“Lode Runner 3-D”

Nintendo 64

FOUR STARS

Almost fifteen years ago, when I sat in my basement playing “Lode Runner” on my Commodore 64, I never would have believed that video games would be where they are today.

Better graphics, artificial intelligence, and game control have not come without a price. Unfortunately, many of today’s top-of-the-line hi res games just aren’t that fun to play. How many times have you struggled through a game that let you control every aspect of the environment, when all you really wanted to do was blow stuff up?

“Lode Runner 3-D” is a nice throwback to a day when having fun was still the most important part of a video game. It is primarily a puzzle-solving game, with just enough bells and whistles to keep you playing for hours.

The story is sufficient, but not elaborate. The mad Emperor Monk has stolen the gold from the outer colonies, and Lode Runner must recover the gold and destroy Emperor Monk.

To complete your quest you must make your way through five worlds with more than 20 levels in each world. In each level, you must recover the necessary amount of gold and reach the transport, all without being trapped by the zombie-like monk guards, or blowing yourself up.

As in the original “Lode Runner,” you are armed with a blaster pistol, which allows you to blast away loose blocks. “Lode Runner 3-D” also includes bombs, drill bits, plasma launchers and other devices which will be necessary to clear a path through each level.

Each level of the game presents a challenging new puzzle. The learning curve of the game is well developed as well. Early levels require only the blaster pistol, while later levels require precise and calculated use of the bombs and drill bits.

Completing a level combines planning ahead and good hand-eye co-ordination. “Lode Runner 3-D” is probably not for anyone who wants a fast paced action game.

But anyone who is looking for a challenging and fun puzzle game would be hard pressed to find a better game than “Lode Runner 3-D.”

-Ben Godar