Level Contest 7 - Topic 2 - THE WINNER

[Mable]

Also zelda levels are annoying. No one wants to play these.

> Says Zelda levels are annoying
So Touhou levels, Joke levels, etc aren't annoying but Zelda ones? Alright pls take this gun.

[RudeGuy]

Zelda levels are a bit boring and difficult. Not annoying.

[reghrhre]

Also zelda levels are annoying. No one wants to play these.

> Says Zelda levels are annoying
So Touhou levels, Joke levels, etc aren't annoying but Zelda ones? Alright pls take this gun.

NO TOUHOU LEVELS ARE NOT ANNOYING!1!1!1!1 >::::((((

And I'm in the top 20, no surprise. How egotistical can I get? Very. I'll do the castlewars guessing thing later

[Emral]

Also zelda levels are annoying. No one wants to play these.

> Says Zelda levels are annoying
So Touhou levels, Joke levels, etc aren't annoying but Zelda ones? Alright pls take this gun.

NO TOUHOU LEVELS ARE NOT ANNOYING!1!1!1!1 >::::((((

And I'm in the top 20, no surprise. How egotistical can I get? Very. I'll do the castlewars guessing thing later

it's still at the 2 from first tier. There hasn't been any since then.

[deadfish]

Mooth.

[zlaker]

Mooth.

Yes

[Beyond]

Top 20... Second time.
*surprised again*

[Darkonius Mavakar]

what the fuck?!
i'm in the top 20?!
that NEVER happened before!

*gets 19th because i just jinxed it*

[Yoshibrothers]

Wow. Nien actually makes tier 4 EVEN WITH mousers as bosses. Clap clap clap!

[icez]

what the fuck?!
i'm in the top 20?!
that NEVER happened before!

*gets 19th because i just jinxed it*

Hahaha who knows where we might end up? I knew expected to make it this far, if I break the top ten I'll be surprised.

[SuperMario7]

Aw....so close to the top 20!

Oh well, I'm satisfied with my placement, especially since I started my level like 2 days prior to the deadline. I think it would've done much better if I had spent more time on it and made it longer and stuff, but I appreciate getting to participate. Thanks judges for the helpful reviews!

[Keddy]

WHAT THE HELL!!! I'M IN SOME BIG SHOCK! Honestly, I thought this level would end up in tier 2 due to it being made in less than 6 hours, with slacking, on and off motivation, and it being completed literally 15 mins. before the deadline. So, to hear these review is pretty flattering really.
27. elitalianoverde - Icy Volcano (7.28/10)

castlewars: 6.87/10
The level's name appears to be generic, but the actual ideas are far from it. The idea of mixing the two opposing environments: ice and fire - is really interesting and seldom done, and the player has to be Luigi for the duration of this level, which can make a slippery level harder due to the lost traction after Mario transforms, and then it appears the whole level is designed around Luigi's physics, and what was interesting was not using special graphics to create gimmicks but using already existing default SMBX graphics to make the gimmicks, such as the player riding a Rainbow Shell in one of the sections, although it is really rare and it's really hard to get it right, and tossing too many can cause unavoidable lag. Cramped tunnels in the volcano section is another minus, and quite similarly there is a section in the volcano in which it's hard to avoid the Hotheads when they appear without damage if they are upgraded. The use of instant warps is actually quite good, but the player isn't expecting them to be there and they're required to use them to gain Red Coins and they don't know they're there until they walk through the warp.

I'm not sure what you mean by designed around Luigi's physics, as Luigi is just my favorite character and I wanted everyone to play as him too, but the Rainbow Shell was something that I had remembered about and threw in. The Cramped tunnels/spaces and warps to other sections is something that's become standard in my levels since I began really.

Chad: 8.75/10
Very creative level! It has a really nice ambiance both inside and out, I like how every star has a completely different and complicated task centered around it. The way you handle each one is splendid and involves different gimmicks. There's a lot of exploration and backtracking, but this level makes that a lot of fun to do. Every section is connected in unexpected and unique ways that feel realistic. This level has a sense of mystery about it that makes it fun to spend time unlocking the secrets, so each star feels particularly rewarding without asking too much. But between the eruption and red coin stars, only one will count because they're in the same section. The red coins and switches have very nice placements, but enemies need some work. They're mostly good, but you have too many around the warp exits and midpoint. The ones behind snow bushes are a little mean, too. You also don't give a lot of notice that instant warps are present, so I often didn't think to check the level edges and pits. There's also a background glitching problem by the main star, and there's some issues with how the player interacts with the upper boundary in the main underground section. Other than that, I was very impressed with this.

Very flattering Chad, but to be honest all the colored text is completely accidental. I the enemies in the bushes are what I wanted for the level but completely forgot about them, in other words there should of been a lot more The enemies and the glitches are due to the exhaustion I was in a rush to hurry up, get done, and then go to sleep.

Firespike33: 6.5/10
A half-ice, half-lava level. I really didn’t like being forced to play as Luigi, my least favorite character you bastard!, but I guess that isn’t a big flaw. Not much of the background is visible, and the part that is shows only dull shades of gray. The snowy music wasn’t my favorite either--the original Shiver Mountain was better in my opinion. The underground lava music from NSMBWii would probably be more fitting for the lava sections. Anyway, it has some decent design, although most of it was pretty simple and straightforward. On the plus side, it does have some hidden areas and red coins to find.

It used to be music from SMW3D World...

Valtteri: 7/10
I kind of like this level. It has objectives, but it's pretty simple. I personally don't like the looks of the lava and the ice together, the colors don't mix very well.

Ah well, what can ya do?

[MECHDRAGON777]

52. MECHDRAGON777 - Die Zitadelle von Eis und chaotischem Wetter (6.0375/10)
castlewars: 7.8/10
This level was interesting. It started out as an ice level, but then it transitioned into a castle and then the rain is added to enhance it. The transition was executed pretty well, and the level was designed quite well, if a little on the long side - actually, the level was too long and the checkpoint is misplaced, and the player can choose which route to go at the checkpoint. However some of the gimmicks are difficult to get hold of, such as the projectile shells in section 2 - how do you get past them? Also, the screen scrolling vertically in section 15 as well is nearly impossible to get hold of because the player cannot make the jump onto the second platform. The frozen water was an interesting gimmick as well but the gravity blocks were positioned in such a way that the player is stranded if they are misplaced. The bossfight was interesting as well because the player is required to use the pillars, and finally the gimmick is explained because the idea of using POW blocks is really unique in a way.
Chad: 6.85/10
I really admire the amount of effort and creative endeavors put into this level, as well as its focus on difficult puzzles and elaborate design. It certainly has a very intricate layout and a lot to offer in terms of gameplay and innovation. It tries a lot of really cool things like antigravity blocks, building your own ice bridge, and layers attached to held items, to name just a few. I especially like the pillar linked to the blue platform, you really aligned that part well with the stationary surfaces around it. The vertical autoscroll works in an excellent fashion too, along with the carryable layer in it. That part especially is visually stunning and feels very cinematic in a way that almost goes beyond 16-bit Mario without feeling out of place for it. The boss fight is really original as well, using POW blocks in such a manner is quite unusual but interesting. However, this level tried to do too much. Don't use this many stars, don't use all 21 sections this extensively, and a lot of its gimmicks could have been utilized better. Indicate to players that they need a Fire Flower before you make them cross a really long lag-filled bridge of freezable projectile shells, not after. That part was really interesting on its own, but the level's much too large for it and the area is too long and too punishing for simply not knowing what's next. If you can actually enter that pipe, you're blocked off by hammer blocks in the next area that you didn't know you needed to prepare for, which are only removed by falling down a random undisclosed pit in Section 1. The gravity block star is tedious and you're likely to get the spin-jump timing slightly wrong at least once during the countless times you make the player do it, there's no indication that the sleet and water are painful or that the P-switches remove the sleet, there's too much reliance on falling down pits to change areas (only one is even confirmed as safe, the rest are just leap of faith), and the boss could very easily beat you just by having a POW block mess up a jump unpredictably. Again, I really like the things that this level tries to go for and the kinds of ideas it has, but it's just highly excessive, not very well handled, and too easy to get lost with no idea where to go or what to do.
Firespike33: 4/10
I went through an okay snow level and upon reaching the checkpoint was teleported to a tower area with pillars. The rain was cut off and was done very strangely. The fact that it followed you was even more odd-looking. This was pretty easy and sort of fun, but slow-paced. Going back through it because you died on the boss was immeasurably tedious (yes, I actually just said that). The boss at the end was pretty easy. Just jump over the magic and it’ll eventually hit POW blocks, killing the boss. Overall, nothing about it was that good, and it was short.
Valtteri: 5.5/10
This level starts out pretty well but then I get the checkpoint and have to deal with a very, very slow autoscroll part where I have to make precise jumps on tiny platforms that are SLIPPERY for some reason, and I still don't understand why I had to carry a weird mushroom that holds a ceiling that apparently protects me from the rain. Wouldn't it make more sense if the rain was, like, fire or something? Is Mario made of sugar? The boss is weird, I didn't even need to use the POW blocks, I was able to just jump on Lemmy like normally. The first half of the level is good but it gets goofy after the midpoint.

@Castle Wars and Chad: Thanks to Castle Wars and Chad. I know I could of done better with signifying where to go, some of my beta testers said that as well. There was original coins in the pits to show they were save, but I felt the ones after the glitched stair-well was all obvious since the under-lined floor should of given it away. I know about the boss issue, but It was meant to be a challenge. Most of the 21 sections are bonus rooms as well, so, keep that in mind! I think only sectors 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 21 are required to beat the level!

@Firespike: How was the sleet "cut off"? Where did any thing "follow" you? How is this Either Easy, or Short? If 45 minutes is short to you, then what is average? How did you miss the fact I had three checkpoints? I knew the Castle would be to much to repeat, so I put a second checkpoint before the long Vertical Scroll! I put a checkpoint right before the boss room! Tell me, how is going through one door considered Tedious? So basically, It fells like you gave me a 4/10 for every thing my level was not!
A: You said it was easy when I know both me, and my beta testers had some difficulty with it!
B: You said it was short when it took me 45 minutes to do it all in one live!
C: You said the boss was easy when It clearly was not seeing what Chad has put!
D: Nothing is wrong with slow-paced levels, but it is the only reasonable thing I can see a point reduction for!
I appreciate the fact you think it was sort of fun, but still, a 4/10 just for it being Easy/Short [Which obviously is not true] and being slow paced? How does that add up?

@Valtteri: Thank you for the comment, but which check-point did things get weird at? Like I said, I had 3. So, you asked about why every thing was slippery, It is a castle with Sleet falling every where and it is a frozen region and Is covered in snow. The reason you had to carry the Mushroom Block was to keep the Razor sharp Sleet off of Mario. Also, in one of the bonus rooms, I even mention that you do not need Pow Blocks to beat Lemmy, but I also said it was more risky! ...and what do you mean by "Goofy?" Atleast I understand where you are coming form!


So in general, may I have a bit more clarification on what @Firespike33 is coming from since I do not see one of his reasons for the low score! 4/10 just for Slow-Paced seems a little Bias to me, but oh well!

[Firespike33]

@MECHDRAGON777: You tried to have multiple checkpoints, but they did not work. It was short because you got teleported and only one checkpoint worked properly. The first teleports you to the second, and the third does nothing, meaning you must backtrack through the tower area (that the first checkpoint teleports you to). Most of the level was inaccessible because of this. Also, the sleet was cut-off because it was moving diagonally but was blocked as if it fell vertically. I don't know why you used multiple checkpoints, or what made them work for you, but they didn't work for me. If I could have played the level properly, it would have a higher score.

The boss was easy because all you have to do is dodge magic; the POW blocks do the rest.

Also, in retrospect, 4/10 is a bit low, even though there were flaws in the parts I was able to play (like the annoying backtracking through the tower area, the cut-off sleet, slightly boring snow area and kinda weird boss). Again, I wish I could have played the whole level, because there wasn't much for me to judge.

It's against the contest rules, but did you use LunaDLL for the multiple checkpoints? I don't have it.

[MECHDRAGON777]

@MECHDRAGON777: You tried to have multiple checkpoints, but they did not work. It was short because you got teleported and only one checkpoint worked properly. The first teleports you to the second, and the third does nothing, meaning you must backtrack through the tower area (that the first checkpoint teleports you to). Most of the level was inaccessible because of this. Also, the sleet was cut-off because it was moving diagonally but was blocked as if it fell vertically. I don't know why you used multiple checkpoints, or what made them work for you, but they didn't work for me. If I could have played the level properly, it would have a higher score.

The boss was easy because all you have to do is dodge magic; the POW blocks do the rest.

Also, in retrospect, 4/10 is a bit low, even though there were flaws in the parts I was able to play (like the annoying backtracking through the tower area, the cut-off sleet, slightly boring snow area and kinda weird boss). Again, I wish I could have played the whole level, because there wasn't much for me to judge.

It's against the contest rules, but did you use LunaDLL for the multiple checkpoints? I don't have it.

I never learned about LunaDLL until yesterday or so. the only thing I know how to do with LunaDLL is how to make a timer. Also, It just felt a bit bias that you gave me a 4/10 and I could not find one reason you mentioned. It took me 45 minutes to complete it in one life as well. Quill also could not play it. I just felt a little Cheated about a low score for reasons I could not figure out what so ever. I made it Long and difficult for many reasons! The Blue and Red Shoe challenge for instance! I see some more reasons for the down grade, but not for such a low one!

[Chad]

I think only sectors 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 21 are required to beat the level!

Nine required sections is still a lot, and I felt that to give it a proper review, I should try my best to do as much of it as possible. But even a minimal run of this level is still way too long. Keep in mind, the judges had to play this level and 79 others, and everyone who plays the hub will have to do the same (depending on star requirements). It really would have been better as a standalone challenge that wasn't forced on people. This sort of level doesn't go well as part of a group, especially one this large.

it took me 45 minutes to do it all in one live!

Even a 10-15 minute level is really pushing it in terms of length. Quite frankly, it's irrational to expect people to spend nearly an hour in a single level. Especially considering that if its designer who knows the level by heart took that long to play it, imagine how long it will take for other people that are unfamiliar with it.

[Bomber57]

I'm still glad I am doing so well, and can't wait for Tier 5 tomorrow.

[Ace]

@MECHDRAGON777: You tried to have multiple checkpoints, but they did not work. It was short because you got teleported and only one checkpoint worked properly. The first teleports you to the second, and the third does nothing, meaning you must backtrack through the tower area (that the first checkpoint teleports you to). Most of the level was inaccessible because of this. Also, the sleet was cut-off because it was moving diagonally but was blocked as if it fell vertically. I don't know why you used multiple checkpoints, or what made them work for you, but they didn't work for me. If I could have played the level properly, it would have a higher score.

The boss was easy because all you have to do is dodge magic; the POW blocks do the rest.

Also, in retrospect, 4/10 is a bit low, even though there were flaws in the parts I was able to play (like the annoying backtracking through the tower area, the cut-off sleet, slightly boring snow area and kinda weird boss). Again, I wish I could have played the whole level, because there wasn't much for me to judge.

It's against the contest rules, but did you use LunaDLL for the multiple checkpoints? I don't have it.

I never learned about LunaDLL until yesterday or so. the only thing I know how to do with LunaDLL is how to make a timer. Also, It just felt a bit bias that you gave me a 4/10 and I could not find one reason you mentioned. It took me 45 minutes to complete it in one life as well. Quill also could not play it. I just felt a little Cheated about a low score for reasons I could not figure out what so ever. I made it Long and difficult for many reasons! The Blue and Red Shoe challenge for instance! I see some more reasons for the down grade, but not for such a low one!

if you made a level 45 minutes long on purpose, then you're actually the most evil person on the planet.

[MECHDRAGON777]

@MECHDRAGON777: You tried to have multiple checkpoints, but they did not work. It was short because you got teleported and only one checkpoint worked properly. The first teleports you to the second, and the third does nothing, meaning you must backtrack through the tower area (that the first checkpoint teleports you to). Most of the level was inaccessible because of this. Also, the sleet was cut-off because it was moving diagonally but was blocked as if it fell vertically. I don't know why you used multiple checkpoints, or what made them work for you, but they didn't work for me. If I could have played the level properly, it would have a higher score.

The boss was easy because all you have to do is dodge magic; the POW blocks do the rest.

Also, in retrospect, 4/10 is a bit low, even though there were flaws in the parts I was able to play (like the annoying backtracking through the tower area, the cut-off sleet, slightly boring snow area and kinda weird boss). Again, I wish I could have played the whole level, because there wasn't much for me to judge.

It's against the contest rules, but did you use LunaDLL for the multiple checkpoints? I don't have it.

I never learned about LunaDLL until yesterday or so. the only thing I know how to do with LunaDLL is how to make a timer. Also, It just felt a bit bias that you gave me a 4/10 and I could not find one reason you mentioned. It took me 45 minutes to complete it in one life as well. Quill also could not play it. I just felt a little Cheated about a low score for reasons I could not figure out what so ever. I made it Long and difficult for many reasons! The Blue and Red Shoe challenge for instance! I see some more reasons for the down grade, but not for such a low one!

if you made a level 45 minutes long on purpose, then you're actually the most evil person on the planet.

We'll, it was not entire to be that long. I just said it took me that long to 100% in one run! If I played it normally, it would of taken me about 20 minutes or so! In my defense, one of the judges. Said it was to show, so I think I have he right to say I need to make longer levels!

I think only sectors 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 21 are required to beat the level!

Nine required sections is still a lot, and I felt that to give it a proper review, I should try my best to do as much of it as possible. But even a minimal run of this level is still way too long. Keep in mind, the judges had to play this level and 79 others, and everyone who plays the hub will have to do the same (depending on star requirements). It really would have been better as a standalone challenge that wasn't forced on people. This sort of level doesn't go well as part of a group, especially one this large.

it took me 45 minutes to do it all in one live!

Even a 10-15 minute level is really pushing it in terms of length. Quite frankly, it's irrational to expect people to spend nearly an hour in a single level. Especially considering that if its designer who knows the level by heart took that long to play it, imagine how long it will take for other people that are unfamiliar with it.

Sorry about that Chad, but I still think a 4/10 is to low for the things Firespike33 said about it!

[TLtimelord]

MECHDRAGON777, I'm pretty sure this is your best contest, so I wouldn't complain that much.