Level pack: LemRunner (2021)

[92Dexter11]

Hello all!

A collaboration between my older brother (tan x dx) and I. This one is based off of an old isometric platformer called LodeRunner 2.

Just like in that game, you must collect all the gold to open the exit!

Make sure you have the latest version of the LemRunner styles!

Link to the level pack:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zxmpy93kdwjp121/LemRunner.zip?dl=1

Link to the solutions:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wgza0ntpwzodb82/LemRunnerSolutionsV5-2.zip?dl=1


There are 55 levels in total, split between 5 worlds. Both the levels and the worlds increase in difficulty; if you get stuck on one level, try starting a different world!


You'll need to download the corresponding style packs in order to play this. You can get the styles here:

https://www.lemmingsforums.net/index.php?topic=5535.0


Here are some screenshots:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Jungle:

Gear:

Mona:

Wacky:

Industry:

Let us know what you think!

[kaywhyn]

Hi Dexter,

I just downloaded the pack, and wow, these levels look great! I really liked your Chalkboard and Renaissance style levels, so I know both your brother and you have great artistic taste. That continues to hold true with the LemRunner pack I'm sure you noticed that I recently posted my replays for both Chalkboard and Renaissance Lemmings, though I have yet to get any feedback on my solutions. I especially love your brother's username, as I love calculus myself and am a math teacher

I would love to LP (let's play) this pack, meaning record myself solving these levels in real time, and when I do, I'll link you and your brother to my YT

[92Dexter11]

Thank you so much!!

I haven't yet had a look at your replays, I'll be sure to check them out when I get the chance.

I would absolutely love to see you do a lets play of our levels! That would be so cool. I should warn you though, some of the later levels are seriously tricky!

[kaywhyn]

I would absolutely love to see you do a lets play of our levels! That would be so cool. I should warn you though, some of the later levels are seriously tricky!

I believe this. Both Chalkboard and Renaissance Lemmings had a lot of bite to them, with a lot of deceivingly tough levels I eventually solved both after much struggling, so I expect my struggles will continue with LemRunner too. I don't mind difficult levels, though. I pretty much play levels of any difficulty.

Looking forward to playing through this pack in the upcoming days!

[IchoTolot]

I also look forward playing through this.

The styles look amazing as always!

I will post replays when I got to playing through it!

[Armani]

Hello dexter!
I've played first 2 ranks of the packs and attached my replays
I didn't know that you guys made renaissance tileset which is my favorite. I made one of my level for current level design contest with it.
And these new tileset also looks very nice combined with well fitting music.
I'm personally not a huge fan of button levels but here the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Jungle World
Welcome to Jungle World - Nice level to start a rank! Not too hard but not that simple. I love this kind of levels ; gives minimum skillset but the solution is not obvious. very well done
Encore - Another nice level. It was fairly obvious what should I do, but I still enjoyed it very much.
Ziggurat - likely to be a backroute, since I have a platformer left.
What goes up - somewhat easier than previous levels.
The two towers - I didn't use a glider, but I think my solution is mostly intended ; placing blockers at the trigger area of locked exits, jumper+stoner and then cloning constructive skills etc.
Excavation - This one is my favorite level of the rank. And I think this is probably the hardest eve of the Jungle rank. I must say, placing a blocker at the end of the force field is very clever Took me a while to notice that.
Shibboleth - I have some leftover skills, but I think I got the main trick. The timings of the bombers were quite precise but other than that I love this level a lot too.
Waste not want not -  Probably the easiest level of the rank, especially because more than enough builders are given.
Entrapment - I suspect my solution is a backroute. I have many leftover skills, and I think this level supposed to be more difficult than this.
Lemdiana Jones - My solution is very hackish and have some leftover skills. And I even didn't collect one of the pick-up. But I can't see any other ways to cross the water and pick up the swimmer skill.
Gear World
Welcome to Gear World - fairly easy level since the save requirement is very generous
Trial by fire - I love this level a lot and gave me some ideas for my own level! Especially sacrificing fallers to flip the splitter part is genius I have many skills leftover though.
Lefty loosey righty flighty - likely to be a backroute. I only used 8 skills out of 14.
Measure once, build twice - This also seems to be a backroute. I didn't collect a stacker pick-up and didn't use a floater.
Switching gears - much easier than the previous levels. I just only release them with bashers and the level was quite self-solving. maybe backroute?
Like clockwork - Really really really nice level definitely my favorite levels of this batch. I hardly see any levels that make good use of splitters so far, but this requires players to take advantage of splitter in very creative way!
Authorised Lemmings Only! - I have some leftover skills on this one.
Smoke stacks - was a quick solve still the level is very nice.
Just another cog in the machine - Not sure on this one. I have some stackers left. I'm not a big fan of massing many stackers to cross the gap.
Two by four - probably a backroute. I only used 1 basher out of 4.

I've been enjoying very much so far I will play other 3 ranks in the next few days.

[92Dexter11]

Hello dexter!
I've played first 2 ranks of the packs and attached my replays
I didn't know that you guys made renaissance tileset which is my favorite. I made one of my level for current level design contest with it.
And these new tileset also looks very nice combined with well fitting music.
I'm personally not a huge fan of button levels but here the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.

Hi, thanks so much for your responses!

My brother and I have had a look through your replays, and we must say we are impressed by your puzzle solving abilities!

We really appreciate you guys playing this and finding backroutes, as this allows us to make our levels much stronger. We're looking forward to seeing your solutions for the remaining worlds, so we can update those too.

We're already planning updates to fix all the backroutes, and we will release an updated version of the pack after we've recieved more replays of the remaining worlds.

Jungle World Spoilers:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Welcome to jungle world - Thanks! The "Welcome to..." levels are both a reference to the original game, and a way of introducing the gold sprites and terrain; they aren't intended to be overly challenging. (The smiley faces are a reference too!)
Encore -You got the correct solution, however I recently realised that this level does actually have a backroute. Let's just say that I need to give the zombie a floater...
Ziggurat - You did find a backroute here; will have to rework this one!
What goes up - This one was made somewhat late into development, so I didn't really have time to check for backroutes! You did manage to backroute this one, luckily there's an easy fix.
The two towers - The intended solution is pretty much the same here; the glider is technically superfluous and was only added to be more forgiving with distances.
Excavation - Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm really proud of this one, and I took extra special care to make sure it was backroute-proof. It seems that my work paid off!
Shibboleth - the intended solution is slightly different than your solution, but the spirit of the level remains intact, so I don't consider this a backroute.
Waste not want not - WOW! You really destroyed this level; tan says he knows a rework to make this level way more challenging.
Entrapment - You definitely backrouted this one. Luckily, it has a very easy fix. I suspect you'll be stumped by the intended solution; it's very tricky.
Lemdiana Jones - well done; this level will require some terrain modification!

Gear World Spoilers:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Trial by fire - the leftover skills are intentional; this level is supposed to be somewhat easy and forgiving since it's very early on in the world.
Lefty loosey righty flighty - your solution is the intended one; again, the leftover skills are there to be more lenient with the timing puzzle. (Originally, Gear world came before jungle world, so a lot of the earlier solutions are designed to be very forgiving. I decided to swap the places of jungle/gear world because I felt that the early jungle levels are both easier and more welcoming than the early gear levels).
Measure once, build twice - yep, this is a backroute! This one will probably require a slight rework.
Switching gears - good catch! I'll have to remove that metal!
Like clockwork - thanks again! This is another of my personal favourites
Authorised lemmings only - you kinda backrouted this level, I think; will have to discuss with tan what he thinks.
Smoke stacks - Nice work on this one! I thought I ironed out all the backroutes, but you proved me wrong!
Just another cog in the machine - You backrouted this one too; the intended solution is very esoteric and bizarre, will need a rework to prevent the stacker staircase!
Two by four - you definitely backrouted this one! Will need to take a look at this one more in-depth, since the intended solution is verrrrry nasty!

[Armani]

Next two ranks solved.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Mona World : was difficult than previous two ranks overall.
Welcome to Mona World - attached 2 different solutions. Both use every skill. First one uses shimmier merely to gain additional height and second one uses shimmier to actually shimmy along the ceiling. I suspect second one is what you intended..?
Catch my drift - I saved all and have 4 skills leftover but even then I love the level and the solution very much. It was satisfying to watch 4 gliders gliding down and collecting every gold midair.
Sync or swim - Another nice level! Getting the talisman was quite tricky.
Draft dodgers - I have some constructive skills leftover. But I think I got the main trick. I would say containing the gliders above the updraft and under the builder bridge is very clever.
Tightrope Citadel - This one was a quick solve. I have a blocker left so I might have backrouted this level.
Ad astra per aspera - I guess I also backrouted this one.? espicially I only used half of the platformers.
Hallowed ground - I enjoyed this level very much. Distracting zombies while collecting golds was very fun to play!
A caelo usque ad centrum - Hehe. Another backroute here I have a lot of leftover skills.
Any way the wind blows -  Easiest level of the rank for me. I think there's something unintended part in my solution.
Ascending and descending - This is my favorite level of the rank. Also I think this is the hardest level so far especially if you try to get the talisman even though I have two stackers to spare. Really cool and epic level to finish the rank.
Wacky World : Warning! backroute-fest incoming ....
Welcome to Wacky World - Wow this level is deceivingly tough despite its simple layout and limited skillset. very nice puzzle but a little bit difficult for the first level. I love it!
Full circle - This level was also difficult considering that the level has only one lemming. I think my solution is mostly intended but the only suspicious part is where I use a platformer to turn the lemming around at the anti-splat pad area.
Non sequitur - Easiest level of the pack so far. I literally one shot this level.
Mr Magoo - I got no-jumper solution
Pole to pole - It was quite clear that I should make some jumping spots with stackers. Getting the talisman was tricky though.
Loony bin - Probably a backrute. I think my solution is too hackish+leftover skills.
The Gibbering Cliffs - I can see how intended solution looks like. (bombing one platform, digging another platform inside the splat pad area and guiding the crowd to anti splat pad area or something like that.) But instead, I took the detour
Neurosis is no excuse for bad manner - Seems to be another backroute. leftover skills.
When Life Gives You Lemmings - I have a lot of leftover skills on this one, especially I didn't use any shimmier.
Know when to hold'em - I got 2stoners/2blockers solution. I love this level a lot! The level gives infinite skills yet the level is not easy at all! I was surprised to see how is this even possible! Really well done!

I most likely to play final rank tonight(it's about 4:30pm here) or tomorrow.

[92Dexter11]

Mona World Spoilers:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Welcome to Mona World - You're not gonna believe this, but actually both of your solutions are backroutes! (The intended solution is to make the last 3 lemmings build 3 times at the beginning, and use the shimmier to collect the odd gold piece, so you are actually closer to the intended solution with your first replay). That being said, the "Welcome to..." levels are supposed to be easy introductions, and you used all skills in both solutions, so I don't really feel the need to change anything here.
Catch my Drift - This replay is very impressive! The intended solution is to use blockers to rebound the gliders (you are essentially "catching" them, hence the name "Catch my drift"). Your solution is much more elaborate than I intended, and you managed to save every lemming, so I might add your solution as a talisman, rather than fixing the backroute.
Sync or Swim - This is a major backroute. I'll have to rework this level (hint: the updraft column is supposed to be integral to the solution).
Draft Dodgers - While this is technically a backroute, you still kept the spirit of the level (hiding the gliders underneath the zombie), so I don't think I'll change anything here; it is supposed to be an early (and therefore relatively easy) level, afterall.
Tightrope Citadel - This is a backroute; I'll have to confer with tan on how this level will have to be reworked.
Ad astra per aspera - Again, major backroute. Your solution to this one is really creative, though!
Hallowed ground - Thank you! This level is pretty freeform, it's supposed to be a difficult release challenge, I'm very impressed you managed to save so many lemmings!
A caelo usque ad centrum - Definitely a backroute; again, I'll have to confer with tan.
Any way the wind blows - Damn! I was sure I removed all backroutes for this level during playtesting; it's supposed to be a very misleading level; I'll have to add some sneakily-placed mines or fire pits...
Ascending and descending - Your solution to this level is actually kinda backroute-y. It's supposed to be way, way harder. Luckily, it seems like a relatively easy fix.

Wacky World Spoilers:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Welcome to Wacky World - You hit the nail on the head with your solution (This is the hardest welcome level; I originally planned for wacky world to come after industry world, but then we went and made a bunch of tricky industry levels, and also decided that the dark, grungy feel of industry was more fitting as a final challenge world).
Full circle - I'm debating whether or not to fix this one; your solution is a very creative backroute, but you still kept the intended solution. (The main gimmick is: you have to use the anti-splat pad a bunch of times, and the only way to do that is to bash through the lime slope, which you did during the replay).
Non sequitur - This level is intended to be very easy, but you still somehow managed to backroute it! I doubt tan will mind though, because your solution is really creative and seems slightly more difficult to pull off than the intended solution.
Mr Magoo - Another impressive backroute! I'm again debating on whether or not to fix your backroute or add it as a talisman.
Pole to pole - You got the correct solution for this one!
Loony Bin - Another really creative backroute! This shouldn't be too hard to fix.
The Gibbering Cliffs - Looks like we'll need to place a bunch of metal everywhere here!
Neurosis is no excuse for bad manners - Another backroute, but this one seems easily fixed.
When Life Gives you Lemmings - Pretty major backroutes in play here; may have to restructure the entire level. I'll see what tan thinks.
Know when to hold 'em - This is another personal favourite of mine; for a while, I've been wanting to make an uber-hard level in which you have infinite of all provided skills. That being said, your solution is absolutely inspired! Using the stoner to turn around the neutral while in mid-air is absolutely genius and is a good idea for a level on its own!

These are some pretty incredible solutions, backroutes not withstanding!
We look forward to seeing your industry replays.

The jungle/gear levels have mostly been fixed and we are planning on releasing a version 2.0 for the entire pack in a few days. I think I may also release the intended solutions pack along with it.

[Armani]

Here're my solutions for final rank levels

Industry World (click to show/hide)

Welcome to Industry World - Solving the level was quite easy but getting the talisman was very tough!
Bait and switchboard - attached 2 solutions. They are basically similar and the only different part is position of the builder. Second solution seems intended to me.
Revenge of the dead - Excellent level here. It took me quite a while to find out that I had to time the bomber so the zombie floaters clump together so one jumper is enough to bypass all 4 zombies. Before I realized that, I continuously tried to collecte the bottom golds before releasing the zombies and I was always one skill short as a result. Again, very impressive level. I really love it. And the animated water of this style is also very cool.
Livewire Lemmings - attached 2 different solutions. They have a fencer and a platformer leftover respectively.
Lemming on high - I have two leftover skills on this one. I have a feeling that cancelling basher to make a hole in stackers is not intended.
Storage facility 22-A - Based on your previous response to my replays, I can see that using the stoner to turn around another lemming while in mid-air is not the intended.(I used this trick to collect bottom left gold.) Still I used every skill so let's see what you think about this solution.
Retrograde - attached 2 different solutions. First one.... is obviously a backroute. I bypassed all three traps so I didn't even have to release the zombies. Seems easy to fix though. Second one on the other hand seems much more promising than the first one. I released the zombies and guided them to single-use traps to make a safe path for the crowd. Unfortunately, the second solution have a lot of leftover skills.
The night shift - I just went with the flow and I ended up solving this level with tons of leftover builders. There's must be something unintended in my solution.
The specialist - I saved all and have some leftover skills. The level was quite tricky nonetheless. There are many places that are deadly for a climber neutral and avoiding them was the main difficulty of this level.
Dead weight - This final levels looks intimidating and was very hard as I expected. The most difficult part was to getting a walker pick-up before the neutral collects all the gold. The level itself doesn't have a time limit but it was very urgent and nice time crunch! I think there're some unintended part in my solutions though.

Overall, I have to say I've been very much enjoying this pack. Considering that there are so much nice and difficult levels, I'm definitely looking forward to your backroute fixes so the levels I backrouted finally show their true colors to me.

[92Dexter11]

Industry World spoilers:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Bait and switchboard - This is a major oversight on my part! Easily fixed, thankfully.
Revenge of the dead - Thanks a lot! You can thank tan for giving me the idea to make the industry world have oil instead of water.
Livewire lemmings - These are both sort of backroutey, but then again I never intended for this level to have a specific solution (the main gimmick is that the central teleporter must be entered in from two different directions, which you accomplished on both). I did not realise you could block the lemmings in using only two builders, however, so I will fix that!
Lemming on high - Placing the blocker in front of the exit was a backroute I should have caught during playtesting! (this exact premise was used in jungle world; I should have noticed this here!). I have an easy fix for this, but I worry it will make the solution too obvious...
Storage facility 22a - You are correct in thinking this is a backroute, and another impressive one at that! Fortunately, this seems easily remedied.
Retrograde - Damn! I was certain I made those mines completely backroute-proof! It seems I once again underestimated the tenacity of the lemmings forums!
The night shift - You are correct in thinking this is a backroute. Mind you, the night shift is an absolute monster of a level and I half expected there to be a backroute in there somewhere.
The specialist - Another tricky level that you backrouted; again, this level is quite complex, so I wouldn't be surprised if it has multiple backroutes.
Dead Weight - A very impressive solution! Me and tan were both certain that beating the neutral to the gold was impossible; this level will definitely require a rework!

Another very impressive series of solutions!
We're working on fixing all of our levels, and we should have a version 2 ready in a few days.


...you still haven't solved every level, however...
Dig a little deeper...

[kaywhyn]

Just posting to let both Dexter and tan x dx know that I've started playing through the pack a few days ago, as well as how I have an LP available. However, I'm currently held up by Jungle World 10. I believe Armani said that he was able to solve it, but I'll go ahead and ask anyway: Do I have your guys' assurance that Jungle World 10 is possible with the given skillset? I haven't read any spoilers, as I prefer not to read them until I have solved the level myself. In this particular case,

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I always keep being a digger short. I need all 4 diggers to get through the very thick wall so that I'm able to get the swimmer pickup but then it doesn't matter what skills I have left, as the swimmer is stuck in the water without the climber pickup. I can't get it without a digger, but again the problem is I need all diggers for the lone lemming to be able to get to the right side of the level.

Other than this, I don't know any other way to get around the level. I'm not asking for a hint for the level, just want to get solvability confirmed by the pack authors. In other words, you guys have a working replay that solves the level. Like I said, I'm not asking for a hint, nor am I asking for the replay from you both. I'm going to keep trying on this level after I get confirmation of the level being possible with the skillset given. I would had skipped this level already just so I don't hold up the LP if I can't get it solved, but honestly I personally prefer not to skip ahead and instead I prefer to solve every level in order. That's just me, though

[∫tan x dx]

Hi Kaywhyn! I'll take this one since it is my level

Do I have your guys' assurance that Jungle World 10 is possible with the given skillset?

I can indeed confirm that this level is possible with the given skillset.

However, the solution submitted by Armani has revealed a backroute that I have already patched. Dexter and I will be updating the levels in a few days, so it's up to you whether or not you want to wait until then.

You also mentioned that you are LPing the pack? Do you have a link to the video(s)? Or are you waiting until you've completed everything first? Either way, I would love to see it!

[kaywhyn]

Perfect, that's all I needed to know Real stumper that one is, but I'll keep trying. I was going to wait until I have finished all of Jungle World and posted feedback before linking to my LP . In other words, I was going to provide the link to the LP after I have solved an entire rank. So, how long before I provide the LP link really depends on how long it takes me to solve Jungle World 10. I would love to have you both watching the videos and seeing me apply my thought processes when approaching level solving

[Armani]

...you still haven't solved every level, however...
Dig a little deeper...

Are there no bonus levels for other 3 ranks ??