''Lode Runner 3-D'' is a

Nintendo 64 The (N64) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on June 23, 1996, in North America on September 29, 1996, and in Europe and Australia on March 1, 1997. As the successor to the Super Nintendo E ...

game in the ''

Lode Runner ''Lode Runner'' is a 2D puzzle-platform game, developed by Doug Smith and published by Broderbund in 1983. Its gameplay mechanics are similar to ''Space Panic'' from 1980. The player controls a character who must collect all the gold pieces in ...

'' franchise. The game was developed by Big Bang and was released in 1999 in North America and Europe by

Infogrames Atari SA (formerly Infogrames Entertainment SA ()), also known as Atari Group, is a French holding company headquartered in Paris that owns mainly video gaming-related interactive entertainment properties. Atari SA's core subsidiaries include ...

, and in Japan by

Banpresto (formerly Coreland Technology Inc.) was a Japanese video game developer and video game publisher, publisher headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It had a branch in Hong Kong named Banpresto H.K., which was headquartered in the New Territories. Ba ...

. It is the first 3D game in the ''Lode Runner'' series.

Gameplay

The game mechanics are similar to the original: players must outrun enemies by using alternate routes, sliding on ropes, climbing ladders, or drilling holes in the ground to trap them. This game differs from earlier titles in the series due to its three-dimensional perspective. Although the gameplay largely occurs in two-dimensional space, players occasionally have the option to move in a third direction. The levels are primarily structured as spirals that involve climbing to progress. There are five worlds, each of which must be unlocked by finding five cards in the previous world, excluding the first. Each world is divided into five stages, and each stage is further split into four levels. The main objective of each level is to collect a certain amount of gold to activate a portal, which allows players to proceed. As the game progresses, new worlds introduce additional interactive objects, tools, and obstacles.

Plot

After the events of Jake Peril's previous adventures, he has been living a relatively peaceful life on his home planet with his wife, Jane Peril. However, the Mad Monk Emperor of Planet Pandora finally reveals himself, stealing all of Earth's gold resources. Once again, it falls to Jake Peril to defeat the Mad Monks and, ultimately, their leader.

Reception

The game received average to positive reviews. ''

IGN ''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...

'' gave it a score of 7 out of 10, praising the game for successfully taking the original concept and adapting it into a new format that enhances the experience. ''

GameSpot ''GameSpot'' is an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information on video games. The site was launched on May 1, 1996, created by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady, and Jon Epstein. In addition ...

'' noted that the game was slower and more difficult compared to previous entries in the franchise.

Notes

References

External links

* {{Lode Runner Series 1999 video games Banpresto games Infogrames games Nintendo 64 games Nintendo 64-only games Platformers Single-player video games Video games developed in the United States