Lemmings (PC, 1991) - WIP
Graphics-6.5 Sound-7/8** Control-7/7.5* Challenge-8 Story-?
Level Design-8 Frustration-8 Fun-7/8* Originality-8.5
Overall Score-7/8*
*Fast forward (Windows 95 or Java) version
**CD version
+
Unique concept (assign jobs to lemming humanoids that are automatically walking forward to help them get to the exit of a level), destructible environment, good puzzles overall, speed up horizontal scrolling by holding RMB, nuke button, slap stick/sadistic humour, briefing screens (tips, % of lemmings needed to finish the level, other stats), pasword save, mini-map, difficulty options (mostly new levels on harder modes), hotkeys (jobs, pause, nuke, entrance frequency/release rate), Psygnosis game cameos (shadow of the beast; sunsoft cameo on MD),
+/-
Can’t queue up job slots for a single lemming (for example make a builder use another builder slot after it runs out of bricks), can’t just tell everyone to stop or start (would probably make the game too easy though), time limits, resource management (limited job slots), shows you all available jobs within the space of a few levels instead of progressively introducing them over the course of the game, can’t make a lemming activate a job in one direction only (some later versions added this), no replay feature, can’t build a horizontal bridge or mine straight downwards, can’t assign jobs while the game is paused (can be done in the windows 95 and java ports),
-
Builders are too slow, can’t zoom in or hotkey group certain lemmings in to make selecting easier, no fast forward/game speed options (just for the entrance frequency of the lemmings) – added in a later version (windows 95 and java), can’t make a stopper or climber quit doing its current job without blowing it up, some boring levels, some trial & error, some trial & error (level 17 piston/crusher traps, arrow blocks/tiles, you can make dents in steel tiles with a certain obscure technique), slow entrance frequency interface, some lame music tracks (the covers of old children’s songs), can’t make diggers remember to start digging when encountering a wall later on (need to time the job activation right next to the wall you want to dig through)
Notes:
-PCE CD music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S078Woexhd0
Level Design-8 Frustration-8 Fun-7/8* Originality-8.5
Overall Score-7/8*
*Fast forward (Windows 95 or Java) version
**CD version
+
Unique concept (assign jobs to lemming humanoids that are automatically walking forward to help them get to the exit of a level), destructible environment, good puzzles overall, speed up horizontal scrolling by holding RMB, nuke button, slap stick/sadistic humour, briefing screens (tips, % of lemmings needed to finish the level, other stats), pasword save, mini-map, difficulty options (mostly new levels on harder modes), hotkeys (jobs, pause, nuke, entrance frequency/release rate), Psygnosis game cameos (shadow of the beast; sunsoft cameo on MD),
+/-
Can’t queue up job slots for a single lemming (for example make a builder use another builder slot after it runs out of bricks), can’t just tell everyone to stop or start (would probably make the game too easy though), time limits, resource management (limited job slots), shows you all available jobs within the space of a few levels instead of progressively introducing them over the course of the game, can’t make a lemming activate a job in one direction only (some later versions added this), no replay feature, can’t build a horizontal bridge or mine straight downwards, can’t assign jobs while the game is paused (can be done in the windows 95 and java ports),
-
Builders are too slow, can’t zoom in or hotkey group certain lemmings in to make selecting easier, no fast forward/game speed options (just for the entrance frequency of the lemmings) – added in a later version (windows 95 and java), can’t make a stopper or climber quit doing its current job without blowing it up, some boring levels, some trial & error, some trial & error (level 17 piston/crusher traps, arrow blocks/tiles, you can make dents in steel tiles with a certain obscure technique), slow entrance frequency interface, some lame music tracks (the covers of old children’s songs), can’t make diggers remember to start digging when encountering a wall later on (need to time the job activation right next to the wall you want to dig through)
Notes:
-PCE CD music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S078Woexhd0