Emerald Mine
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Aachen , Germany |
| Products | Emerald Mine |
Emerald Mine is a puzzle video game launched in 1987 by Kingsoft for the Amiga and Atari ST platforms. The game centers around mining tunnels filled with precious stones such as emeralds. Drawing clear inspiration from Boulder Dash, players advance through levels by gathering a required number of gems before exiting. It stands as Kingsoft's top-selling release, garnering positive critiques and leading to multiple sequels. This title also marked Volker Wertich's most notable achievement prior to his 1993 success with The Settlers.
Gameplay
In Emerald Mine, players navigate a tile-based maze from a top-down perspective. Similar to Boulder Dash, the objective involves collecting emeralds and diamonds scattered throughout intricate levels and reaching the exit within a set time frame. The protagonist is unaffected by gravity; however, stones and gems are subject to falling physics and can crush the player if they drop onto him. Players may push stones and other movable objects sideways if space permits. Sand can be excavated by walking over it or removed from adjacent tiles without moving.
Enemies inhabit many stages, some adhering to wall-following behaviors while others consume diamonds. These adversaries can be eliminated by dropping objects on them, including special items that explode into a diamond plus up to eight emeralds. Diamonds carry triple the value of emeralds but risk destruction if struck by falling stones. Certain levels introduce amoebae that spread across neighboring tiles or release hazardous substances, creating traps for the player. Additional gameplay elements consist of colored keys for unlocking doors, bombs and dynamite for defeating foes or breaking fragile walls, and blue walls that transform falling stones into emeralds, emeralds into diamonds, and diamonds back into stones. Players accumulate points by collecting gems, crushing enemies with boulders, cracking nuts to reveal emeralds, and completing stages swiftly. The game also offers a cooperative two-player mode, with some levels specifically designed for collaborative play.
Development
Kingsoft, headquartered in Aachen, developed Emerald Mine, with design credits to Klaus Heinz and Volker Wertich—the latter later known for creating the acclaimed The Settlers series in 1993. Initially released on Amiga and Atari ST in 1987, the game was later adapted for the Commodore 64 and Commodore 16/Plus/4 platforms in 1988.
Reception
As Kingsoft's highest-selling product and Wertich's most successful work before The Settlers, Emerald Mine received commendations for its challenging gameplay from Aktueller Software Markt, which recommended it to enthusiasts of well-crafted, demanding titles. Happy Computer lauded its engaging music, digitized sound effects, and compelling puzzle design. The French magazine Tilt highlighted its smooth multidirectional scrolling and variety that contributed to lasting appeal.
The cooperative multiplayer option was well-received among critics. Although the graphics attracted some minor critiques, Commodore Computing International valued it as an affordable and worthwhile addition to the limited Amiga game catalog. Amiga World emphasized its addictive qualities alongside the innovative ability to save up to eight player profiles including scores and completed levels. In a retrospective evaluation, Amiga Joker praised its captivating design and responsive controls.
Awarded Best Budget Game of the Year by Happy Computer, the title was also named the Number One Amiga Game of All Time in 1988 by Amiga World.
Sequels and legacy
In 1988, Kingsoft launched Emerald Mine 2, introducing 100 fresh levels along with a level editor that allowed users to design thousands more.
Two years later, in 1990, Kingsoft released Emerald Mine 3: Professional, a collection comprised of levels created by players. This installment was met with unfavorable critiques, with reviewers labeling it as lacking creativity. Power Play magazine acknowledged the solid fundamental gameplay but remarked that the title seemed overlooked. Likewise, Amiga Joker pointed out the game's outdated audiovisual presentation.
By 1994, Almathera brought out Emerald Mines on CD for the Amiga CD32 platform, featuring an extensive library of over 14,000 levels. This edition garnered a more positive reception; Amiga Games commended its compelling gameplay despite modest visual quality, while Amiga Joker emphasized the broad assortment of game components, although noting some imbalance that confined its appeal largely to dedicated enthusiasts.
The assets and level designs from this series served as inspiration for Rocks'n'Diamonds, a free and open-source Boulder Dash-inspired game, alongside other titles such as Supaplex.
External links
- Emerald Mines collection
- Emerald Mine games on the Hall of Light for the Amiga