Game InfoModesTipsDevelopment Art
Learn the basics and get pro insights that will put you on the path to Lode Runner glory
Moving Around
Lode Runner gets its name from the game's primary activity-running around while collecting gold and avoiding enemies. The Runner (or Runners) must also climb on ladders, swing across ropes and vines and drop down to lower levels; he can fall from high ledges without harm, thanks to the auto-thrusters in his boots.
Runners Don't Jump
Part of the beauty and challenge of Lode Runner is that there ain't no jumping! Get it out of your head right now and you'll be fine. Why no jumping, you ask? Could you jump if you were weighed down by all that gold?
Basic Blasting
Runners are equipped with a powerful blaster that will temporarily remove destructible blocks next to their feet. Be careful, blocks regenerate after several seconds and some blocks are too hard to blast at all. To blast through two layers of blocks, blast two on top so that you have room to blast one underneath. Runners can also blast blocks from ladders and ropes.
Blasting Both Ways
Maybe it's just human nature, new players often shoot their blaster only in the direction that their Runner is facing. Learn to blast both ways! The left trigger always fires a blast to the left and the right trigger always blasts the block to the right no matter which direction the Runner is facing.
Grabbing The Gold
In both Journey and Puzzle modes, players clear each level by collecting all the gold. In Hang On mode, the amount of gold the Runner collects determines which medal will be awarded.
Hard To Reach Gold
As the game progresses, levels become increasingly difficult, and players must devise effective strategies to obtain hard-to-reach nuggets. Some gold is attached to the sides of blocks that you cannot reach; blasting these blocks will cause the gold to fall to the path below.
Enemies In Pursuit
The Mad Monks, Golems, Robots and Yetis inhabiting the terrains all think alike when it comes to tracking thieves of their precious gold. Their first move is always to climb up or down to get to the same level as the Runner they're chasing. Once there, they blindly charge. The left Golem has a direct path to the Runner, but the right Golem will charge only to fall off the ledge (he could easily climb up to the chain and swing across to the Runner, but he is too mad to think straight). If the Runner climbs the ladder to his left, then the Golem on the right will climb up to the chain and join the other in chase; if the Runner falls to the bottom then they will fall too.
Trapping Enemies
Enemies always fall into holes that are blasted in front of them, but they will climb out if there's time. If the block regenerates first they will give up the ghost, but don't get smug - another will quickly emerge from the spawn point. Blasting multiple holes is a safe way to slow up an approaching enemy. In multiplayer modes enemies track the Runner of matching color, but if the Runner is killed they will join forces with their furry comrades. Enemies with sparkling gold dust trailing them have picked up a piece of gold; trap them and they will relinquish their prize.
Energy Balls
Both Journey modes contain energy balls. These valuable orbs can be found in bonus rooms (that appear at each stage end), in 1P transitions and regular co-op levels. For every three balls collected, a life is awarded. Look before you leap... although it may not appear so at first glance, every energy ball can be collected!
Run Up The Score
Here are some things to keep in mind if you're trying to maximize your Journey score: Gold you collect is worth 200 pts; Stolen gold (nabbed from trapped enemies) is worth 300 pts; Hidden enemy diamonds are worth 2,000 pts; Remaining time bonus is awarded at level completion (so run fast!); Extra lives at game completion are worth 10,000 points a piece.
Saving The Game
Journey games are automatically saved, when exited, as long as a life remains. Speaking of lives; if you exit during game-play you will lose one life (just to keep you honest). Levels are paused at start and restart after death; this is a safe time to exit. It is also fine to exit from the stage map screen upon completing a stage, or from a transition or bonus room (but remember to collect all of the energy balls you can first, because the game will start at the next level when you continue.
Set Up For Success
Adjust the Screen Settings to maximize the viewable area for your TV, this will let the camera know how close it can zoom into the scene. Also, be sure to set your Content Settings, this is where you opt in or out to receive player-created content.