Game Stooge

REVIEW: Lode Runner (Xbox 360)

• Scribbled on April 24th, 2009 by Jonah Falcon
• Filed in Microsoft Xbox 360, Platformer, Puzzle, Reviews, Xbox Live Arcade

Those of you who were gaming back in 1983 might remember a special little title for the Apple ][, the Vic-20, the Atari XL and the Commodore 64 called Lode Runner. Yeah, this was back in the day when Windows computers weren’t owning over 90% of the market. Apple actually was as competitive with MS-DOS, while the Commodore 64 was the best thing since sliced bread – then the Amiga flopped because of Windows 3.1 and yes, I’m still bitter.

Anyway, Lode Runner was the platformer of the day, alongside Jumpman, which was more platformer and less puzzle than Lode. I danced to the beat of a different drummer in those days – I played The Pharaoh’s Curse. Lode Runner  was the most popular of all, since it involved solving puzzles and even better, you could make your own levels. Well, now it’s come to the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade.

The game is still the same – collect gold (”lodes”) and avoid enemies (”Bungelings”). Unlike most platformers, you can’t jump, but you can fall from any height. You can destroy most floor tiles, though they generate - and if you’re stuck in a hole when the wall regenerates, you’re dead. Destroying the floor is the only way to avoid Bungelings as well; like Space Panic, you blast the floor, and they fall in temporarily, which allows you to walk on their head. From these mechanics, the levels become puzzles to solve – where to blast, how to blast, and where to run. The game’s difficulty curve is perfect in that you learn what basic moves you’re supposed to do, but then soon presents levels that require you to think.

If the regular old campaign weren’t enough, you not only have co-op and competitive multiplayer, but a few more game modes are tossed in: “Hang On” is a survival mode in which you collect gold as Bungelings spawn in increasing numbers. “Puzzle” mode just asks you to solve a level’s layout. And, of course, the level editor is here, allowing the community to create their own devious levels.

As for the graphics, the game is pleasing but fortunately not overcomplicated, which is fine. The classic gameplay holds up after 26 years quite addictively. Try the demo – you’ll get hooked immediately. A whole new generation is about to learn the magic of Lode Runner.

You can order the demo and the full game from Xbox Live Marketplace directly or remotely from Xbox.com here.