Emerald Mine: Difference between revisions

Emerald Mine
Emerald Mine
Developer(s)	Kingsoft
Publisher(s)	Kingsoft
Designer(s)	Klaus Heinz; Volker Wertich;
Platform(s)	Amiga, Atari ST, 16 and Plus/4, Commodore 64
Release	1987
Genre(s)	Puzzle, maze
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

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Emerald Mine is a 1987 puzzle video game developed and published for Amiga and Atari ST by Kingsoft. The series follows mines filled with various gems, such as emeralds. It is a Boulder Dash clone in which the player completes levels by collecting sufficient gems before reaching the exit. Emerald Mine was Kingsoft's best-selling title with reviews generally favorable, and spawned several sequels. It was also Volker Wertich's, one of the game's designers, most successful game until The Settlers in 1993, of which he was also the creator.

Gameplay

Emerald Mine is a top-down, tile-based puzzle game. Similar to Boulder Dash, it revolves around a character who attempts to collect enough emeralds and diamonds scattered across maze-like structures before reaching the exit, all within a time limit. The player character is immune to gravity, but objects such as stones and the aforementioned gems will fall to the ground,^[1] rolling to the side when the underground is loose and killing the character if one falls on him. Stones and other non-collectible objects can be pushed aside if the space next to them is empty. The player can move their character over squares of sand, digging away any in the way and creating an open space for the objects. Collectible objects and sand adjacent to the player's current position can also be removed without moving to those squares.

Some of these mazes contain enemies, including those that travel along a wall on a certain side and one kind that eats diamonds in its way. They can be killed by falling objects, one of which will explode into a diamond and up to eight emeralds. The difference between the two genstones is that a diamond is worth three emeralds and can be crushed by a falling stone, destroying it. Additionally, in some levels are amoebae given one or a combination of properties, depending on the level: they expand across adjacent tiles of space or sand, or deadly drops fall from them. Amoebae pose a unique threat in that they can enclose the player if not managed. Other elements include colored keys to unlock doors, explosive bombs and collectible dynamite that can be used to destroy enemies and weak walls, and blue walls through which falling stones are converted into emeralds, emeralds into diamonds, and diamonds back into stones. A player scores points by collecting gemstones, crushing enemies with a boulder, cracking a nut to release an emerald, and as a bonus by having leftover time at the end of the level. Emerald Mine allows for two players to cooperate and complete their objectives, with some levels designed exclusively for that mode.^[2]

Development

Emerald Mine was developed by Kingsoft, based in Aachen. It was designed by Klaus Heinz and Volker Wertich. Wertich would later go on to become the creator of a more successful game, the debut installment of The Settlers, in 1993. This game was released for Amiga^[3] and Atari ST^[2] in 1987 and ported to the Commodore 64^{[citation needed]} and the Commodore 16 and Plus/4 computers the next year.^[4]

Reception

Emerald Mine received generally favorable reviews, was Kingsoft's best-selling title, and was also Wertich's most successful game until The Settlers.^[3] Aktueller Software Markt cited the game's high difficulty; saying "If you liked well-programmed, tricky games, then Emerald Mine would be exactly the right thing for you.^[5] Happy Computer praised the music and digitised sound effects and found the puzzles to be addictive and very satisfying to solve.^[2] Tilt magazine described the game's multidirectional scrolling as "fluid" and wrote that the game's longevity was guaranteed by its variety.^[6]

The game's multiplayer mode was well received.^[8] While directing minor criticism towards its graphics, Commodore Computing International considered Emerald Mine a good and inexpensive addition to the Amiga games library that had yet to expand to over a hundred full-price titles.^[1] Amiga World remarked on the game's addictive nature, comparing it to arcade classics, and noted its ability to save up to eight player names, their score totals, and how many levels they mastered—a feature unusual at the time.^[9] In its retrospective review, Amiga Joker commented on the game's appeal, saying "It's the playing fun that counts", and that the design was well received: "Nobody offers such a good control and inventively designed levels".^[7]

Happy Computer considered it to be the best budget game of the year,^[10] and Amiga World awarded the game the title of the Number One Amiga Game of All Time in 1988.^[11]

Sequels and legacy

Kingsoft developed and published Emerald Mine 2, the game's sequel, in 1988 with 100 new levels. A level editor was included, which triggered the creation of thousands of levels by players.^[12]

In 1990, Kingsoft published a selection of levels created by players, called Emerald Mine 3: Professional. It was panned by critics, citing the game being lazy, with Power Play magazine saying "[The third part] has been cobbled too unlovingly. No question, the game mechanics and elements are still fine invented, but they should have removed the dust layer lying on it."^[13] Amiga Joker was also highly critical of the game's presentation commenting; "There's no change on graphics and sound […], all technical details like animation and scrolling appear substantially dated."^[14]

In 1994, Almathera published a collection of 14,160 levels on compact disk for the Amiga CD32, titled Emerald Mines. It received a better critical reception than that of EM3, with Amiga Games commenting that the gameplay was as good as ever, "This Boulder Dash clone doesn't come up with spectacular graphics, but the addicting game principle and over 10,000 levels should guarantee playing fun for months."^[15] Amiga Joker also commented on the gameplay; "The game elements are in such an abundance and variants that variety is presented truly in the whole lot. [... But since it is imbalanced] it is more a CD for fans [...]^[16]

Emerald Mine's levels and assets formed part of the basis for Rocks'n'Diamonds, another clone of Boulder Dash and a free and open-source game, along with Supaplex.^[17]

References

^ ^a ^b "Anco's Amiga scene setters". Commodore Computing International. October 1987. p. 106. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Lenhardt, Heinrich (1987). "Test: Emerald Mine". Happy Computer (in German). No. SH21. p. 88. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Retro Gamer Spezial". Retro Gamer (in German). No. 2/2017. Germany. February 2017. pp. 177, 201. ISBN 9783957881656. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ Schmidt, Ottfried (January 1989). "Report – Helden, Monster, Diamanten" [Report – Heroes, Monsters, Diamonds]. Compute mit (in German). No. 1/1989. p. 6. ISSN 0179-6720. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ ^a ^b Schmidt, Ottfried (November 1987). "Boulder Dash für zwei" [Boulder Dash for two]. Aktueller Software Markt (in German). No. 11. p. 17. ISSN 0933-1867. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ ^a ^b Huyghues-Lacour, Alain (May 1988). "Tilt Parade – Emerald Mine". Tilt. No. 54. p. 45. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ ^a ^b Löwenstein, Richard (January 1992). "Klassiker: Emerald Mine" [Classic: Emerald Mine]. Amiga Joker (in German). p. 87. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ ^a ^b Dunnington, Benn (September–October 1988). "Review: Emerald Mine". The Gallery. .info. No. 22. p. 12. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ Wallace, Louis (September 1988). "Game Shorties – Emerald Mine". Amiga World. Vol. 4, no. 9. p. 74. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ Lenhardt, Heinrich (January 1988). "Die besten Computerspiele 1987" [The best computer games of 1987]. Happy Computer (in German). No. 51. p. 81. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ "AmigaWorld Top 40 Games". Amiga World. Vol. 4, no. 11. November 1988. p. 46. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
^ Emerald Mines short review in Amiga World issue dec. 1994, p. 57, ISSN 0883-2390 here
^ "Emerald Mine 3 Professional review in Power Play". 15 March 2014. p. 41. ISSN 0937-9754.
^ Borgmeier, Carsten (October 1990). "Emerald Mine 3 Professional review in Amiga Joker". Joker Verlag. p. 62.
^ "Emerald Mines short review in Amiga Games". p. 40. ISSN 0946-6339. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
^ Magenauer, Max (February 1995). "Emerald Mines review in Amiga Joker". Amiga Joker. p. 77.
^ Jaenecke, Nico (5 May 2018). "Kostenlos: 50 Open-Source-Spiele mit Spaßfaktor" [Free: 50 fun open source games]. Computer Bild (in German). Archived from the original on 9 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

External links

Emerald Mine at MobyGames
Emerald Mines collection.
Emerald Mine games on the Hall of Light for the Amiga.

[CCI-1] "Anco's Amiga scene setters". Commodore Computing International. October 1987. p. 106. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[HappyComputer-2] Lenhardt, Heinrich (1987). "Test: Emerald Mine". Happy Computer (in German). No. SH21. p. 88. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[RetroGamer-3] "Retro Gamer Spezial". Retro Gamer (in German). No. 2/2017. Germany. February 2017. pp. 177, 201. ISBN 9783957881656. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[4] Schmidt, Ottfried (January 1989). "Report – Helden, Monster, Diamanten" [Report – Heroes, Monsters, Diamonds]. Compute mit (in German). No. 1/1989. p. 6. ISSN 0179-6720. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[ASM-5] Schmidt, Ottfried (November 1987). "Boulder Dash für zwei" [Boulder Dash for two]. Aktueller Software Markt (in German). No. 11. p. 17. ISSN 0933-1867. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[Tilt-6] Huyghues-Lacour, Alain (May 1988). "Tilt Parade – Emerald Mine". Tilt. No. 54. p. 45. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[AmJoker-7] Löwenstein, Richard (January 1992). "Klassiker: Emerald Mine" [Classic: Emerald Mine]. Amiga Joker (in German). p. 87. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[.info-8] Dunnington, Benn (September–October 1988). "Review: Emerald Mine". The Gallery. .info. No. 22. p. 12. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[9] Wallace, Louis (September 1988). "Game Shorties – Emerald Mine". Amiga World. Vol. 4, no. 9. p. 74. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[10] Lenhardt, Heinrich (January 1988). "Die besten Computerspiele 1987" [The best computer games of 1987]. Happy Computer (in German). No. 51. p. 81. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[11] "AmigaWorld Top 40 Games". Amiga World. Vol. 4, no. 11. November 1988. p. 46. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

[emcdawreview-12] Emerald Mines short review in Amiga World issue dec. 1994, p. 57, ISSN 0883-2390 here

[em3ppreview-13] "Emerald Mine 3 Professional review in Power Play". 15 March 2014. p. 41. ISSN 0937-9754.

[em3ajreview-14] Borgmeier, Carsten (October 1990). "Emerald Mine 3 Professional review in Amiga Joker". Joker Verlag. p. 62.

[emcdagreview-15] "Emerald Mines short review in Amiga Games". p. 40. ISSN 0946-6339. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.

[emcdajreview-16] Magenauer, Max (February 1995). "Emerald Mines review in Amiga Joker". Amiga Joker. p. 77.

[17] Jaenecke, Nico (5 May 2018). "Kostenlos: 50 Open-Source-Spiele mit Spaßfaktor" [Free: 50 fun open source games]. Computer Bild (in German). Archived from the original on 9 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2022.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|1987 video game}}
-{{Infobox VG series
+{{Use American English|date=October 2018}}
-| title =
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
-| image =
+{{Infobox video game
+| title = Emerald Mine
+| image = Emerald Mine cover.jpg
 | caption =
-| platform of origin = [[Amiga]]
 | developer = [[Kingsoft GmbH|Kingsoft]]
 | publisher = Kingsoft
+| designer = {{ubl|Klaus Heinz|Volker Wertich}}
-| first release version = Emerald Mine
+| platforms = [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 16|16]] and [[Commodore Plus/4|Plus/4]], [[Commodore 64]]
-| first release date = 1987
+| released = 1987
-| latest release version = Emerald Mines CD
+| genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]], [[maze video game|maze]]
-| latest release date = 1994
-| genre = [[Scrolling]] [[tile-based game|tile-based]] [[puzzle game]]
+| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
-| spinoffs =
 }}
+'''''Emerald Mine''''' is a 1987 [[puzzle video game]] developed and published for [[Amiga]] and [[Atari ST]] by [[Kingsoft GmbH|Kingsoft]]. The series follows [[mining|mines]] filled with various gems, such as emeralds. It is a ''[[Boulder Dash (video game)|Boulder Dash]]'' clone in which the player completes levels by collecting sufficient gems before reaching the exit. ''Emerald Mine'' was Kingsoft's best-selling title with reviews generally favorable, and spawned several sequels. It was also Volker Wertich's, one of the game's designers, most successful game until ''[[The Settlers (1993 video game)|The Settlers]]'' in 1993, of which he was also the creator.
-'''''Emerald Mine''''' is a computer game series by Kingsoft. The games are about collecting gems in a vertical maze of obstacles each behaving according to their predefined rules.
+==Gameplay==
-==''Emerald Mine''==
+''Emerald Mine'' is a [[top-down perspective|top-down]], [[tile-based video game|tile-based]] puzzle game. Similar to ''Boulder Dash'', it revolves around a character who attempts to collect enough emeralds and diamonds scattered across maze-like structures before reaching the exit, all within a time limit. The player character is immune to gravity, but objects such as stones and the aforementioned gems will fall to the ground,<ref name=CCI/> rolling to the side when the underground is loose and killing the character if one falls on him. Stones and other non-collectible objects can be pushed aside if the space next to them is empty. The player can move their character over squares of sand, digging away any in the way and creating an open space for the objects. Collectible objects and sand adjacent to the player's current position can also be removed without moving to those squares.
-In ''Emerald Mine'', the player must collect a minimum count of gems in a labyrinth and reach the then-opened gate. Gems, stones, bombs and drips are subject to a vertical gravitation. Furthermore, elements exist which guide the movement of the player like different wall types, and a number of enemies, some of which seek out the player. There are also further elements, like the dynamite which may be exploded at a chosen place, and the doors, for whose passing the matching key must be collected. Hence, it is an extended ''[[Boulder Dash]]'' clone. Solving a level grants access to the next one, and there is a separate highscore list for each level. In the two player game, both players play in the same labyrinth screen, and every four levels there is a level especially designed for player cooperation. The game consists of 80 one-player levels, of which 60 are also used in the two-player mode, and of 20 extra levels for the two-player mode.
+Some of these mazes contain enemies, including those that travel along a wall on a certain side and one kind that eats diamonds in its way. They can be killed by falling objects, one of which will explode into a diamond and up to eight emeralds. The difference between the two genstones is that a diamond is worth three emeralds and can be crushed by a falling stone, destroying it. Additionally, in some levels are [[amoeba]]e given one or a combination of properties, depending on the level: they expand across adjacent tiles of space or sand, or deadly drops fall from them. Amoebae pose a unique threat in that they can enclose the player if not managed. Other elements include colored keys to unlock doors, explosive bombs and collectible dynamite that can be used to destroy enemies and weak walls, and blue walls through which falling stones are converted into emeralds, emeralds into diamonds, and diamonds back into stones. A player scores points by collecting gemstones, crushing enemies with a boulder, cracking a nut to release an emerald, and as a bonus by having leftover time at the end of the level. ''Emerald Mine'' allows for [[cooperative video game|two players to cooperate]] and complete their objectives, with some levels designed exclusively for that mode.<ref name=HappyComputer/>
-''Emerald Mine'' was released in 1987 for the Amiga and converted in 1988 for the [[Commodore 64]].
-===Reviews===
+==Development==
+''Emerald Mine'' was developed by Kingsoft, based in [[Aachen]]. It was designed by Klaus Heinz and Volker Wertich. Wertich would later go on to become the creator of a more successful game, the debut installment of ''The Settlers'', in 1993. This game was released for Amiga<ref name=RetroGamer>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gLaODgAAQBAJ|title=Retro Gamer Spezial|language=de|publication-place=Germany|magazine=[[Retro Gamer]]|date=February 2017|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=2/2017|pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=gLaODgAAQBAJ&pg=PA177 177], [https://books.google.com/books?id=gLaODgAAQBAJ&pg=PA201 201]|isbn=9783957881656 }}</ref> and Atari ST<ref name=HappyComputer/> in 1987 and ported to the [[Commodore 64]]{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} and the Commodore 16 and Plus/4 computers the next year.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/compute-mit-sh-1989-1/page/n5|title=Report – Helden, Monster, Diamanten|language=de|trans-title=Report – Heroes, Monsters, Diamonds|last=Schmidt|first=Ottfried|magazine=Compute mit|date=January 1989|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=1/1989|page=6|issn=0179-6720}}</ref>
+==Reception==
 {{Video game reviews
-| rev1 = ''ASM''
+| ASM = 10/12 (AMI)<ref name=ASM/>
-| rev1Score = 10/12<ref name="em1asmreview"/>
+| TILT = 17/20 (AMI)<ref name=Tilt/>
+| rev1 = ''Amiga Joker''
+| rev1Score = Release year: 85%<br>1992: 72%<ref name=AmJoker/>
 | rev2 = ''Happy Computer''
-| rev2Score = 77%<ref name="em1hcreview"/>
+| rev2Score = 77% (AMI)<ref name=HappyComputer/>
-| rev3 = ''Amiga Joker''
+| rev3 = ''[[.info (magazine)|.info]]''
-| rev3Score = Yesterday 85% - Today 72%<ref name="em1ajreview"/>
+| rev3Score = {{rating|4|5}} (AMI)<ref name=.info/>
 }}
-"If you liked well-programmed, tricky games, then Emerald Mine would be exactly the right thing for you."<br>
-Ottfried Schmidt awarding an ASM-Hit in ASM issue 11/1987<ref name="em1asmreview">Emerald Mine Testbericht in ASM Ausgabe 11/1987, p. 17, ISSN 0933-1867  [https://archive.org/details/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1987.11/page/n15 here]</ref>
+''Emerald Mine'' received generally favorable reviews, was Kingsoft's best-selling title, and was also Wertich's most successful game until ''The Settlers''.<ref name=RetroGamer/> ''[[Aktueller Software Markt]]'' cited the game's high difficulty; saying "If you liked well-programmed, tricky games, then Emerald Mine would be exactly the right thing for you.<ref name=ASM>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/asm_magazine-1987-11/page/n16|title=Boulder Dash für zwei|language=de|trans-title=Boulder Dash for two|last=Schmidt|first=Ottfried|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|date=November 1987|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=11|page=17|issn=0933-1867}}</ref> ''Happy Computer'' praised the music and digitised sound effects and found the puzzles to be addictive and very satisfying to solve.<ref name=HappyComputer>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Happy.Computer.SH.21.Spiele4-AndreBetz/page/n89|title=Test: Emerald Mine|language=de|last=Lenhardt|first=Heinrich|magazine=Happy Computer|date=1987|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=SH21|page=88}}</ref> ''[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]'' magazine described the game's multidirectional scrolling as "fluid" and wrote that the game's longevity was guaranteed by its variety.<ref name=Tilt>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Tilt054/page/n44|title=Tilt Parade – Emerald Mine|last=Huyghues-Lacour|first=Alain|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|date=May 1988|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=54|page=45}}</ref>
-"Whoever liked the Boulder Dash game mechanics, will also succumb to the charms of ''Emerald Mine'', especially as several new ideas were added."<br>
-"''Emerald Mine'' doesn’t only offer substantially more levels, but also arranges quicker achievements."<br>
-Heinrich Lenhardt in Happy Computer special issue 21<ref name="em1hcreview">Emerald Mine review in Happy Computer Sonderheft 21, 1987, p. 88, ISSN 0931-5829 [https://archive.org/details/Happy.Computer.SH.21.Spiele4-AndreBetz/page/n89 here]</ref>
+The game's multiplayer mode was well received.<ref name=.info>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Info_Issue_22_1988-09_Info_Publications_US/page/n13|title=Review: Emerald Mine|department=The Gallery|last=Dunnington|first=Benn|magazine=[[.info (magazine)|.info]]|date=September–October 1988|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=22|page=12}}</ref> While directing minor criticism towards its graphics, ''[[Commodore Computing International]]'' considered ''Emerald Mine'' a good and inexpensive addition to the Amiga games library that had yet to expand to over a hundred full-price titles.<ref name=CCI>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-computing-international-1987-10/page/n105|title=Anco's Amiga scene setters|magazine=[[Commodore Computing International]]|date=October 1987|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=|page=106}}</ref> ''[[Amiga World]]'' remarked on the game's addictive nature, comparing it to arcade classics, and noted its ability to save up to eight player names, their score totals, and how many levels they mastered—a feature unusual at the time.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/amiga-world-1988-09/page/n75|title=Game Shorties – Emerald Mine|last=Wallace|first=Louis|magazine=[[Amiga World]]|date=September 1988|access-date=2022-08-03|volume=4|issue=9|page=74}}</ref> In its retrospective review, ''[[Amiga Joker]]'' commented on the game's appeal, saying "It's the playing fun that counts", and that the design was well received: "Nobody offers such a good control and inventively designed levels".<ref name=AmJoker>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Joker_1992-01_Joker_Verlag_DE/page/n86|title=Klassiker: Emerald Mine|language=de|trans-title=Classic: Emerald Mine|last=Löwenstein|first=Richard|work=Amiga Joker|date=January 1992|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=1992–01|page=87}}</ref>
-"[On the games given below,] an outstanding graphics and excellent sound will be offered."<br>
-"Despite ''Emerald Mine'' being surprisingly low-priced, it offers a lot of playing fun by the many levels and the funny sounds. It is especially interesting to tackle the game with two joysticks and players, who can then try the difficult tasks simultaneously on the screen."<br>
-Uncredited author in Amiga (magazine) 1/1988<ref name="em1amreview"> Emerald Mine short review in Amiga (magazine) issue 1/1988, pp. 26, 28, ISSN 0933-8713, [https://archive.org/details/AmigaMagazin198801/page/n25 here]</ref>
+''Happy Computer'' considered it to be the best budget game of the year,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Happy.Computer.N51.1988.01-Cartman/page/81|title=Die besten Computerspiele 1987|language=de|trans-title=The best computer games of 1987|last=Lenhardt|first=Heinrich|magazine=Happy Computer|date=January 1988|access-date=2022-08-03|issue=51|page=81}}</ref> and ''Amiga World'' awarded the game the title of the Number One Amiga Game of All Time in 1988.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/AmigaWorldIssue026198811IDGCI/page/n47|title=AmigaWorld Top 40 Games|magazine=[[Amiga World]]|date=November 1988|access-date=2022-08-03|volume=4|issue=11|page=46}}</ref>
-"I'm addicted. My children love ''Emerald Mine''. Even my jaded friends are hooked. If you want a game you will not quickly tire of, dig in."<br>
-Louis Wallace in Amiga World sept. 1988<ref name="em1awreview"> Emerald Mine Review in Amiga World issue sept. 1988, p. 74, ISSN 0883-2390, [https://archive.org/stream/amiga-world-1988-09/Amiga_World_Vol_04_09_1988_Sep#page/n75 here]</ref>
+==Sequels and legacy==
-"It's the playing fun that counts [...]"<br>
+Kingsoft developed and published ''Emerald Mine 2'', the game's sequel, in 1988 with 100 new levels. A level editor was included, which triggered the creation of thousands of levels by players.<ref name="emcdawreview">Emerald Mines short review in Amiga World issue dec. 1994, p. 57, ISSN 0883-2390 [https://archive.org/stream/amiga-world-1994-12/Amiga_World_Vol_10_12_1994_Dec#page/n57 here]</ref>
-"Nobody offers such a good control and inventively designed levels [...]"<br>
-Richard Löwenstein in the Classic of the month review in Amiga Joker 1/1992<ref name="em1ajreview">Klassiker: Emerald Mine in Amiga Joker issue 1/1992, p. 87, Joker Verlag, Haar, [https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Joker_1992-01_Joker_Verlag_DE/page/n85 here]</ref>
+In 1990, Kingsoft published a selection of levels created by players, called ''Emerald Mine 3: Professional''. It was panned by critics, citing the game being lazy, with ''[[Power Play (magazine)|Power Play]]'' magazine saying "[The third part] has been cobbled too unlovingly. No question, the game mechanics and elements are still fine invented, but they should have removed the dust layer lying on it."<ref name="em3ppreview">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/Power.Play.N30.1990.09-kultpower/page/n39 |title=Emerald Mine 3 Professional review in Power Play |date=15 March 2014 |issue=9/1990 |page=41 |issn=0937-9754}}</ref> ''Amiga Joker'' was also highly critical of the game's presentation commenting; "There's no change on graphics and sound […], all technical details like animation and scrolling appear substantially dated."<ref name="em3ajreview">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Joker_1990-10_Joker_Verlag_DE/page/n61 |title=Emerald Mine 3 Professional review in Amiga Joker |issue=10/1990 |page=62 |publisher=Joker Verlag |author=Borgmeier, Carsten|date=October 1990 }}</ref>
-==''Emerald Mine 2''==
-In 1988, Kingsoft published ''Emerald Mine 2'' with 100 new levels. A level editor was included which triggered the creation of several thousand levels by players.<ref name="emcdawreview">Emerald Mines short review in Amiga World issue dec. 1994, p. 57, ISSN 0883-2390 [https://archive.org/stream/amiga-world-1994-12/Amiga_World_Vol_10_12_1994_Dec#page/n57 here]</ref>
+In 1994, [[Almathera]] published a collection of 14,160 levels on [[compact disk]] for the [[Amiga CD32]], titled ''Emerald Mines''. It received a better critical reception than that of ''EM3'', with ''Amiga Games'' commenting that the gameplay was as good as ever, "This Boulder Dash clone doesn't come up with spectacular graphics, but the addicting game principle and over 10,000 levels should guarantee playing fun for months."<ref name="emcdagreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.kultmags.com/Amiga%20Games/1994/Amiga%20Games%201994-11.rar |title=Emerald Mines short review in Amiga Games |issue=11/1994 |page=40 |issn=0946-6339 |access-date=15 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006075102/http://www.kultmags.com/Amiga%20Games/1994/Amiga%20Games%201994-11.rar |archive-date=6 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ''Amiga Joker'' also commented on the gameplay; "The game elements are in such an abundance and variants that variety is presented truly in the whole lot. [... But since it is imbalanced] it is more a CD for fans [...]<ref name="emcdajreview">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Joker_1995-02_Joker_Verlag_DE/page/n79 |title=Emerald Mines review in Amiga Joker |issue=2/1995 |page=77 |publisher=Amiga Joker |author=Magenauer, Max|date=February 1995 }}</ref>
-===Review===
-{{Video game reviews
-| rev1 = ''Power Play''
-| rev1Score = 8/10<ref name="em2ppreview"/>
-}}
-"[…] since the new levels of ''Emerald Mine II'' are equally well-thought and tricky as on the first part."<br>
-"Those, whom the 100 treasure chambers are not sufficient, can create new ones with the editor, which by the way can be operated easy as pie."<br>
-Martin Gaksch in Power Play issue 6/1988<ref name="em2ppreview">Emerald Mine II review in Power Play issue 6/1988, p. 42, ISSN 0937-9754 [https://archive.org/details/Power.Play.N06.1988.06-kultpower/page/n41 here]</ref>
+''Emerald Mine''{{'}}s levels and assets formed part of the basis for ''[[Rocks'n'Diamonds]]'', another clone of ''Boulder Dash'' and a [[free and open-source software|free and open-source game]], along with ''[[Supaplex]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cbs-News-PC-Kostenlos-Die-50-besten-Open-Source-Spiele-21635921.html|title=Kostenlos: 50 Open-Source-Spiele mit Spaßfaktor|language=de|trans-title=Free: 50 fun open source games|last=Jaenecke|first=Nico|work=[[Computer Bild]]|date=2018-05-05|access-date=2022-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609042810/http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cbs-News-PC-Kostenlos-Die-50-besten-Open-Source-Spiele-21635921.html|archive-date=2018-06-09|url-status=live}}</ref>
-==''Emerald Mine 3 Professional''==
-In 1990, Kingsoft published a selection of levels created by players.
-===Reviews===
-{{Video game reviews
-| rev1 = ''Power Play''
-| rev1Score = 68%<ref name="em3ppreview"/>
-| rev2 = ''Amiga Joker''
-| rev2Score = 54%<ref name="em3ajreview"/>
-}}
-"[The third part] has been cobbled too unlovingly. No question, the game mechanics and elements are still fine invented, but they should have removed the dust layer lying on it."<br>
-Martin Gaksch in Power Play issue 9/1990<ref name="em3ppreview">Emerald Mine 3 Professional review in Power Play issue 9/1990, p. 41, ISSN 0937-9754 [https://archive.org/details/Power.Play.N30.1990.09-kultpower/page/n39 here]</ref>
-"There's no change on graphics and sound […], all technical details like animation and scrolling appear substantially dated. Nevertheless, persistent ''Emerald Mine'' fans will be served quite well, and newcomers could have no preference of the previous history."<br>
-Carsten Borgmeier in Amiga Joker issue 10/1990<ref name="em3ajreview">Emerald Mine 3 Professional review in Amiga Joker issue 10/1990, p. 62, Joker Verlag, Haar, [https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Joker_1990-10_Joker_Verlag_DE/page/n61 here]</ref>
-==''Emerald Mines''==
-In 1994, Almathera published a collection of 14160 levels (177 series of 80) on CD. Since there was hardly any nonvolatile memory in the basic configuration of the [[Amiga CD32]] and thus the game progress could not be saved, the game mode had to be changed for every eighth level of a series to be selectable.
-===Reviews===
-{{Video game reviews
-| rev1 = ''Amiga Games''
-| rev1Score = 71%<ref name="emcdagreview"/>
-| rev2 = ''Amiga Joker''
-| rev2Score = 64%<ref name="emcdajreview"/>
-}}
-"This Boulder Dash clone doesn't come up with spectacular graphics, but the addicting game principle and over 10,000 levels should guarantee playing fun for months."<br>
-Uncredited author in Amiga Games issue 11/1994<ref name="emcdagreview">Emerald Mines short review in Amiga Games issue 11/1994, p. 40, ISSN 0946-6339, [http://www.kultmags.com/Amiga%20Games/1994/Amiga%20Games%201994-11.rar Download here]</ref>
-"The game elements are in such an abundance and variants that variety is presented truely in the whole lot. [… But since it is imbalanced] it is more a CD for fans [...]"<br>
-Max Magenauer in Amiga Joker issue 2/1995<ref name="emcdajreview">Emerald Mines review in Amiga Joker issue 2/1995, p. 77, Joker Verlag, Haar, [https://archive.org/details/Amiga_Joker_1995-02_Joker_Verlag_DE/page/n79 hier]</ref>
-== Miscellaneous ==
-{{Refimprove section|date=October 2018}}
-''Emerald Mine'' became well known on the Amiga, because it was the first versatile labyrinth collection game, and had excellent presentation for its time. The Dutch [http://emc.a-biz.nl Emerald Mine Club] had been founded, which also carried out extensions of the Emerald Mine program. The [[Open source software|open source]] game [http://www.emeraldmines.net/?emeraldx11 Emerald Mine for X11] is a [[Porting|port]] of this extended Emerald Mine to Unix, Windows, and DOS. It is completely compatible with the original ''Emerald Mine''. It includes an archive of over 50,000 playable levels. The freeware game [[Rocks'n'Diamonds]] has a similar archive of levels, and includes an obsolete copy of Emerald Mine for X11 to play them.
-==See also==
-*[[Rocks'n'Diamonds]]
 ==References==
-{{reflist|30em}}
+{{reflist}}
 == External links ==
@@ Line 107: / Line 60: @@
 * [http://hol.abime.net/hol_search.php?find=emerald%20mine Emerald Mine games] on the Hall of Light for the Amiga.
-[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
-[[Category:Tile-based video games]]
-[[Category:Rocks-and-diamonds games]]
-[[Category:Video game clones]]
 [[Category:1987 video games]]
 [[Category:Amiga games]]
+[[Category:Atari ST games]]
 [[Category:Commodore 16 and Plus/4 games]]
 [[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
+[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
+[[Category:Maze games]]
+[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
+[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
+[[Category:Rocks-and-diamonds games]]
+[[Category:Video game clones]]
 [[Category:Video games developed in Germany]]
-{{puzzle-videogame-stub}}

Publication	Score
Aktueller Software Markt	10/12 (AMI)^[5]
Tilt	17/20 (AMI)^[6]
Amiga Joker	Release year: 85% 1992: 72%^[7]
Happy Computer	77% (AMI)^[2]
.info	(AMI)^[8]