Lemmings 2 The Tribes

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 – 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 hazrds; 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 – Lemmings 2 The Tribes

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.