Bowser's Dark Castle

[bossedit8]

Bowser's Dark Castle is on our way to get in. Here it is.



Original YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2euDFC4Ce94

Download Bowser's Dark Castle Level Here!

Have fun and enjoy.

[BMV]

Background
It's Valentine's Day. Who else's level would BMV review other than bossedit8's?

In Detail...

We begin standing on an isolated floating platform among many other floating platforms. This has a very Mario Galaxy feel and is executed nicely. Right off the bat we're given those SMW floating helicopter blocks that I think are from New Super Mario Bros. There's some room for exploration here with many floating platforms around, so you can collect coins and a Super Mushroom. Along the way we fight some fire Hammer Bros. and Koopas until we get to an airship among the platforms. The airship has some shining cannonballs that follow you, a nice challenge. When we get to another floating platform, we hit a prize block to have a Poison Mushroom. This is another thing I don't see everyday. I don't know a lot of people who use the Poison Mushroom. After the second airship (which is a very small one), if you explore a bit with the floating block you can find a hidden platform with a Life Mushroom, a fire Hammer Bro., an Ice Flower and a Tanooki Suit. After some more platforms and floating around, we enter Bowser's Dark Castle.

Right at the beginning, we get a free Fire Flower and a Super Mushroom before we head off to the left (on the right there's a blocked passage made of blue ! Blocks) and jump over some lava pits while avoiding Bowser Statues. We don't stay going left a lot, though. Soon we climb some stairs and jump to a part where we go right again. There's some nice design parts here, some well distributed power-ups (and Poison Mushrooms) and we hit the blue Switch Block before we go through a door that takes us back to the beginning of the castle.

We pass the block passage and climb on some fences (here's ANOTHER thing you don't see everyone using!). We dodge spike pits, lava pits, Bowser Statue fire, those SMB3 waffle orb things (which have their blocks BEHIND the fences, darkened out, a nice detail in itself). We hit a green Switch Block, that unlocks a passage back in the area where we hit the blue Switch. There's a split passage right before hitting the Blue Switch; if you go down, there's the switch, if you go up, there's the green block passage. The green block wall has a red Switch Block hidden behind it, which unlocks a passage that was right above the stairway.

We go through some Bowser Statues, spike pits and waffle guys, which all need attention to pass (especially the spike pits, those need A LOT of attention). We go through a door that takes us to another room with a door locked by a huge block with a Red Coin and 8x drawn on it. Three guesses as to what it means (hint: get all 8 red coins).

1. The first Red Coin is along the way, in a fence (more fences!).

2. To get the second Red Coin, go all the way up through the fences after you tag the first Red Coin.

3. The third Red Coin is close to the second, and right under a spike ceiling. Don't jump too high or you'll hit the spikes.

4. The fourth Red Coin is on a waffle guy block. Land carefully or you'll be on a spike pit instead of getting Red Coins.

5. The fifth Red Coin is right in front of a Bowser Statue. I recommend that you wait for it to spit fire, grab the Red Coin and crouch until it spits fire again before you escape.

6. The sixth Red Coin is among regular coins in the beginning of a platform path.

7. The seventh Red Coin is in the same platform path, right ahead, on top of a waffle guy background object.

8. The eighth and last Red Coin is right on top of the door at the top of the room.

The block that was blocking (huh) our passage to that door explodes just as we get near it (neat effect, huh) and when we go through the door we get to another room with a Super Mushroom coming right at us. There's also a Midway Point. Getting to the big red boss door is quick, but you shouldn't go there in a rush. There's a lot of enemies and the space to move is tight (without being too cramped, of course). Also worth noting is that between some pipes there's a Poison Mushroom (here we go again with Poison Mushrooms, can't you tell I love them and they're so underused?).

Going through the big red boss door, we fight a simple Bowser Jr. over Ludwig. Three jumps on the head, dead. Simple! But after we defeat him some floating blocks appear, and you better grab them and hold the jump button because the bridge we're standing on explodes and we've gotta avoid some spikes. There's some waffle guys too, but the spikes are the main obstacle. As we get closer to the bottom the spikes get tighter and tighter. This is nice and reminds me of Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge.

When we get to the bottom, we fight an SMB3 Bowser. This is a simple SMB3 Bowser fight with bombs being spawned to hurt him, and the only twist is that a cannonball appears sometimes to follow you, but what else can we ask? The lead up to this fight was great. And it's not THAT anti-climactic.

In General...

An amazing level! This level managed to shove a lot of fun gimmicks into it without getting the player tired. There's so much here and it feels right enough. There's the floating platforms at the beginning, the switch blocks, the fences, the waffle guys/Bowser Statues/lava and spike pits, the Red Coins, and the free fall section before the Bowser battle, and they're all masterfully executed! This level is nothing short of whatever adjective you use to represent something extremely good.

Overall Rating: 10/10

If you think I'm being biased because bossedit8 made this level, you should play it. You'll sure agree with me on that this is one of the best SMBX levels around!

[Fuyu]

Whoa whoa, I see a modified version of my block at 06:18.

The level itself looks great, very entertaining, long and fun. Lots of lovely gimmicks were used here, and frankly loved the bosses and the ability-like part between both battles. I see no generic flaws on this level, and honestly there's not much to cover up after BMV's review. Good work with this level, enjoyed pretty much.

[AirSeus]

this level looks realy detailed, the graphics are outstanding the actual level its self is absolutely mind blowing,
The little details you have put into this level is amazing the boss battles were interesting and i enjoyed this level alot

what other way can i put this rather than i would give this level a outstanding 10/10
good job!

[Blake Izayoi]

EPIC LEVEL.
Thats all I can say.

[Raster]

What I liked

Amazing use of items and NPCs! The level was awesome. The graphics blend nicely and the environment is stunning. I dislike the music but it fits the theme of the level I guess.

What I didn't like

I didn't like how long the first section is. This level is lengthy, and you often have to cut sections from levels to balance the gameplay. Getting through the first section can be bothersome, especially with all the chasing NPCs. This is very frustrating especially when the player dies in the castle and has to replay the first section.

I also disliked the use of switch blocks in the second section. Feels like a cheap way of making the level seem longer than it really is, especially when the castle section lacks gameplay. Speaking of gameplay, there is little actual gameplay in this level. The first section is needlessly lengthy and the second section revolves around switch blocks. Also, the checkpoint glitches for some reason. Whenever I reach the checkpoint and replay I spawn in section 1. Might be a problem with my game, but the checkpoint really is badly placed. Place it right before the boss door instead.

Bowser Jr. is a disappointing boss. The hitbox is too large and the frames look weird, especially when he is jumping around. The section right after the Bowser Jr. fight is pointless. It can be very frustrating to float with such precision. The fight with Bowser is excellent and I didn't spot any bugs.

Overall, a solid level! I give it a 8.5/10.

[Super Luigi!]

Well, I certainly see why this level stands out among the rest! Wonderful ability, bossedit8! In order to waste less of your time (and because I'm running out of mine), here's a quick summary.

Graphics

All of your graphics, custom or otherwise, fit the dark mood of the level perfectly. As someone else noted, placing the "Waffle block" orb in the background was a nice touch. 10/10

Gameplay

Very challenging, yet not too difficult. In other words, I can see this level as the final one in a Nintendo Mario game, but not a Kaizo hack, which is excellent news for you in my opinion. Also, the boss intermission was creatively great. 10/10

Replay Value

Indeed. 10/10

Conclusion

I love this level because it's proper graphics, great gameplay, and high replay vale, amongst other little touches I can't seem to pinpoint. Overall, I look forward to any other levels you may release to the masses. Keep on doing what you do, and you have yourself a nice day!

10/10