Okay so this is bump from me now. Since I've made this topic, I've played every single level that ever existed from the recent LDCs and from the old LDCs I've played all the top 6 levels. So I think I can make some fairer judgements this time..
(in other words, I will just name my top 3 favourites in order of enjoyment for each LDC and give a reason why for my personal fave)
1st LDC:*
Freezeflame Galaxy by Brando. I mean, considering I've only found two surviving levels from the 1st LDC, this and the original Northern Temple, I do have to admit that I like Brando's level best. Simply because the puzzles are so unique and entertaining, and besides- I can't get enough of the early SM63 style.
2nd LDC:1]
Bowser's Volcano Lair by Krazy. I love this level so damn much. It's so addictive and fun to play, and it's at the perfect length too. Also, the graphics are excellent and Mechabowser is epic. Soo, that's my obvious no.1 pick.
2]
Bowser's New Castle by Four.3]
Bowser's New Castle by Murph.3rd LDC:1]
Arid, Arid Desert by Four. I could play this level for hours, literally. I love the exploration and the story in general made me laugh. There are some tricky and confusing moments (darn tomb puzzle) and then some incredibly fun sections (the cactus plants, the sand diggers etc). Overall this balances out to one of my favourite levels in history. One of the only long levels that I've ever played and fell truly in love with.
2]
Desert Oasis by Murph.3]
Secret Within The Desert Sands by Volcove.4th LDC:1]
The Ethereal Mansion by Four. I have to admit, it did take some time before I truly got into this. But when I did get there, I suddenly realised how unique and memorable it was. The challenges are so fun and have a great balanced difficulty most of the time, and I particularly loved the ending of the first level.
A great way to portray halloween in a level.
2]
Lake of Eternal Silence by Ayray.3]
Boo's Mansion by Murph.5th LDC:1]
Space Colony by Krazy. I don't know anyone (maybe except Volcove) who played this level and didn't have a legendarily good time. There's a reason this is my 2nd favourite level in history- I just love it to bits. The graphics are exquisite (BIO-DOME <3), along with it are some wow moments (BIO-DOME AGAIN <3<3), as well as the gameplay was so incredibly fun. It shows what great things can be made from just a simple template.
2]
Light's Rebirth by Volcove.3]
The Final Shine by Avo.6th LDC:1]
The Ascension by MIC. Not many people would probably believe this to be my fave level of this LDC- but it really is. IMO, it's pretty underrated, but some things just spark with me when I play it. For example, that huge weapon that you see from a zoom out scene at one point. As well as the pretty nice use of glitches in some areas (don't say that about many levels) soo...really all I can say is, try it for yourself.
2]
A Leisurely Voyage by Chau.3]
The Airship Rescue by YB.7th LDC:1]
Temple of the Penguin God by Volcove. This series, to be perfectly honest, is my favourite of all of Volcove's. As much as I love Into the Depths, IMHO, I still prefer Penguin God. For me, it showcases the true talent of level designing- it shows that the levels don't need to be that long or complex to make something epic. All you need is effort, some detail and some similarly styled challenges. I mean, look what has been achieved with just those 3 aspects. You seriously can't go wrong with this.
2]
The Empty Castle by Chau.3]
Explorer Guy and King Goombiard's Ancient Temple by Zeb.8th LDC:1]
Garden in the Clouds by Cryo. My taste is usually rather different from these kinds of levels- I mean, there was some tileset mixing meaning the graphics weren't to my personal standards. But the platforming...I just couldn't fault it. Y'know, with my hanging gardens level, I wanted to get a similar feel to this. However my floating islands were just that- floating islands. These, though, felt like true gardens in the clouds. Most of the time the level certainly did not disappoint.
2]
A Dark Garden by W_M.3]
Garden of Life by Volcove.9th LDC:1]
Paradox Bridge by Volcove. I love the concept overall of this level. So utterly awesome- I was so shocked the first time I finished it the whole way through. It really does live up to the name well, and I seriously can't find many faults about this.
2]
Runouw.com by Nin.3]
The Road to Runouw.com by MIC.10th LDC:1]
Alignment of Fates by MoD & Ven. Hopefully this choice is clear. Great graphics and mini blosses, and story overall. No wonder the two succeed best when they're together. Their collabs are literally unstoppable forces.
2]
Space Walk by Sax.3]
Season Ease Galaxy by Nin.11th LDC:1]
Shroomsday by Avo. I love the classic Mario feel of this level- yes, while it tries to mainly show a destructive scene, I can still feel it. I think this level was pulled off excellently. Particularly love the graphics here, and I've learnt- there's nothing quite like an Avo level.
2]
Disaster Strikes by KS.3]
Surviving The End by Nan.12th LDC:1]
The Inter-Dimensional Dilemma by JRFD. You may be shocked that I didn't choose Star's series, amirite? I'm sorry, as much as I loved DI, I do find this personally has the edge for me. The story, while it involves bowser and the whole Mario crew, I really had fun reading. The graphics were most of the time eye-wateringly perfect, along with the epic special effects. The main flaws I noticed were the lag/loading time, the upside down writing that was mostly unreadable in the first level (but still great concept) and the bullet hell in the second level. Besides those things, I actually loved it greatly. I'm pretty against the fact it got 3rd with a low score. For me, graphics would get a very high 4, fun would get a 9 and maybe other may let it down a bit with a few noticeable bugs, but then easily made up for the awesome things. I've rambled on a bit long here, I notice. :p But I don't believe that no-one even remembers this series- after all TP took many graphical inspirations from it.
2]
Dimension Infinity by Star.3]
The S Dimension by SM63C.13th LDC:1]
Survivor by Star & JRFD. I loved the real beach and holiday feel of this series. It felt like I was, y'know, on holiday.
It was great fun to play and funnily enough it felt very light-hearted to me; I had a great time.
2]
Secret Beneath The Sands by Volcove.3]
Impossible Treasures by Doram.14th LDC:1]
Goomba Valley by King. Really, there were a few levels I preferred over this from the LDC. But I don't know, whenever I play this level I'm taken back to my early days of Runouw and being far more prolific and active on the portal. It just feels great to remember these times. Other than that King is excellent at making platformers anyway.
2]
In The Pipe by Star.3]
Classic Mario, Revamped by Mysti.(honourable mention: Realm of the Heavens by Volcove because I still love it but couldn't fit it on a top 3 list, lol)
15th LDC:1]
Earth's Secrets by Master. I love the new, fresh, innovative feeling in this series. And the final boss is also epic. I also love the story- really kept me entertained. Overall, I just think this was a great success. Nothing else to be said.
2]
Stone Tower Temple by Volcove.3]
Such Great Heights by MoD.16th LDC:1]
Destinations by MoD & Ven. I think EVERYONE knows by now this is my favourite series of all time.
Gotta love the dreams, the story, the bloss, and the overall style. It was excellent. You will NOT be disappointed playing this level- I'd recommend it to anyone as it's pretty much an all rounder.
2]
Plastic Beach by Star.3]
Ghostly Cave by Nwolf.(honourable mention: Parallel Spires by Volcove because once again, not enough room on my top 3 list, but it doesn't stop me from loving it)
17th LDC:1]
The Roaming Celsius Luminary by MoD. I love the overall atmosphere of this level, and I loved digging for that silver star (lol
). And I love the journey of it too. It's pretty unpredictable- which is why I enjoyed it so much.
2]
Frost Glade/Ghostly Grove by DB.3]
Nwinter by Nwolf.18th LDC:1]
Dark by MoD. I'm pretty sure everyone can understand why this is my fave of the LDC. Tbh, I don't know if there is anyone except MoD himself with a different favourite, lol..
2]
Fort Omniquet by Nin.3]
Savage Labyrinth by Volcove.(honourable mention: MMMMMM by YB because again, not enough room to mention it, but I did love it)
19th LDC:1]
Memory Lane by MoD. I do love the heart warming dialogue in this level. I suppose that's what really made it for me. (don't mind me these descriptions are getting smaller because I'm running out of things to say, lol) Also going through the different stages of Mario's time was awesome too.
2]
Death and Life by Skjung.3]
You Can't Escape Death by Brawler.20th LDC:1]
Timpani and Blumiere by SMIC. As low as my score was for it IMO in the LDC, I still love it to bits. Besides in my judging the bugs pushed it down a fair bit, without them, it would have almost definitely won. (sorreh Buff)
2]
Shyguy's Island by Buff.3]
Big Boo's Rainbow Road by Nwolf.21st LDC:1]
Autumn Madness by BY. Okay so this didn't place because it was incomplete. But who cares.
I still loved what I saw of it. Doesn't change my mind just because it finished in one of the lower places, lol.
2]
The Great Abyss by Volcove.3]
Deep Secret Paradise by Lordpat.22nd LDC:1]
Blazewood by DB. Again, a non-placer. (or 7th placer in this case) I still thought personally it should've won, but eh, that's just me.
2]
Underwhere by BY.3]
Infernal Tower by Kaboom.23rd LDC:1]
Hall of the Editor by JSlayer & Nan. Thinking about it, this was so unique and unforgettable, I don't think I could have any other at the top from this LDC. It remains to be the best of its kind in my eyes. :p
2]
Weather Works by JJJ.3]
Fear Factory by Volcove....k that took longer than expected. Mainly because I laid it out so neatly, lawl. Just felt like sharing this.
Posted: June 22nd, 2012, 12:39 am
just kidding - Dark by MoD 