Lode Runner 2 Review @ 3DGW

C64 Screenshot from the Lode Runner Museum

In 1984, while pulling a tour of duty in the Army stationed in West Germany, I purchased a Commodore 64 computer with no idea whatsoever that it would change my life forever. One of the very first games I purchased was a game called Lode Runner, which was published by Broderbund Software. Now Lode Runner didn't have stunning graphics, even for it's time. What it did have was incredible game play, which even today a lot of games lack. In my 16 years of computer gaming I have never found a game more addictive, challenging, or more satisfying than Lode Runner.

The Lode Runner universe started with a sophomore at the University of Washington named Doug Smith. Doug approached Broderbund Software in 1983 with his creation Lode Runner and the rest is history. Doug probably didn't realize at the time he was starting a craze that would span almost two decades.

I am not really sure what the exact time frame or events were but around 1993, Sierra Published Presage Software's updated version of the classic entitled, Lode Runner: The Legend Returns. The new version added updated graphics with color, bombs, and a head to head mode for playing on the same screen. The Legend Returns however, still didn't convince me to get rid of my Commodore 64.

If my memory serves me right, Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks Revenge, was released in 1995 shortly after the release of Windows 95. Mad Monks Revenge was basically Legend Returns with an added network support so players could play across a LAN or use utilities such as Kali to play over the internet. The levels were exactly the same as in the original.

When GT Games announced they would be publishing Lode Runner 2, I was so excited, I couldn't contain myself. No longer armed with my C64 (though I do have the Lode Runner Disk :) ), I have been long over due for a Lode Runner fix.

The story behind Lode Runner is almost as much of a puzzle as the game itself. About the only info I can find is the male character you play is named Jake, and other than that I gather Jake likes to collect gold. From that point on though, you're on your own. I couldn't even find the woman characters name in any of the documentation.

Featuring 5 worlds with over 150 levels with an all new look, Lode Runner 2 captures the spirit and feel of the classic. If you are familiar with the Lode Runner fame you should feel right at home. Also added are arsenals of new power-ups that add even more depth to complexities of the puzzling levels.

Unlike the original, which was linear, Lode Runner 2 starts at the Jump Station which is your hub to the 5 very different worlds: Jungle World, Wacky World, Gear World, Industry World, and Mona World. Once you select a world you will have to complete all the levels of that world before returning to the Jump Station to select another world. That is.... If you can.

The object of Lode Runner 2, or any of the Lode Runner games for that matter, is a simple one: Get the gold and get out of there. You are timed on every level and the object is to complete the level in the least amount of time.

While this may sound like an easy task, there are several obstacles which stand between you and the loot. Treasure is often buried and required that you dig to get it out. There are also areas where you will have to blast your way to the loot using bombs that you find throughout the levels. The exit to the level remains closed until the point where you pick up the last piece of gold on the particular level. This means you don't always know the route to your escape until you have all the loot.

Monks are the other obstacles you have to watch out for in LR2. Monks come in three different varieties: Blue, Purple, and black, designated by the color of their robes. Blue monks are blind and always follow a designated pattern allowing you to observe that pattern and use it to get past them. Purple monks are unpredictable and follow patterns some times and wander others, beware of the Purple monks. Black Monks are like Jake seeking missiles. They are on a seek and destroy mission and you're the bait. The Manual cleverly sums up the monks with the following rules:

One of the cleverest additions to the Lode Runner universe is the bombs. There are 6 varieties of what I like to think of as pipe bombs. Each sports its own unique explosion pattern allowing them to have their own unique uses. Bombs that blow north and south, vertical, in an X pattern, as well as the trinity that has a radius of 5 bricks in each direction and the Sphere, which blows a 3x3 diameter.

Another new addition to LR2 is the Power-Ups. There are a ton of them. Power-Ups include the One Up (Gives you a free life), the Gasoline Can (increases the power of your bombs), the Inviso (Makes Jake invisible to monks), the Morph (turns Jake into a brick), and many more.

For those not familiar with Lode Runner there is also a Tutorial world that allows you to run through 22 levels each introducing a new Monk or Power-Up. Even if you are familiar I would suggest you run through the tutorial to learn how to use the different Power-Ups the way they are meant to be used. There is also a walkthrough of the tutorial in the manual, which is included on the CD.

The graphics, though not 3D accelerated, are the best graphics you have seen to date in a Lode Runner game. The worlds are absolutely gorgeous and are alive with animation. LR2 only runs in 640x480 16-bit color and unlike other games that have a 640x480 resolution the game will change it to the correct setting upon running it.

Another nice feature is the fact that your saved games are saved to the "My Documents" folder which means if you are conscious of the folder when you back up, you won't lose your progress.

As with the original Lode Runner the thrill is in the conquering of each puzzling level. The rewards don't end there though. The lush environment and cunning puzzles that each level contains almost dares you to solve them.

The soundtrack has a Mission Impossible feel to it, which adds to the tension of the game. There are 8 techno beat tracks that will make each level come to life.

One thing I did notice about Lode Runner 2 was the fact that monks don't pick up gold and hide it from you. In the original game they would drive you crazy by toting around a piece of gold and passing it back and forth from monk to monk in an attempt to stop you from escaping.

Another new feature added to Lode Runner 2 is the 8 person Muliplayer option. At the time of this writing I don't know of anyone else who has the game so I wasn't able to test it unfortunately. Multiplay allows you to play Cooperative or Deathmatch over the internet or a LAN with up to 8 people and should prove to be interesting.

If the 150+ levels are not enough to keep you playing throughout your adult life, Lode Runner 2 also comes with the Level Editor that they used to make the game. The box states that the Level Editor is not supported and may have some bugs but it is the same one they used to make the game.

In my opinion everyone that calls themselves a gamer should at the very least experience Lode Runner 2. The game contains the very essence of why we play games, challenge, intrigue, and reward. What more can you ask for? Presage Software has once again taken a masterpiece to a new level in a new era. This is a game that could rule your entire life so be cautious, be careful, download the demo, and I dare you not to buy it.