LEGO Rock Raiders (video game)

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File:RockRaidersPCBoxLarge.jpg
The original retail box for the game.

5708 LEGO Rock Raiders was a video game released for Windows PC on November 15, 1999 (NTSC) and November 30, 1999 (PAL) as part of the LEGO Rock Raiders franchise. It added many new elements to the storyline. Over the years, the game has acquired a cult-classic fan-base Rock Raiders United, which is devoted to modding and improving on the original game, as well as enthusing about the Lego Sets themselves. There are six main characters: Chief, Bandit, Axle, Jet, Docs, and Sparks, however most of these characters only appear in Cut Scenes and various messages in-game. Most of the Rock Raiders in game are similar in appearance to Sparks.

The video game was developed, programmed and designed by Data Design Interactive in conjunction with Artworld UK and published by LEGO Media International. At that time, Rock Raiders was unusual in being the first theme to have a video game developed alongside it. The theme and the video game influenced each other heavily, creating LEGO's first real tie-in game.

It was originally listed "220574 Rock Raiders PC CD-ROM" with a price of $39.75. The price was soon reduced to $20 (MSRP) and was often packaged together with another popular game released at the time, LEGO Racers. While it was originally slated for release in September, it was pushed back two months for further development.



Description

The Windows PC game is a Real Time Strategy game similar to Dungeon Keeper (though it is often cited as being reminiscent of Dune II). There are 8 training missions to teach the player how to play the game and 25 levels, where you must construct your base, teleport down Rock Raiders and collect Energy Crystals while avoiding obstacles. As players progress through the game, the levels get progressively more difficult, requiring more crystals under more extreme circumstances.

Storyline

The LMS Explorer is on course for the Rock Raider base planet (presumably LEGO Earth) in the Milky Way, when suddenly the crew notice that they are in an asteroid field. After taking heavy damage from several asteroids, the LMS Explorer, rendered powerless by the rocks, is sucked into a wormhole that transports them to another galaxy in an alien Star System. They scan the system and determine that a nearby planet, Planet U, is rich with Energy Crystals deep beneath the surface, which can repower their ship. The crew of the LMS Explorer use the last energy remaining to teleport several Rock Raiders down to Planet U to exploit its resources and ready the LMS Explorer for the return to home. The Rock Raiders encounter many Enemies along the way, including Monsters and green Slimy Slugs which are also after the Energy Crystals. Much of the storyline is given through short Cut Scenes which are played before each Level as well as at the beginning and end of the game.

Gameplay & Scoring

Each Level begins with the player being presented with an Objective they must complete. This may require them, for example, to collect a certain amount of Energy Crystals, find a missing Rock Raider, or perhaps construct a certain Building. To do this, they must collect Materials, which they can use construct Buildings, each of which have their own unique purpose within the game, and accomplish different things. The Support Station for example allows for more Rock Raiders to teleport down and also provide extra Oxygen on levels with a depleting Oxygen Supply.

File:ModerateBase.png
In-Game Screenshot of a player-built Rock Raiders HQ

To find Materials like Ore and Energy Crystals the player must send their Rock Raiders to drill various types of Walls, which may lead to the discovery of Hidden Caverns. The player can use a variety of Mining Tools and Vehicles for the drilling of walls and collection of materials. There can be many obstacles along the way, primarily in the form of Threats. There are many ways to defend Rock Raider HQ from these threats by use of things like Weapons, Power Paths, Reinforced Walls, and Electric Fences.

Once the player has completed the objective, the Chief will score the player based off of things like the amount of Energy Crystals, Ore, Hidden Caverns found and the amount of Oxygen Supply remaining (the contributing factor of each scoring category varies between levels). A player does not need to get a 100% score to beat the level and progress through the game. Depending on where the level is on the mission tree, it may unlock one or two more levels further down the line. Once the player has completed all 25 Levels (the tutorial levels are not necessary), the player has won the game and the credits roll. However, after winning the game, the player can still go back and play the levels again, perhaps to try and get 100% completion on each level (though some are impossible to do this on).

Modding

See Main Article: Lego Rock Raiders Modification

The Lego Rock Raider PC Game has a widespread Modding community known as Rock Raiders United. A number of mods have been released since its founding, which includes an Overhaul Mod known as Baz's Mod, which redesigns many aspects of the game to make it more challenging, including new versions of each level with new levels as well. Other Overhaul Mods are being developed as well, including Return to Planet U and Time Raiders.

Game Specifications

Catalog Image from 1999, showing outdated screenshots from the Beta

Although LEGO Rock Raiders can now be played on almost any computer (with capable compatibility), these were the hardware/software specifications required/suggested to play.

Minimum System Requirements

Computer: Windows 95 and 98 (or XP, Vista, and Windows 7 with compatibility checked. Game is not compatible with Windows NT, OS/2, Linux or Windows emulated operating system.)

CPU: Pentium 200 MHz MMX. (Also compatible with AMD-K6-2, AMD-K6-III and Cyrix MII processors)

Hard Drive: 200 MB Uncompressed hard drive space.

Memory: 32 MB RAM.

Video: 4 MB PCI or AGP Direct3D compatible card.

Resolution: 640x480, high color, 16-bit, or higher

CD-ROM: 4x speed or faster CD-ROM / DVD drive.

Sound Card: 100% DirectX compatible 16-bit sound card.

Input Device: Compatible mouse and keyboard (Serial/PS2 or USB)

Joystick/Gamepad: Not Used

Recommended System Requirements

CPU: Intel Pentium II or higher

CD-ROM: 8x speed or higher CD-ROM / DVD drive

Memory: 64 MB RAM or higher

Video: 12/16 MB or higher Direct 3D compatible video card

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