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NEC PC-Engine/SuperGrafx => PC Engine/SuperGrafx Discussion => Topic started by: Arkhan on February 08, 2011, 04:13:40 PM

Title: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 08, 2011, 04:13:40 PM
Ok, I have played this game on countless frigging old computers and shit. 

I tried the PCE one the other day.  It looks really nice and cool, but still...

after all these years of playing the game, I would like to know something

What is the frigging appeal to it?  Am I missing something?

You just grab treasure, dig holes, and run away from all the other goons?
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: esteban on February 08, 2011, 04:27:16 PM
Ok, I have played this game on countless frigging old computers and shit. 

I tried the PCE one the other day.  It looks really nice and cool, but still...

after all these years of playing the game, I would like to know something

What is the frigging appeal to it?  Am I missing something?

You just grab treasure, dig holes, and run away from all the other goons?

I should ignore your post, since I am sleepy*.

Suffice it to say...
ONE OF THE BEST GAMES, EVER: LODE RUNNER.
On the Apple ][, no less.

Let's pick it apart:
1. You have the "maze" component, but in its superior side-view "platformer" variant.
2. Clear screen of gold = SATISFYING, collect-a-thon.
3. You are crippled in a unique way (cannot shoot enemies directly), forcing you to devise strategies for pit-digging. NOTE: the bastards can climb out of the pits. Brilliant!
4. PLUS, you can RUN ON TOP OF "trapped" enemies in PIT(s)
5. Witnessing the PAINFUL death of enemies as brick materialize on their writhing husks of flesh=EXTREMELY SATISFYING.
6. Triumphantly NONsexy title: "Lode Runner" somehow manages to roll off the tongue without leaving a bad taste.
7. It's fun just to dig pits,mmmmmmmmmmadmmmammmmmmmmmmmmm, I compulsively dig pits, despite the danger it poses (trapping onesself, needlessly prolonging completion time of level).  mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, digging pits compulsively is an unintended "meta game" within Lode Runner. Plus, it's fun to manipulate the environment, to TERRAFORM it, as a game-within-a-game.
8. Apple ][ level editor allowed creation of new levels. Let's just admit it: Level editors are fun! PCE yay!


100. Put it all together and you have an incredibly flexible, vibrant, malleable game world that taunts you to "dominate"

*I have literally been falling asleep whilst reading.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Mathius on February 08, 2011, 04:32:06 PM
I know you're going to hate to hear this Ark, but I quite enjoyed the C64 version when I was young. Even if it was in B&W. The NES version sucked snail semen.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: esteban on February 08, 2011, 05:05:30 PM
9. Completing a level before the timer runs out, especially after you've literally grazed the sprite of your enemies, is priceless, mmmmm....

(http://junk.tg-16.com/images/Ebert_Siskel_OBEY_lode.jpg)
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: TheClash603 on February 08, 2011, 11:00:44 PM
Had the game on Gameboy as a kid, and itwas pretty lame.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Tatsujin on February 09, 2011, 12:28:32 AM
battle lode runner [x----------------l---------------] lode runner
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Charlie on February 09, 2011, 12:38:38 AM
Lode Runner was so good, I actually started a "knock-off" version on the Emerson Arcadia....never finished it, though!

Charlie
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: chany60126 on February 09, 2011, 01:11:23 AM
Battle Lode Runner is a real blast, especially the multiplayer survival fests. The game is easy enough to pick up and play, and there are plenty of cool power-ups (my favorite is the gun power up that lets you dig two holes simultaneously). It never gets old falling into holes that you dig in the ground and landing at the top of the screen. It was a real pleasure organizing and participating in 5-Player BLR torneys during the summer which were lots of fun.

The single player mode of this game is not too shabby. I like a little strategy in my games and BLR forces you to think about the moves you have to make so you won't be buried alive trying to get teh gold.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: sunteam_paul on February 09, 2011, 04:32:04 AM
Battle Lode runner is great, much better than the lame Lost Labyrinth.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Necromancer on February 09, 2011, 04:37:01 AM
Like chany said, the multiplayer part of Battle Load Runner is where it's at.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 09, 2011, 09:59:12 AM
Yeah Battle Lode Runner is awesome.

Plain Lode Runner though, I am still trying to figure out where the amusement is I guess.

The PCE is the nicest looking one but its still derpy. 
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: guyjin on February 09, 2011, 04:47:50 PM
If you don't like Lode Runner, in any form, something is wrong with you. seek help.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: termis on February 09, 2011, 07:07:23 PM
Apple II version was fun back in the day, but I haven't played it since... well, the 80s.  I'd imagine it'd have aged pretty badly.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 10, 2011, 04:46:23 AM
If you don't like Lode Runner, in any form, something is wrong with you. seek help.

I'm thinking the part I don't like is either the no jumping, or the no shooting stuff
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: spenoza on February 11, 2011, 06:37:44 AM
I think Lode Runner is an excellent game design. You deal with enemies indirectly, and the same way you deal with them (digging pits) can get you in trouble, too. It forces you to have to be aware of escape routes, of whether you can dig, etc... I played this a lot back on my Apple II. I sucked at it but I liked it. I put a lot of hours into it and into the level editor.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 11, 2011, 07:00:00 AM
I'm trying to get into it.  I'll give it another shot tonight.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: esteban on February 12, 2011, 04:50:05 AM
I'm trying to get into it.  I'll give it another shot tonight.

As you said, the PCE version is NOT the best version. IIRC, the PCE one is slow and the controls are FAR from tight. Our hero is sluggish?

I'll have to dig out the HuCard and see if my memory is correct.

You need nice, tight controls like the Apple ][ version in order to have fun. There must be a bunch of versions that satisfy this requirement.

Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: spenoza on February 12, 2011, 05:08:58 AM
You know, Lode Runner is a game begging to be remade on the PCE with tighter controls and a very different graphical set. I wonder what kinds of new abilities could work in a clone of LR...
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 12, 2011, 05:54:10 AM
You know, Lode Runner is a game begging to be remade on the PCE with tighter controls and a very different graphical set. I wonder what kinds of new abilities could work in a clone of LR...

I seem to specialize in remaking arcade games.  Insanity is a bit rough, but things have gotten better since.... :)

I actually like the PCEs graphics for the game... I just cant really get into the game.  It might be because theres no music, now that I think about it.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: spenoza on February 12, 2011, 06:30:14 AM
I find the PCE characters and blocks a bit squarish. On Apple II and PC they blocks and characters are rectangular, taller and skinnier. I think that's a better look for Lode Runner.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 12, 2011, 06:37:28 AM
I played the Vic-20 one, it was pretty nice looking but wasn't worth having a vic-20 setup....
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Mathius on February 12, 2011, 11:35:22 AM
I find the PCE characters and blocks a bit squarish. On Apple II and PC they blocks and characters are rectangular, taller and skinnier. I think that's a better look for Lode Runner.

That's one of the things I liked about the C64 version over the NES one.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: esteban on February 13, 2011, 09:39:59 AM
I find the PCE characters and blocks a bit squarish. On Apple II and PC they blocks and characters are rectangular, taller and skinnier. I think that's a better look for Lode Runner.


That's one of the things I liked about the C64 version over the NES one.


AGREED:

Lode Runner should always be tall&skinny vs. short&husky.

(http://junk.tg-16.com/images/Ebert_Siskel_OBEY_svelte.jpg)

Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 13, 2011, 09:52:08 AM
I figured out why I hate Lode Runner.

(http://media.strategywiki.org/images/thumb/1/14/Lode_Runner_box.jpg/250px-Lode_Runner_box.jpg)

WHERE IS THE f*ckING LAZER ONCE YOU START PLAYING, LIARS.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Mathius on February 13, 2011, 10:22:39 AM
That boxart brings back memories.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: termis on February 13, 2011, 11:41:22 PM
Man, that is a nostalgic cover, ain't it?
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: spenoza on February 14, 2011, 05:09:16 AM
The laser is the digging gun. Not used for shooting robots. Only for shooting dirt.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 14, 2011, 05:14:57 AM
The laser is the digging gun. Not used for shooting robots. Only for shooting dirt.

What a crock!

It should be a space shovel. 

If it can pulverize ground that can in turn grow back and destroy robots......

then it should be able to kill the robots.

the little man in Lode Runner is an idjut.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: esteban on February 14, 2011, 04:30:03 PM
I figured out why I hate Lode Runner.

(http://junk.tg-16.com/images/lode_lazer.jpg)

WHERE IS THE f*ckING LAZER ONCE YOU START PLAYING, LIARS.


I really don't understand why you are crying "foul" when the game makes everything perfectly clear...

Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 15, 2011, 01:17:14 AM
if that is what it said that'd be nice

does the manual say its a block digging lazerbeem, or does it make no mention of it at all.
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Charlie on February 15, 2011, 01:41:25 AM
Well, it specifically says "anti-brick floor lazers"!  Wonder if lazer is different from laser?

Charlie
Title: Re: Lode Runner
Post by: Arkhan on February 15, 2011, 01:48:50 AM
lazer is the official Turbob spelling.

that laSer shit is for idjuts.