Lode Runner 3-D takes the old-school digging and dodging formula and throws it into a 3D space—which sounds cool, but honestly, it takes some getting used to. At first, the camera angles feel a little awkward, like you're fighting the controls as much as the enemies. But once you adjust, there's something satisfying about blasting holes in the floor to trap those little robot guys chasing you.

The levels get pretty devious later on, forcing you to think fast—do you grab the gold now or dig an escape route first? Some stages feel almost like puzzles, where one wrong move means starting over. And yeah, the nostalgia hits hard if you played the original, though the blocky N64 graphics haven’t aged perfectly. Still, there’s a weird charm to it, especially when you pull off a last-second escape.

Not gonna lie, it’s frustrating at times, but in that way where you keep saying “one more try.” Just don’t expect it to play like modern platformers.