MP3 AmplifierUnderground TempleTo the song “Go” by DelilahFun-7.5/10In some parts, there was very evident fun in this level. I enjoyed a lot of the platforming and schematics- the part with the mirror-like square room was super cool- and even though there were some less memorable parts, overall it was a well-constructed, fun underground level. But the biggest flaw was that when you fell in some places you had to do over and over again. This is entirely, entirely frustrating, especially in the end, where if you fell you literally had to do the whole level again.
Graphics-4.5/5The cave had its moments where it looked great, but overall it was quite plain. However, when we get to the temple, it looks magnificent. I loved the brick schematics of the level, it looked excellent and even managed to make the odd cave background feel authentic with it. Great job!
Other-2.75/5+0 The music was both fitting and unfitting for me. The instrumentals felt just like a cave type theme to me, it reminded me of the Flight of the Zinger from Donkey Kong Country 2. However, the lyrics are somewhat romance based, which was very out of place. So it evens out.
-1 Cases of border blindness are very evident, and it’s hard to cross some level transitions in the cave. It’s sadly most evident at the end of the level where you can, by no fault of our own, be dropped to the transition before the cave’s beginning.
+.75 I enjoyed the roundabout layout of the cave. It was quite original and pulled off very well.
Overall-14.75The one big problem weighed down the level a lot. Hopefully this is a lesson to playtest better, because otherwise this is your best level yet.
NworldsGhostly CaveTo the song “In The Gloomy Darkness” from Final Fantasy: Crystal ChroniclesFun-9/10This is possibly the best cave level I’ve ever played before. The platforming was great, the ‘gimmick’ of crossing beams of darkness was expertly done, the silver stars were integrated well, and the last room was brilliant. It wasn’t as annoyingly hard as prior levels (except for the Secret Room, which was so hard it was like stabbing my eyeballs) which was a nice break, and it had a remarkable Miyamoto effect (not only did it feel like a Mario level, it felt like a SM63 Level- Runouw effect?
) Overall, masterfully done.
Graphics- 4.75/5The worst it got was when the cave tiles looked a little bit off in connections from the top tile to the next layer, which was infrequent but there. Other than that, it was impeccable. Remarkable use of level transitions, and the tile usage was incredibly clever and well done, with just the right amount of décor. The cave tiles are my favorite to use, and you explore your possibilities with them. Great job!
Other-4/5+1 The music fit like a glove! Good choice!
-.5 I appreciate the want to add a secret level, but it seems pretty pointless to have it in another level right below it- kinda spoils the secret. There are plenty of ideas you could have used to “hide” the level, and it just feels like a second level. Nice try, though.
+.25 Nice usage of Shine Sprite in the Silver Star room, being able to confirm you have all the silver stars.
+.25 Also, it was clever, the way you used the red coin in Checkpoint 2.
Overall-17.75/20A remarkable, impeccable level that deserves every accolade it earns. On par with the best, and overall a great creation.
Star KingPlastic BeachTo the song “Empire Antz” by GorillazFun-9 /10I’ve always respected you as a designer, but it’s about now that I start to really admire you. This level was incredible, an experience I loved. There was rarely a dull moment. The puzzle elements flowed perfectly with the platforming elements, and the atmosphere was incredible, absolutely incredible. The last scene, the flying one, was simply glorious.
My biggest complaint is that retreading some parts of the first level and occasionally the second was quite boring- it’s hard to help but it was annoying. But it’s a small complaint to such a remarkably fun level.
Graphics-4.5/5Some of the ships looked a bit odd and un-ship-like, and the spin castle looked just a bit out of place, and other details like that needed some fine tuning, but overall, it looked not only great, but convincing. It convinced me that I was on a plastic beach, and it looked marvelous. Great job!
On a non-point related note, is it just me or does that building in level 2 look like the Cat in the Hat’s, well, hat?
Other-4/5+1.5- Song fit perfectly! I could see the album’s influences all through the level.
-.5 The secret area in part one was a good idea, but in the end, utterly useless and required you to retread the whole level for a few one ups and coins. If you had put a better secret there (shine, maybe? Something worth finding?) It’d have been worth it.
Overall-17.5/20Flaws and all, this was a remarkable experience I’d have over and over again. Great job, you have my full respect now.
Koopa TroopaDeath DayTo the song “Don’t Wanna Go Home” by Satan Jason DeRuloFun-4/10This wasn’t a bad level, really, but it wasn’t very good either. While the setup was nice with the red coins and it certainly wasn’t a drag to play, it was, in the end, forgettable and uninspired. It’s a good level for a beginner, but unfortunately not a contest winner.
Graphics-2.25/5Now, I will applaud you for minimal cutoff and some pretty neat tile arrangement in some areas, but it still had a long way to go. The theme wouldn’t call for much of it but some décor would have been nice, the tile arrangement, even in its best, was very blocky, and item placement was very, very awkward (i.e. Flipping platforms)
Other- 1.5/5-.75 The song doesn’t fit the theme at all (although in my opinion, listening to Jason DeRulo is the equivalent of a death day, so I’ll spare you a quarter point.)
-.5 The bully spam is, by levelmaking standards, unacceptable. You should never flood an area with too many enemies, especially ones as abrasive and challenging as Big Bullies. Spread the enemies out enough to give you wiggle room but close enough together to give you a challenge.
-.25 You should always leave a way to escape from the sprite if you haven’t gotten it yet. I’d hate to rocket up there and not have all the coins and it being inescapable.
Overall-7.75/20You have the initial makings of a good designer, but unfortunately your skill is nowhere near matured yet. Give it some practice, play some of the more famous levels (Look for 30 Days of WITBLOAT for a good start) and learn some more, and you’ll get there.
SuperMICThe Blood of Violet Hillto the song “Violet Hill” by ColdplayFun- 8.5/10When this level was fun, it soared. When it faltered, I wanted to chuck something at the wall. A lot of this is explained in “Other” but for the most part, it was a very entertaining level with good playability, nice platforming and a smooth story for the most part.
However, the puzzle room was severely annoying, near impossible (at some points impossible) and was impacted the worst by your poor editing skills (which I’ll kick your arse for in “Other.”) Also, it was evident that the ending was rushed, which was unfortunate. Overall, though, this could possibly be your best work yet.
Graphics-4.5/5The puzzle room was ugly as hell, but everything else was masterful. Not only did everything look immaculate, it felt like a whole world away from the world of Mario. You pulled off the atmosphere of the story very well, and it was entirely convincing.
Other- 3.5/5+.75 The story of the music fits very, very well. However, this is through little fault of your own, the music itself didn’t flow with gameplay that well at all. The intense rock parts would play as I was doing pushups and the quiet, romantic part at the end would play when I was fighting dragons. Overall, though, it was very story-based as intent so there’s not much faulting I could do.
-2 Why, why, why, why, why, why, why, why, WHY can you not edit worth a jack? There were unconnected doors (in the puzzle room, which infuriated me because I thought I was wrong), unfinished storylines, one of the flipping platforms wasn’t set up right which made the puzzle impossible (the real puzzle was figuring out how to make the puzzle work right) and the end… did you not notice that the designer glitched up and moved your tiles up fifty feet above the items, making the level untraversable? It screwed the level over to nearly being ruined.
+.75 The storyline about made up for this, though. Your integration of Runouw.com, XNR3 and the wars was well done, especially with it still fitting the song. The war atmosphere was thick and brutal, and it kept me entertained… while it was there. It was very evident that the story was very rushed, and towards the end it seemed nearly abandoned with MoD helping John out and suddenly la di dah everything’s happily ever after and WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WAR? Set it up for us and then forget about it? While it was there, though, it was epic.
+.5 The achievements, while breaking the general tone of the level, were entertaining to find, especially with some of them only being discovered by scrolling through the map on the designer page. I especially liked the pushup one.
-.25 Why train us for Bomb flinging when we only use it once again?
+.75 The dragon boss goes down in history for just pure epic battle-ness.
Overall-16.5/20It’s still a step up for your raw talent, but
FOR GOD’S SAKE MAN, EDIT IT! I cannot stress that enough!!!
DarkBlazeSnowbound In The Atmosphereto the song "Dark Star" from Kirby 64Fun-10/10I have to admit, I thought you were a good designer but here is where you get my full respect. It didn't drag for a moment. I was fully and constantly entertained. The difficulty was balanced, the exploration was awesome, the platforming was excellent and it felt like a 64 game in and of itself. I don't know how you mastered that but it was absolutely excellent. Possibly one of the most fun levels I've ever played and I can't wait to play it again.
Graphics-4.5/5There wasn't much extraordinary graphicswise, but it suits the job and you even manage to make the sky objects fit in well. The tiling was also very good, you made the snow theme work for you and with the space atmosphere (hehe pun)
Other-3.25/5
+.1 While normally I'd question what this song has to do with this level the beat of the music fits the pace and since this feels like it's for the N64, that helps it pass too.
-.25 It was fairly easy to skip some parts if you found all three FLUDDs beforehand.
-.25 Some mild lag, but none too crippling.
-.25 Oftentimes I'd hit an enemy when warping back to the hub. Replacing them would have helped.
Overall-17.75/20
Up to the talents of StarKing and other famed designers and a very, very strong level. Fantastic job.
NanTheDarkThis Is Warto the song "This is War" by 30 Seconds to MarsFun-9/10Not a level. An experience. A remarkable, driven, fast paced experienced driven by a simple, poignant and often powerful story. Simply remarkable.
Graphics-4.5/5Simple, but it's supposed to be. It feels like a war torn world, although the template for the second level felt off. Azarel looks impressive as well, if not a bit stiff.
Other-4.75/5+1.75 What made this level so remarkable is not only the impeccable music, but the near-perfect synch to the music. I’m not sure if it was you or me, but the music timed perfectly to every action. It started the buildup right until I went into the War Zone, when I was in the War the music went straight along with me, keeping pace with my playing until I hit the second level, by which time it was already three minutes in (just like you wanted.) The boss level also kept excellent time to the music, and it began to wind to the conclusion as soon as I defeated the boss and went home. It was half the thrill and the best out of all the levels by far.
+.5 It's also telling to see the lone Koopa in charge of the war. Brilliant storytelling move.
-.5 There was some lag, and with the pace of this level, not a good thing.
Overall-18.25/20What made this level, of all levels, my highest ranked is the exact loyalty to the theme and the brilliant experience of it all. Well done.
Nin10modeExtraterrestrato the song “Tomare!” by Aya Hirano Fun: 8/10I can’t say I found this as entertaining as the other levels, but it was assuredly very, very well done. The concept was pulled off well, you created a clean unity of puzzle and platforming and I enjoyed playing it. There were some rough spots and some that didn’t feel remarkable, and gameplay-wise this isn’t remarkable (it brings to mind levels by Zebtrestalala and Kirby859), but it is a good play I’d probably play again. Good job.
Graphics-5/5However, we get to graphics, and here my mind is blown into absolute bits. One of the best looking levels I’ve ever seen. You managed to blend odd tilesets together into something very authentic and amazing. Even the items seem to blend in right. Remarkable, Ninny, truly remarkable.
Other-3.25/5+.75 The music fits snugly, although it is little more than background music… if it’s linked to something anime or whatnot I apologize for not getting the reference, but it’s good music nonetheless.
-.5 Moderate lag in some places.
+.5 I liked the secret checkpoint with the rocket FLUDD.
-.5 The section with the orange block switch and falling platforms would have been a lot better were it possible to escape the switch, which I ended up hitting over and over and over again. I couldn’t move or get out of it, and I was forced to move the wing cap out of it. A nice concept but the execution was broken by an editing flaw.
Overall-16.25/20On a less heated battlefield this would have fared a lot better, but fear not for this is an excellent level nonetheless.
KaryeteMusic Madnessto the song “Traversing the Fortress-Aridia” from Ratchet and ClankFun-7.5/10It’s a nice, relatively clean platformer level with an interesting idea- visible music. I liked the attempt that you did, and it made for a great level, however, it’s just not quite possible to get it down perfectly. This is through no fault of your own- it’s just impossible to time the music and the game perfectly right, and then factoring lag, deaths and all of that into it, it’s just not going to synch perfectly. I admire your attempt and your approach though, and it makes up for any platforming flaws that may happen (very few, but mostly around the clock area.)
Graphics-3.25/5This isn’t supposed to be graphically sound, but I think the music in form of SM63 was pulled off relatively well.
Other-3.25/5+.75 Even though the music idea has nothing to do with the level (I see no fortress around these parts) the way it was incorporated was well done.
-.25 It makes little difference, but are you supposed to fall when getting the sprite?
-.25 The Hover Fludd was kind of supposed to make things easier, but it made things really easy here.
Overall-14/20The concept was probably the best attempt we’ll see, and it was an interesting play, if overall lacking.
JSlayerXeroRepetitively Originalto the song “Military Storm by [DjBjRa]Fun-7/10It was an interesting concept, and played out well. I didn’t find this level as boring as it could have been, even if repetitive, but there were some areas that were just boring (the white brick level, desert level.) The mini levels were nice and snug, but ultimately somewhat lacking.
Graphics- 4/5Some places were much too empty, but there were some interestingly rendered places (lava, jungle.)
Other-.5/5 (Sorry, bud, that's a half point, not 5. 
)-2 for being incomplete.
-.5- I didn’t think the music fit it that well. I mean, the concepts were similar but the music was very energized while the level was more subdued. You should have picked music that had the understated, artificial quality the level did. (My pick?
In Motion by Trent Reznor. Check it out.
)
Overall-11.5/20Even if it was completed, this level didn’t have a large amount going for it.
VolcoveParallel Spiresto the song “Ruse Rain” from Touhou 12.8: Fairy WarsFun: 9/10I’ve come to the conclusion that you make the best castle levels of anyone in the modern day and age. While this is in no way unexpected for you in terms of levelmaking, it’s a familiar comfort and something you do well. I would like to see you branch out some more, but I can’t complain much because, all in all, I enjoyed the level. It was a great play, and a great game. The platforming challenges were familiar but finetuned to an absolute perfection. It was frustrating in some points (those bullies on the closing walls made me want to stab the computer) but a lot of the challenges were unique in their own right. I enjoyed the challenge and when I got to the end, I felt like I accomplished something.
Graphics-5/5I have also come to the conclusion that you make the best looking castles of anyone in the modern day and age. I totally stole the idea to use the outside castle tiles inside castles from you, and the cutout windows and mesh of other tiles worked very well also. I especially liked the use of the toy-like blocks towards the end- I’ve never seen them used seriously before but it worked. It was a very remarkable looking level.
Other-2.75/5-.1 Here’s the issue I have with the level, though- in my own opinion, I don’t think it worked well with the level. In my opinion, the music (already simply background music to begin with) seemed more suited for a creepy castle than an airy, high-in-the-sky castle. And I also question why you’d use a Touhou song for a Zelda-hack influenced level. I have a feeling a Zelda based theme would have suited this level very well (hell, even the Temple music from SSBM would be pretty cool.) Touhou just seemed too out of place, too loud and in your face for this kind of level. I might get some flak for this, but hey, this’ll aid your fifth place quite heartily!
+.5 I’m also impressed with how tall you made the level feel while using a very cool trick of putting further stacks in different transitions. I’m gonna be using that tip.
+.25 I think gathering all five silver stars at once was pretty darn cool in itself- emphasized how awesome it was to finish that challenge.
Overall- 16.75/20The accordance to the theme was somewhat lacking, but overall this was a remarkable level.
The Masked OneTurbulenceto the song “Souen” performed live by Takuya Infinity and Abingdon Boys’ School.Fun: 3/10This was a basic platformer. Nothing more, nothing less. It was none too impressive and near impossible at some points, and overall poorly constructed. It had a good flow through quite a few portions at the very least.
Graphics: 2.25/5There was a lot of cutoff and the objects in the sky were pretty ugly, however, there were good portions. I really liked the pillars, I may be using that idea myself. The grass, even if cutoff, was decorated nice. Everything else, though, was dismissible or simply not a good looking level at all.
Other: 2.5/5+.5 I guess the music fit with the level but the live performance wasn’t really necessary.
-1- the level couldn’t be completed because the tiles you set up to the end were go-through tiles- essentially background. You can’t walk on them. That makes it evident that you didn’t playtest the level, and considering the amount of time between your finish and the contest’s end, that is simply inexcusable.
Overall: 7.75/20You have a lot of work to do before you are on par with the others. This involves playtesting and abiding by the basic essentials of levelmaking, which you still need to get down.
Posted: December 24th, 2011, 9:49 am
have you posted yours?