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I tried your level again. I think the reason I got stuck is because the hint in the yard (the smoke out of the ground) is not easy to activate. The first time through I did not activate the text that moves the camera to the stove thingy.
Although I love the visuals and puzzles so far, i got stuck again. I got to the part with the windmill on fire. I realize I have to get the gear on top of the tree, but I can't figure it out. I guess I'm just not very bright :(.
Also, I love the puzzle design. I keep getting the !aha! moment that is the sign of good level/game design. keep up the good work
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Hey Serpit,
puzzle levels are always tough to judge, mainly because everyone playing (and building) them has a different set of experiences. I think you did a brilliant job and the puzzles were pitched perfectly. The pressure in the stove puzzle was impeccably logical (and fairly easy to work out, but satisfyingly executed), and all of your little doors were neatly cut with perfect mechanisms. Everything fit together beautifully, and the only bit I really had to work out was how to get up to the first windmill. I thought the way that you used the whole level for the puzzles was very well done indeed, and good fun to work out. My only minor niggle in the area with the houses was the hanging lanterns on the string to get into the first floor of one of the houses - they don't look very neat compared with the rest of the level, and feel a bit ungainly to swing on - but it's not especially difficult.
One of the openings didn't work:
[SPOILER]When I jumped off of the cloud into the underground chamber between the windmills, the first time it worked - but the second time the chamber hadn't opened and I got stuck.[/SPOILER]
The section in the clouds was a nice change of direction, and your story line was actually very good. Having the lights/souls tell the story is pretty eerie at the start, and the story has a nice resolution/coda.
I'll have to say that I'm not a big fan of the boss either. I sussed out the pattern of the fire logs, but when you're swinging on the lanterns you're at the mercy of the blocks timing as well. Also:[SPOILER]
when I managed to get on top of the blocks and jumped for the torches - I missed the first one for some reason and grabbed the one at the back, and it didn't work. When I finally did manage to grab the right one and it toppled over, I let go of it and fell into the spikes - losing my last life. The spikes are freakin' annoying man!!! I kept getting burnt and running into them face first!
I would suggest at least getting rid of the spikes on the moving blocks - they'd still crush you if you're not quick enough - and maybe give some clue as to what would beat the boss. I understand that you want people to work it out - but it's a little on the harsh side with the dangers in that section.[/SPOILER]
Overall though I'd have to say that this is a great level - satisfying puzzles, well built objects and architecture (I'd leave the little houses as they are - they look mint), and a great story. Top marks.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/1305/aphoto7.jpg
This is me. In your level, lol.
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Just played this and loved it. I'm a fan of puzzles and I know it's not so easy to come up with good ones. I'll just post what comes to my mind:
- I like the overall feel of the level, it has a very calm atmosphere and it's in no way frustrating to think about how to solve a puzzle or where to search.
- The visual design was a bit plain though.
- I loved the puzzles, especially the part where you got those different blocks, one on each layer, and could go back to reach the windmills that seemed pointless before.
- Each puzzle made me feel a sense of accomplishment, very satisfying!
- I think it's already mentioned a few times: The time to read the text bubble at the beginning is too short.
And the text bubbles at the boss can lead to pointless dying. I'd suggest trying out a cutscene camera here, so that you can't move into the boss' range until you're finished reading.
- Speaking of the boss: simple, but awesome. I love the part where he comes back before his heart is destroyed. I think you should add one more checkpoint though, or add an infinite one. I had about 4 lives left, but I can imagine some dying and not trying again.
- There is a problem with the boss: If you grab one of the 'pillar' things with the fire on them to make it fall onto the boss, you fall into the spikes if you let go. This wastes one life without you having done anything wrong.
- I somehow didn't like the beginning with the electric clouds, but I liked the second cloud part. The color-coded gas-evading was nice.
- A minor thing: I liked the owl as a character and found the piston movement strange. Maybe use a winch instead, to make it less 'stiff'?
- I thought the difficulty was just right; puzzles, platforming and boss.
That's all I can think of.
If you're still returning feedbacks:
I'd like some on my level 'Expedition Yagon'. Be warned, it seems it's really hard. And it's long. You could also check out 'Shiwa's Devices', but I'd rather want some on the other one. The link to the levels thread can be found in my signature.
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Thanks a lot for the feedback, you two. I played Quetzalcoatl Rises and Expedition Yagon today, so except reviews later.
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I finally had a chance to go back and finish this the other day and I have to tell you that I was very impressed!
I thought the story you told was original and well thought out. The NPC's of the princess and the poet lloked great! You really managed to give life to this world and that is quite an achievement.
The gameplay during the cloud sequence was brilliant. Great use of the different planes and really nice implementation of color. I have never seen a sequence quite like it and that is always a good thing.
Your boss was wonderful. It is the only boss in LBP that comes back from the dead just when you think it's over and that element of surprise really adds a whole new dynamic to the battle. I thought the design was great and I reall enjoyed the fight.
I gave the level 5 stars and a heart and I eagerly await your next creation :)
