providing avalanches when a snow block is struck and others possessing blocks with stalactites to drop on enemies or other blocks. Along with environmental perks to help you along the way, a clock is placed at the top of your screen to let you know you?re under a limit to collect the gold. You?re also given 3 lives and upon death, even if you have collected all the gold necessary, everything respawns for the next attempt. Although at first you may be annoyed by this, there?s no doubt that each level will get anywhere between 5-10 playthrough?s before a real plan of attack can be set in motion.
Other game modes include Puzzle - 50 puzzles that start off teasing but end up incredibly challenging, despite the lack of enemies - and Hang On, where you?re effectively set in survivor mode with a ton of gold to collect. Here, you?re tasked with collecting as much gold as possible, with the number of enemies constantly increasing. The environmental puzzles are missing here, making it a more novelty game mode.
The joy of this re-release is the addition of multiplayer modes. My personal favourite is co-operative mode - you and a buddy can fly through 48 levels specifically designed to enhance and build teamwork, as you?ll need to bump each other up to spots, blast rocks out of the way and synchronize an enemy-brain meltdown as you proceed through levels. Another mode named Last Man is another survival mode, where the goal is to stay alive the longest. They?re both cool to play and present high levels of fun and calamity, especially co-op.
The original Lode Runner came with its famed level editor and successfully makes the jump in the remake. You have permission to create full levels as well as editing existing ones and it?s simple to get a grasp of. Different environments are available, along with ladders, destructible blocks, trap-ledges and so on. Users can share their levels via map lobbies, although a server to house all user-created gems would have been a far easier way to distribute everything. Instead, you?re stuck with joining a lobby, downloading a map and then leaving, which in this day and age, doesn?t go down too well.
Bottom Line: Lode Runner is a welcome addition to the old-school section of the XBLA. Fun gameplay, well crafted levels and crisp HD graphics all make the experience pleasurable. Constant challenge from both level design and gold placement keep you thinking on your feet and whether moving left or right is a the right option for survival, and the co-op multiplayer modes add extra longevity.
Recommendation: A definite welcome re-release, Lode Runner is a must buy despite the hefty price tag.
Like many old-school games, the aims in single player modes are relatively simple - collect items without getting hit by the baddies. Lode Runner briefly follows this regime, with the task in hand being the safe collection of gold un-conveniently spattered around the map, only with enemies following you around trying to nab it for themselves. However, Lode Runner takes this seemingly simple formula and twists it by not allowing you to jump. The only item at your disposal is a cannon that blasts rocks, allowing you to either drop to a lower level or trap enemies in giving you time to re-think your strategy. The problem here is that you cannot blast directly underneath ? only to either side ? meaning you have to blast as wide as you do deep.
The core single player mode, Journey, sets you on a quest through 80 brilliantly crafted levels, each with their own different visual backdrop. Aztec walls, inner volcano?s and ice levels are to name a few of the variety you?ll come across. Special blocks appear in each setting, with the ice levels providing avalanches when a snow block is struck and others possessing blocks with stalactites to drop on enemies or other blocks. Along with environmental perks to help you along the way, a clock is placed at the top of your screen to let you know you?re under a limit to collect the gold. You?re also given 3 lives and upon death, even if you have collected all the gold necessary, everything respawns for the next attempt. Although at first you may be annoyed by this, there?s no doubt that each level will get anywhere between 5-10 playthrough?s before a real plan of attack can be set in motion.
Other game modes include Puzzle - 50 puzzles that start off teasing but end up incredibly challenging, despite the lack of enemies - and Hang On, where you?re effectively set in survivor mode with a ton of gold to collect. Here, you?re tasked with collecting as much gold as possible, with the number of enemies constantly increasing. The environmental puzzles are missing here, making it a more novelty game mode.
You probably won't be doing this much.
The joy of this re-release is the addition of multiplayer modes. My personal favourite is co-operative mode - you and a buddy can fly through 48 levels specifically designed to enhance and build teamwork, as you?ll need to bump each other up to spots, blast rocks out of the way and synchronize an enemy-brain meltdown as you proceed through levels. Another mode named Last Man is another survival mode, where the goal is to stay alive the longest. They?re both cool to play and present high levels of fun and calamity, especially co-op.
The original Lode Runner came with its famed level editor and successfully makes the jump in the remake. You have permission to create full levels as well as editing existing ones and it?s simple to get a grasp of. Different environments are available, along with ladders, destructible blocks, trap-ledges and so on. Users can share their levels via map lobbies, although a server to house all user-created gems would have been a far easier way to distribute everything. Instead, you?re stuck with joining a lobby, downloading a map and then leaving, which in this day and age, doesn?t go down too well.
Bottom Line: Lode Runner is a welcome addition to the old-school section of the XBLA. Fun gameplay, well crafted levels and crisp HD graphics all make the experience pleasurable. Constant challenge from both level design and gold placement keep you thinking on your feet and whether moving left or right is a the right option for survival, and the co-op multiplayer modes add extra longevity.
Recommendation: A definite welcome re-release, Lode Runner is a must buy despite the hefty price tag.
