Lode Runner: The Legend Returns was an amazing game!
from Debs@lemmy.zip to retrogaming@lemmy.world on 14 Jul 2024 17:59
https://lemmy.zip/post/19102673

This was such a fun game. The premise is so simple but works so well. Staying ahead of the baddies is like an exciting puzzle. It was even better playing single screen multiplayer with a buddy.

Does anyone know of anything that scratches a similar itch?

Side Note: in searching around I found this modernized version of Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks’ Revenge. Should be a blast on the steam deck.

#retrogaming

threaded - newest

Debs@lemmy.zip on 14 Jul 2024 18:10 next collapse

Does anyone know of a spiritual successor?

trd@feddit.nu on 14 Jul 2024 18:28 collapse

Lode runner 2

Debs@lemmy.zip on 14 Jul 2024 19:32 collapse

<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.zip/pictrs/image/98adfc95-c7e8-4027-aad4-1a8d7f4c1778.webp">

Eesh… Not sure this is what I’m looking for.

trd@feddit.nu on 14 Jul 2024 22:22 next collapse

looked something like this

Debs@lemmy.zip on 14 Jul 2024 22:33 collapse

This looks like the version I reference in my post, Lode Runner: The Legend Returns.

trd@feddit.nu on 15 Jul 2024 08:34 collapse

Could be that it just looked different on pc. I was looking for that game a decade or so ago and only found references to the playstation version abd gave up at the time. That game stole many a day from my life, was even a map editor so making cusom levels was so fun.

nazokiyoubinbou@urusai.social on 14 Jul 2024 21:55 next collapse

@Debs @trd As far as I know there never was a spiritual successor other than of course Lode Runner 2 itself which really wasn't the same thing at all. I think licensing issues caused the Lode Runner games to fall into an IP limbo or something and somehow somewhere along the way everyone seemed to have forgotten about these games.

I have seen a recent "3D" Lode Runner appear on the Switch, but IMO it wasn't any fun at all. I'd still consider Sierra's Lode Runner game to be the best of them all personally.

Debs@lemmy.zip on 15 Jul 2024 04:56 collapse

That stinks. It’s such good gameplay. I feel like it’s ripe for someone to take the gameplay loop and put their own spin on ie. What Dungeons did with dungeon keeper.

f4f4f4f4f4f4f4f4@sopuli.xyz on 15 Jul 2024 15:18 collapse

This looks more like the successor to Lode Runner’s Rescue on Commodore 64!

Spelunker got modern versions. Lode Runner, not so much.

[deleted] on 14 Jul 2024 18:22 next collapse

.

Treczoks@lemmy.world on 15 Jul 2024 08:12 next collapse

I think that was the game with the level editor, right? If so, my friend and I had loads of fun creating and solving self-made levels.

Dhar@lemmy.ca on 15 Jul 2024 12:05 collapse

I helped work on that game. One of the devs on it was one of the authors of the original Lode Runner. The logic for how the monks chase you was lifted directly from the original code - nothing else was as fun. We tried making the monks smarter and it was just too difficult.

Debs@lemmy.zip on 15 Jul 2024 14:32 next collapse

That totally makes sense. The monks being kind of dumb and acting in a predictable way adds to the fun. They follow a set of rules the the player learns how to manipulate as they play.

Dhar@lemmy.ca on 15 Jul 2024 16:21 collapse

Exactly! Going partway up a ladder to get the monks to change direction is a key mechanic that breaks if they’re too smart.

zarathustrad@lemmy.world on 15 Jul 2024 19:34 collapse

The original was so good.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time on my Apple IIc editing levels as a kid.