Lemmings

The Good
Lemmings is puzzle game with a hint of real-time strategy, and was one of both the most successful and most innovative titles of the early 90s.

The goal of the game is to lead a group of mindless lemmings safely to the exit in each of the 120 levels. The lemmings enter the level by falling through a trap door, and will stoically march onwards, whatever lies in their way. They change direction if they walk into an obstacle, but they won't stop from traps, fire, pits and falls from deadly heights, for example. To make sure the lemmings reach the exit, there is a number of tasks the player can apply to the lemmings. This includes digging in different directions, building a stairway, playing "blocker" to repel other lemmings or even making a lemming blow up itself. All the tasks must be used at the right time and place to create a path to exit for the lemmings. However, there is always a limited number of times you may use these functions, so you need to use them carefully. To make matters more complicated, there is also a time limit and a given minimum number of lemmings to be saved.

While the graphics are just average all in all (see below), I want to point out that the animation of the lemmings is superb. All of their movements are funny or cute to look, and the game is splendid example of you can do with just a few pixels and colours.

The game has a really ease to use mouse interface. The bottom of the screen shows all available tasks for the lemmings, and the number of them left. You just mark the task of your choice and then click on a lemming to perform it. You can pause the game to plan your strategy with another button, and you may adjust the drop-out rate for the lemmings (though cannot go below the starting rate). Finally, you can "nuke" the level by letting all remaining lemmings explode at once. All levels can be accessed via a password system.

Like with most puzzle games, the gameplay is the program's strongest point by far. As with Lemmings, the fun and addictiveness can even compare to Tetris. The designers did not only frame a great concept, but they also created excellent levels. While the later levels are really hard and can be quite frustrating, the motivation and the addictiveness are always very high. The designers also did a good job with introducing the different skills and game mechanics in the earlier levels.

The Bad
The game is surprisingly flawless and perfected (many other games don't reach this state in the third sequel), so there is not really that much to complain about. As I already hinted at, the presentation of the game is not very outstanding. The environments are colourful and look okay, but are no highlight as well. The music contains some nice, cheerful tunes, but they can get a bit tiresome over the time. You can also mention that the game is focussed on the actual gameplay in the sense that you do not have any introduction sequences, cut-scenes or bonuses, you "just" play the levels. Though it is questionable how much a game like Lemmings needs such things.

Apart from these minor issues, the only problem might be the strict minimum number of Lemmings to save in each level. If you really play the game all by yourself, and do not look up the codes in a book, magazine or nowadays the internet, then you are in danger of being forced to play a level over and over again, because you could save enough Lemmings, even if you know exactly how to solve the level. After numerous repetitions it can be really frustrating to notice that the lemming, which has just fallen to its, was just enough to render the current trial futile. However, the game is far too addictive to let go on it in the long run.

The Bottom Line
I would call Lemmings nothing less then a timeless masterpiece. It has got a great idea behind it, and the execution was so well done that the gameplay has easily passed the test of time. It's an addictive, original and brilliant game that is just as much fun as it used to be in 1991.

The Good
I never really liked the later sequels of the game, but the first Lemmings is for sure one of the games I remember best from my Amiga days. It had a very original game idea, very cute graphics and was extremly addicting. I remember having finished all levels until that (spoiler) applaud scene. The level design in general was great, varied and you never got bored of it until you've made it through the last puzzle. And the music... one lovely tune after the other!

The Bad
The PC conversion was disappointing. The nice intro has been left out. The music has lost much of its charm on the AdLib sound-card and the graphics didn't feel right in some way. But I can't think of anything wrong with the game in general.

The Bottom Line
This game has probably been played to death due to far too many sequels. But it sure is a mile-stone in gaming history.

The Good
Lemmings is a very addictive game, in which you try to prevent the little things from getting killed by a level hazard. You win the level if you make the amount needed get to the exit. To help you are several actions you can assign your lemmings like digging, umbrella parachute. Overall, a good strategy puzzle game; Lemmings is a classic.

The Bad
Eventually get boring after awhile, but you'll come back to it. Also, why are the lemmings so fragging stupid?

The Bottom Line
Follow-the-leader type of puzzle strategy game; you guide the lemming safely through the levels or you lose. Simple as that.

The Good
Lemmings was fun. This entire review can be summed up into that one sentence. From the moment I heard the wacky "Let's go!", to the last "Yippee!!", I was enthralled, pumped to the limit, and generally addicted to these tiny green creatures bobbing around my screen.

The puzzles ranged from mind-numbingly easy to "kill-me-now" impossible, but the fun was always there. Some require lateral thinking, others perfect timing, still others a stunning combination of both. Be careful to switch off the music if you plan to spend time on this one...

The Bad
The soundtrack, although funky, got too much after a while. Oh, and those damn lemmings never thought to look before walking off that cliff!

The Bottom Line
Fun, fun, fun. The type of game that you'd open when you had nothing to do, or a couple of minutes to idle away.

The Good
Something about it was so addictive. Drew me in over and over again. Got past 3/4ths of the game.

The Bad
kept me up late for the first week :)

The Bottom Line
These cute little critters need help. You can do it.

The Good
Psygnosis found wonderful ways to be creative with their little puzzle construction set called Lemmings (and its successors). I determined this was going to be the first game I actually finished (I don't usually stay with a given game very long). As I recall, I stalled out somewhere around level 64, where I hit a puzzle I just couldn't handle. A year later, I saw a strat book in a bookseller with the secrets to all the puzzles. I grabbed it and looked up my problem level. The book commented that this was the game's real stumper, where most people ran out of steam. Well - I object on principle to a game that has a stumper you can't get beyond. I figure I paid for all 100 levels, and I got cheated out of the last third of them. More modern games provide ways around "impossible" levels or situations, but Lemmings had no safety net. And that's the only strike I have against it.

The Bad
Well, I guess I said my peace, above.

The Bottom Line
Addictive puzzler with wacky mammals

The Good
It is an interesting game, original and practically reinvented puzzle solving. It was also Psygnosis' first real break out of the Amiga platform, which is noteworthy as the company evolved and is, as far as I know, still in existance.

The puzzles are varied and mostly interesting. The characters are cute and well drawn, the music is excellent and the sound effects are weird (which is a good thing). What could possibly be wrong with this game?

The Bad
Well, aside from a myriad of sequels (I can name at least 3), the game is simply tiresome. 120 puzzles? Is anyone in this universe truly insane enough to complete this game? I got tired of it before reaching 50!
If you intend on completing this game you had better be damn well armed with infinate patience. You'll need it.

Oh yes, and I really hate lemmings, now that I've played this game more than I could possibly take.

The Bottom Line
A cute and original puzzle game, but really tiresome.