Playing Hints

Whenever you stop to think what you want to do next, get in the habit of
Pausing the game as time is precious.

As the levels become more and more difficult to execute, you will find
yourself having to restart a level many times even though you know the
solution. So don't become discouraged if completing a level resists
your best efforts at first.

Remember, only 10 Lemmings, out of whatever total you currently have, will
drop down at the start of each level. Each time a Lemming is lost, one of the
Reserves out of the total that currently are safe, will drop down to take his
place.

When a new level is first loaded, Pause the game immediately. During an
inspection of the level to plan how you are going to proceed, don't forget to
examine every tool by putting your cursor on it so you can count how many of
each tool is available. (Some tools are stacked on top of each other). Also,
and this is VERY important, if you think some tools may be missing, run the
mouse pointer around every area that can be dug through or that disintegrates
when walked over. You may discover some interesting surprises.

Some levels have "trapped" Lemmings on them when the level starts. With
effort you should be able to save them all. Even if you don't save all of
them, remember you have to have saved at least 50 when the 30th level is
complete. However, make every effort to rescue them even when it seems
impossible. (In case you're wondering, I didn't save EVERY Lemming, but more
than enough to claim Victory).

To save you from having to switch skills so often, when you are having to
manipulate Lemmings with either bricks or Spade tools, you can often get them
to stop what they're doing or change direction by clicking the USE skill
whenever the need. If you see a green arrow next to them, you can change their
direction in which you want them to continue using their skill; if a red arrow
appears and you click on them, they will stop what they're doing and go in
the direction of the arrow.  If the red arrow is pointing straight up (north)
or straight down (south), they will will turn in the direction from which
they came (if possible).  Note:  if a Lemming has run out of spades or bricks
just when you want to change his direction, you will be forced to use the
Walk skill on this Lemming).

The manual points out that the Walk skill can be used to stop a Lemming from
digging or laying bricks, which is true. However, not mentioned is that a
Shimmier can also be stopped by using the Walk skill.

When a Lemming is carrying a Sucker tool (for vertical surfaces), you can
click the USE skill on him at any time before he reaches the vertical surface
you want him to climb. If you wait until he reaches the wall, he may turn
around before you click on him.

If time becomes a factor (which it will), consider using the Jump skill
whenever possible, to move a Lemming along faster.

If you find yourself in a situation where a single Lemming (usually the leader)
is having to change skills often (between laying bricks and digging), see if
you can find a way to use 2 Lemmings to share the load. If you can, then try
to keep both Lemmings near each other. As one is working the other should
be made a Blocker until it is time to change places. This can be a real time
saver.

Get used to using the keyboard Function keys to change skills; there is often
insufficient time to select skills from the Icons with your mouse.

The DROP skill has 2 uses. The obvious use is to Drop a tool because you need
to pick up another tool. The other use is to Drop a tool over the edge of a
platform for later use by someone on that lower level where the tool lands.

When you start to feel stressed out (nerves on edge, adrenalin flowing),
quit the game and return to it later. Probably not a good idea to start a new
level just before retiring. You may find it difficult to get to sleep. Don't
forget to SAVE at the end of each level before you continue on to the next --
hate having to repeat levels that have already been played because I forgot to
SAVE.

Which reminds me, some words about the Save Replay button in the upper right
corner of the Progress Scene (where all the red dots are connected).  There
seems to be confusion about its use.  Suffice it to say that it is NOT a
substitute for the normal saving of the game that you should perform from the
Save/Load screen after each level is completed.

Warren Buss
Compuserve ID: 71044,3477
Internet Addr: WBUSS@Primenet.com