Overground Underground (Utopia Level)

[Squishy Rex]

So it's been a while, and decided to revamp an extremely old level of mine for Utopia. I was going for a SMW Hack feel and hopefully I hit that target at the very least. Anyway, this level has 2 Exits (Giant Gate & Star) plus the standard collectible Star each level in Utopia has. And because this is a level for my episode, there will be a few things in it that may seem redundant for standalone levels.There's a few hidden goodies, so be sure to "sleuth" hard. The file says "Crystal Tunnels" however that was the name of the original, and that is the only thing that remains unchanged.

Screenshots:

Spoiler: show

Download:

Spoiler: show

http://www.mediafire.com/download/dhoqo ... unnels.zip

[ShadowStarX]

Overground Underground review

I don't know where will this level be in the episode, but judging from some things, it looks like a W1 level. Correct me if it's not world 1.

Design & Gameplay: 7.5/10 (counts 70%)
The difficulty of the level is really good for a late W1 level. It wasn't a challenge for me but it still wasn't a boring level. The length is perfect for a world 1 level. The NPC and coin placement are great in this level. The fun factor is higher than the average. Also, the secret exit and the bonus star are well hidden but still not impossible to get into them. I have to say the same about the 1-up in the vertical section and the hammer suit secton. (true that one was rather hard to reach) The NPC variety is good for a W1 level. And I have to mention that the level wasn't repetitive too.
The level has a low amount of replay value but still has some.
There are some complaints: there was only one spike top in this level which isn't a good idea imo, maybe you should place 2 other spike tops in the level. Also, the moving platform was used only once too. And there is no way for the player to kill himself/herself if he got stuck because of the dragon coin before the checkpoint. (you should make the player able to kill himself/herself)

Atmosphere & Visuals: 8/10
The music is fitting and relaxing, just like the level itself. There are no cutoffs and I haven't noticed any clash. The atmospheric feeling is good in the level too. Also, the visuals reminded me an SMW hack, which was one of your goals to do as I've read it.
My only complaint about the visuals is the bit low amount of sceneries.

Score: 7.7/10
Good and relaxing W1 cave level, moved to 'Pretty Good'

[Suckerman7 GM]

OVERGROUND UNDERGROUND REVIEW

GRAPHICS (9/10)

You've used a different variety of graphics during the level. Most of NPCs aren't custom, but they're still challenging the player. And the secret passage first confused me but it leaded me to the first star. Also the secret Rex Easter Egg (Hammer Suit Block) is also cool. But you made it unreachable.

MUSIC (10/10)

The music you've used is amazing. And one of them actually remixed from SMW2 Underground. (It's typically from OC Remix) And the other music reminded me kinda Crash Bandicoot. (But I don't know where it comes from.)

TOTAL: 9,5/10 (Keep up the Good Work!)

P.S: Will you make Utopia as a whole project or you're gonna introduce us by seperated levels? (Like Zlakerboy does)

[Squishy Rex]

Overground Underground review

Spoiler: show

I don't know where will this level be in the episode, but judging from some things, it looks like a W1 level. Correct me if it's not world 1.

Design & Gameplay: 7.5/10 (counts 70%)
The difficulty of the level is really good for a late W1 level. It wasn't a challenge for me but it still wasn't a boring level. The length is perfect for a world 1 level. The NPC and coin placement are great in this level. The fun factor is higher than the average. Also, the secret exit and the bonus star are well hidden but still not impossible to get into them. I have to say the same about the 1-up in the vertical section and the hammer suit secton. (true that one was rather hard to reach) The NPC variety is good for a W1 level. And I have to mention that the level wasn't repetitive too.
The level has a low amount of replay value but still has some.
There are some complaints: there was only one spike top in this level which isn't a good idea imo, maybe you should place 2 other spike tops in the level. Also, the moving platform was used only once too. And there is no way for the player to kill himself/herself if he got stuck because of the dragon coin before the checkpoint. (you should make the player able to kill himself/herself)

Atmosphere & Visuals: 8/10
The music is fitting and relaxing, just like the level itself. There are no cutoffs and I haven't noticed any clash. The atmospheric feeling is good in the level too. Also, the visuals reminded me an SMW hack, which was one of your goals to do as I've read it.
My only complaint about the visuals is the bit low amount of sceneries.

Score: 7.7/10
Good and relaxing W1 cave level, moved to 'Pretty Good'

Thanks Tervantez2345 for that speedy review! You are correct in assuming this is a W1 level too. That remaining Spike Top should have been removed, but I guess I did miss it. I removed them from the level due to how they ineracted with the ceiling pipes and other objects. They basically got stuck so they were removed to prevent having to move or delete the commonly appearing tilted pipes. I never really found a way to implement the moving platform more than once to be honest though, especially since it's only purpose is to get to the secret exit, though it would be something to look into in the future to make the secret exit less obvious. About the Dragon Coin, I meant to make that area above the turn blocks not underwater so the player could remove themselves if they were too slow to get the Dragon Coin and get back out again. I'll probably alter that to either use Brick Blocks or have no blocks there at all.

Again thanks for the review and now I can use this to improve the level that little bit more.

Spoiler: show

OVERGROUND UNDERGROUND REVIEW

GRAPHICS (9/10)

You've used a different variety of graphics during the level. Most of NPCs aren't custom, but they're still challenging the player. And the secret passage first confused me but it leaded me to the first star. Also the secret Rex Easter Egg (Hammer Suit Block) is also cool. But you made it unreachable.

MUSIC (10/10)

The music you've used is amazing. And one of them actually remixed from SMW2 Underground. (It's typically from OC Remix) And the other music reminded me kinda Crash Bandicoot. (But I don't know where it comes from.)

TOTAL: 9,5/10 (Keep up the Good Work!)

P.S: Will you make Utopia as a whole project or you're gonna introduce us by seperated levels? (Like Zlakerboy does)

Thanks for your review as well I appreciate feedback. About the Secret Room, it is technically only meant to be reached by using Yoshi, which because this isn't a standalone level, he isn't included, the previous level before this one in the episode itself has Yoshi which you can then use to bring forward. However, that said, you can reach it by jumping off a Monty Mole or Buzzy Beetle as they climb the red pipe. It is easier to use the Monty Mole though, since he bounces around.

The music is indeed an OC Remix of YI's Underground and the other track is from "Croc: Legend of the Gobbos", another PSX game.

Utopia will be a whole episode, however I tend to release a level here and there to get some feedback and show actual progress rather than just screens alone.