Flaming Lava Fields - Difficulty Spike?

[zioy]

Hey everyone, I'm back with a new level that is harder than my average level. Prepare for a difficulty spike! Yes, I did notice clash between Banzai Bills and the rest of the section in the platform area, but I had already completed the level at the time, and the clash wasn't bad enough to mess with. By the way, if bossedit8 sees this, I would like a playthrough. The level is possible, but I haven't been able to beat it all in one go - just each individual section. There is a gimmicky Boom Boom fight at the end.

Screenshots:

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[sezixor]

The background looks like it should be darker, and needs more shading. This level looks difficult indeed, I'll try it out, but from the screens it looks like it won't be easy to complete.

[zioy]

I wanted the background to be somewhat light because otherwise the SMW lava would stand out and clash with the background.

[Superiorstar]

Then darken the lava.

[zioy]

That would be weird, because lava gives off light, darkening it wouldn't make sense.

[Warlock]

Trust me. It looks GREAT. I could do it for you!!!

[zioy]

I guess so, but I really like the lava standing out against the platforms... give it a shot, and if I like it, I'll keep it.

[Warlock]

Got it. Trust me when I say you will like them A LOT.

[zioy]

OK, give it a shot. If it looks better I will definitely use it.

[zioy]

This needs a review, iirc.

[SuperMario7]

Looks like a well made challenging level. There seems to be a nice variety of obstacles to make the level difficulty but fun. There seems to be a few graphical problems, but other than that, nice job! I might download this and see how I do.

[Imaynotbehere4long]

The level is possible, but I haven't been able to beat it all in one go - just each individual section.

!$^#%*@&%?!?!?

Okay, I guess I should explain: by releasing the level, you're tacitly stating that the entire level can be beaten as is without cheating. Therefore, if you can't beat your own level, you might want to tone the difficulty down a bit, or at least add a freaking midway point somewhere (seriously, why doesn't this level have a midpoint?).

and now, my review:

First of all, I BROKE YOUR LEVEL!

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Also, the Podobo on the left can be seen behind the lava, which is unprofessional.

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Second, the second section is the hardest section in the level (and the first section is the second-hardest without breaking the level), so I don't know why you decided to put it second. It should really be near the end, right after the nonexistent midway point. However, your second section has another, bigger problem:

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The Paratroopa. This section is already by far the most difficult section with its practical Podobo and Roto-disc spam and needlessly small skull-raft, but the Paratroopa pushes it from difficult to unfair. Often, there is only a specific way to avoid the Podobos and Roto-discs due to the constantly moving, compact skull-raft, but the Paratroopa often positions itself in just the area that you need to jump to, making it impossible to proceed (I know my screenshot doesn't show this, but it shows an area where it can happen). If nothing else, remove the Paratroopa.

This part is also a bit cruel; when the line rider was on the lower level, the projectile generator at the top right was activated, but I couldn't see it, so by the time the shell came onscreen (the line rider was near the bottom right of the screen at this time), it was too close for me to react and I ended up taking an unfair hit.

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This section is more annoying than anything:

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Often, the spike tops will be too close together for me to proceed, forcing me to wait. Plus, it's an invisible maze.

The line rider section here is unintuitive. When I first made it here, I thought the platform would continue to move right on the next line, but it moved left, and I ended up dying.

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The glove is pointing to the line in question. This is also where I gave up trying to play the level normally because I wasn't going to put up with that second section again after finally getting past it, so I moved the player's start point to the beginning of this section.

This section is completely pointless. I don't know why you made it, but you should remove it.

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Also, the "gimmicky" Boom-Boom fight wasn't really that special; it was just throwing blocks up at it while avoiding a couple of Rinkas.

In conclusion:

Although this level has the makings of a pretty good level, its flaws are great enough to bring it down a rank, in my opinion. I'd say that this level deserves a...5.8/10

[Marina]

Review has been approved, level will be moved.