Lode Runner

[Arkhan]

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?

[esteban]

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.

[Mathius]

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.

[esteban]

9. Completing a level before the timer runs out, especially after you've literally grazed the sprite of your enemies, is priceless, mmmmm....

[TheClash603]

Had the game on Gameboy as a kid, and itwas pretty lame.

[Tatsujin]

battle lode runner [x----------------l---------------] lode runner

[Charlie]

Lode Runner was so good, I actually started a "knock-off" version on the Emerson Arcadia....never finished it, though!

Charlie

[chany60126]

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.

[sunteam_paul]

Battle Lode runner is great, much better than the lame Lost Labyrinth.

[Necromancer]

Like chany said, the multiplayer part of Battle Load Runner is where it's at.

[Arkhan]

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. 

[guyjin]

If you don't like Lode Runner, in any form, something is wrong with you. seek help.

[termis]

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.

[Arkhan]

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

[spenoza]

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.