Horror Survival - Deadville Hollow Open world exploration

http://lbp.me/v/z1-39w

This is a top down survival horror game based around a dark gloomy town and a (Yes i know yet another) hospital. The map is large and open world so there is a lot to explore and see. I have gone for a highly detailed map with many aspects and interesting locations.

You must earn 5000 points to win the level and prizes. This can be done by just killing zombies or escorting survivors scattered around the town to the safe house. There are also hidden prizes to be found around the map.
Tried to make it fun and challenging at the same time.

There are now four weapon options you can switch between, the Shotgun, flamer and twin sub machine pistols use ammo and require ammo packs found throughout the level but the standard sub-machine gun is infinite ammo but must reload every time you use up its rounds.
There is also a flash light that will need to charge once it turns off and a it can slightly hurt the zombies.

Its one to two players only because of the amount of detail i have put into it producing a reasonably high temperature gauge, however it is still playable and as far as i can tell there are no glitches.

Just want some honest opinions about this level. If you think it will be better coperative or versus please tell me.

There have now been quite a few updates to gameplay and various other changes. There are three main zombie types and an extra type that only appears with two players. There is also a larger monster that only appears when you have earned over 2000pts.
The fire zombies are immune to the flamethrower and the gas zombies are weak to fire.
There is also a drivable truck that can be used to help search the map.

Cars and buses are destructible and can attract zombies to them if the alarm goes of. There are 4 survivors to be found and many prize bubbles with items from the level.
Blood effects are also a new addition to the game. Lighting effects for ambiance and background sounds have also been added.

I am thinking of expanding this game to have more game modes. If your interrested check out my new thread for the project.
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/sho...684#post886684

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag7mzJRxRfE
Video by koltonaugust
http://i0.lbp.me/img/ft/64040a4aff04...325f4d905c.jpg
http://i4.lbp.me/img/ft/7742f7aa2c3b...7ffce860b4.jpg
http://i7.lbp.me/img/ft/4074c9885b25...a4d7735bc5.jpg
http://i0.lbp.me/img/ft/1202743a2f36...f9e6fc9296.jpg
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/att...chmentid=35694

Looks promising. I can't play right now though, as my PS3 and LBP are in a different country. It could be year.

So I'm just lurking around the forums.

Sorry for bumping this level but i have now made it an F4F level seeing as i think it should have more plays then it currently does and would really appreciate some good feedback.

I would like ideas for the actual controls such as should i use dual stick controls or not.

Will try it tomorrow. Queuing up!

Played it

The Good:
-Reminds me of Dead Nation
-Survivor idea is unique
-Scary atmosphere
-Lots of detail and props

The Bad:
-AWFUL controls, try and use a Joystick rotator for the controllinator instead
-Flashlight doesn't really do anything
-Survivors are ALWAYS in my way when im trying to shoot
-Shooting doesn't seem to want to work when I need it too

F4F please

Just like what Nick930930 said: The Good:
-Reminds me of Dead Nation
-Survivor idea is unique
-Scary atmosphere
-Lots of detail and props

The Bad:
-AWFUL controls, try and use a Joystick rotator for the controllinator instead
-Flashlight doesn't really do anything
-Survivors are ALWAYS in my way when im trying to shoot
-Shooting doesn't seem to want to work when I need it too

I would say the two most bad parts about your game are the controls and survivors in your way...
Other than that I like the game.:)

Hi - I touched on a top down design myself, so this looks interesting..
got this queued for later.
cheers. :)

Thanks for playing Nick930930 and Ares_26 i have already queued some of your levels and will play them soon.
I really appreciate any feedback to improve my levels. The control system was created like it was because it suited me and i found it easy but seeing as a few people hate it i shall try to fix it.

Should it be dual stick controls or should it use only the left stick to move and turn? I like Dual stick controls because you can use them to run backwards while shooting and straff.
What exactly do you mean by Shooting doesn't seem to want to work when I need it too? The main weapn is desighned to reload after using the ammo clip is this good or horrible.

I have updated the torch light to hurt the zombies when shined at them but it has limited battery power that runs out after a while then recharges.

Wow great level dude. Reminded me of dead nation and that game really rocked.
When I played it I got off too a slow start but after a few minutes of getting used to the controls i really began to enjoy it. i wouldn't have a clue how to make a level like this so kudos on all the tech work. The controls and aiming system did seem a little floaty but you do get used to them. I managed to locate three survivors but the zombies did for me as I took them to the safe house. The only feedback i can offer in way of improvement would be to suggest adding some invisble lightboxes to add extra lighting in tones of purple/ green/ red to give the player a better view of the action. This sort of lighting scheme was used in dead nation and in those classic top down shooters Loaded and Re-Loaded to great effect.

F4F: http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/sho...267#post856267

I think you need an advancaed mover for left joystick to control movement. And a joystick rotator on the character assigned to the right joystick to control aiming.

It isn't clear that the character is reloading. I would suggest taking out reloading all together to mimic a classic twin stick shooter. Maybe if you want to keep reloading, add more clear signs that he's reloading like sounds or a giant hologram that says RELOADING lol

Thanks for playing EnochRoot glad you enjoyed it. I have already queued your level and its on my list.

I havent played dead nation or really heard of it to be honest but everyone here seems to like it so i might look into it. Loaded and Re-Loaded are also new to me.
Ok scrap that i just checked it out while writing this it looks real fun might have to get it.

I might try to add some lighting but really i wanted it dark and scary but i can see where your coming from. A great looking game with nice atmosphere to me makes it an enjoyable play. I might also give the zombies glowing eyes so that in the dark the eyes are all you'll see.

Nick930930

I was using an advanced rotator at first but i will change it to a Joystick rotator and see what happens. I am also already using an advanced mover. Could you please suggest what speed and strengh the joystick rotator should be because i don't really like it at 360 and strength 50 dosen't feel right, but like i said i must have a different preference to controls than most people.

Hi - just played your level and I must admit I did like it..
The atmosphere was great and I thought the music did fit well, I would have liked more cameras to focus in on certain areas and then back out for the road travel sections.
The cam angle changed as I was outside a fuel station I think, which added to the game well.
The dead or zombies needed I thought less shots to kill them, as I just found myself dodging them in the end.
Can I suggest a small map of some kind, doesnt have to be in game with perhaps just the road layout, so you get a feel of where things are?

Overall great and did spend quite some time on it having a look around..

Thanks F4F.

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Can I suggest a small map of some kind, doesnt have to be in game with perhaps just the road layout, so you get a feel of where things are?

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I like this idea but not sure how to implement it. Mayby i could make a town map at the start that you could look at. hmmmmm definately something to think about.
Also i will see what i can do in the way of camera angles.

Thanks Flatbadger. I'm actually playing your level right now.

I played your level today and I had a fun time with it, it's a good and solid zombie level. The visuals were creepy and the ambiance was perfect for a zombie level. I also liked how big you made the map, it made it more fun to explore especially all the interior buildings.

As for the gameplay, overall it was good but I have a few suggestions. As a few people have said, it got annoying how survivors blocked your shots, especially when they were taking damage and you couldn't protect them because they got in the way of all your shots. Also I think it should be a bit harder because you can kill any zombie easily by just backpeddling while shooting, maybe add some stronger or faster zombies. Also I found a glitch where if you entered and exited the safe house you would get 1000 points every time, so long as you didn't step on the scoreboard. It's a fun level overall, and I hope to play more of your creations :D

Please give my level a go when you have the time: Enigmatic Music Pack

Thanks for playing roflwaffle

Unless anyone has any ideas on the survivors theres not much i can do seeing as if i make the bullets able to pass through them then they will be able to pass through everything. Although the flamthrower does go through them i think so can be used in this situation.
I do have some glowing green zombies that turn up now and again that are faster and more powerfull but maybe i need more of them. Now that i have built my Castle Defence level it has helped me with a lot of logic so I am also working on some flaming zombies that can shoot fire at you which using sequencers will arrive after a little while of play.
I am actually thinking of making part two of Deadville that will resolve aound a train station and maybe some underground subway with more enemies of different types. But this is still just an idea.

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Also I found a glitch where if you entered and exited the safe house you would get 1000 points every time, so long as you didn't step on the scoreboard

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I will fix this now should be simply making it a one shot.

I'm definately strugling to make the controls work to peoples liking so if anyone could show me a diagram or something to make the charracters move the way they should it would be very appreciated.

Sorry for the bump but i have updated a few aspects of the level now and would like to see what people think or if anyone has any ideas that could help.

Updates
controls
The controls are still pretty much the same but i tweaked them a little so they feel better, but that's just my preference. I might make the playable character a prize to find at the start so that hopefully some one would be able to investigate it and help me with the movement controls. In tried using a Joystick Rotator as this is what some people have said works best but it felt jolty and was even harder to aim. Maybe i'm just doing something wrong.
Lighting and Effects
Seeing as lighting makes people happy i have implemented some different forms of lighting to the level along with some more camera angle changes on certain pieces of interest though i'm still working on the camera angles. The title and cinematic tutorials now are completely shippable. I realized that using the camera built into the magic mouths on a sequencer you couldn't use your controller so i now use movie cameras with the magic mouths just showing subtitles. Everyones right it is similar to Dead nation.
Zombies
The zombies now have cool glowing eyes and should be slightly easier to kill they also no longer sit next to you not hurting you unless you move away then touch them again. I lost my original zombie models so took this one from my castle defense level so they might be a little more dangerous then before so if anyone thinks they are too hard just tell me and i will change them to make them easier.
I have now incorporated green glowing gas spilling zombies and fire starter zombies who are a little tougher and wreathed in flames. These are found at certain parts of the map.
Survivors
All survivors have more health now though i think i've made the zombies too bitey. As i know the level inside out i find it easy to play so i'm sure about how tough the zombies are for others.
The survivor in the aussie hat has been given a shotgun which he fires at any zombies chasing him. This isn't quite perfect yet as he uses quite a bit of thermo but it does help him survive.
One of the other survivors has a ultra violet flashlight that hurts zombies as it touches them. Again still not perfected but i'm eventually hoping to make him auto rotate to zombies around him and follow the player at the same time.
Weapons
Your standard gun reloads faster so you can shoot zombies quicker and the twin machine pistols fire at a faster rate making them more efficient too. I'm working on the flamer still to make it fire past survivors so you can kill the zombies eating them better. As i said before the flashlight, though slow, can also kill zombies so it can be used to shine past your survivors at the zombies chasing them. Remember though it runs out of battery power and has to recharge.
Things
The gas station fuel pumps have been made more deadly to zombies, so have the red explosive barrels in the area. I may place more explosive barrels around the map though temperature is nearing burning point:(

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Also I found a glitch where if you entered and exited the safe house you would get 1000 points every time, so long as you didn't step on the scoreboard

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This should be fixed as well but i didn't get a chance to test it.

I hope you all like these changes and if there's any problems or you think something just doesn't suit don't hesitate to inform me. Thanks.

Seems to be cool! Queued!!! :)

Queued, will play later on & let you know.

Love twin stick shooters.

Okay another update.

I have played a few top down zombie levels latley and decided that my level needed to have some aspects i haven't seen in other peoples levels yet so i have made a few new changes mainly involving the look of the level and basic controls.

Most cars in the level are now destroyable. If zombies are near them when they explode they will be hurt or killed and most of the time catch fire. Also afterpeople told me this level was very simular to Dead Nation i went and downloaded it as one of the free games for the welcome back thing for the psn.
I have t say as i was playing i realised that my level was near enough a replica of Dead Nation.
I have also made some cars alrms go off when shot to attrct zombies to them (This idea i stole directly from Dead Nation.)

Once question i want to ask people is should i actually change the name of the level to Dead Nation - Deadville Hollow as it so simular. I have noticed that a few levels using this name have had many more playes then i am getting at the moment and their levels are so basic it's unbelievable how my level is barley getting noticed.
I have made my level unknowingly closer to the real Dead Nation than anyoth LBP level i have played using the name and i feel this level is a good matchfor the real thing.

If anyone thinks otherwise please inform me and help me with what i should really consider with it.

I haven't read any of the reviews, so I'll just point out what I've noticed while playing your game.... and you know to take my criticism with the mindset that I'm only trying to help you improve your game, even enough to personally go in and help you with tough logics.

I'll go ahead and mention some of the PROs and CONs first, then make some suggestions on improvements.

PROs
•Awesome huge environments
•Great lighting effects
•Neat little title screen
•Skippable Intro
•Weapon varieties
•Zombie varieties
•Survivors
•Car/Fuel explosions
•Multilevel exploration
•Clever advertisement of other created games
•Fun
•Unlock hidden character at title screen by pressing Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right..... nah, just kidding

CONs
•Control
•Lack of zombies, needs more on screen
•Survivors..... move it or lose it
•Safe house spawn health and ammo too fast, high risk of noobs camping out

Well, I'm not one to say much about CONs in a game, but I'll address each one accordingly.

•Controls.... well, you got the walk speed just about right, but when you turn.... it's like you're turning in first person view, which does not work for a top down game. Highly suggest replacing your current rotation with the Joystick, this will allow for better aiming.

•I honestly thought that the game was far too easy, I did not felt threaten even while running around trying to collect zombies to surround me. There was no challenge there, at least not for me. You can practically just run and gun the whole game without getting a single claw mark. Maybe make the zombies a little faster. Maybe have more zombies spawning. Maybe a stronger set of zombies. Maybe all of the above. There has to be that sense of challenge or the feeling of pride when you take down a mob of dead folks.... you know... the excitement of being ambushed... Add that and you got yourself a much better game.

•Though I like the idea of having survivors and saving them for bonus points.... however, these survivors tend to more often than not, get in the way of my awesome aiming ability, registering me useless. Only being able to do harm with a flashlight... I didn't know flashlights were lethal. I know, probably some poor noob cried about the game being too hard and suggested that you have the flashlights do harm.... I'd take that away, I thought it was rather silly. Unless these dead beings were spiritual and could only be harm by light, then I'd understand, but zombies.... I thought it was actually cool when you had one of the survivors actually armed and ready to blast zombies away, that was a plus for me, but the other survivors were useless and made it more frustrating to kill zombies on the way to the safe house.

•Aw the safe house..... too safe if I might add. Right after taking the ammo and health packs, it respawned almost immediately, this can be abused, since you have an unlimited supply of machine gun ammo and health. The first play through, I was honestly lost, I could not find my way to the safe house.... I'd suggest you making a guideline to the safe house when acquiring any one or more survivors. This can be done very easily, if you need help with that, just let me know.

Okay enough with that, now onto the stuff I enjoyed about the game.

The lighting effect was very nice, it helped build up that atmosphere of a rundown city, a dark cold night, littered with zombies just waiting to munch on the flesh of the first live victim they see. The huge environment just adds to the sheer amount of detail that I know you're known for. Which a gamer like myself can appreciate. The title screen was neat, but a little more blood would be cool. Here's one thing I love, a skippable intro!!!! I don't like it when creators have these super long intros that they force you to watch every time you replay their games... making it skippable and getting to the gameplay is always a plus for me. Though 3 is a decent number for weapons, I thought maybe add more weapons, but you do have all your basic anti-zombie arsenal, you are missing ONE particular gun, that would be the shotgun.... it's like in every zombie movies and games. I believe there were 3 to 4 different types of zombies in this game, can't remember. I felt they were very weak, maybe have a little more, or at least stronger ones, but Usually other games only have one single type of zombies, so with you having more than one, it's a plus for you. The survivor idea was great, something not seen in too many zombie games.. having them give bonus gives more to the gameplay mechanics. I know you probably added the whole car alarm/explosion thing after hearing about Dead Nation and me being a Master at that game =).... I can tell when something is stolen right from it, but then again, what game doesn't have ideas from other games?? It's great because the zombies are not always after you or your survivors, they want to wash cars when they get on fire too. I like the idea that you can jump and venture into buildings and such, plus for me. I took great noticed while exploring the northwest corner of your game's city.... one word "Yeah!". Overall, the game was fun, but more challenge equals more fun for me =).... get to it mister.

Well that's all I have for you.... hope that helps you. If you need help creating a guideline to the safe house, remember, just let me know.

looks good!! ill queue it now and have a go in a bit and leave a review

F4F: http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/for...ge2&order=desc

I actually thought this level was very impressive.
I loved being able to switch between 3 weapon types, each having their advantages.
I also thought that the atmosphere was well designed and fit in with the level.

There are no real issues or complaints that I can point out in this level, so great job!

Thanks for playing SolidNInja2020. I have actually now changed the game in a lot more ways and added a shotgun to the weapon selection.

@wolfy_616 - Hey there wolfy what level do you want me to play exactly? I have the matrix one queued already but could test a different one.

LoVeRiCe what an amazing review this is exactly what i needed to make the level even better. Now time for the new update.

New additions to the game are a shotgun in the weapon select and Blood. Both players and zombies now spill blood. So now the gore fans can enjoy a good splatter. There are many little changes and improvements as well in the level.

Controls - Ok i have finally made the controls better they work just like they should now and are much easier.

Lack of zombies, needs more on screen - I have now added more zombies to the level and also added a new type of zombie called a stabber that turns up only when there are two players for extra difficulty. The stabbers have large knives and are a lot faster than regular zombies. All the other zombies have been redone to use even less thermo and are easier to customise and change whenever i need to update or improve them or add new abilities.
There is also a new monster that can be seen once 2000pts have been earned.

Survivors..... move it or lose it - The survivors have now been made better with less thermo used and you can now shoot pass them to kill zombies behind them. I have updated the shotgun crried by one of the survivors but the rest still have no weapons as this is to add to difficulty.
I have also added a waypoint indicator with the hlp of LoVeRiCe showing you the direction of the safe house.

Safe house spawn health and ammo too fast, high risk of noobs camping out - The ammo and health pack only spawn once the player has left the area then rentered the area and the area distance is a reasonable size so that there will be no camping.


Iam thinking of making a few new maps and diferent gameplay modes.
Horde where you defend an area against the zombies like a police station or shopping mall.
Infection Mode. In this mode you will be able to control a zombie and kill people for points with in a shopping mall or subway. I want to make it so that as the zombie you can kill people and they will then turn into zombies as well.
Escape where you will have to find a way out of the city before it is nuked.
There might be more modes but right now it is just an idea i am working on and would really love some ideas or opinions from others.
Here is the thread to the new project.
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/sho...684#post886684

Ok new additions have been made to this level and i would really appreciate some new feedback on these additions. The level plays well for me but i play fast and know it inside out so i can't go on how i play it.

Explosions have been improved and leave burning piles of fire that can hurt both zombies and the players.
Close combat attack and molotovs have been added. Molotoves can be used by pressing square. You gain new molotoves when you pick up the ammo box.
Zombies have been improved and now almost every vehicle in the level is destroyable.

I am working on a drivable truck that the player can get in and out of and control easily. This is still a WIP but i will hopefully have it finished in a couple days. It will more likely be useable as a upgrade that can be won after you have completed the level once before.

This is what the new flame and explosion effects can do
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/att...chmentid=35932

Thanks for the feedback on my level :)

I've played this and its pretty good. Dead nation was one of the free games that I downloaded and this definitely reminds me of it.
I'm glad you changed the controls to the joystick rotator. I've played a few other top down levels that used your original method and I found the controls hard to use.
The visuals were good and the lighting seemed good for the atmosphere of the level.

I'll be playing through again to try and find eveything :)

Very cool level, controls need getting used to, as i used to my control scheme, but bar that I like it, maybe slant the camera from the default position down a bit, as to me it feels strange to be so close yet looking right down, also its dark so harder to see stuff.

Thanks SneakySteve1983 and JCRocky5 both for playing.

I will change the camera angle and see if it helps. Also the darkness i will lighten slightly though in the buildings it is darker so that you have to use your flashlight this makes the level that little bit more challenging.

Since i last posted here i have made quite a few more changes to make the level easier to play and less glitchy. I have also now added a drivable truck that can be found where you start just outside the tunnel. Its not perfevted yet but works nicely. It does have its own health so can be destroyed andwill kill you if you are in it when it blows.
Any feedback on the truck would really be appreciated.

Hey sorry way overdue with my feedback cause I haven't really been on LBP much lately, but better late than never right? lo

Overall it was a pretty wicked level visuals were nice, variation in guns were pretty wicked but they did feel a little stiff at times probably because of the movement, as I found it hard to move and shoot an enemy at the same time especially backwards!

I loved the input of having a truck to drive! shame there wasn't more vehicles to drive lol

Queued. I'll leave my comments in the Planetarium for bumpy purposes.

Thanks for playing Jordanmcc and coyote_blue.

@Jordanmcc do you think the controls for moving and aiming should be changed? I can make it so that the player only turns with the right trigger and walks with the left.