Adrenaline Gaming Zone

Load Runner You must play this game

By Rick - May 30, 2009 - 21:24 UTC

Lode Runner is a platformer in every sense of the word. The game is simple enough to learn; collect gold to advance to the next level. The game stays classic to the original, but with updated graphics and expanded modes. The levels are designed with enemies that chase you every direction you go.

Each level is structured to make you move, blast blocks, and evade your foes. The levels are designs are great, and provide a decent amount of thinking and time to complete.  One of the few things the game lacks is a jump feature. In platformers, a jump button is usually required, but Lode Runner pulls off a decent experience without one.

If anything, the lack of jumping allows players to think outside of the box, forcing quick reflexes and planning ahead. One of the more clever aspects of the game are the enviromental tiles, you’ll come across everything from magma tiles, to disappearing tiles.These blocks will play a crucial role in helping you complete a level. A large part of the game is the shooting experience. To collect gold, and halt your foes you use your blaster, firing in front or you,or backwards.

The blaster is your best friend when it comes to destroying blocks to get to the next area.Once you destroy a block you have to be quick, and evacuate the area so it doesn’t respawn, giving you a game over. A few of the levels will keep you on your toes as you dodge foes and make a beeline for the exit.

Some of the levels are very difficult to complete, leaving you a little frustrated if you don’t have the skill to overcome the obstacles. Included also is a multiplayer component. With players controlling lode runners, it’s a contest to see who can stay alive the longest by dodging the falling blocks. This provides players with an incentive to keep playing after the credits roll. When a player fails, they gain control of one of the robots that hunts the Runners. Playing online with friends can be a blast if you enjoy the platforming genere. If you like player created content, You get that as well. Players can create and share their very own levels with their friends, and others, although nothing to amazing has been created yet; the tools are easily learned, and some great things can come of the editor.

Some of the level designs can be quite challenging, forcing you to restart some levels. There is a varied style in each of the worlds you encounter,such as: The Mines, A volcano, and an icy world. Each world has a theme that ties into the special blocks you’ll encounter.

The character you control simply dubbed the “lode runner” has no real drive to complete the world he’s in. Sadly, there is no story, which is why the game falls short of a better score. I was expecting the typical “save the princess”, but I didn’t get it. For an arcade game Lode Runner delivers a fast paced experience that will keep you entertained for a decent amount of time.

By Rick