Lode Runner
I was never the biggest Lode Runner fan. In fact, I thought there were only 2 games in the franchise to date. The history section of the demo took my school on that. Listing so many different versions and releases of Lode Runner it’s not surprising that this XBLA game includes as many modes as it does.
For those unaware the Lode Runner formula is pretty simple. You play a character who can only move left/right and climb ladders. The objective is to collect all the gold in the level, which will open a door, or remove and obstacle, which will allow you to progress.
The graphics are well done, and the game still feels like Lode Runner. The controls are pretty loose, you can use either the D-Pad or Analog stick to move the character, but I found myself often walking off a ledge when I meant to stop or climb a ladder.
The single player offerings include Training Mode, Journey mode, Hang On Mode, and Puzzle Mode.
The training mode is self-explanatory, while the adventure mode is your typical progress through many levels in order to complete the game type mode. The ? mode is basically survival. Try to collect as much gold as possible in each level while more enemies appear to chase you as you try to stay alive. Puzzle mode is an interesting mode in which each level is setup in a way that you’ll have to think about how to beat it. There are no enemies in puzzle mode.
The co-op game modes also include Journey, Hang On, and Puzzle.
A lot of work went into these co-op modes and for me were the most fun of this game.
The adventure mode is much like the singe player mode. The main exception is that if one of you die a token will be added to the stage, if the living player can grab that token before being killed, the dead player will regenerate and continue playing.
The puzzle mode really forces you to work together with your partner to get through the single level offered in the trail. Added abilities allow you to stand on your partner’s head, which allow for some very interesting puzzles.
A lot of love obviously went into this game, but the truth is that Lode Runner has hit its high point too long ago. While this remake is interesting, it gets boring fast. At best this game is for nostalgic Lode Runner fans. The $15 entrance fee for this game is just too high as well. Those interested should try out the demo. I had fun with it, but that was enough for me.
