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System:
SNES
Genre:
Puzzle
Publisher:
SunSoft
Developer:
Psygnosis
Players:
1-2
Release date/year:
1991
Other systems:
-
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- Lemmings
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1991 Sunsoft - SNES
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Lemmings is one of the most innovative and fun games ever. This game is actually a good start to a few of these games after it. I first saw this game when it came out, and frankly, I had no idea what it was about. The ad looked odd and confusing. Then, every other bit of info was even more confusing. But strangely, I found myself constantly looking for more info on the game. Perhaps it was the curiosity, perhaps it was the allure, whatever it was, I felt I had to learn as much as possible about this game. When it came out, I spent the little money I had on getting it. I hardly ever do that, and getting a game I know nothing about is even more rare. But I knew I had to get this one. After I few times through the manual, I thought I had the basic idea, so I went to play. It still was confusing even in play, but I found myself addicted to it. This is truly one of the most inventive games ever, and one of the most fun to get addicted to.
- {~~Main Scores~~}
Gameplay
As with most puzzle games, the gamplay literally is the game. All of the other factors take a back seat to this area. If it is done well, the game is good, if it is not, then we have a funky game. In this game’s case I must say it was done quite well. The game play is very confusing at first, but is very fin once you get into it.
The main premise of this game is that you control these little green haired men. They can only walk straight and are heading into trouble every level. At the beginning of every level you are given a percent of lemmings to save from doom. When you save that many or more, you move on.
In order to save your lemmings, you assign them each a job. The jobs range from puncher of walls, digger, builder, jumper, and umbrella lemmings. You give them each a job in order to save the others. Example, you use the digger to go under a river, then the umbrella to go down a cliff, then a blocker to divert the lemmings to a different area. There is so much to do to save your lemmings, and it can totally perplex you at times. Perhaps the most fun of all the lemmings is the one that explodes. You set it’s timer, and numbers appear above it’s head, when the time is up… BOOM!! exploding lemming!! The point of him is to remove big obstacles, but I found myself using him for my pure enjoyment. Once you give the lemmings a job, just sit back, and hope it all goes as was planned. But don’t totally relax, there are man unexpected, unpredictable things that can happen too, be ready to give some quick jobs to the simple marchers.
To complete the level, bring the lemmings, er.. some of them rather, to the ending point. You are given a map in which you can survey the level and see the ending to help you choose jobs and get to the end. Once you get there the number of lemmings that survived is added up and is put into percentage. If that number is higher of equal to what was given at the start, you move on. Then, if you didn’t get the requirement, you get the real fun. there is a big bomb on the screen, after 5 seconds.. BANG! splattered lemming all over my newly waxed floors (my mom’s going to be mad…). This is a very enjoyable display, and kind of eases the pain of killing too many lemmings by killing them all! WHEE!!
A very fun gameplay area overall. Like I said the gameplay makes the game, and in this game’s case, it made the game very fun. One of the most original games I have ever seen, one of the most addictive too.
- Graphics
The graphics are nothing really special. They are mediocre at best in this game. Somehow I don’t think the makers were focussing a whole lot on this. I think that because most areas were terrible, unfortunately.
Character designs were laughable. I accept that the lemmings are small and many, and not a whole lot can be done with them, but I’m dure more than this could have been done. The lemmings were blurry, and hard to distinguish. The detailing was horrible. The only thing that separated the jobless lemmings from the others was the, let’s say, pick axe, or umbrella in their hands. Very poorly done here, more focus on this aspect was needed.
Backgrounds were also quite mediocre. They were fairly 3D, but not much more. They were immersive enough to not be a side scroller, and have the Z axis, but they didn’t have a lot of detail, nor reactive areas. Nothing special here, but it get the job done overall.
- Sound
Very poor job here. From what a remember the sounds were not very much focussed on, and very poorly orchestrated. The music sounded almost like muffled beeps. While the sound effects included the lemming noises of doing the jobs, and the dying lemmings. When they die they do let out an enjoyable (to a sadistic person) scream as they plummet of are crushed. I suppose sound isn’t needed much, but I believe more than this was needed.
- Enjoyability
This game was very enjoyable. Like I have said many times before, the gameplay almost makes or breaks a puzzle game. This one made it, and made it good. Even with the flaws in the graphics area, and the huge flaws in he sound area, this game manages to please. I truly think you will like it, don’t let me discourage you.
- BREAKDOWN
Gameplay: 10
Graphics: 6
Sound: 5
Enjoyability: 9
- {~~Other Important Scores~~}
Replay Value: High
The replay value is high in this for not many reasons. The gameplay is enjoyable, and the game is long enough to please without boring. Once you complete it you wont be done, doing a level once certainly isn’t enough. You’ll see when you play it.
- Challenge: Very Hard
Keeping the lemmings alive. That in four words describes the challenge and why. It is very hard to keep them alive. What I do like is that there is an adjustable difficulty. But even when on easy, don’t expect to ease into it, expect challenges from the start, and even harder challenges in the end. And that’s on easy mode…
- Learning Curve: Varies, but a while
There is so much to learn. The first thing you will need to learn is the wealth of jobs. There are so many, and you will need to be familiar with them all to survive. From there you will need to learn the controls well. Then from there you will need to develop strategy. It all varies on the player, but it definitely wont be a quick thing.
- Buy or Rent: Buy
There is an adjustable difficulty, and good gameplay. That alone is enough to make you want to buy it. But, added on to that we have good replay value, a game where you have to think, and a long, but not boring first completion. There is enough here to provide you with much enjoyment, it is definitely worth a buy.
Overall this was a very fun and enjoyable puzzle games. A few flaws in the graphics and sound areas kept it down a little, but it is still a great game. It is fun for all ages that can think ahead and strategize, and is recommended by me for all to play. Two thumbs up!
8/10
//Seifer psx
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