Postby Marina » Tue Nov 18, 2014 11:11 am
Non-Custom Desert
Design: 5/10
This was a pretty much straightforward level designwise, it looks like a classic SMB3 level, mostly linear with some hills. I really liked that there was a pyramid part with thwomps and nippers. There isn't much to say about this, it's really what you'd expect from a SMB3 block desert level. Personally I would've liked if there was a bit more platforming involved, like adding sizables in the background or something. What could've made this even better would've been block pyramids and maybe some P-switch involvement. Besides that it looked nice, the BGOs fit as well. The music you chose was fitting, although I didn't like that it also played inside the pyramid, I would've gone with something more cave-ish there. I would've liked though if it also had an actual SMB3 exit instead of an SMW pole with a SMB1 castle behind it. :P
NPCs: 5/10
The enemy choice for this level was good. There were the basic Goombas and Koopas, but also Piranhas coming out of the sand, spinies, and what I especially liked: the nippers and the pokeys. Without them the level would've been a lot more boring as they provide a different kind of challenge for the player and they made the level more interesting compared to a level that just has goombas and koopas.
The coin placement was aight, a bit too few for my taste but it's not different from what you'd find in SMB3 deserts.
The powerup placement was good, it wasn't too hard to get through the level and the powerups were always there when you needed them.
Gameplay: 5/10
The level was nice to play and really fun. Maybe it was just because I had a nostalgia kick, or maybe because it was actually mildly entertaining. You had a few secrets to explore, the 1-up over the pyramid is always a secret that is loved to be seen and the nippers and pokeys kept the level refreshing and made for some bigger challenges than the goombas. The fire piranhas coming out of the quicksand will surely be a challenge for newer players and they even got me a few times, so it wasn't all too easy.
Over all, this was nice to play, and while this level is still Average, I'm sure it'll will be no problem for you to get into Pretty Good in the future. 5/10, moved to Average.