A game I need to remember

[TanZyr]

Sounds almost like you're describing the game "Rodland" but I don't recall them making ladders (been a LONG time since I played the game).

[Edited]

Addendum: Here is a fansite for the game, lots of pictures, take a look and see if it's your culprit:

http://www.theredeye.net/rodland/index.html

[TanZyr]

Such an active topic, the URL might have gotten missed since I edited while others were adding replies:

Rodland Fan Site: http://www.theredeye.net/rodland/index.html