Lode Runner

Lode Runner is a classic series that anyone over 25 will instantly remember. Originally released in 1983, the game has been released on every format imaginable from the old ZX Spectrum to the Gameboy, even a 3D version on the N64, so it was inevitable that this truly classic arcade game was going to hit Xbox Live at some point. But all these years on does it still have the same impact and have they done enough to keep it fresh and new? Having played the ZX Spectrum version and no alternate versions since then I was eager to see what they had done, and is it really worth 1,200 Xbox points?!

Lode Runner is the latest of many classic games to hit the XBLA scene and this one sees you collecting gold by blasting through respawning blocks and climbing up ladders and ropes. Meanwhile you are being stalked by robots which you must outwit by outmaneuvering. Unfortunately if they pick up any of your gold, all of which must be collected to move onto the next stage, the only way to get it back is to shoot the block the robot is on, leaving him temporarily in a hole and you free to run across his head safely collecting your goodies. The catch that made this game different from so many others is the inability to jump although, due to jet-packs, you need never worry about falling to your death. This does however, mean more thought needs to go into your moves as the only way is down generally. Once all the gold is collected the age-old side scrolling scene comes into play with you running through a safe zone to hit the next stage.

The XBLA version offers a later promise of DLC (more levels than the 220 inbuilt?!) so die-hard fans will no doubt find something to keep them busy for a long time. Each level that is completed, made up of multiple stages, can also act as a new starting point in the game so you won’t need to spend 6 hours starting from the beginning again. Fans will also be pleased to know that six new brick types have been included in the game. The story mode, although offering a co-op story too, gives you little new excitement and there is definitely a feel that they have tried to keep it as retro as possible. This leaves the game frankly boring to those who didn’t live and breathe it originally, and with the classic arcade repetitive music and still very basic graphics the younger generations aren’t likely to be instantly enthralled either. However, if you are a major Lode Runner fan then the sheer amount of levels should keep you happy, along with a leaderboard, statistics and even a brief history of the game itself!

There are many modes available in this game and single player also allows you to play “Hang On” (basically survival mode) with more and more robots appearing as you continue. This gets manic very quickly and you really need to have mastered the basics before hitting this area of the game. Puzzle mode is definitely one of the games high points. Using your blaster you must collect all the gold and get to the door as quick as possible, generally with one foul move meaning you have to hit the reset button and try again. Although these puzzles look interesting visually, the inundation of puzzle games on XBLA over recent months means there is nothing here that hasn’t been seen before. If you buy Lode Runner for the main “journey” mode then this is probably a welcome addition but puzzle addicts out there won’t find much satisfaction in the 50 plus 26 co-op puzzles. However, the tutorial and the puzzles are the way to gamer pic goodness with two up for grabs if you obsessively collect them.

Multiplayer on Live is a good addition to this game as between friends this can be fun, albeit hectic to an extreme! Unfortunately whilst I was trying to review the game I had great trouble finding a match up amongst strangers, although with time this may change. The achievements only involve one live achievement, with an additional two being co-op achievements so even if there is a supreme lack of online play there is still plenty to do if you’re working for points.

The final mode in Lode Runner is the Level Editor. Lode Runner was one of the first games to incorporate a level editor and this newest version allows you to search the Xbox community for custom levels and share any that you feel particularly proud of with the rest of the world.