Home Computing Weekly


Lode Runner
By Ariolasoft
Commodore 64

 
Published in Home Computing Weekly #105

This disc game is an American import, and was a great hit in the States, so it would be a surprise if it wasn't good. But don't worry, it deserves its high reputation, though it does have a few weaknesses.

It isn't a startlingly original game, but just 'another variant of the platforms-and-ladders theme. You have to guide your little man around the screen collecting gold bars and digging holes to trap the guards in. The graphics are nothing to write home about and the sound effects are distinctly average. What makes it special is the number of screens you have to play with - a staggering 150- and the inclusion of a game generator so you can design your own screens as well.

Designing a screen and saving it on disc, is made very easy for you - but designing a playable screen is, of course, much harder. It's really only when you've had a go for yourself that you appreciate the hard work which must have gone into producing all the original screens.

The edit mode which you use to design screens also enables you to select any of the original screens, though you can't register a high score unless you start with the first screen. You can speed up or slow down the game too, and there are cheat keys which give you extra lives or let you skip levels - these also invalidate high scores.

With all these options to play with, it's certainly good value for money.

M.N.

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