The game would of been popular about '95 or so, possibly earlier. Only remember watching someone else play it. It was definately a retail game though, as I distinctly remember the box and manual.

The game had a distinct gray theme, had a black stick figuresque main character, and was a puzzle game. Basically you climbed ladders, dodged enemies, and worked your way to the top of the map and into the next level. The whole map was on screen at once usually and your stick figure guy wasn't very big (about the size of the smileys on the side here). Also featured treasure chests I believe.

If someone could help, would be appreciated. Not sure if it is abandonware either, but it very well might be, its old enough.

The black/grey theme sounds a bit unusual. Was it a PC game?

Yeah, PC. It *could* of just been very dark colors on a dark PC monitor, but I think it was gray/black/white

Perhaps Lode Runner?

What about Impossible Mission?

I'd say Lode Runner too... or one of it's clones.

Sounds a lot like Lode Runner. Do you have to collect all of the chests on the level before you can climb to the top and advance to the next one?

Probably "TheAssasin" was killed by someone stronger, we will never know about this game LOL
So moved to Unknown game threads.

Just a wild guess. The ultra classic, Jetpak