WITBLO13 Topic

[MessengerOfDreams]

Got the 20 levels worked into an order

Now it's just time for writeups

[Asterocrat]

So um, not trying to sound rude or impatient but...

Any progress? It's kind of September already

[~Yuri]

So um, not trying to sound rude or impatient but...

Any progress? It's kind of September already

I'm trying to finish my assignments, but real life has been getting in front of me lately. My notebook's charger broke I don't know how many ♥♥♥♥ times this month, and a lot of other stuff.

But don't worry, I've got only two levels left.

[MessengerOfDreams]

Alright, let's get to it.

2013 was an odd year. There wasn't nearly the reliance on LDCs that past WITBLOs had. There were only three as opposed to the 4, 5, or even 6 that
happened through some WITBLOs, and those didn't draw the sizable crowds they usually did. This meant that independent design, personal duels, or portal legends would get a pretty significant spot in the levels this year, somewhat moreso than usual. In addition, the list contains an eclectic crowd of designers. MP3, Star King, Volkove, MoD, DarkBlaze, and Nwolf would mark their third or fourth consecutive years on their list, and Blackyoshi would be the latest with a repeat consecutive appearance, but this year saw the resurgence of past favorites like Killswitch, Doram, Ayrayen, and NanTheDark, and some newcomers to WITBLO lore like Triple J, GMDragon11, 1018peter, and Yurimaster. Because of this, our selections were way more varied and of many different themes. How much did these projects impact the list?

It's time to find out.

Yurimaster graciously grabbed the levels here. Much thanks to him and Amp for helping decide the outcome, and thanks to both of them and Volkove for making lists.

#20- Bullet Hell II by Volkove
Written by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: The winner of the 2nd 25quared LDC

Type: Bullet Hell

Most Memorable Moment: Seeing some of the advanced bullet formations shoot out

After the first incarnation of a bullet hell in the 1st 25quared LDC failed to take a medal, Volkove upped his game with the second version and snagged the win away from some very stiff competition. For those who can last the while, it’s a harrowing yet entertaining endurance challenge, causing one to be quick on their feet, to adapt to the custom settings the editing forces upon Mario’s character, to marvel and dodge intense bullet arrangements, and more often than not, restart the level many, many times. Regardless, it’s a marvelous little trinket that transcends its 625 squares worth of limitations.

19. Bowser's Icy Stronghold by Doram
written by Yurimaster

Ticket to Fame: Placing 3rd in the 25th LDC

Type: Maze, Ice, Fire, Castle

Most Memorable Moment: The first transitions where the castle's interior is covered by snow.

Bowser's Icy Stronghold, while not filled with innovation, is a rather fun simple platforming, with sections of puzzle, and other kinds of gameplay. It is one of the few levels with huge contrasts of gameplay and graphics betwen sections, and surprisingly, one of the few where said contrast works properly. It's a really good level for both platforming and puzzle lovers, that will certantly entertain the players who like challenges.[/quote]

#18- SMS: The Ruined Temple by GMDragon11
Written by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: A portal hit that was a reimagining of an 18th LDC entrant from last year

Type: Temple, Sky

Most Memorable Moment: Maneuvering Mario through the vine-ridden open temple towards the top of the level

Finally unlocking his untapped potential, GMDragon hits a home run with this short yet sweet level. Part of his Super Mario Storyline series, GMDragon recreates a level very similar to his 18th LDC entrant, using some long-developed skill to create an elegant, smooth level throughout an unconventional yet flawless setting. The gameplay itself is a less-than-linear, yet very clean and well-done platformer with minimal bugs or flaws. Multiple paths to the same place can be taken, allowing for small tweaks on the level throughout every playthrough. The big eyecatcher is the graphics, as they weave through a golden temple in the sky overrun by vines and wildlife. Not needing a story or fancy tricks, the level still succeeds as a simple yet interesting platformer.

#17- Freezeflame Fortress by 1018peter
Written by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: Sixth place in the 25th Level Designer Contest (Fire/Ice, Desert Oasis, Bowser’s New Castle)

Type: Castle, Ice, Fire Field

Most Memorable Moment: Entering the ice chamber with six different possible rooms, emphasized by giant block numbers.

Every WITBLO seems to have at least one magnificent, innovative level weighed down by a litany of glitches and trouble spots. This year, that spot goes to Freezeflame Fortress. The elephant in the room is that there are more than a few bugs that kept it from placing higher in the LDC and in WITBLO, mainly in the fire section, and some find some of the segments incredibly frustrating. Regardless, 1018peter has some of the most innovative gameplay seen in ages tucked away here. He takes a lot of simple elements of the game and puts a dynamic new spin on them, such as a water room with a metal cap where the only way to survive is to hop on a Koopa shell. While some of it gets overblown a lot of it is some fantastic gameplay for those who can bear it, and really hides a lot of talented work inside of it.

16. Aeroforest Initiation by Killswitch
Written by Yurimaster

Ticket to Fame: Placing 3rd in the 24th LDC

Type: Snow, Ice, Forest, Sky

Most Memorable Moment: Rising up in the Sky after climbing the snow trees.

Killswitch surprised many with this level, which shows how some few platforming techniques can be transformed into full concepts, and give a rather fun, yet simple and hard challenge, using platforming concepts based in speed and agility. Aeroforest also doesn't disappoint in the graphics, and shows how well forest can go with snow and ice, and also how many concepts and gimmicks can be used graphically in this kind of level. This level certainly doesn't disappoint in any aspect, and may have inspired many designers with it's style.

#15- Ardam: The Magnificent Forest by DarkBlaze
Written by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: A ribbonist in the intensely crowded field of the 24th LDC (Forest)

Type: Forest, Tree

Most Memorable Moment: Climbing inside the trees as they grow larger

DarkBlaze takes the simplicity of his pure platformers a step further, going bold with a towering forest that allows one to weave through the trees. Keeping the charm of his gameplay design with some pure platforming and intelligent platformer design, DarkBlaze adds to the formula graphics that are not only beautiful, but innovative and impressive. While it doesn’t reach the graphical heights of Frost Glade and is often a bit rough around the edges, the idea still remains, and with his third charting in WITBLO in a row, it proves to be effective. DarkBlaze has proven in the past that with a little you can do a lot, and by giving everything a lot more volume, he still gives us a lot to enjoy.

#14- Fresh by Triple J
Written by: MP3 Amplifier

Ticket to Fame: Being mentioned as one of JJJ's best 2013 levels for the sheer amount of effort put into it

Type: Platformer, Multiple Paths

Most Memorable Moment: The moment you find out that the level can be replayed in so many different ways

This level is one of the few this year to be entered into WITBLO, despite not being entered for a duel or LDC. While it's not his best work, Triple J still impresses us all with what you think is a regular portal level, but is in fact nothing of the sort. I think the phrase "never read a book by its cover" is extremely fitting here- while the outer shell of the level looks far from complicated, there is so much more going on underneath the surface. The big twist? You can never play this level the same way twice, unless your intention is to follow the exact same paths.

#13- Mythical Hollows by Star king
Written by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: The second half of an intense duel between himself and Blackyoshi

Type: Cave, Labyrinth, Ruins

Most Memorable Moment: Jumping up and down green platforms in the chutes of the ruins to hit a switch while dodging laser fire.

Having just barely lost in the duel to Blackyoshi’s level and just barely beaten him here, this level is a shining example of just how evenly matched the two designers are in their element. Star king has hit a stride in platforming, as evidenced last year by Dragon Valley and this year by two more entrants, the first being Mythical Hollows.

The style in and of itself is a wondrous graphical anomaly, combining a myriad of structure and nature tiles to create an ominous cave ruins that looks unlike anything else in designing. The platforming, while often a bit too frustrating, runs smoothly in its peak excellence with just enough tricks to make it stand out while still helping us understand the level and how to address it, making up for any rough patches. The level ends with an excellent throwback to possibly the first ever block boss, combining nostalgia with the new age of 2013, a five-WITBLO difference.

Star king shows his talent in full color in this stellar sample, and it’s a level that is both amazing and sensible.

#12- Meta Madness by -BlackYoshi
Written by MP3 Amplifier

Ticket to Fame: Winning a strong and talented duel between BY and Star king

Type: Factory, Underground, Mechanical

Most Memorable Moment: Being chased by the cage blocks after you enter the second section

Produced from possibly one of the tightest duels in history, Meta Madness was an immediate success with level designers, even if the creator himself does not believe it is. The level exhibits a clear, confident vibe; something that not many designers can pull off, and especially not in a platformer only level. Ranging from the fresh graphics and tile combinations to the mechanical, Level4-inspired gameplay, this unique design is slightly underestimated by the fact that it isn't more well-known.

#11- The Vast Unknown by Volkove
Written by MP3 Amplifier

Ticket to Fame: Winning a hit duel between BY and Volkove at the beginning of 2013

Type: Sewer, Pipe, Puzzle

Most Memorable Moment: The green platform snakes, got to be

Vast Unkown, being yet another continuation of Volkove's masterpiece "Into the Depths", once again places you in a familiar environment filled with new rules. The detail of the design in this level is absolutely extraordinary and the aim of the platforming is to take you out of your comfort zone, making this quite a challenging experience. While it may not live up to the massively high standards of the original, that still in no way holds it back. It still excels in bringing you down to the confusing, dark atmosphere that the whole collection of these levels has to offer, and it rarely ever becomes dull.

#10- Shallow Water Ruins by Yurimaster
Written by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: A level that won by a landslide in a duel against NanTheDark

Type: Ruins, Water, Cave

Most Memorable Moment: Maneuvering through the intricate ruined caves

An underrated level, this piece brought one of the best set pieces in 2013’s level designing. Despite being a bit tricky to navigate, the water ruins are simply massive, leading to an extensive, engrossing play. The gameplay makes great work of some old and new tricks, using every advantage it could get to make the level a dynamic play. The key dynamic is the exploration abilities; it’s not overly convoluted, but there’s a lot to observe and delve into through the Shallow Water Ruins. With multiple paths, a ton of unique challenges, and lots of intrigue left by the silence that lets the location do the talking, Shallow Water Ruins excels as one of the forgotten masterpieces of 2013.

9. Exitus by Blackyoshi
Written by Yurimaster

Ticket to Fame: Being a highly appreciated portal level.

Type: Factory

Most Memorable Moment: Passing by each different colored room.

Exitus is one level you won't easily forget after playing once. It's style, using unique colors for each roo but also making said tiling beautiful is something innovative. It's a level that sets it's factory atmosphere really well, with the metalic tiles everywhere, yet not losing it's unique style. The gameplay also doesn't disappoint. Innovation can be found everywhere in this level, each room having gameplay styles never seen before, with innovation in each of them. May be frustating for new players, but it's difficulty can be altered, by choosing, or not choosing to use a hover FLUDD. Exitus is certaintly one of the most notable portal levels of 2013, and one of the few factory levels to be successful.

8. Weather Works by Triple J
Written by Yurimaster

Ticket to Fame: Winning 4th place in the 23rd LDC, and winning the best level award in the Runouw Votes: Summer 2013

Type: Weather, Fire, Water

Most Memorable Moment: Passing under the rainy dark clouds.

Weather works is an unique level. It not only has unique graphics, with amazing platforming, but also uses a concept never used before. Weather. Triple J not only pulled an unique concept, but also made it work masterfully. With unique and challenging platforming everywhere, having the player to use FLUDD, and lots of other inventive techniques to get through the level. The graphics were also amazingly unique. Not only the level overall looked beautiful, but he also made it astounding looking sometimes, using things people never used before, such as rain, fire background, and great tiling patterns. One of the best works of Triple J yet, and one of the most memorable levels of this year.

#7- Science War by MP3 Amplifier
Written by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: The winner of her own 23rd LDC (Science).

Type: Science, Space, Buildings

Most Memorable Moment: Walking on neon-colored smoky nothingness in space

What Antichesm started and Blind Experiment beta-tested, Science War finished. Among all of her smaller series, it has all of the textbook skills Amp possesses refined and shining. The story is fantastic, containing all of the emotion her series has within it, and the graphics contain some of the best set pieces within it, utilizing glitches and tricks to create the most unfathomable sights in a SM63 level. The gameplay matches the stakes everything else sets for it- it’s tricky, it’s unique, it’s inventive, and it gets more and more intense as you go. It goes through optimism, through melancholy, and several other dynamic emotions that many stories don’t go through as powerfully in the LD scene, with an especially powerful ending. Amp showed what she was capable of last year with Tearing Paper, but now she’s shown that she can do it whenever she damn well pleases.

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Fun fact: The #6 level was 6th on all four lists, the only time such a coincidence has ever happened.
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6. Bowser's Forgotten Castle by Nwolf
Written by Yurimaster

Ticket to Fame: Winning the 25th LDC

Type: Castle, Desert, Ice, Fire

Most Memorable Moment: The last transition and all of it's challenges.

Bowser's Forgotten Castle is a level that will surely become a classic in the future. The gameplay contains one of the biggest Nwolf trademarks, the challenging platforming. But don't get it wrong, Nwolf's levels are hard to a degree everyone can enjoy with a little bit of platforming skills, without being either impossible or frustating. This level, is another to use the three themes of the LDC into a single level, making it really unique in comparison to some others. With ruined desert sections, the evil feel of a Bowser castle, and then add the Freezeflame theme of the LDC, you have one of the best looking levels Nwolf has ever made, and a level with a great atmosphere overall. This level, like lots of other Nwolf levels too, contains one extra challenge, for hardcore players who love challenges. This level is rather unique, and certaintly will be remembered in the future.

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We're at the top 5, ladies and gents. JSlayer/Nan, Amp, MoD, Ayrayen, and Star king. With only one former WITBLO winner in the running, we stand an 80% chance of getting a new one.
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#5- Hall of the Editor by JSlayerXero & NanTheDark
Written by MP3 Amplifier

Ticket to Fame: Placing second in the 23rd LDC (Science-themed), and significantly boosting the popularity of both designers

Type: Story, Clockwork, Puzzle, Extreme Platforming

Most Memorable Moment: Reaching the tavern, based on our own forums

While this style of level has been used before, it has never been used to this extent. When we say a level contains extremely fast platforms, use of clock items in nearly every setting, overuse of tile mixing and even undefined or glitchy tiles/items, we ultimately assume that the person who created this level has really not got a clue about the level designer and how it works.

And therefore we find ourselves in a position to judge. However, the irony is, that this theory could not be more wrong. The whole point of this extremely puzzling and weird level is that we see the exploitation of the level designer to its fullest- but it is pulled off in a way that no other level or series has ever managed to pull off. It's been executed so carefully and cleverly, that the extremes in platforming and the exploitation of the items and glitches have been used to help us progress through the level. And again, unlike any new to SM63 designer who may be attempting this outcome, the aspects of the level that should be considered tedious have actually excited us.

The whole atmosphere of the level and the story engages us so immensely that we feel energised and exhilarated. As the player, we are constantly on our feet, which means that it never becomes boring. In fact it is such a speedy level that towards the end when it starts to calm down, you realise just how thankful you are that you can finally give your hands a rest.

Overall, even though it didn't win the LDC it was entered for, it is a truly remarkable achievement from both designers. They genuinely deserve so much praise for making something so complex and out-of-the-box from just a simple level designer.







4. Mario and Luigi's Great Escape by MP3 Amplifier
Written by Yurimaster

Ticket to Fame: Receiving a score of 15.95 in the 25th LDC while unfinished, and Being a highly revered level series afterwards.

Type: Storytelling, Castle

Most Memorable Moment: Fighting all the bosses on level 3, or the final battle with Bowser.

This level, is unique in a way only MP3 can do. Mario and Luigi's Great Escape is one level with a rather simple story, with Mario and Luigi being trapped by Bowser inside his castle. However, this level has far more than story to offer.

Starting with the gameplay, this level is full of twists you'll never see in any other level. From levels you can only play as Luigi to be able to get through, to fields with strange triangle shaped, flame throwing creatures. But this level also has far more than simple platforming to offer too. Something that made this level unique, in an inventive way for each: Bosses.

This level series contains 7 block bosses, 6 in the 3rd level, and the final in the 4th, which is quite a big number of bosses for a five level series. Each boss has an uniqe room for them, but also an unique gameplay for each. The graphics as aways, were amazing looking. With every room in all the levels having a different color scheme, and with different decoration schemes in each too. The blosses were also, amazingly well constucted graphically, not looking weird. This level is one of the most unique in this LDC, and certaintly one of the most innovative.

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Good news, everyone!
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I didn't win! Woooooo!

*streamers and party music commence*


3. Sympathy for The Devil by MessengerOfDreams
Written by Yurimaster

Ticket to Fame: Winning 2nd place in the 25th LDC, even though it got the highest score from all the judges.

Level Type: Storytelling, Snow, Fire, Castle

Most Memorable Moment: The extra level with the ending.

MoD's trademarks are the extremely long, yet captivating storytelling levels. Sympathy for the Devil is no exception.

With a superb story, this level series is one of the few to make good use of the Mario universe, making it fit well with the story, and executing it in an amazing way. Add the atmospheric music, and you have one of the best stories in SM63 level designing. The graphics also were a pretty strong point in this series. With amazing snowfields, fiery battlefields, massive castles and factories, this level was really unique in this aspect because it didn't stick to only one theme, and made all of them look amazing.

Another thing that deserves mention, is the music. The music was amazingly well executed here too. Because not only it fits with the story, but also with the scenary, going well for both the location the player is at, and the situation of the player in the story, adding a breathtaking, synchronized atmosphere, which gave the feel of playing a movie.

The gameplay, even though this was a story level, was really well executed. With soft alternating betwen gameplay and story, not having a massive row of signs one after another all the time, but also not overfilling it with gameplay and forgetting about the story. Overall, I'd risk to say this is one of the best creations MoD ever did. This level is a must play for all the storytelling lovers, and even for those who don't like stories at all, I'm certain this level will change your mind about them.







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We're down to our final 2. The most famous portal level of the year and the most famous level series of the year. This year's Final Rush versus this year's Dark. Will the former 10th placer of 2009 surprise everyone and take the win out of nowhere just like he did in the 24th LDC, or will the designing legend take the win with a level from his series?
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#2- Arctic Ruins by Star king
by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: The next installment in Star king’s much hyped Super Mario Countdown, a globally based level series of pure platformers- preceded by Dragon Valley, succeeded by Candy Coaster.

Type: Ruins, Snow, Ice

Most Memorable Moment: Getting thick into the frozen ruins

What worked for Star king to get him into top 4 and the support of the people last year worked again this year, pushing him into number two. It was only the dramatic re-entry of our winner out of deep ♥♥♥♥ left field that keeps him from winning; regardless, this level shows why Star king is the best designer consistently working in designing today.

Arctic Ruins does what Dragon Valley did, and does it even better, allowing him to beat all three of the people who bested him last year. The platforming is smoother, more crisp, and has virtually no flaws in it. The layers that the level incorporates allows one to try an infinite amount of paths with no detour or obstruction. You could play it tons of different ways despite there only being a few linear paths because of the way it intertwines and overlaps like DNA.

The graphics, while not as high-concept as Dragon Valley, are much, much crisper. The design choices bring the theme to life while also creating a unique, unforgettable template. It incorporates the same mishmash textiles of various tiles that Star king has had a fancy for in recent times, contributing to Star king’s signature style and also creating a dynamic design that’s a step up from the average level. It looks both unique and natural to the level itself.

It’s rare that such a simple level does so well in WITBLOs, and in fact the last pure platformer to place as high as #2 was The Final Rush from 2009, the very first year. If any pure platformer was to make it this high up, it would certainly be Arctic Ruins; one of the best levels ever by one of the best designers ever.


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Show of hands, who predicted at the beginning of 2013 that a mid-tier designer from the early days would show up and curbstomp everyone on how to design a level? Anyone who raised your hand, congrats on the utter clairvoyance.
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#1- Keel's Hatred and the Jungle Sprite by Ayrayen
Written by MP3 Amplifier

Ticket to Fame: Winning the 24th LDC (Jungle Forest) with a huge score of 17.38, the highest score of the year overall

Type: Jungle, Temple, Story, Ruin, Challenges

Most Memorable Moment: The breathtaking ending to the whole series, and the journey your emotions take while playing the levels

Perhaps one of the biggest comebacks in level designing history, we watch as Ayrayen guides us into one of the deepest stories ever created for Super Mario 63. For what was originally a light-hearted game, this may be a cause of controversy.

However, there is no denying that at the very least, it is breathtaking and beautiful. The background of the story is pulled right from the depths of the heart and can find its way to connect with every single one of us, making the series a truly outstanding and unique result. Besides, while the level is in itself a masterpiece, the message that supports it is extremely powerful; teaching us about the world and humanity.

The creator himself was increasingly well-known for his struggle and battle with depression, a topic that not many people are comfortable to dive into. For this reason, I find the series not just engaging and gripping, but also inspirational. Ayrayen did something so brave when he designed this, as he didn't just tell any story, he told his own in one of the most creative and healthy ways possible. Pouring emotion into any form of art is a skill that I find to be most genuine and pure, and the fact that he has this skill is what makes his work so impressive and why he deserves all the praise he received for this piece.

Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to announce this as the best level of 2013. It's a true testament to the talent and effort that was put into this work of art and I hope that it shines with as many people as possible. Due to the way everything links together, the gameplay, the graphics, the story, the music, I can sincerely conclude that...

...in its own individual way, this series is the definition of perfect.

~MP3[/quote]

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The most eclectic and interesting year of level designing you could imagine ends in the most eclectic way you could imagine. Congrats on Ayrayen for making potentially the most mindblowing story and unique series in designing history. You without a doubt deserve your place at #1 and in WITBLOAT.

This was a quieter year, and made some afraid for the future of designing. Regardless, if the talent shows anything, it's that there's always a legend to find even in the places you never would expect.

Peace out and see you for WITBLO14, but more importantly, the WITBLOAT of the last 5 years combined. I look forward to getting the public more involved next time.

~MoD

[~MP3 Amplifier~]

\o/ There were no dramatic waits this time. :p

[MessengerOfDreams]

The dramatic wait was like nine ♥♥♥♥ months, I don't need to add even another few seconds lol

[Nwolf]

oh god I am 6th again

hi Ghostly Cave

[Supershroom]

As I'm the one who is supposed the WITBLO13 Tribute (as soon as I've finished the WITBLO11 one and Amp finishes the WITBLO12 one), I'm rather thankful you've put Bullet Hell to the end. So I can just copy its code instead of placing all 300+ bullet bills

[~MP3 Amplifier~]

This post by ~MP3 Amplifier~ was thumbed up by: 2

MessengerOfDreams (September 5th, 2014, 10:54 am) • Nwolf (September 5th, 2014, 11:36 am)

[NanTheDark]

Yaaaaaaaay Xero and I are insane