Lemmings 2: The Tribes, released in 1993 by DMA Design, is the sequel to the classic puzzle game Lemmings, expanding on the original’s clever mechanics with even more variety and creativity. This time, the story revolves around 12 different tribes of lemmings, each with its own unique theme, such as Beach, Medieval, Cave, and Space. The goal remains the same—guide as many lemmings as possible safely to the exit—but now players must manage even more complex levels filled with new hazards, tools, and abilities.

The core gameplay of Lemmings 2 builds on the original by offering a staggering 51 different skills, a huge increase from the eight in the first game. These include familiar abilities like digging and building, but also entirely new ones such as gliding, swimming, rope climbing, and even surfing. Each tribe has its own set of themed levels and skill combinations, encouraging players to think creatively and experiment with different strategies. The puzzles are more varied and intricate, with multiple solutions that reward clever planning and timing.

Visually, Lemmings 2 is brighter and more detailed, with each tribe featuring its own distinct graphical style and animations. The lemmings themselves are more expressive, with charming little details that make them feel alive. The soundtrack is equally diverse, with unique music themes for each tribe that match their setting and personality. The game’s presentation creates a sense of adventure as players travel through the many worlds to reunite the tribes and restore peace.

Lemmings 2 was praised for its expanded mechanics and imaginative level design, though some players found the large number of skills overwhelming. Nevertheless, it remains a beloved puzzle classic, offering a deeper and more varied experience than its predecessor. It also introduced the idea of multiple paths to victory, making it feel less rigid and more open-ended compared to the original game.

• Developer: DMA Design
• Publisher: Psygnosis
• Release Year: 1993
• Platform(s): Amiga, MS-DOS, SNES, Mega Drive, and others
• Genre: Puzzle
• Game Mode: Single-player
• Graphics: Colorful 2D environments with themed worlds
• Sound: Unique music tracks tailored to each tribe
• Key Feature: 51 different skills across 12 tribes with varied level designs