Being a huge fan of Lode Runner way back from the Apple II days, I was a little hesitant to try this one out. Often, updates turn out to be terrible rehashes that misunderstand the intent of the original and tarnish its image in the process. Well I am happy to report that this is one of the modernized versions that actually get it right. This is a fantastic update that has actually becomes a classic in its own right.
The platform action and puzzle solving, both key elements of the original Lode Runner series, are still here.
Updates include a much needed graphics face lift, more expansive levels and slightly (only slightly) more intelligent monks.
The premise here is the same as with the original Lode Runner series. The story revolves around an adventurer collecting gold treasure that the Mad Monks guard. Your job as the player is to pick up all the gold in a level while trying to evade the monks. As in the original, you are armed with a pit-digging, ray gun that will help you slow down or even temporarily trap the monks.
Seems pretty simple and it is, at first. Each level increases the difficulty in how to get to the gold distributed throughout the level. Initially, the action is rather placid with no or only a couple
of monks to cause you trouble as you breeze through the fairly straightforward levels. But after the first few levels, more monks arrive and each level becomes more and more challenging with its puzzle-like layout. Pretty soon you are trying to figure out how to divide your time between evading the monks and studying the level to figure out how to clear the gold.
With over 150 levels to complete, there is plenty of time to spend on this great title. Even if you do finish, there is more replay with the built-in level editor and even 2-player mode via the internet. This game, along with its predecessors, have a devoted following, with several fan sites and newsgroups out in the reaches of cyberspace, so if you happen to get stuck (and you probably will) you can hit up one of these sites for some clues.
Later offerings in the series were something of a departure, but this one hold true to its roots. Truly a fantastic game, that still holds its replay value after all these years. Highly recommended!
