Software:Lemmings 2: The Tribes

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Short description: 1993 video game
Lemmings 2: The Tribes
Developer(s)DMA Design[lower-alpha 1]
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
SeriesLemmings
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 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 introduced an overarching narrative and featured a more open-ended series of levels based around different 'tribes' of lemmings, also increasing the number of available skills and simplifying the requirements for clearing levels. 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

A screenshot of gameplay in Lemmings 2: The Tribes.

Lemmings 2 is divided in a series of twelve thematic worlds corresponding to the titular tribes, each containing ten levels of obstacles, traps and other hazards. The goal of each level is to guide a group of lemmings from their entry point(s) to one or more available exits within a set time limit, by assigning a limited pool of various skills to the autonomous individual creatures to create a safe passage for the group. Unlike in the case of its predecessor, there are no variable requirements to clear each level in Lemmings 2, and players only need to deliver a single lemming—from the tribe of sixty that begins the traversal of each world—to the exit of a level in order to gain access to the next. As the number of remaining lemmings is carried over throughout the levels of a world, and as some levels require the collaboration of several lemmings for a successful solution to be implemented, earlier levels may need to be replayed to ensure enough lemmings survive. For each level, a gold, silver, or bronze medal ranking is granted depending on the number of lemmings that reach the exit.

As in Lemmings, each level grants the player a certain number of uses for a specific set of skills; however, the game features not only the eight original skills from the first game, but 43 new skills to be employed by the different tribes. These skills can either perform one-time commands or assign permanent abilities to a lemming, and they differ in their general purpose: skills like Runner and Icarus Wings overcome obstacles and hazards by enhancing a lemming's mobility; others like Builder and Planter add terrain to the level, creating crossings and barriers; the opposite is achieved with skills like Miner and Bazooker; and yet others like Blocker and Attractor alter the behavior of neighboring lemmings. A new feature is an unlimited 'fan' tool that the player can control directly to propel lemmings assigned with relevant skills that are affected by its proximity and position (such as Ballooner and Surfer) and to power mechanisms found throughout the levels. In addition, besides the option to pause the game and the ability to "nuke" all the lemmings to reset a level when facing a "no-win" situation, Lemmings 2 also allows the player to fast forward the progression of the game.

The twelve tribes of lemmings—which include "Highland", "Cavelem", and "Circus" lemmings among others—feature variations in appearance and cultural exuberance that otherwise have no effect in the general gameplay; and though certain skills are made available more frequently in the levels of certain worlds, no skill is exclusive to just one tribe. An exception to both cases is the "Classic" tribe, which, uniquely, preserves the Blocker skill from the original Lemmings and rolls back some updated behavioral quirks of the titular creatures to resemble their original outing more closely.

Players can freely choose the order in which they tackle the different worlds, and to check and save their global progress from a main menu. A practice mode is available as well, allowing to try out a set of any eight skills in one of four different practice levels. In order to complete the game, a player must secure all twelve parts of a golden talisman, each granted by clearing all ten levels of a world with a gold medal ranking.

Plot

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

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], though Dailly has remarked that once they saw the feature they "just had to have it", and that "it’s now very hard to play the original Lemmings" without it.[4]

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.[5][6][7] To accommodate the capabilities of consoles, the game was modified across versions to support reduced levels, skills, and numbers of lemmings on-screen.[8] 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."[9] Psygnosis allocated Dailly 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] The Super NES version features compatibility with the Super NES Mouse, as well as the Super Scope via a hidden easter egg.[10] Although ports of the game were developed for the Master System and Game Gear by Spidersoft, they were not published.[1]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
CVG83% (Game Boy)
79% (Mega Drive)
84% (SNES)[11]
EGM7.8 (SNES)[14]
GamePro3.5/3.5/4.0/3.5 (Mega Drive)[12]
4.0/4.5/4.0/4.5 (SNES)[13]
Hyper88% (Mega Drive/SNES)[15]
Next GenerationStarStarStarStar (Mega Drive)[16]

Lemmings 2 was not quite as popular as Lemmings was, nor was it ported to as many platforms.[19] In the United Kingdom, it was the top-selling Amiga game in February 1993,[20] and the top-selling PC game in March 1993.[21]

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."[22] 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".[23] 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."[24]

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.[25] They made similar comments of the Super NES version, and remarked that the game "adds nonlinear variety to the cartoony brainteasers mix."[26] 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."[14]

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."[16]

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."[27]

Lemmings 2 was named Best Action/Arcade Game at the 1994 Codie awards.[28] 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."[4]

References

  1. ↑ Ported to Game Boy by Spidersoft[1] and to Mega Drive by Digital Developments
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Lemmings 2: The Tribe". March 20, 2015. http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lemmings-2-the-tribe/. 
  2. ↑ "Brian Watson - Interview". 27 September 2004. https://www.atarilegend.com/interviews/18. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 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. https://archive.org/details/the-amiga-book-1st-revised-edition/page/40. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dailly, Mike. "The Complete History of Lemmings". Total! (43): 44. https://lemmings.info/lemmings-gamehistory/. Retrieved November 26, 2025. 
  5. ↑ Schofield, Jack (February 18, 1993). "Microfile". The Guardian: pp. 38. https://www.newspapers.com/image/260309037. "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." 
  6. ↑ "All Amiga Owners - Special Offers". Faversham Times: pp. 47. February 24, 1993. https://www.newspapers.com/image/847234119. "Lemmings 2 released Friday Only" 
  7. ↑ Gosnells, Kelvin (February 28, 1993). "Take the plunge for our fabulous prizes". The Sunday People: pp. 27. https://www.newspapers.com/image/813274596. "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." 
  8. ↑ Castle, Justin (2018). "Lemmings 2". Lemmings - The Ports. Castle Books. pp. 136–169. https://archive.org/details/lemmings-the-ports-2018-revision. 
  9. ↑ Stanton, Rich (June 2015). "The Making of Lemmings". https://readonlymemory.vg/the-making-of-lemmings/. 
  10. ↑ Szczepaniak, John (March 2022). "30 Years of the Super Scope". Retro Gamer (Future plc) (231): 47, 49. 
  11. ↑ Lord, Gary; Patterson, Mark (December 1994). "Lemmings". Computer & Video Games (157): 80–81. https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6b/CVG_UK_157.pdf. 
  12. ↑ "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". GamePro (69): 47. April 1995. https://retrocdn.net/images/4/44/GamePro_US_069.pdf. 
  13. ↑ LaMancha, Manny (July 1995). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". GamePro (72): 63. https://retrocdn.net/images/3/38/GamePro_US_072.pdf. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Review Crew: Lemmings 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (67): 32. February 1995. 
  15. ↑ Clarke, Stuart (November 1994). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". Hyper (12): 48–49. https://archive.org/details/hyper-012/page/48. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Finals". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (5): 99. May 1995. 
  17. ↑ Richards, Paula (August 1993). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". ST Format (49): 66–7. http://www.atarimania.com/mags/hi_res/atari-st-format-issue-049_66.jpg. 
  18. ↑ Malcolm, Tom (July 1993). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". Video Games & Computer Entertainment: 98. https://archive.org/details/video-games-computer-entertainment-july-1993/page/n99/mode/2up?q=%22lemmings+2%22. 
  19. ↑ Theodor Lauppert: "UK Games", "UK Games". http://members.chello.at/theodor.lauppert/games/uk.htm. , 2007
  20. ↑ "Charts (Data supplied by Virgin Games Centre)". Digitiser. 4 March 1993. http://www.superpage58.com/digitiser-vault-teletext-screenshot-image-archive-1993-03-04.htm. Retrieved 15 March 2021. 
  21. ↑ "Charts (ELSPA Charts Compiled by Gallup)". Digitiser. 8 April 1993. http://www.superpage58.com/digitiser-vault-teletext-screenshot-image-archive-1993-04-08.htm. Retrieved 15 March 2021. 
  22. ↑ Bowden, Bruce; Bowden, Margaret (October 1993). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes". Compute! (157): 99. http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue157/99_Lemmings_2_The_Trib.php. Retrieved 29 May 2015. 
  23. ↑ Serrafina, Saul (July 1993). "Psygnosis' Lemmings 2: The Tribes". Computer Gaming World: 82. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=108. Retrieved 12 July 2014. 
  24. ↑ Serrafina, Saul (July 1993). "Lemming on the Edge". Computer Gaming World (108): 82–84. https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_108.pdf. 
  25. ↑ "ProReview: Lemmings 2: The Tribes". GamePro (IDG) (69): 47. April 1995. 
  26. ↑ "ProReview: Lemmings 2: The Tribes". GamePro (IDG) (82): 63. July 1995. 
  27. ↑ Young, Rosemary (October 2001). "Lemmings 2: The Tribes Review by Quandary". http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArticle.jsp?index=392. 
  28. ↑ "Software Publishing Association Picks Codie Winners". Computer Gaming World: 12. May 1994. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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