Lemmings

UPC: 711719864721

Platform: PlayStation Portable

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.

Developer: Team17 Software, Ltd.

Category: Puzzle

Style(s): Adventure Puzzle

Synopsis: In the spirit of Lode Runner and Dig Dug comes Lemmings, an adventure puzzle game for PSP. Players will be kept busy with more than 150 levels, guiding the cute, little (though easily lost) lemmings from entrance to exit point. Around each corner hide obstacles, ranging from lava pits to raging rivers, requiring players to be fast with their wits and reflexes in order to guide the lemmings to safety. If 150 levels simply isn't enough, players can create their own custom levels, using the level editor function, and share them with friends using the PSP's wireless capability. ~ All Game Guide

Package Contents: 32-page Instruction Manual

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

The documentation isn't necessary to start playing, thanks to the intuitive interface and straightforward objectives. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The lemmings are still hard to see, but the vibrant levels and cartoon-like style make up for it. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The British blokes behind the wacky Worms strategy series lend their distinctive sense of whimsy to the PSP version of Lemmings, an enhanced port of the classic computer puzzle game. This handheld adaptation features diverse and colorful levels that mirror the look of an animated film. While the tiny lemmings are still difficult to discern even despite a zoom feature, the game's sharp graphics, widescreen display, and clean interface make things as intuitive as possible for puzzle fans looking for something more offbeat than positioning pieces or tiles. There are no new wrinkles to the series, but those who appreciate the original's simplistic 2D charm won't care. The action involves guiding a specific number of lemmings to the exit in 156 hazard-heavy levels. Since each lemming automatically marches to its doom, players must quickly intervene and assign a task to a single creature to help change the group's fate. From tunneling to climbing to floating with an umbrella, each of the eight "jobs" must be selected at the right time and location. There are a fixed number of roles available on each level, so there's no room for trial and error. Each role is represented by icon along the screen's bottom edge and is accessed by tapping the shoulder buttons. The directional pad guides the cursor used to highlight a creature, while the analog stick scrolls the camera so players can view the entire level. Options also exist to fast-forward the action, pause the game to select an individual lemming before resuming play, and alter the lemmings' pace. The developers did a great job with the interface and controls, completely removing the frustration found in earlier, clumsier ports of the puzzle series. The game's 156 challenges are spread across five difficulty levels, so veteran players will likely zip through half of the content within a few hours. And once one knows how to solve a particular level, there's no point in replaying it. The key to maximizing Lemmings' value is thus tied to its wireless function, where new levels can be downloaded from the developer and other players. A surprisingly robust level editor is included to help inspire a player's creativity, but sadly, there are no additional modes or variants outside of the puzzles. Lemmings on PSP is a well-produced puzzle game that is extremely faithful to the original, to both its credit and its detriment. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Lemmings features 156 levels and the ability to download new levels via wireless infrastructure mode. Yet the majority of the included levels can be completed within a minute. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Apart from the squeals of falling lemmings, the music and sound effects don't really stand out. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The intuitive interface, wireless support, and level editor are certainly welcome features, but the game doesn't stray far from the original. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.