runouw.com

In 6^th place, with 15.75 points,
NanTheDark
for This Is War!
It used to be a tie along with "Extraterrestra" by nin10mode, but a score miscalculation bumped Nan's level ahead in the end. Sorry nin10mode.

In 5^th place, with 15.93 points
DarkBlaze
for Snowbound in the Atmosphere!
I'm a bit surprised by this one, actually. Well done.

In 4^th place, with 16 points,
Nworlds
for Ghostly Cave!
Intriguing, no? Just barely ahead of 5th place, too.

Star king for
Plastic Beach!
with 16.81 points!
This seems like a familiar occurence, no?

Volcove
for Parallel Spires
with 17.19 points!
Wait, what? Am I a magnet now?

Aznchau4ever
for Existing!
with 9000.01 points!
After all, he would have easily won had he entered, so consider this a preemptive win of sorts.

But nah, it is really


MessengerOfDreams and Venexis
for Destinations
with 17.23 points!
Are you surprised? I'm not, because it is pretty well deserved.

FUN – 8.5/10

I liked the level. It was very smooth in terms of gameplay. The platforming was enjoyable and the challenges were reasonable. The only complaints I have were that the platforming concepts were really basic. I appreciate the use of moving blocks and platforms, but there really wasn’t anything new – “MP3 style”, so to speak – that changed anything.

GRAPHICS – 3.75/5

I liked the graphics. Everything was fine technically, there was no cut-off and there was a good amount of slope, and there was décor. The only problem was with your “filler tiles.” You really should checkerboard them. I also would’ve liked more décor. The temple wasn’t really astounding as well.

OTHER – 3.5/5

+1 The music suited the level
+0.5 Good loading time
-1 There were quite a few problems with the level transitions

OVERALL - 15.75/20

Yay, I really liked the level. There are only a few things you need to smooth out. First, try some more platforming challenges – explore the world of moving blocks and other things. Next, check the tiling and add more décor.

See you in the 17th,

-SMIC

FUN – 6.75/10

Let me be short and sweet here. Yes, I do agree the platforming on tiles was nice, and the entire concept of the shadow lines was interesting, but the platforming was a severe pain in the you-know-where because you just couldn’t see a single thing when those shadow lines intersected. Again, I applaud you on the concept, but the execution of that concept wasn’t the best.

However, your use of moving blocks was nice, and in the sections you could see, it was a very nice play. But one more problem: the auto-scroll part. The blocks moved WAY too slow. Alright, maybe not WAY too slow, but they could’ve and should’ve been faster. The last section where you have to bounce on Bullet Bills to clear the lava? Yeah. The blocks made that near impossible. And I’m not saying a challenge is bad, but when the challenge is too hard it gets horribly annoying.

The above saying goes for the challenge room. I think you were focusing on making really challenging for the players that you forgot to check if it was fair/possible. I’m sure it is, but running through it without losing health – not sure.

GRAPHICS – 3/5

The graphics were solid. There was a bit cut-off and your use of the cave tileset was nice. Tile variation is encouraged but for the sake of MoD I’m not going to dock you points for that. What I did find you were lacking though was décor. There was a nice amount, but it was really more of a “here and there” thing and not really a level enhancer. I also didn’t get the trees in the lava.

OTHER – 4.75/5

+1.5 The music was chosen EXTREMELY well. Bravo.
+0.5 Good loading time
-0.25 There were occurences of lag sometimes throughout.

OVERALL – 14.5/20

It was a nice play but there were definitely a few things you could touch up. First and foremost, definitely try to enhance the nature of the shadow lines. Find some way to make the sprites appear on top of them, I know it’s possible. Next try to eradicate all cut-off, I saw you trying to use moving blocks but there is ALWAYS a way to get tiling done properly.

That’s about it,

-SMIC

FUN – 6.5/10

There was a large problem with this level, and it was that there wasn’t really anything… interesting about it. I mean sure, simple levels are very nice and all that, but I feel you really didn’t bring anything to the table. You didn’t sign the level with your signature. I feel this could’ve been made by anyone if you asked them to make it.

Technically, the level was fine, but it felt like just a jumble of things piled together. The platforming was all relatively the same, just jumping or flying or using FLUDD. No cannons, again, nothing else interesting. There were unbricked level transitions as well which made a lot of the stars much easier to access. You need to do a bit of work, although I’ll give you some credit for utilizing moving blocks nicely.

GRAPHICS – 2.5/5

I’ll have to pick on you graphically Volcove-style, sorry. However, even though there was no cut-off and a good use of slope, there was one problem with your tiling. It was the “filler tile.” The filler tile (that’s what I call it, anyway) is the tile you see underneath surfaces. Let’s say you suspended just a normal flat snowy slope in the air. To not make it cut-off (disregarding the sides) you would put some “filler” tiles underneath the surface that are just solid blocks. If you want to see the filler tiles in the Snow #1 section, there are three: 2 are in the third row of the tileset.

Anyway, back on track. The problem is that you should vary the filler tiles – there are usually 2 or 3 (with the exception of the Jungle tileset). Putting just one slid one in empty spaces makes it look ugly. With three filler tiles, you should be putting them in a diagonal pattern, but just checker-boarding two works as well. And I assure you, it’s not hard work.

Next, the use of décor was sparse. There wasn’t much of it at all. I need more of that please.

OTHER – 4/5

+1 Good loading time and no lag
+0.5 Okay song choice
-0.5 You didn’t vary your rotating platform speeds much at all

OVERALL – 13/20

In loose terms the level was pretty solid, but there are quite a few things you could work on. Try to utilize those filler tiles better and add your own style to the level – just seeing nothing much in it made it not very exciting.

You’re getting better,

-SuperMIC

Part 1

FUN – 7/10

It was nice, but I really didn’t… get it. The boats were confounding. The title was confounding. There was not much of a Star King feel to the level. The creativity in it was lacking. There weren’t any concepts that made it interesting or enhanced gameplay. It was mainly just do a few jumps, cannon a few times, press a few switches, and then, Part 1 done! Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high.

Platforming-wise it was fine, but jumping was heavily relied on. I mean, it should be, but I’m talking about plain jumping. There was nothing else thrown in or utilized. Also, because it wasn’t interesting, I found the hike back to the switch annoying. The level was really, really easy.

GRAPHICS – 4/5

The graphics were nice. They were everything graphics should be. Good tile use, etc., but if you want a five you’ll have to decorate and present more than a few tree-based trees.

OTHER – 3.5/5

+0.5 The music was nice at first, it really resembled a beach, but when the synth started it did not AT ALL reflect the level.

OVERALL – 14.5/20

I don’t know Star. This level feels really choked. It’s as if you’re forcing ideas on us and using music and graphics to cover it up. What happened to your zany ideas and tricks? The blocks in Dimension Infinity, the attractions in Hyper Park? Where’d they all go?

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Part 2

FUN – 7.5/10

This level was definitely brighter than the first. You varied your challenges more, with a maze-like platforming area and a wing cap trial. However, I still felt your challenges could’ve been much more sophisticated. I want to SEE Star King written all over this level. Without style, this level could be attributed to anybody. Keep working buddy.

GRAPHICS – 4/5

Refer to the first graphics post to the notes about this level. Just as a sidenote the tiling was well done.

OTHER – 5/5

+1.5 I’ll hand it to you… that switch with the Shine Sprite was pretty ingenious.
+1 Good loading time and no lag
+0.5 To make the scores even I have to give you another 0.5 for song choice, but this 0.5 really isn’t needed as you already get a 5…

OVERALL – 16.5/20

As with all series, there is a risk that one level brings down the other, and sadly, this risk seems to have taken effect. I’d like to say the series does need to be polished, but only polished with your style and your creativity. Add your own stuff into it.

Nice play,

-SMIC

FUN – 7.75/10

It was an interesting level. Technically, it was brilliant. But the sole error you made that it was way too hard. I think a good level should be able to be played by experts and beginners alike, and while your level used interesting concepts and the LD to create complex challenges, the fact remains it was too hard. I couldn’t play half of it because of the difficulty.

I did, however appreciate the parts I was able to play. But there were a lot of annoying parts as well, and some bugs you could’ve sorted out.

GRAPHICS – 4.5/5

Yes, you do appear to be known for making things pretty. And make them pretty you did, but more décor please?

OTHER – 2.5/5

+0.5 Good loading time
+0.5 Interesting shortcut concept
-1 The part where you hid a switch behind a sign was admirable but caused a lot of bugs and annoyance.
-0.5 I don’t think the music fit the level well. Some electric music in an outer space-like level? Not really.

OVERALL – 14.75/20

Definitely the first thing that pops into my mind about enhancing this level is relieving difficulty, or at least creating an easier version. While I will agree the platforming was marvelous, you just cannot play a level that is too difficult. The graphics were good, but just focus on the areas I pointed out.

Still very nice,

-SMIC

FUN – 4/10

Sorry TMO, but is this all you can give us? A nice few segments of platforming over lava? That’s… it? Well, then, I’m not even sure you tried at all. There is CLEAR evidence you didn’t even playtest the level before submission, the level is impossible, and you brought almost nothing to the table. Really?

GRAPHICS – 1.5/5

There was cut-off strewn about EVERYWHERE. The lava was REALLY REALLY cut-off. You used décor only in the grass areas, and the background did not suit the level. There was no slope either, almost everything was horizontal or vertical.

OTHER – 1.5/5

+1 Good loading time and no lag
-1.5 The music did not suit the level much at all.
-1 The level is impossible in two places. I’d like to remind you that the golden mesh wire is not solid.

OVERALL – 7/20

Alright, before you make a scene saying you should just quit LDing, here me out. Yes, this level does (you have to admit) have many flaws, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be fixed. You learn from your mistakes. First off, do something else than jump or fall in lava. That’s quite amateur. If you fall in the lava from a high point its impossible to get back up there so it makes the level redundant.

Second, touch up those graphics. REMOVE that lava cut-off and add décor and slope. Choose a different music type, background, and make the level possible.

Finally, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS playtest the level yourself or ask others to test it before you submitted. You wouldn’t have lost as many points if the level was beatable.

Work on it,

-SMIC

FUN – 6/10

I’m doing my best not to be biased, believe me. Anyway, the level was nothing different. I know who you are, SCARDY, and I’m saying these levels are almost the exact same as every single level you’ve had in the past. I want you to introduce some interesting concepts into the level, not frolicking around for red coins or stars.

The platforming was fine, but a ton of things are misleading. You tell us to go down a clear pit and we find there’s a penguin blocking the entrance to the area where a star is. Come on, not fair. There was nothing special.

GRAPHICS – 2.25/5

Time for a lesson in physics. Scardy (you should get used to that, that’s what I’m calling you) trees DO NOT grow on fungi, and fungi does not grow on other fungi. Please reconsider those plants. Next, although there was no cut-off, there was sprite cutoff. Pipes did not connect well visually. The grammar and spelling on signs was not right. You also did not checkerboard your filler tiles. Ask Volcove about what those are.

OTHER – 2.5/5

+1 Good loading time and no lag
-1 The music did not fit the level. You got the happy part of it, but you completely ignored the lyrical meanings.
-0.5 Your enemies weren’t diverse

10.75/20

Yeah, so the level isn’t the greatest. To make it better, all you need to do is follow the above points. Flatten out décor, tiles, grammar, spelling, and that stuff. Bring something new to the table.

Good day,

-SMIC

Part 1

FUN – 7.75/10

OH, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET COCKY AND TAKE MY SONG, HUH?! *shot* Haha, anyway, in all seriousness, it was alright. I mean, the platforming experience was nice, but it wasn’t too much anything that perked out, which is what I really look for in a level. Sadly, the lag level made the level really rough and unsmooth playing-wise.

GRAPHICS – 2.75/5

The graphics weren’t much either… I was surprised at the lack of décor. The tiles underneath surfaces also shouldn’t be one single one, it should at least be checker-boarded. The tiling was nice, however and spelling and grammar on signs was very good.

OTHER – 2.5/5

+0.5 Good loading time
-0.5 A very dangerous FPS rate
-0.5 While you did get the message of the song, I do not believe your level actively portrayed the song musically and lyrically well enough. Perhaps you could’ve examined the song more in depth.

OVERALL – 13/20

Not the best start to a series, but sadly given some other effort in the LDC, it’s acceptable. Really work to fix that lag level, I think there weren’t enough transitions involved. Try to portray the song more, focus on instrumental usage and the meaning of each lyrical phrase. Maybe try some techy stuff, and fix those graphics.

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FUN – 6.5/10

I’m not sure how to word this. There is a harsh way and there is a way less so. The harsh way can be summed up in one word. The way less so will take some diplomatic work. I’m sorry Nan, but that finisher was… boring. The beginning was a few timed jumps on koopas, and while the block boss attempt was admirable, it was really easy. I commend you on the limbs and the ceiling bring-down, but it was a VERY anticlimactic ending.

I also had to penalize you a bit on story writing. It was all like “HAHA, COME FIGHT ME IF YOU DARE!” and then just two lines saying you won. What? That can’t be right. It just demolished any tension you’d built up. Like… it was the third sequel to the Neverending Story, no offense to either terms.

GRAPHICS – 2.5/5

I still feel the graphics weren’t much of anything special, and there was a lack of slope in this one.

OTHER – 5/5

+1 Good loading time and no lag
+1 The symbolism of the lone tree on those hills representing newfound feritility was inspiring. Even if I’m looking too far and that’s not what you meant at all. XD
+0.5 Good creativity use in bringing down the ceiling
-0.5 Sorry, but again the music wasn’t reflective of the level much

OVERALL – 14/20

What you did lack in fun you made up for in creativity. For this particular level, I think you just need to enhance gameplay AND the story. Liven up the graphics. For the series overall, the… same two things.

The touch of creativity reigns,

-SMIC

FUN – 7.75/10

The level did flow very smoothly, which I really liked. The platforming take was average, but you still managed to make it fun and playable. My problem was the length of the level. I could just whisk through it in two minutes flat, with the Hover FLUDD. I also didn’t like your use of off-screen placement… you can’t see things. Oh well, it served its purpose.

GRAPHICS – 3.5/5

For a brick tile-like level, the graphics were pretty good. I mean sure, there could’ve been some tricks you could’ve pulled off to incorporate décor, but there was no cut-off in tiling, and I like how you used vines. Another tip, however: In a brick level, don’t think only vines are your assets. There are things called rocks, you know. Also, if you go to the Bricks #1 Tileset, and scroll down to the very bottom, those brown bricks can stimulate soil for (gasp) plants!

OTHER – 4/5

+1 Good loading time and no lag
+0.5 The music usage was acceptable, though not used to its fullest potential, in my opinion
-0.5 There was an unbricked transition in the end that would’ve caused some… problems…

OVERALL – 15.25/20

Yeah, it’s a really nice entry. For a short level, it was acceptable. However, to make it better, I need more playtime-wise. But expanding the level will also mean I will demand more interesting concepts and not just jumping. Keep working on it. For graphics, try to incorporate some more décor instead of relying on vines to do the trick. And lastly just brick up that transition nearing the end.

Good job,

-SMIC

FUN – 5.5/10

Sorry, but it was a bit lacking in fun. I know you’re new, and it was nice for a newbie LDer, but the platforming methods were very basic. I applaud your use of green platforms, however you should vary platforms and speeds on those, as well as on the flipping platforms.

You should also never resort to enemy spam, like the one I saw with the Big Bullies nearing the end.

GRAPHICS – 1.75/5

The graphics weren’t the best either. There wasn’t any cut-off, but there was no décor whatsoever. I’m not penalizing for no tileset variation, but that would’ve been nice. Really just work on using sprites as graphical aids.

OTHER – 3.5/5

+1 Good loading time and no lag
-1 The music choice? I’m not sure.
-0.5 The red coin in the corner is not very visible

OVERALL – 10.75/20

It was a good effort for a first LDCer. Really just focus on adding more intricate platforming challenges, and hey, try a puzzle one every now and then. Really explore the décor section in the items as well.

Good job,

-SMIC

FUN – 9/10

Oh my God Volcove, if you’re trying for fifth, stop doing so amazingly. XD I doubt you’re even trying, are you? Anyway, I’d like to note a spelling error in the title which doesn’t matter. Either way, the level was really enjoyable. All of the concepts were brilliant. I particularly liked the indicator of the trio of coins.

The only flaw was that the difficulty was again, a bit raised, constraining the amount of people that can actually enjoy this level to its fullest extent.

GRAPHICS – 4.5/5

They were amazing again. However, I would’ve preferred more intricateness with the overall scene. Everything technical was correct – now let’s see you get artistic with your sprites and tiles Volc. ^_^

OTHER – 5/5

+1 Good loading time and no lag
+1 You pulled off all of the squishing acts VERY effectively, and all of the other impressive gimmicks in this level make this a +1
+1 Good music choice

OVERALL – 18.5/20

Volcove, I don’t believe you’re putting enough effort to get fifth. I think that’s a bit of a contradiction in itself, isn’t it? The level was amazing. Keep it up.

I was as strict as my LDC standards would let me (which sadly isn’t much at all),

-SMIC

Four levels is very risky. And a pain to judge. :3

Part 1

FUN – 8.5/10

TRYING TO TROLL US BY USING THE SAME LEVEL AGAIN? HUH? HUH? *shot* Anyway, nice level. I’ve played it before, and the concepts are really interesting. The storyline heavily enhanced it as well. I loved it. Only thing you could’ve done is put in some puzzle chall- *nuked* The only thing missing from the level is really something new. And don’t argue with me here, sometimes that new thing is a puzzle challenge, but you did pretty well with the platforming on words area.

But one more thing – I think the suicidal symbolism was lost in the end of the level. I preferred the other one.

GRAPHICS – 4/5

Solid graphics, but there was a bit of lava and sprite cut-off, and I need more décor please. Grammar and spelling on signs was flawless as usual, however.

OTHER – 4.5/5

+1.5 Music benefitted this level in particular BEAUTIFULLY.
+0.5 No lag
-0.5 Some odd loading times in transitions

OVERALL – 17/20

FINALLY, someone that broke the 16/20 barrier. Alright, so just refer to the points above to fix up this level and maximize its potential. A good start to the series, just pray to God that the next three levels keep this standard.

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Part 2

FUN – 9.5/10

There were a lot of things about this section that were amazingly fantastic and some things less so. Either way, I decree success. All elements – story, platforming, and other challenges bundled themselves up in this level to make a true masterpiece. That illusion room was beautiful. I got my fill of puzzle there. There were a few misleading things though. I wouldn’t have bothered to check the east wing (and I didn’t) to get the Silver Star because I didn’t think anything was over there. There needs to be a clearer indication.

And Ven, yay for blocks. But don’t tell me those were the ones you made when you were on with me on Chatango. D:

GRAPHICS – 4.9/5

Oh gosh. I have to give it to you. That level rivaled if was not better than the graphics of AoF. But MOD. WATCH THE SPRITE CUT-OFF. :3 Oh, and there were a few spelling and grammatical errors, but I won’t take too much off for that.

OTHER – 4/5

+1 The music enhanced the level acceptably
+1 Good loading time and no lag
-1 You could skip the part where you get up to the tip-top of the castle by just jumping on the solid stones surrounding the area.

OVERALL – 18.4/20

Your series is definitely on the right track. The concept of linking to Runouw.com was commendable. Only two more levels to cross your fingers to – although at this point I don’t think you have much to worry about.

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Part 3

FUN – 10/10

MY GOD THAT WAS EXHILERATING. That was EVERYTHING that a climax of a series should be! Beautifully, tragic, and TERRIFYING at the same time! Just everything was woven together so perfectly, and you illustrated everything magnificently! BRAVO.

Ven, that block boss is something I will remember. PLEASE, extract it and put it in our topic! PLEASEEEEE.

GRAPHICS - 4.75/5

Flawless again, just lava cut-off issues. Good grammar, and I just can’t express how epic that was.

OTHER – 5/5

+1.5 Music enhancement was brilliant
+0.5 Amazing use of materials
+0.5 Good loading time
-0.25 Small sections of lag

OVERALL – 19.75/20

YES. YES. All you have to do is FIX THAT CUT-OFF! Then that would be the flawless level. *sniff*

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Part 4

FUN – 9/10

Not as good as the part before it, but it was nice. It was really good for platforming, and again, the story was great. However, the earthquake made me want to vomit at times (sorry) and I thought I might have a seizure from epilepsy. Oh yeah and it made platforming a lot harder. :3

GRAPHICS – 5/5

You did a really good job again, although I couldn’t see much with the whole thing shaking like IMA FIRIN MA LAZAR, BLAHHH!

OTHER – 4.25/5

+1 Music was still used really well, my sincere congratulations for making the same song work four times.
+0.5 Good loading time
-0.25 This is preference, but I would’ve liked a Shine Sprite at the end…

OVERALL – 18.25/20

Alright. The conclusion? Well, I’m not sure what to say. For one, CLEARLY you both haven’t rusted at all. I would just tell you to watch out for cut-off with sprites and… keep it up.

Amazing,

-SMIC