Lemmings

Lemmings is a single-player puzzle game in which players guide groups of creatures through hazardous environments by assigning them specific functions/abilities.

Each level begins with a group of lemmings dropping into a side-scrolling environment. These creatures march forward blindly, turning only when they hit a wall, and will walk into hazards such as pits, water, lava, or traps unless directed otherwise. The player’s goal is to save at least a set percentage of the lemmings by leading them to the level’s exit. Levels vary in design, with some requiring the rescue of only a handful of lemmings and others demanding careful planning to save large groups under tight time limits.

Instead of controlling lemmings directly, players use a cursor to assign skills drawn from a toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Available skills differ by level and may be limited in number. Common abilities include Climbers who scale vertical walls, Floaters who survive long drops, Builders who construct staircases, and Bashers, Miners, or Diggers who carve through terrain. Other abilities include Blockers who halt the progress of their peers, forcing others to change direction. Selecting the right skill for the right lemming at the right time is essential for success.

Gameplay involves balancing speed with precision. Lemmings emerge continuously from an entrance hatch, and their flow must be managed so that they neither rush ahead into danger nor crowd too densely in confined spaces. Timing is critical when building bridges, digging through obstacles, or diverting groups away from hazards. Some levels allow liberal use of skills, while others restrict players to only a few, requiring efficiency and experimentation.

The game includes 120 levels divided into four categories: Fun, Tricky, Taxing, and Mayhem. These categories serve as a difficulty curve, with early stages introducing skills gradually and later levels demanding complex multi-step solutions. Environmental elements exist such as destructible terrain, one-way walls, deadly traps, and moving platforms. A self-destruct option exists that allows players to restart when a level becomes unsolvable. The scoring system rewards efficiency by tracking the percentage of lemmings saved and how quickly the exit is reached.