But this level still isn't one of my best levels. It's only have beautiful graphics with some fun, but a lazy design.
Screen:
Spoiler: show
Spoiler: show
2. FireLink - Spectral Arcane Machine (8.89/10)
Chad (8.0/10)
This is a super nice level. The design is very simple when you're outside, but the inside is a bit more explorative and complex, and I like that contrast. It tells a nice story more with its progression and atmosphere than with dialogue, and the level is generally kept pretty easy so you can just enjoy what's going on around you. Moving parts like pistons and crushers are put to clever use and even cinematically when they break through the floor, and often require creative reaction from the player. I didn't care too much for the introduction of the skull crushers, though. It's explained pretty clearly, but it does nothing to prepare you for the number of times or rate at which they will press the ground. At least this is only the first instance, but the others are a lot easier to grasp. There's a clear indication of when it'll happen, and that it'll only happen once for each one you encounter. The first one should have been handled this way too, with a white marking and a single stomp. I also found the moving spikes to be a pain, because they're identical to the stationary ones and react very suddenly. These aren't huge issues, but they're certainly troublesome. The boss is pretty clever, though. Not too difficult, but it keeps you on your toes and it's pretty easy to learn what you have to do, and the health bar is nicely implemented. I have mixed feelings on having a boss this far away from the midpoint, but it's a fun fight and nice ending to the level.
ElTipsta (9.5/10)
Now this is how you make an atmosphere! This level has a really unique hybrid of jungle/factory/ghost and it's very engrossing, and the music is a perfect match. The design itself is very nonlinear with a variety of challenges from water pools to crushers that damage the player if they are on the floor when it lands via clever usage of layers and events, it altogether blends to make a very unique experience and one of the best in this contest. The length is good too, though usage of LunaLua to make a second checkpoint before the boss would have been grand. Also, the boss dosen't always take damage when you throw a star at it, which would have probably got this level an even higher score from me if this wasn't the ccase. I think Bomber57 made this.
Quill (7.2/10)
This was pretty cool. The general setting of this level was pretty unique and allowed for some unique design. The majority of the unique design is only featured in the second half though with the active machines. Aside from these elements, the general design was pretty decent though a lot of it was holding left/right and jumping occassionally. That's alright, but it got a little boring at times. Thankfully, the better second half helped spice things up. The boss was pretty basic. The attacks were annoying to deal with especially as the projectile was vulnerable to everything. Speeding up the projectile spawn time could help here. The boss could have more variation in the attacks too.
Shinbison-Kof (9.75/10)
This is an amazing level! I love the atmosphere, it's unique and very beautiful. Factory in a mystic land is a perfect mix! The level design is great, I like the transition between the forest and the factories. I love the smash blocks and the secrets. The gimmick is very well executed and the effect of the smash block is new to me. I like how some ghosts interfere with the scenery. The moving layers are a nice addition too, especially in the factory parts. The factory section feels cramped sometimes, but it isn't much of a problem because the npc placement is still fair. The special effects and gimmicks are great in this level, but they seem to only come in after the checkpoint. The level intro is weird, too. The boss is great. It's simple but very well made. You handled the difficulty very well. I loved the music! The level design was just great. The level was fun and amazing overall!
Valtteri (10.0/10)
Impressive special effects in this level. The smashers are really cool. The design is near professional. It's fluid and interesting throughout the level. The boss was good, although it seemed like Boo only got hurt if he was in a specific position. The level looks gorgeous, too!
Chad (8.0/10)
This is a super nice level. The design is very simple when you're outside, but the inside is a bit more explorative and complex, and I like that contrast. It tells a nice story more with its progression and atmosphere than with dialogue, and the level is generally kept pretty easy so you can just enjoy what's going on around you. Moving parts like pistons and crushers are put to clever use and even cinematically when they break through the floor, and often require creative reaction from the player. I didn't care too much for the introduction of the skull crushers, though. It's explained pretty clearly, but it does nothing to prepare you for the number of times or rate at which they will press the ground. At least this is only the first instance, but the others are a lot easier to grasp. There's a clear indication of when it'll happen, and that it'll only happen once for each one you encounter. The first one should have been handled this way too, with a white marking and a single stomp. I also found the moving spikes to be a pain, because they're identical to the stationary ones and react very suddenly. These aren't huge issues, but they're certainly troublesome. The boss is pretty clever, though. Not too difficult, but it keeps you on your toes and it's pretty easy to learn what you have to do, and the health bar is nicely implemented. I have mixed feelings on having a boss this far away from the midpoint, but it's a fun fight and nice ending to the level.
ElTipsta (9.5/10)
Now this is how you make an atmosphere! This level has a really unique hybrid of jungle/factory/ghost and it's very engrossing, and the music is a perfect match. The design itself is very nonlinear with a variety of challenges from water pools to crushers that damage the player if they are on the floor when it lands via clever usage of layers and events, it altogether blends to make a very unique experience and one of the best in this contest. The length is good too, though usage of LunaLua to make a second checkpoint before the boss would have been grand. Also, the boss dosen't always take damage when you throw a star at it, which would have probably got this level an even higher score from me if this wasn't the ccase. I think Bomber57 made this.
Quill (7.2/10)
This was pretty cool. The general setting of this level was pretty unique and allowed for some unique design. The majority of the unique design is only featured in the second half though with the active machines. Aside from these elements, the general design was pretty decent though a lot of it was holding left/right and jumping occassionally. That's alright, but it got a little boring at times. Thankfully, the better second half helped spice things up. The boss was pretty basic. The attacks were annoying to deal with especially as the projectile was vulnerable to everything. Speeding up the projectile spawn time could help here. The boss could have more variation in the attacks too.
Shinbison-Kof (9.75/10)
This is an amazing level! I love the atmosphere, it's unique and very beautiful. Factory in a mystic land is a perfect mix! The level design is great, I like the transition between the forest and the factories. I love the smash blocks and the secrets. The gimmick is very well executed and the effect of the smash block is new to me. I like how some ghosts interfere with the scenery. The moving layers are a nice addition too, especially in the factory parts. The factory section feels cramped sometimes, but it isn't much of a problem because the npc placement is still fair. The special effects and gimmicks are great in this level, but they seem to only come in after the checkpoint. The level intro is weird, too. The boss is great. It's simple but very well made. You handled the difficulty very well. I loved the music! The level design was just great. The level was fun and amazing overall!
Valtteri (10.0/10)
Impressive special effects in this level. The smashers are really cool. The design is near professional. It's fluid and interesting throughout the level. The boss was good, although it seemed like Boo only got hurt if he was in a specific position. The level looks gorgeous, too!