GAME
OF THE
DAY
Lemmings: Puzzle Strategy
Survival & Adventure Game
Self-preservation isn’t exactly a lemming’s strong suit. With no concept of danger, these adorable little critters will merrily walk off cliffs and blunder into traps. It’s up to you to guide them safely to the exit point. But can you save them all?
If that sounds familiar, you probably remember the original Lemmings. The groundbreaking puzzler, which first launched nearly 30 years ago, returns in this brilliant reboot.
This is more than a mere visual makeover, though the titular rodents look more charming than ever while retaining that iconic shock of green hair.
One smart new change: Lemmings uses grid-based maps, so rather than selecting individuals, you can tap squares that automatically set up roles for any lemmings that wander into it. The game’s devious environmental puzzles often have more than one solution and never feel unfair.
Some lemmings can act as stoppers, turning back the advancing conga line of their comrades, while others can be set to build diagonal sets of steps to reach higher ground. You can dig through soft ground, too, though sometimes you’ll need to place a mid-air umbrella so the following pack can float down safely, rather than plummeting to a messy demise.
If you can save every lemming on each level, you’ll get the chance to spin a wheel of fortune, unlocking features that disable traps or that double the number of rescued rodents. These contribute to the tally you need to claim the various planets and asteroids that make up the lemmings’ galactic journey.
Or, if you’re lucky, you can crack open an egg containing one of a wide array of rare lemming types, each adding colour and character to your tribe.
It all adds up to a very welcome revamp of an old favourite, one that brings Lemmings kicking and screaming – and occasionally falling and splatting – into the 21st century.