Battle Lode Runner was never released in America, and was the first import VC title. Don't be fooled, however, we've had Lode Runner in the States for some time. Like most puzzle games, the gameplay is simple and addictive. You play as a "runner" sent through time to dig holes and collect piles of gold. Oddly, the worlds you explore are composed entirely of blocks, ladders, and ropes. You can't run or jump, but you can dig holes left and right, trapping enemies and (often) killing yourself in the process. But the unintentional suicides are part of the game's charm.
While the gameplay is simple, the game provides enough modes to warrant the $6.00 price tag. You've got puzzle mode, which are levels in which you must collect all the gold, then haul ass up a ladder to the next level. With 100 stages, this is an extremely long game! Then there's battle mode, where up to 5 players can battle (bots will sub in for missing players if you live and play video games by yourself). Powerups appear in this mode, and it's a lot of fun. The only downside is that you can only battle on 5 or so stages, and not the 100 levels from story-mode, which would have given the game near-infinite replay value. There are various battle modes, including survival and tag. I've haven't delved too deeply into either of these others modes yet. Finally, there is Edit mode, that's right, you can create up to 10 stages to play through, though you can't battle on them. I'm always a sucker for level editors, and this one is fantastic. Easier to use than Brawl's, and they don't limit the amount of items you can place on the map.
And that's it. Overall, it's nothing too spectacular (though the "Asian-theme" song is). That said, it's more addicting than it should be. Save your money if you have an XBox360, because you'll be getting a better Lode Runner game this year, otherwise consider click-buying this title if you think you'd like it.
Finally, thanks for the replies when I considered closing the site. I've decided to keep it open, because, hey, doing this shit is fun as hell. 8-Bit City is here to stay. Leave a comment!
good to see you're still going. glad that i didn't take you off of my RSS feeds!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you didn't either!
ReplyDelete"bots will sub in for missing players if you live and play video games by yourself"
ReplyDeleteaww... thats sad.
hehe
so anyways: pac man with gravity and a shovel?
also... i am getting a dig-dug vibe... yesh or noes?
-sami
yes, yes, and yes
ReplyDeleteexcept no shovel...
ReplyDeleteor at least the
shovel is invisible
or is some sort of
mind power or isn't
a shovel at all
I remember owning Hyper Lode Runner on the Gameboy as a kid. I was pretty terrible at it and frequently got frustrated with it, so I never got too far int the main game, but it was certainly fun. It had a level editor that I remember spending a lot of time fooling around with.
ReplyDeleteMeh, it doesn't really have that Dig dug feel i think your referring to sami. However, this game is exceptionally fun, especially with the level editor. Nice review, keep it up.
ReplyDeleteOh hells yeah, the NES Lode Runner was so much fun, especially when you'd spend an hour creating a level that would crush your brother's spirits when he tried to win it haha.
ReplyDeleteThis one looks great though, I never knew it existed. Oh, and don't give up the ship so easily man! This is a cool site you have going here and you certainly have some skills with words.
I'll be posting new content soon, it's been so busy.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need to re-read your post, but I assume this was a Turbo Grafx 16 game? The Lode Runner games are a load of fun, I remember playing them on Apple IIe's back in the day.
ReplyDeleteHa, you're right. I didn't mention it in the post, but it's in the tag.
ReplyDeletehey adam,
ReplyDeleteglad to see you are keeping the site open. it has stayed in my rss feeds. i've only just now caught up because i have been so busy with my new job (teaching high school spanish).
i suspect my favorite part of this post was unintentional, and that is where you say "bots will sub in for missing players if you live and play video games by yourself." on first read instead of parsing it as "live by yourself and play games by yourself", i parsed it as "live video games by yourself" and play them that way too, heh. i just liked the (accidental) reading of one "living video games."
anyway i hope everything's good with you. i'll keep reading as long as you keep posting. :)