Lego Rock Raiders (PlayStation)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 1.5 stars Poor
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 3.2 (1.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Shane Satterfield
• Reviewed on: 08/24/2000
• Updated on: 05/17/2006
• Released on: 07/30/2000
• Originally published on GameSpot: Lego Rock Raiders (PlayStation) Review

Go into any young boy's toy chest and you're likely to find some Lego pieces in there somewhere. Like the Erector Set and Lincoln Logs, Legos have stood the test of time as a toy that generation after generation of young bucks can enjoy. This would usually provide an easy way for a company producing video games to make some loot, but with Lego Rock Raiders, this might not be the case. Somewhere in the transition from drawing board to television screen, something has gone awry.

In Lego Rock Raiders, you play as one of several Lego characters instructed to mine an alien planet for precious energy crystals and ore. As you might expect, the indigenous creatures aren't too keen on the idea of giving up their planet's goods to plastic men with black dots for eyes. As one of the several Rock Raiders, it's your job to mine the rock on the planet for the energy crystals and ore or, in some cases, to rescue the other Raiders who may have pitifully found themselves in trouble. There is a two-player mode available for up to six levels, but as the instruction manual puts it, they are designed "just for fun."

The first few minutes playing Rock Raiders makes the game seem like it's going to be an endless search to find the few places where your imbecile drill can work. Once you begin to use the radar, the loose rock appears a brighter green than the rest of the level, and any difficulty the game may have had quickly jumps on the next train to Easyville. The level design isn't exactly mystifying. As each of the 18 linear levels begins, you start with a simple drill that will destroy the loose rock. As you progress through the level, you find more-powerful tools that allow you to turn the medium and hard rock into rubble. When dealing with solid rock, you can use dynamite to blast open the way through. As you finish each level, you are awarded a medal based on your performance, and you may go back to replay previous levels in attempts at a golden glory. Take note, this is not recommended.

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