This was such a fun game. The premise is so simple but works so well. Staying ahead of the baddies is like an exciting puzzle. It was even better playing single screen multiplayer with a buddy.

Does anyone know of anything that scratches a similar itch?

Side Note: in searching around I found this modernized version of Lode Runner Online: The Mad Monks’ Revenge. Should be a blast on the steam deck.

  • Dhar@lemmy.caEnglish
    6·
    4 months ago

    I helped work on that game. One of the devs on it was one of the authors of the original Lode Runner. The logic for how the monks chase you was lifted directly from the original code - nothing else was as fun. We tried making the monks smarter and it was just too difficult.

    • DebsOPEnglish
      3·
      4 months ago

      That totally makes sense. The monks being kind of dumb and acting in a predictable way adds to the fun. They follow a set of rules the the player learns how to manipulate as they play.

      • Dhar@lemmy.caEnglish
        2·
        4 months ago

        Exactly! Going partway up a ladder to get the monks to change direction is a key mechanic that breaks if they’re too smart.

    • zarathustrad@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      4 months ago

      The original was so good.

      I spent a ridiculous amount of time on my Apple IIc editing levels as a kid.

  • Treczoks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    4 months ago

    I think that was the game with the level editor, right? If so, my friend and I had loads of fun creating and solving self-made levels.

  • DebsOPEnglish
    2·
    4 months ago

    Does anyone know of a spiritual successor?

      • DebsOPEnglish
        2·
        4 months ago

        Eesh… Not sure this is what I’m looking for.

          • DebsOPEnglish
            2·
            4 months ago

            That stinks. It’s such good gameplay. I feel like it’s ripe for someone to take the gameplay loop and put their own spin on ie. What Dungeons did with dungeon keeper.

        • f4f4f4f4f4f4f4f4@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          2·
          4 months ago

          This looks more like the successor to Lode Runner’s Rescue on Commodore 64!

          Spelunker got modern versions. Lode Runner, not so much.

          • DebsOPEnglish
            3·
            4 months ago

            This looks like the version I reference in my post, Lode Runner: The Legend Returns.

            • trd@feddit.nuEnglish
              1·
              4 months ago

              Could be that it just looked different on pc. I was looking for that game a decade or so ago and only found references to the playstation version abd gave up at the time. That game stole many a day from my life, was even a map editor so making cusom levels was so fun.