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The Idol of Palancthar (by Thegide)
As my LBPCentral debut, I would like to share with you guys my first serious attempt at a platformer level. I've worked like mad to ensure fun gameplay, stunning visuals, and a smooth, glitch-free ride. Some of you may have already seen this on littlebigworkshop, since I have been hiding over there.
Anyways, hope you enjoy. Please feel free to leave comments or other feedback. I will post here with any updates, although I'm pretty happy with the result for the time being.
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First post updated. Sorry to those that were having trouble with the level the other day, it was up and down with edits. Thanks for looking.
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pics look cool as mate I'll give it ago later
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lol @ "hunting false idols will lead you astray"
I have a series called False Idols and part II used to be called "Free will Hunting" - it was also a temple level. I know it obviously wasn't, but it was like an unintentional subliminal diss. I always compare a temple/quest level to my level out of habit, so I thought that was funny... anyway -
I love the detail on this level... I'm just gonna go ahead say that this is pretty close to feeling and looking like an MM level. Supremely polished and the proportion of things, the shaping, the lighting, the pacing, the use of planes, detail without too much detail, NPC's and stickers, simple but polished and unique enemy design, the mechanics of things etc are all very polished and totally remind me of the story levels.
Having all the switches visible definitely homages the story mode too...
I have the sound down right now, so I can't comment on use of sound and music... but I did hear the discontinued music, and that made me realize one thing - that this isn't a dark, dank temple it's still lively and inviting, which is also like MM's levels. It does take a drastic turn when the challenge amps up, which is also a good technique they use.
I liked the part with the spiked wheels, very creative use of a simple idea - I like challenging levels alot, but I had to restart there, and most people will probably quit without ever looking back. Maybe a double life checkpoint?
The boss was a little disappointing, but I liked the twist, and I liked taking him out with the catapault - I just wish I could have seen the catapault in action when I did it. That goes for the very cool block/wheel puzzle too - it was very nicely done and put together, but I was just wingin' it when I aligned them because I couldn't see what the wheel was doing as I turned the blocks.
One other thing - the switch for the drawbridge - I went back and forth through those spiked pendelums for about 20 minutes and almost died there too. I only found the solution on accident when I was sitting on the elevator and stopped to reach for something, looked back up and saw that I had gone up. That's a cool design, but I don't know how many people will figure it out - that would make an awesome secret area but seems too invisible to be a part of the main course. It does fit the idea of a temple though.
Pretty nice level, man. Good job. Could do with a little more story or something to make it stand out, but there's lots of TLC in this one.
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Wow, can I say thanks for a fantastic writeup? I'll definitely take those suggestions to the edit room. I had mentioned somewhere that I would like to redo the boss fight at some point soon... it was more of a learning experience than anything, and it hasn't sat entirely right with me.
Here's looking forward to the next release.
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Playing the level right now, will leave you feedback once I'm done.
Finished, and I must say this was a really good level. Could probably be mistaken for a MM level. Now, I'll add my thoughts.
The Good:
-Polished! Polished! Polished! This level had awesome detail put into everything. The rocks, the temple, stickers placed in certain locations but not everywhere, the WOW factor was the golden idol at the end... Very nice!
-Difficulty, it starts off rather easy, but amps up big time when you hit those blades, then amps it up to 11 when you get to those spinning spike wheels. Which by the way was so epic for me because I was on my last life when I made it up. I had to make a choice, did I want the prize bubble or not, I didn't want to risk it so I might have another go tomorrow to get 100%
-The story, the story really isn't it's strong point. But when you have a level with great platforming and detail, it can definately be overlooked.
The Suggestions:
-Might want to add a double life checkpoint near the spinning wheels, that was really difficult and when you get that far in a level. People really don't like restarting.
-The boss, he was a bit too easy and it didn't fit in with the difficult wheels, I always believe difficulty should rise up, over progression. After those difficult wheels, you're rewarded with a lame(sorry :() boss.
-Puzzles, I didn't see that many of them. I saw a x2 section, but I wasn't able to do it so good job for that but you might want to add some extra rooms around?
-Replayability, there is some replayability. But you obviously want more, try adding some secret areas that involve puzzles, using the sticker switch. Trust me you can get a lot more replay value with stuff like that.
Overall:
I was really impressed with this level, it really speaks out ( hey I worked on this and put a lot of time and effort ) and you can truly see that. A few tweaks here and there and definately revamping the boss will make this an outstanding level.
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Hi Thegide!
I voluntarily didn't edit my previous post, but writing a new one in order to promote this level.
EDIT: the previous post was edited by the mods. Btw, I had a little 20 XP points infraction for this doublepost ;)
It may be at the first page of the showcase.
I loved a lot your level.
PROS:
-Starting area: I loved this part of the level. Your palmtrees are just fabulous (simple, but very effectivez!).
-Overall designh: I found this level well designed. For exemple, at the start, ther is a part of a bridge that fall when you walk on it. This part fall and bellow it open a new area with bubble and prizes. Great. Test the level to see what i mean.
-Your puzzles: i loved your great puzzles!
-Your final idol is GREAT!!! But...(see Suggestions)
SUGGESTIONS:
- Minor issue: Ok, i start my suggestions by this point but it is a very minor problem because it is at the start of the level. At my first play, i must completely restart the level because i grabed the sponge square and I do fall it in the gas. You could avoid this easily.
-I didn't find how was functionning the catapult. I killed the "boss" without it (btw, i think it was the case...) and didn't find anything to do with.
-Your final Idol is GREAT! But... i would like so much seing it moving! When i saw your pictures, i was sure the idol was moving. I think this last scene could be more impressive with a slowly moving idol (in particular, the arms and hands)
Finally, you did a great work. I am now the fifth in the scoreboard. 5 Stars, hearted and "Brilliant" Tag ;)
Good work. I'm anxious to see your next projects.
;)
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Glad you enjoyed the level, and thanks so much for your review.
I am going to try to redo the boss fight this afternoon, because of all parts of the level, this is the one area which I think deserves improvement. I'd like to make it more interactive and show the catapult firing (right now it is off screen so you cannot see it).
Great to know about the sponge square, I hadn't thought of that!
I had a thought to animate the idol at the end. I will consider doing this in the future!
UPDATE:
Boss fight is completely redone! My first attempt at complex bot building... lots of new things I had to learn, but 8 hours later, it's done. Thanks to Whaaaale and NinjaMicWZ for your suggestions. I hope you find this more "fitting" with the rest of the level ;)
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I just went in and played this little masterpiece a few days ago and came out here to see if it had been showcased. What a great game! I noticed it didn't get many replies when it was first showcased, so I had to just come out here and say it was an absolutely beautiful level.
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I love the Scarab creatures you made. My only criticism with them is that you can just completely bypass them. As a result they are not very threatening. Liked the level though!
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This level is really good. It's been a little while that I played it thought.
I left some feedback in the comments. I wonder if you noticed it.
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