Load Runner v 1.51
Ballshooter
Price: $14.95
O/S: Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003
For Axim Users Dot Com
By RommelS
Ballshooter has re-incarnated an 80’s game and introduced Load Runner. Being based on an 80’s game, it is simple and fun to play, but does the game stop there? The game has a few elements that are make it exciting and challenging …even for serious gamers of today.
Installation
Installation is via ActiveSync, and it took 1861159 bytes. The application runs fine even when it is installed in a storage card.
Features
Game Objective
Gather all the treasures on each level, and avoid your enemies that are out to kill you.
Start the Run
Once you start the game, the first thing that you will notice is it’s simple and easy to navigate menu. The navigation menu comes only with three options, Start, Help, and Exit. It’s Help menu give you a concise game rules, and when you select Exit, the game unloads from memory (pressing the X on the upper left only minimized the game).
Want a Quick Start
If you’re the type of gamer that just try to figure the game on your own, and don’t like to read the overall objective of the game, or just want quick rules on how to play the game, then by all means, plunge in to the game because the first three levels will be a challenging tutorial.
Start Loading
The game comes with 50 different levels, and as you move along, the game gets more difficult. If you’re not challenge enough, you can select a higher level to play.
Game Play
One thing that I’ve noticed in this game, the enemy seems to know where you are in the maze. To make matter worst, you have to unearth (un-brick in this case) some of the treasures in higher levels. The enemies move fast, so you have to think and react fast on how to get the buried treasures because for each brick you take out, you’ll only have 10 seconds to make the next move, or you might wind up buried in a wall or floor when the brick reappears.
Sounds, Graphics and Options
Game option is very simple and east to deal with.
The game comes with one upbeat soundtrack and sound effects, and you also have the ability to turn the sound on both the soundtrack and sound effects off.
The graphics are very simple and not fancy. In fact it does look like an 80’s arcade game. The game also came with 6 different backgrounds to choose from.
Controller
Navigation pad is extensively used in this game, and it worked fine with the Axim X5 pad. To help you move up and down, you may also use the jog dial.
Wish List
I hope in the next major version, Ballshooter could add one or more soundtracks, and an option for the background to automatically change on every level.
Conclusion
To my surprise, Ballshooter’s Load Runner is a very challenging game. Challenging enough for every gamer out there. The appearance might look like a retro 80s game, but don’t let that fool you. The game requires you to react fast and use logic, and it is a whole lot of fun. This game is highly recommended.
Linear Mode
