Lode Runner Review (XBLA)

This was the last game in this year’s “Days of Arcade” promotion, and it’s a fitting way to close this out. Essentially a port and update to the 1983 classic, the basic game hasn’t changed much since then. It’s still a 2D platformer with a twist; your character can’t jump. Instead you have to creatively use ladders, trick enemies, and make modifications to the terrain in order to gather all the gold and reach the exit. You’re also usually unable to directly attack enemies, so getting them to fall into traps and do some of your gold gathering for you is important.

The GDN Quick and Dirty

A classic ’puzzle platformer’, Lode Runner rewards both quick thinking and forethought. It also has hundreds of stages to play through, versus and co-op multiplayer, and a good level editor. The only downside is its laggy online play, and if you can get past that then this is worth a purchase.

Lode Runner is essentially a “puzzle platformer.” It rewards reflexes and good timing, but you have to think things through. You need some kind of plan and a basic route to follow as you dash about the level gathering gold and avoiding enemies, so the game is a nice mix of twitch skill and mental preparation. The game starts out easy enough, but each successive stage is harder than the last, and some will require very precise knowledge of the Lode Runner’s rules. Generally challenging without being unfair, Lode Runner basically feels right.

It also goes with the idea of doing one thing well and running with it for a long time. The game comes with hundreds of levels built in, spanning across normal play, puzzle stages that have a specific solution, and Hang-On levels where you face endless waves of enemies and try to grab as much gold as possible in one life. Several co-op stages also exist, many of which specifically require a partner to work with you to get those last few gold pieces to unlock the exit. And should you get through all of this and still want more, the included level editor is pretty solid; it takes a while to get the hang of, but several people online are offering some pretty fun stages of their own.