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{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{Infobox VG
{{Infobox video game
|title = Lemmings 2: The Tribes
|image = [[Image:Lemmings 2 box art.jpg|200px|]]
| title = Lemmings 2: The Tribes
|caption = Cover art for ''Lemmings 2''
| image = Lemmings 2 box art.jpg
|developer = [[DMA Design]]
| developer = [[DMA Design]]{{efn|Ported to Game Boy by [[Spidersoft]]<ref name="HG101"/>}}
|publisher = [[Psygnosis]]
| publisher = [[Psygnosis]]
|designer =
| designer =
| programmer = [[David Jones (video game developer)|David Jones]]<br>Andy Whyte<br>Brian Watson
|engine =
| artist = Gary Timmons<br>David Osborne<br>Graeme Anderson<br>Martin Good
|released = 1993
| composer = Raymond Usher<br>Brian Johnston<br>[[David Whittaker (video game composer)|David Whittaker]]
|genre = [[Computer puzzle game|Puzzle]]
| engine =
|modes = [[Single player]]
| released = February 26, 1993<small> (Amiga, DOS, ST)</small>
|ratings = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: E (Everyone)
| genre = [[Puzzle video game|Puzzle]]
|platforms = [[Commodore Amiga]], [[DOS]], [[Mega Drive]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Game Boy]], [[Acorn Archimedes]], [[Atari ST]], [[FM Towns]]
| modes = [[Single player]]
|media = Three 3½" [[floppy disk]]s, [[ROM cartridge|Cartridge]], CD-ROM
| platforms = [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Mega Drive]], [[Super NES]], [[Game Boy]], [[Acorn Archimedes]], [[FM Towns]]
|requirements =
|input = [[Computer mouse|Mouse]], [[Game controller#Gamepad|Gamepad]]
}}
}}
'''''Lemmings 2: The Tribes''''' is a 1993 [[puzzle video game|puzzle]] [[strategy video game]] developed by [[DMA Design]] and published by [[Psygnosis]], and is the sequel to the 1991 video game ''[[Lemmings (video game)|Lemmings]]''. Similar to the original title, the game sees the player guiding various tribes of [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphised]] [[lemming]]s through a number of levels, using various skills to help them reach the exit. Expanding on the mechanics of the original game, ''Lemmings 2'' featured a more open-ended series of levels with different 'tribes', contained an overarching narrative, expanded the number of skills, simplified the requirements for clearing levels, and included a practice mode for players to test out new gameplay mechanics. Development of ''Lemmings 2'' was more intensive, with [[Psygnosis]] having greater involvement in attempt to recreate the success of the original game. A focus on the production of the game was cross-development of a large number of ports, with the game released to consoles including the [[Mega Drive]], [[Super NES]] and [[Game Boy]]. ''Lemmings 2'' was a commercial success and received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed towards its additional gameplay mechanics and greater variety of levels and abilities.
'''Lemmings 2: The Tribes''', a computer game released in 1993, is the first real sequel to the popular puzzle game ''[[Lemmings (video game)|Lemmings]]''.<ref>Lemmings Universe: "Games Information", http://www.lemmingsuniverse.net/games.html, 2006</ref> As with the original, it was developed by [[DMA Design]] and published by [[Psygnosis]]. The gameplay remains mostly the same as the original game, requiring the player to lead a certain number of lemmings to their exit by giving them the appropriate "skills".
==Overview==
Numerous changes and additions were made in this sequel. First of all, there is an introduction movie explaining the storyline of the game. Secondly, there are now many, many more skills available to give to the lemmings, unlike the eight in the original game. There is still a total of 120 levels, but in this game they are divided into ten levels for each of twelve [[tribe]]s.

''Lemmings 2'' was not quite as popular as ''Lemmings'' was, nor was it ported to as many platforms.<ref>Theodor Lauppert: "UK Games", http://members.chello.at/theodor.lauppert/games/uk.htm, 2007</ref> In spite of all this, it was well received and considered by many as a worthy sequel.<ref>Rosemary Young: "Lemmings 2: The Tribes Review by Quandary", http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArticle.jsp?index=392, 2001</ref><ref>Bruce Bowden, Margaret Bowden: "Review: Lemmings 2: The Tribes", http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue157/99_Lemmings_2_The_Trib.php, COMPUTE! (157), 1993</ref>

==Storyline==
Once upon a time, the twelve lemming tribes of Lemming Island lived happily and peacefully. However, an ancient [[prophecy]] foretells a great darkness soon to consume the land. This prophecy told that the only way the lemmings could survive was by evacuating their island, using the power of the Lemming [[Amulet|Talisman]]. This talisman consisted of twelve pieces, one owned by each tribe. With the help of the Guide that has helped them before (referring to the player in the previous ''Lemmings'' game), all lemmings must now reach the center point of their island in order to escape their doom.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
[[Image:Lemmings2screenshot.png|thumb|322px|''Level 1'' of the Beach tribe. Tanned beach bum lemmings can be seen walking about. The upper left one has just been made a SuperLem, while the one to the far right has been given the permanent skill of Runner]]


[[Image:Lemmings2screenshot.png|thumb|left|A screenshot of gameplay in ''Lemmings 2: The Tribes''.]]
The gameplay in ''Lemmings 2'' differs from the original in the following ways:


''Lemmings 2'' is divided between a series of twelve worlds, each containing ten levels of obstacles, traps and other hazards, where the goal of each level is to guide a group of lemmings from their entry point to an exit(s) in the level within a set time limit, by creating a safe passage using a variety of skills. Unlike its predecessor, the player is only required to get at least one lemming to the exit of each level from the sixty they begin each world with, but the amount saved affects the medal ranking they receive - Gold being the best result, down to Silver and then Bronze for the lowest amount rescued. In addition, the number saved in one level becomes the starting amount in the next level; as some levels may require several lemmings to complete, the player might have to replay an earlier level to save more lemmings for the following ones if they realize they do not have enough.
As mentioned before, there are many more (61 in total) skills available in the game, although no more than eight are available in each level. Some of the skills are similar to the original ones (like digging and building variants), others are all new (several flying skills, for example). One skill, the "attractor", will cause the lemming to play a [[musical instrument]] and have nearby lemmings stop walking to do a dance. The instrument and dances they do vary by tribe.


As with ''Lemmings'', each level varies what skills and how many can be used in order to get the lemmings to the exit. However, the game features not only the eight original skills from the first game, but 43 new skills to make use of. These skills differ in their purpose - some overcome obstacles and hazards; some focus on creating bridges and crossings; and some bash through barriers. In addition, players have the option to pause the game, or "nuke" all the lemmings in a level when in a "no-win" situation, though ''Lemmings 2'' also includes two new options: fast forward, which replaces the release rate button in the original game by allowing players to speed up the game; and the fan, which allows the player to control lemmings using flight-related skills (i.e. using a balloon).
A practice mode has also been added. In this mode, any type of skill available can be selected for the player to experiment with. There is a choice of four different practice levels.


Each tribe's levels can be started at any time, and progress can be saved from the main menu. The player starts out with 60 lemmings for each tribe, but only one lemming needs to make it to an exit in order to progress to next level. The amount saved will then be the amount left in the next level. As some levels may require several lemmings to complete, the player might have to replay an earlier level to save more lemmings for the following ones if they realize they do not have enough.
The player is free to choose which world to begin on when starting a game from a world map, as well as check on the progress they have made, and can save between levels. In addition, the game features a practice mode, allowing the player to try out any eight of the skills in the game in one of four different practice levels. In order to complete the game fully, the player must secure all golden talisman parts, by ensuring they end levels with gold medals, effectively adding replay value to levels they completed.


== Plot ==
The player will be rewarded with a bronze, silver or gold [[medal]], depending on how many lemmings are saved in the level. This will also dictate the type of the talisman part received once all the tribe's levels are completed. To watch the [[outro (computer gaming)|outro]] and [[Credit (creative arts)|credit]]s, all golden talisman parts need to be won, as well as rescuing at least 20 lemmings from each tribe.


Once upon a time, the twelve tribes of Lemming Island lived joyfully and peacefully. However, an ancient [[prophecy]] foretells a great darkness soon to cover the island. This prophecy tells that the only way the lemmings can live is by getting off their island using the power of the Lemming [[Amulet|Talisman]]. This talisman consists of twelve pieces, with one owned by each tribe. With the help of the player, the lemmings must reach the center of the island in order to escape their doom.
A new fast forward button and [[fan (implement)|fan]] button have been added to the controls. The fast forward replaces the release rate button in the original game, which would let the player release more lemmings at a time. There is also the ability to fast forward. The fan button turns the cursor into a fan, which is used to push around any flying lemmings or to affect wind-powered elements.


==Development==
Smaller additions include:
*When falling from moderate heights, instead of just dying, lemmings will now stun themselves upon landing, taking a second to get back up to continue walking. (Lemmings will still die instantly from higher falls.)
*[[Trampoline]]s will let lemmings jump and bounce about.
*[[Cannon]]s and [[catapult]]s in levels will launch a lemming away.
*Lemmings can grab on wind-powered swing ropes to allow them to travel across gaps.
*Levels can span vertically as well as horizontally (mostly because of the flying skills).
*Lemmings with permanent skills have their colours switched for easier identification.
*Lemmings caught in explosions will be temporarily stunned.


''Lemmings 2'' was developed by British developer [[DMA Design]] and published by [[Psygnosis]], although programmer Brian Watson stated that the publisher played a more involved role in "helping with the game design and production" for the sequel.<ref>{{cite web|website=Atari Legend|title=Brian Watson - Interview|date=27 September 2004|url=https://www.atarilegend.com/interviews/18}}</ref> Development was marked by considerable pressure to recreate the crossover success of the original game, and greater time was dedicated by lead programmer [[David Jones (video game developer)|David Jones]] to consider how the game would port to multiple platforms. Developer [[Mike Dailly (game designer)|Mike Dailly]] stated that the sequel's focus on tribes was conceived as a way of creating a more open-ended structure to the game, with Dailly describing the feature as "a way to give (the player at least some choice) when stuck on a level" and "create more gameplay and make the game last longer." The inclusion of a fast forward feature was adopted from an aborted arcade port, with the feature originally intended to complement "the fast pace of arcade machines".<ref name=AB>{{cite book|title=The Amiga Book: The Ultimate Collector's Guide to the Amiga|date=2015|chapter=The Making of Lemmings 1 and 2|author=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|pages=36–40|url=https://archive.org/details/the-amiga-book-1st-revised-edition/page/40}}</ref>
===Skills===
The various skills that the Lemmings are given can be broken into three different classes, referred to here as '''permanent''', '''continuous''', and '''temporary''' skills.


''Lemmings 2'' was initially released for [[MS-DOS]], [[Amiga]], and [[Atari ST]] on February 26, 1993, and was extensively ported to other systems, including [[Mega Drive]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], and [[Game Boy]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schofield |first=Jack |date=February 18, 1993 |title=Microfile |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/260309037 |access-date=April 26, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |pages=38 |quote=''Lemmings 2: The Tribes'', tipped earlier as a Christmas games chart topper, should finally appear at the end of the month for PCs and Commodore Amigas...''Lemmings 2'' will cost £39.99 for the PC, and £29.99 for the Amiga and Atari ST.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 24, 1993 |title=All Amiga Owners - Special Offers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/847234119 |access-date=April 26, 2024 |work=Faversham Times |pages=47 |quote=''Lemmings 2'' released Friday Only}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gosnells |first=Kelvin |date=February 28, 1993 |title=Take the plunge for our fabulous prizes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/813274596 |access-date=April 26, 2024 |work=[[The Sunday People]] |pages=27 |quote=After much delay, while the programmers got everything as perfect as possible, the sequel to ''Lemmings'' - ''Lemmings 2, The Tribes'' - has finally dropped into a computer games shop near you.}}</ref> To accommodate the capabilities of consoles, the game was modified across versions to support reduced levels, skills, and numbers of lemmings on-screen.<ref>{{cite book|title=Lemmings - The Ports|chapter=Lemmings 2|pages=136–169|last=Castle|first=Justin|date=2018|publisher=Castle Books|url=https://archive.org/details/lemmings-the-ports-2018-revision}}</ref> Dailly stated that the porting process was "much more complex" in an attempt to "make console versions much better", citing the Super NES version of the game as "one of the most complex games I've had to write."<ref name=ROM>{{cite web|website=Read Only Memory|title=The Making of Lemmings|last=Stanton|first=Rich|date=June 2015|url=https://readonlymemory.vg/the-making-of-lemmings/}}</ref> [[Psygnosis]] allocated Dailly with additional time to complete the ports, allowing for the inclusion of tweaks and improvements, such as a parallax background and additional animations and sound effects.<ref name=AB/> Although ports of the game were developed for the [[Master System]] and [[Game Gear]] by [[Spidersoft]], they were not published.<ref name="HG101">{{cite web |author1=Bobinator |title=Lemmings 2: The Tribe |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lemmings-2-the-tribe/ |website=[[Hardcore Gaming 101]] |access-date=19 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414101945/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lemmings-2-the-tribe/ |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |date=March 20, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The '''permanent''' skills are irreversible enhancements to the behaviour of a lemming, staying with the lemming until the end of the level. When a lemming is given a permanent skill, their hair and shirt colours are swapped to make them easier to identify. An example of a permanent skill is the runner, which makes the selected lemming run for the rest of the level, and jump over small gaps.


==Reception==
'''Continuous''' skills are those that a lemming will continue doing until it is ordered to do something else, encounters an obstacle, or reaches the end of the appropriate terrain. An example of a continuous skill is the fencer, which gives the selected lemming a small sword, and enables it to dig a tunnel on a slight upward slant until there is no more dirt, or until the sword hits something more solid than dirt.
{{Video game reviews


| CVG = 83% (Game Boy)<br>79% (Mega Drive)<br>84% (SNES)<ref name=CVG>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer & Video Games|issue=157|date=December 1994|title=Lemmings|pages=80–81|last1=Lord|last2=Patterson|first1=Gary|first2=Mark|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6b/CVG_UK_157.pdf}}</ref>
'''Temporary''' skills are carried out until given another order, just like continuous skills, but also have an upper limit on how long the lemming will keep doing the skill. This may be due to a lemming running out of materials, or simply because there is a time limit on how long the skill can be used for. An example of a temporary skill is the [[laser]] blaster, which allows a lemming to make a vertical tunnel slowly blasting upwards. The laser beam has a long but limited range, and is only activated for a limited time.


| GamePro = 3.5/3.5/4.0/3.5 (Mega Drive)<ref name=GP1>{{cite magazine|magazine=GamePro|date=April 1995|issue=69|title=Lemmings 2: The Tribes|pages=47|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/4/44/GamePro_US_069.pdf}}</ref><br>4.0/4.5/4.0/4.5 (SNES)<ref name=GP2>{{cite magazine|magazine=GamePro|date=July 1995|issue=72|title=Lemmings 2: The Tribes|last=LaMancha|first=Manny|pages=63|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/38/GamePro_US_072.pdf}}</ref>
An alternative (and overlapping) grouping of skills can be made in terms of what they do to the surrounding environment.<ref>Rebecca Avalon, Winston Avalon: "Lemmings II The Tribes Page", http://www.reocities.com/TimesSquare/6150/lem2.htm, 1996</ref> There are '''building''' skills, which add bits that other lemmings can walk over (e.g. planter, filler), '''removal''' skills, which remove pieces of ground (e.g. bazooka, twister), '''movement''' skills, which alter the way a lemming moves through its environment (e.g. roller, diver), '''shooting''' skills, which cause a lemming to fire a projectile (e.g. archer, bazooka), and '''wind''' skills, which cause the lemming to be influenced by the fan in some way (e.g. Icarus wings, twister).


| EGM = 7.8 (SNES)<ref name="EGM67"/>
==Tribes==
| Hyper = 88% (Mega Drive/SNES)<ref name=Hyper>{{cite magazine|magazine=Hyper|issue=12|date=November 1994|title=Lemmings 2: The Tribes|pages=48–49|last=Clarke|first=Stuart|url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-012/page/48}}</ref>
There are a total of 12 tribes in the game: Classic, Circus, Cavelem, Shadow, Space, Outdoor, Beach, Sports, Egyptian, Highland, Polar and Medieval. While the twelve different tribes of Lemmings will generally have a set of skills that are more commonly associated with that tribe, there can be overlap between the available skill sets of each tribe. Each tribe will typically have its own style of traps (for example, space lemmings can be killed by an open [[airlock]], while outdoor lemmings must avoid being eaten by a frog), and levels are designed in a way that complements the tribe. Apart from that, each tribe has its own skin and clothing colors, its own entrance, its own entry and exit method, its own music, and, except for Classic, its own style of dancing (for the attractor skill).
| NGen = {{rating|4|5}} (Mega Drive)<ref name="NG"/>
| STFormat = 96% (Amiga)<ref name=ST>{{cite magazine|magazine=ST Format|issue=49|date=August 1993|last=Richards|first=Paula|title=Lemmings 2: The Tribes|pages=66–7|url=http://www.atarimania.com/mags/hi_res/atari-st-format-issue-049_66.jpg}}</ref>
|VGCE =10/10 (DOS)<ref name=VGCE>{{cite magazine|magazine=Video Games & Computer Entertainment|last=Malcolm|first=Tom|date=July 1993|pages=98|title=Lemmings 2: The Tribes|url=https://archive.org/details/video-games-computer-entertainment-july-1993/page/n99/mode/2up?q=%22lemmings+2%22}}</ref>
}}


''Lemmings 2'' was not quite as popular as ''Lemmings'' was, nor was it ported to as many platforms.<ref>Theodor Lauppert: "UK Games", {{cite web |url=http://members.chello.at/theodor.lauppert/games/uk.htm |title=UK Games |access-date=2007-05-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609024536/http://members.chello.at/theodor.lauppert/games/uk.htm |archive-date=2007-06-09 }}, 2007</ref> In the United Kingdom, it was the top-selling Amiga game in [[1993 in video games|February 1993]],<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Charts (Data supplied by Virgin Games Centre) |magazine=[[Digitiser]] |date=4 March 1993 |url=http://www.superpage58.com/digitiser-vault-teletext-screenshot-image-archive-1993-03-04.htm |access-date=15 March 2021}}</ref> and the top-selling PC game in March 1993.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Charts (ELSPA Charts Compiled by Gallup) |magazine=[[Digitiser]] |date=8 April 1993 |url=http://www.superpage58.com/digitiser-vault-teletext-screenshot-image-archive-1993-04-08.htm |access-date=15 March 2021}}</ref>
Keeping with Psygnosis's tradition of including references to their earlier games, some levels of the Space tribe include the Walker robot from ''[[Walker (computer game)|Walker]]'' as a hazard.


The game was well received by critics, who widely considered it to be better than the original game. Bruce and Margaret Howden of ''[[Compute!]]'' commented "This sequel is packed with cute, engaging new features, more Lemming abilities, and oodles of new scenarios. If the original Lemmings was a perfect arcade game, then this is perfection improved upon."<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bowden |first1=Bruce |last2=Bowden |first2=Margaret |title=Lemmings 2: The Tribes |journal=[[Compute!]] |date=October 1993 |issue=157 |page=99 |url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue157/99_Lemmings_2_The_Trib.php |access-date=29 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204151443/http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue157/99_Lemmings_2_The_Trib.php |archive-date=4 December 2015 }}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' stated that Psygnosis had done "a first rate job with this sequel ... ''Lemmings 2'' really is twice the game its predecessor was", with "lovingly designed" puzzles and "delightful animations", and concluded that it would be one of the "better purchases of the year".<ref name="serrafina199307">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=108 |title=Psygnosis' Lemmings 2: The Tribes |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=July 1993 |access-date=12 July 2014 |author=Serrafina, Saul |pages=82 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714200342/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=108 |archive-date=14 July 2014 }}</ref> ''Computer Gaming World'' praised the game's "lovingly designed" puzzles and highlighted the game's "delightful animations, clever puzzles, soundtrack with original music for each tribe (and) people-friendly interface."<ref name=CGW>{{cite magazine|magazine=Computer Gaming World|last=Serrafina|first=Saul|title=Lemming on the Edge|issue=108|date=July 1993|pages=82–84|url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_108.pdf}}</ref>
===Functional differences===
There are no functional differences between the tribes, save for the "classic" tribe which has had many of the new gameplay features turned off in order to play similarly to the original game. In this tribe, the exploder follows the "classic" explosion type of previous ''[[Lemmings (video game)|Lemmings]]'' games, with the Lemming stopping at the end of the countdown for a couple of seconds before exploding into a shower of debris. While the Lemming is stopped, other lemmings can pass behind it (even if the lemming was a blocker prior to being an exploder). Skill sets for this tribe are restricted to the skills from the previous ''Lemmings'' games (climber, floater, exploder, blocker, builder, basher, miner, and digger), making gameplay for this tribe fairly similar to that in ''Lemmings''.


Reviewing the Genesis version, ''[[GamePro]]'' commented that the controls themselves are easy to use but the small size of the lemmings makes it difficult to control them with any precision. However, they praised the variety and creativity of the level design and the different lemming maneuvers, as well as the game's "charming" personality and wide range of difficulty, and gave it an overall recommendation.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Lemmings 2: The Tribes|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=69 |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=April 1995|page=47}}</ref> They made similar comments of the Super NES version, and remarked that the game "adds nonlinear variety to the cartoony brainteasers mix."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Lemmings 2: The Tribes|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=82|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=July 1995|page=63}}</ref> The five reviewers of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' were also pleased, with Mike Weigand commenting, "This title adds some nice twists (and graphics) to the standard guide-the-Lemmings-to-safety theme, making it a must for veterans of the games."<ref name="EGM67">{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: Lemmings 2 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=67|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=February 1995 |page=32}}</ref>
===Cosmetic differences===
Most tribes have green hair, white skin, and blue clothes (just like in the original Lemmings games). Exceptions to this include the beach tribe (tan skin, as they get the most sun), the polar tribe (light blue hair, a reflection of the cold environment they live in), the highlands tribe (orange hair, a stereotype associated with the [[Scottish Highlands]]), and the shadow tribe (black hair and tan skin).


''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' reviewed the Genesis version of the game, and stated that "''Lemmings'' fanatics are sure to love the new features and for those who've never experienced a ''Lemmings'' game, we strongly suggest checking this game out."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=May 1995|page=99}}</ref>
The music and dance style of the tribes also reflect the nature of the tribes. The background music from the sports tribe has a very vibrant, bouncy beat, and the entertainer from the medieval tribe plays a few notes on a [[lute]].


In a 2001 retrospective review, Rosemary Young wrote in ''Quandary'' that "''Lemmings 2: Tribes'' will be hard to find now because of its age but, really, it's hardly aged at all. Although a little 'flat' the graphics are still perfectly good and the puzzles are just as fiendish. It compares very well with later Lemmings titles such as ''[[3D Lemmings]]'' and ''[[Lemmings Revolution]]'' even if it doesn't offer the opportunity to save mid level."<ref>{{cite web|last=Young|first=Rosemary|title=Lemmings 2: The Tribes Review by Quandary|url=http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArticle.jsp?index=392| website=Quandary: Fun for Everyone!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040826083449/http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArticle.jsp?index=392|archive-date=August 26, 2004|date=October 2001}}</ref>
Methods of entry and exit also differ between tribes. The entrances are usually in the form of [[trapdoor]]s with two flaps that drop down, but can differ a bit from this — there is an upturned barrel used by the highland lemmings, and a dragon's head that is used by the medieval tribe. Lemmings from the circus tribe carry out a bouncing turn before heading off into the next level, while Lemmings from the space tribe float away behind a planet.


''Lemmings 2'' was named Best Action/Arcade Game at the 1994 [[Software and Information Industry Association#CODiE Awards|Codie award]]s.<ref name="cgw199405">{{Cite magazine
==Ports==
|date=May 1994
Known [[porting|port]]s of the Amiga game include: [[DOS]], [[Mega Drive]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Game Boy]], [[Acorn Archimedes]], [[Atari ST]] and [[FM Towns]]. The [[Amiga CD32]] version was cancelled.
|title=Software Publishing Association Picks Codie Winners

|department=Read.Me
The next game in the ''Lemmings'' series after ''Lemmings 2'' is ''[[All New World of Lemmings]]'' (1994), which continues the storyline with the Egyptian, Shadow and Classic tribes.
|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118
|magazine=Computer Gaming World
|pages=12}}</ref> In 1995, ''[[Total!]]'' ranked the game 33rd on their Top 100 SNES Games writing: "This took the original format and piled on loads of new levels, a range of new lemmings and basically just gave us more of what we liked, only better.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1995 |title=Top 100 SNES Games |url=https://archive.org/details/total-43/page/n43/mode/2up |magazine=Total! |issue=43 |pages=44 |access-date=March 5, 2022}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/lemmings-2-the-tribes}}
* [http://www.psygnosis.org/games/lemmings2/ http://www.psygnosis.org/games/lemmings2/] - Lemmings 2 game materials, on unofficial archive site psygnosis.org
* {{abime|id=875}}
* {{Internet Archive game|lemmings_2_the_tribes_1992}}
* [https://fs-uae.net/ FS-UAE] offers an Amiga emulator for most platforms.


{{Lemmings series}}
{{Lemmings series}}
{{Rockstar North}}
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[[Category:Puzzle video games]]
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[[Category:Video games scored by David Whittaker]]
[[es:Lemmings 2: The Tribes]]
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[[it:Lemmings 2: The Tribes]]
[[ja:レミングス2]]
[[pl:Lemmings 2: The Tribes]]

Latest revision as of 13:03, 19 November 2024

Lemmings 2: The Tribes
Developer(s)DMA Design[a]
Publisher(s)Psygnosis
Programmer(s)David Jones
Andy Whyte
Brian Watson
Artist(s)Gary Timmons
David Osborne
Graeme Anderson
Martin Good
Composer(s)Raymond Usher
Brian Johnston
David Whittaker
Platform(s)Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Mega Drive, Super NES, Game Boy, Acorn Archimedes, FM Towns
ReleaseFebruary 26, 1993 (Amiga, DOS, ST)
Genre(s)Puzzle
Mode(s)Single player

Lemmings 2: The Tribes is a 1993 puzzle strategy video game developed by DMA Design and published by Psygnosis, and is the sequel to the 1991 video game Lemmings. Similar to the original title, the game sees the player guiding various tribes of anthropomorphised lemmings through a number of levels, using various skills to help them reach the exit. Expanding on the mechanics of the original game, Lemmings 2 featured a more open-ended series of levels with different 'tribes', contained an overarching narrative, expanded the number of skills, simplified the requirements for clearing levels, and included a practice mode for players to test out new gameplay mechanics. Development of Lemmings 2 was more intensive, with Psygnosis having greater involvement in attempt to recreate the success of the original game. A focus on the production of the game was cross-development of a large number of ports, with the game released to consoles including the Mega Drive, Super NES and Game Boy. Lemmings 2 was a commercial success and received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed towards its additional gameplay mechanics and greater variety of levels and abilities.

Gameplay

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A screenshot of gameplay in Lemmings 2: The Tribes.

Lemmings 2 is divided between a series of twelve worlds, each containing ten levels of obstacles, traps and other hazards, where the goal of each level is to guide a group of lemmings from their entry point to an exit(s) in the level within a set time limit, by creating a safe passage using a variety of skills. Unlike its predecessor, the player is only required to get at least one lemming to the exit of each level from the sixty they begin each world with, but the amount saved affects the medal ranking they receive - Gold being the best result, down to Silver and then Bronze for the lowest amount rescued. In addition, the number saved in one level becomes the starting amount in the next level; as some levels may require several lemmings to complete, the player might have to replay an earlier level to save more lemmings for the following ones if they realize they do not have enough.

As with Lemmings, each level varies what skills and how many can be used in order to get the lemmings to the exit. However, the game features not only the eight original skills from the first game, but 43 new skills to make use of. These skills differ in their purpose - some overcome obstacles and hazards; some focus on creating bridges and crossings; and some bash through barriers. In addition, players have the option to pause the game, or "nuke" all the lemmings in a level when in a "no-win" situation, though Lemmings 2 also includes two new options: fast forward, which replaces the release rate button in the original game by allowing players to speed up the game; and the fan, which allows the player to control lemmings using flight-related skills (i.e. using a balloon).

The player is free to choose which world to begin on when starting a game from a world map, as well as check on the progress they have made, and can save between levels. In addition, the game features a practice mode, allowing the player to try out any eight of the skills in the game in one of four different practice levels. In order to complete the game fully, the player must secure all golden talisman parts, by ensuring they end levels with gold medals, effectively adding replay value to levels they completed.

Plot

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Once upon a time, the twelve tribes of Lemming Island lived joyfully and peacefully. However, an ancient prophecy foretells a great darkness soon to cover the island. This prophecy tells that the only way the lemmings can live is by getting off their island using the power of the Lemming Talisman. This talisman consists of twelve pieces, with one owned by each tribe. With the help of the player, the lemmings must reach the center of the island in order to escape their doom.

Development

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Lemmings 2 was developed by British developer DMA Design and published by Psygnosis, although programmer Brian Watson stated that the publisher played a more involved role in "helping with the game design and production" for the sequel.[2] Development was marked by considerable pressure to recreate the crossover success of the original game, and greater time was dedicated by lead programmer David Jones to consider how the game would port to multiple platforms. Developer Mike Dailly stated that the sequel's focus on tribes was conceived as a way of creating a more open-ended structure to the game, with Dailly describing the feature as "a way to give (the player at least some choice) when stuck on a level" and "create more gameplay and make the game last longer." The inclusion of a fast forward feature was adopted from an aborted arcade port, with the feature originally intended to complement "the fast pace of arcade machines".[3]

Lemmings 2 was initially released for MS-DOS, Amiga, and Atari ST on February 26, 1993, and was extensively ported to other systems, including Mega Drive, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Game Boy.[4][5][6] To accommodate the capabilities of consoles, the game was modified across versions to support reduced levels, skills, and numbers of lemmings on-screen.[7] Dailly stated that the porting process was "much more complex" in an attempt to "make console versions much better", citing the Super NES version of the game as "one of the most complex games I've had to write."[8] Psygnosis allocated Dailly with additional time to complete the ports, allowing for the inclusion of tweaks and improvements, such as a parallax background and additional animations and sound effects.[3] Although ports of the game were developed for the Master System and Game Gear by Spidersoft, they were not published.[1]

Reception

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Lemmings 2 was not quite as popular as Lemmings was, nor was it ported to as many platforms.[17] In the United Kingdom, it was the top-selling Amiga game in February 1993,[18] and the top-selling PC game in March 1993.[19]

The game was well received by critics, who widely considered it to be better than the original game. Bruce and Margaret Howden of Compute! commented "This sequel is packed with cute, engaging new features, more Lemming abilities, and oodles of new scenarios. If the original Lemmings was a perfect arcade game, then this is perfection improved upon."[20] Computer Gaming World stated that Psygnosis had done "a first rate job with this sequel ... Lemmings 2 really is twice the game its predecessor was", with "lovingly designed" puzzles and "delightful animations", and concluded that it would be one of the "better purchases of the year".[21] Computer Gaming World praised the game's "lovingly designed" puzzles and highlighted the game's "delightful animations, clever puzzles, soundtrack with original music for each tribe (and) people-friendly interface."[22]

Reviewing the Genesis version, GamePro commented that the controls themselves are easy to use but the small size of the lemmings makes it difficult to control them with any precision. However, they praised the variety and creativity of the level design and the different lemming maneuvers, as well as the game's "charming" personality and wide range of difficulty, and gave it an overall recommendation.[23] They made similar comments of the Super NES version, and remarked that the game "adds nonlinear variety to the cartoony brainteasers mix."[24] The five reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly were also pleased, with Mike Weigand commenting, "This title adds some nice twists (and graphics) to the standard guide-the-Lemmings-to-safety theme, making it a must for veterans of the games."[12]

Next Generation reviewed the Genesis version of the game, and stated that "Lemmings fanatics are sure to love the new features and for those who've never experienced a Lemmings game, we strongly suggest checking this game out."[14]

In a 2001 retrospective review, Rosemary Young wrote in Quandary that "Lemmings 2: Tribes will be hard to find now because of its age but, really, it's hardly aged at all. Although a little 'flat' the graphics are still perfectly good and the puzzles are just as fiendish. It compares very well with later Lemmings titles such as 3D Lemmings and Lemmings Revolution even if it doesn't offer the opportunity to save mid level."[25]

Lemmings 2 was named Best Action/Arcade Game at the 1994 Codie awards.[26] In 1995, Total! ranked the game 33rd on their Top 100 SNES Games writing: "This took the original format and piled on loads of new levels, a range of new lemmings and basically just gave us more of what we liked, only better.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Ported to Game Boy by Spidersoft[1]
  1. ^ a b Bobinator (March 20, 2015). "Lemmings 2: The Tribe". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Brian Watson - Interview". Atari Legend. 27 September 2004.
  3. ^ a b Retro Gamer (2015). "The Making of Lemmings 1 and 2". The Amiga Book: The Ultimate Collector's Guide to the Amiga. Imagine Publishing. pp. 36–40.
  4. ^ Schofield, Jack (February 18, 1993). "Microfile". The Guardian. p. 38. Retrieved April 26, 2024. Lemmings 2: The Tribes, tipped earlier as a Christmas games chart topper, should finally appear at the end of the month for PCs and Commodore Amigas...Lemmings 2 will cost £39.99 for the PC, and £29.99 for the Amiga and Atari ST.
  5. ^ "All Amiga Owners - Special Offers". Faversham Times. February 24, 1993. p. 47. Retrieved April 26, 2024. Lemmings 2 released Friday Only
  6. ^ Gosnells, Kelvin (February 28, 1993). "Take the plunge for our fabulous prizes". The Sunday People. p. 27. Retrieved April 26, 2024. After much delay, while the programmers got everything as perfect as possible, the sequel to Lemmings - Lemmings 2, The Tribes - has finally dropped into a computer games shop near you.
  7. ^ Castle, Justin (2018). "Lemmings 2". Lemmings - The Ports. Castle Books. pp. 136–169.
  8. ^ Stanton, Rich (June 2015). "The Making of Lemmings". Read Only Memory.
  9. ^ Lord, Gary; Patterson, Mark (December 1994). "Lemmings" (PDF). Computer & Video Games. No. 157. pp. 80–81.
  10. ^ "Lemmings 2: The Tribes" (PDF). GamePro. No. 69. April 1995. p. 47.
  11. ^ LaMancha, Manny (July 1995). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes" (PDF). GamePro. No. 72. p. 63.
  12. ^ a b "Review Crew: Lemmings 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 67. Ziff Davis. February 1995. p. 32.
  13. ^ Clarke, Stuart (November 1994). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". Hyper. No. 12. pp. 48–49.
  14. ^ a b "Finals". Next Generation. No. 5. Imagine Media. May 1995. p. 99.
  15. ^ Richards, Paula (August 1993). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". ST Format. No. 49. pp. 66–7.
  16. ^ Malcolm, Tom (July 1993). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". Video Games & Computer Entertainment. p. 98.
  17. ^ Theodor Lauppert: "UK Games", "UK Games". Archived from the original on 2007-06-09. Retrieved 2007-05-31., 2007
  18. ^ "Charts (Data supplied by Virgin Games Centre)". Digitiser. 4 March 1993. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Charts (ELSPA Charts Compiled by Gallup)". Digitiser. 8 April 1993. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  20. ^ Bowden, Bruce; Bowden, Margaret (October 1993). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". Compute! (157): 99. Archived from the original on 4 December 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  21. ^ Serrafina, Saul (July 1993). "Psygnosis' Lemmings 2: The Tribes". Computer Gaming World. p. 82. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  22. ^ Serrafina, Saul (July 1993). "Lemming on the Edge" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 108. pp. 82–84.
  23. ^ "ProReview: Lemmings 2: The Tribes". GamePro. No. 69. IDG. April 1995. p. 47.
  24. ^ "ProReview: Lemmings 2: The Tribes". GamePro. No. 82. IDG. July 1995. p. 63.
  25. ^ Young, Rosemary (October 2001). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes Review by Quandary". Quandary: Fun for Everyone!. Archived from the original on August 26, 2004.
  26. ^ "Software Publishing Association Picks Codie Winners". Read.Me. Computer Gaming World. May 1994. p. 12.
  27. ^ "Top 100 SNES Games". Total! (43): 44. July 1995. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
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