Lemmings
SCORE: 92
Lemmings is the first PSP (Playstation Portable) game that Family
Friendly Gaming is reviewing. For those unfamilar with lemmings, they
are an animal that are known for following each other off cliffs to
their own doom. This puzzle game continue that belief (whether it is
accurate or not). Certain tools are available on each level, and are
essential to solving it. Some levels require a mastery of timing things
just right, whereas other levels require one lemming to do all the work
while the rest are held in a specific area until it is safe for them to
traverse.
Graphically Lemmings shines in more ways than one. The graphics are
crisp, clear, bright and colorful. Zooming in or out is handled
exceptionally well. The details are done in a decent manner. The artwork
is a little repetitive, as there are different themed worlds, and many
levels re-use graphics from previous levels. In fact some levels
actually are the same, with the entrance and exist swapped (for
example). While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it did leave a
feeling of deja vu at times. Lemmings who are unfortunate enough to lose
their lives in the middle of the game, have cartoonish deaths.
The music in this game are some real nice little tunes that can
easily get stuck in the player's head. In fact after playing this
reviewer found himself humming certain musical arrangements. These are
also very pleasant. The sounds are usually good, unless a lemming loses
its life. Mistakes the player make can lead to the quick demise of the
poor little creatures. They make a short shout as they fall of the
screen, a splat sound if they fall too far, a blub sound if they fall
into water, and a squishy sound if spikes get them. These were all
handled in a cartoonish manner.
SCEA added a lot of replay into Lemmings on the PSP. First off there
are one hundred and fifty levels. There is also a build your own level
design that will keep players busy. These player created levels can be
transmitted to other players. The addictive nature of wanting to
successfully complete each mission, will also add replay. This reviewer
feels that this is a fun game that is worth the price of admission.
The main gameplay in this game is picking certain tools to give to
the appropriate lemming at the proper time. Sometimes this means working
in two separate areas at around the same time. This is not that
difficult since the player can pause the game, move the cursor over the
proper lemming, select the appropriate tool, and unpause. This strategy
is needed for the more difficult levels. Learning which tools to use,
and how to protect the lemmings is essential to success. Some levels are
insanely difficult to solve, whereas others are simple. The main theme
of this puzzle game is to keep the lemmings alive.
There was one level called the 6's that raised some eyebrows here at
Family Friendly Gaming. This level consisted of three sixes in a row.
The player had to cut through them, build bridges to get to the exit.
The theme of protecting, and guiding the lemmings to the same haven is a
wonderful lesson. There really needs to be more games like this. This
game was a joy for this reviewer to play. It really had me thinking in
some levels about the proper sequence in order to keep the lemmings
safe. The more lemmings that were kept alive, the better I felt. The
only major downside to lemmings was having to recharge the PSP battery
so many times because it was so much fun.
- Paul
Graphics: 87%
Sound: 94%
Replay/Extras: 95%
Gameplay: 96%
Family Friendly Factor: 89%
System: Playstation Portable
Publisher: Sony
ESRB Rating: 'E' for Everyone
{Mild Cartoon Violence}
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