Challenging and unique. Those are the words that best describe the latest edition of the 1983 classic, Lode Runner Legacy. This week we had the opportunity to try out the game, which is under development by Tozai Games.

Challenging is an adjective one would expect from an old-school classic, but in 2017, unique is a word few would use to address such an old title. Yet, Lode Runner Legacy is anything but ordinary for younger gamers who thought of the brand as a novelty app their parents play on and off on their phones. By sticking to the original premise (a platformer that relies on wits rather than precision), Lode Runner Legacy manages to remain familiar and fresh, proving that old games can age rather well.

With updated voxel graphics and a catchy soundtrack, the game brings players an array of modes as well as three different editors, including a level editor, a character editor, and an item editor. In adventure mode, players are tasked with infiltrating an evil empire to retrieve stolen gold spread across 50 original levels. Puzzle mode provides another 50 challenging levels rid of the presence of enemies. Meanwhile, classic mode reintroduces the 150 levels from the 1983 classic, remade in 3D graphics meant to resemble the original Apple II release. And finally, players may also experience levels created by their fellow runners.

Lode Runner Legacy‘s release on Steam is a smart move from Tozai Games. It will provide older gamers with a version filled with nostalgia while introducing the classic and its unique approach to a younger audience. In an era where most sidescrollers seem to be inspired by Mario, Metroid, or Castlevania, Lode Runner is a breath of fresh air with its simple yet tight controls.

Developed and published by Tozai Games, Lode Runner Legacy will be available on Steam sometime this summer.