Reviews
Xbox Live Arcade is fast becoming the platform of choice for classic games to relaunch in either their original form or an updated form with updated graphics and design improvements. The most recent is Lode Runner which was first released in 1983. The developer, Southend Interactive has not just ported the original for its XBLA release instead opting to remake it in HD glory. Along with the updated visuals Southend have taken care to ensure they retained the platforming and gameplay goodness of the original in what may just be one of XBLA's newest gems.
Lode runner is a bit of a no brainer remake on Southend's behalf as it has always been a big success and loved by most who played it. The game generally plays the same as it did in the original and the control mapping to the Xbox 360 works great. For the most part the game even looks the same apart from the fresh colourful 2D world that is rendered with 3D graphics. The in game music whilst acceptable is overall forgettable but is not over the top or annoying.
Those with no previous knowledge of Lode Runner need to know that it is a puzzle platform game. Each level requires the player to work their way across a fixed screen with multiple levels, accessable via ladders. Along the way the player is required to collect all pieces of gold contained in the level and whilst this may sound relatively easy, that's not all the game consists of.
See the hero you play as cannot jump, which may not see too big of an issue until you consider that you will need to evade enemies that will continually hunt you down. To evade these enemies the player will need to dig holes to escape from or to trap enemies. Holes can be dug to the square directly left or right of your position. The holes do not kill the enemy but do slow them down in their quest to catch you. (The enemies will die if there is water underneath the square that is dug out, however the enemy will respawn after a few seconds) Trapping an enemy in a hole the player has dug will also make the enemy drop any gold they have collected in their quest to catch you. Players also need to be careful to not fall into the holes as you cannot climb out resulting in having to restart the level. Each level also has a time limit that must be beaten for the player to progress.
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