Review Mazinkaiser 5/5 · May 1, 2018
Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks' Revenge - The Definitive Puzzle Platformer
Lode Runner is probably one of those games you’ve heard of but never quite got the chance to play, despite it coming out on many different systems. The gameplay is simple – get the gold, avoid the guards, and phase out sections of floor to outwit and trap your enemies. Given 150 levels in the original version and a level …
Lode Runner is probably one of those games you’ve heard of but never quite got the chance to play, despite it coming out on many different systems. The gameplay is simple – get the gold, avoid the guards, and phase out sections of floor to outwit and trap your enemies. Given 150 levels in the original version and a level editor, the game was dazzlingly creative.
This isn’t about Lode Runner though. This is about an expansion to the Windows 95 sequel, The Legend Returns. An official sequel, this game is chock filled with design and difficulty that makes it endlessly playable.
With more of a story than the stick figure of the original, you play an intrepid explorer by the name of Jake Peril (and his 2P partner Wes Reckless) exploring many different worlds over 150 2-player levels, 30 additional single player levels, and network play. Given the phase gun of the original, you’ll find a variety of incredible new mechanics. Caves to hide from enemies, rope traps, bombs to clear areas, jackhammers – all of it is solidly introduced from world to world and never overstays their welcome.
The game, given that it’s a Windows game from 1995, looks surprisingly pleasing. It takes place on a small screen but the world design is interesting and helps break up the mind-boggling amount of stages. Music is passable, but sound design is well-placed, from the shot of the phase gun to the sound of the titular Mad Monks as they devour you when they catch you.
The icing on the cake is the accessibility. On top of a save system that allows you to save and replay any stage you’d like, the game also features a speed setting to control how fast the game plays and keymapping to all of the controls – this helps avoid the awkward default NumPad layout.
In conclusion, this game is a sequel most never found but is a fantastic reason to jump right back into Lode Runner past the endless number of re-releases for the original. And in case you’re thinking “heck, I don’t got Windows 95”, a few dedicated fans made a cross-platform port of the game for new systems that’s free to play - try it out!