Description:
Back in the golden age of crappy computer games--when the prepubescent digerati pecked away at C64s and TI-99/4As--any game that displayed thoughtful design and an engaging play mechanic always got its due. The original Lode Runner, released in 1983, was one of those solid games. Since memory was measured in Ks back then (not MBs), you couldn't get away with all the fancy window dressing that sometimes passes for game design these days. So it's with great joy that we can greet Lode Runner 2, the Presage-designed remake of the arcade-style, puzzle-solving classic. You're still this strange little fellow intent on stealing gold from a mysterious band of monks (what's up with that anyway?), but that simple, addictive 1983 game mechanic remains intact: You're running through a maze, up ladders, dropping through pits, etc., trying to pick up all the gold on a level before any of the monks can lay a hand on you. To temporarily ice a monk or create an escape route, you can dig a hole to either your right or your left. But Presage has elegantly expanded on the original by making the mazes 3-D, giving your runner a boost in firepower, and supporting multiplayer play. Surprisingly, the added dimension can actually make getting around a little more challenging (usually a good thing), but the new power-ups more than make up for this bit of confusion. You can also pick up invisibility cloaks, mines--even a beach ball that makes you invincible. LR2's multiplayer option supports up to eight players, in either collaborative or death-match play. A well-executed remake, wisely faithful to the original, certainly worth picking up, and promising many hours of hair pulling with its 150-plus levels. And when you run out of those, you can even make your own with LR2's level editor. --Paul Hughes Pros: - Faithful remake that's as addictive as the original
- Excellent fusion of arcade play and puzzle solving
Cons: - 3-D can be a little distracting, adding unnecessary complexity
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