Clockwork Clouds - 1

[PixelPest]

I'd like to say this is the first level I've ever made because it's the first one I've really worked hard on and tested well; actual first level was my CC11 level--I really rushed this one and it ended up scoring 4.12.

Back on-topic, this is the first level of my current project (will post it in a few days) titled "SMB R3BORN", a fully SMB3-styled episode that utilizes fresh-off-the-block graphics, a unique storyline, and good old tilesets by Aeon (my favourite). This level comes from World 1: Clockwork Clouds. Since no one ever seems to use sky as their first world, I thought I'd give it a shot. This level is relatively short and easy but contains some fun platforming areas, two secret sections, dragon coins, a secret Shine, and definitely does not lack BGOs. The timed red coins are a little bit glitchy after they disappear and you warp to the next section (to change custom song one to custom song two). I might and up using Lua and just change the song in the final version of the episode.
This level debuts some of the graphics and the sky tileset I've been working on with most of the credits to Aeon, Emral/Enjl, Squishy Rex, and Sedinaur (special blocks are based off of his SMB3 HD pack). Most other graphics such as the clocks, red coin blocks, etc. are by me.
Music is ripped from Super Mario Sunshine and can be found at http://downloads.khinsider.com/mario
Please look but do not touch! A lot of the graphics in this episode other than the basic sky tileset by Aeon are all recolours, revamps, and originals by me. Most of the originals are in the Community GFX pack, but at this time please don't use my graphics! (If you would like to use them shoot me a PM and I'll consider giving them up.)
I'm not going to reveal the story yet, but be sure to check it out when I release my project.

Screenshots:

Spoiler: show

Download:

Spoiler: show

http://www.mediafire.com/download/3dm8d ... ds+1-1.zip

Any type of feedback would be greatly appreciated. Enjoy the level!

[Valentine]

The first level in your project and of course i die to the first koopa 3 times ;-;

REVIEW OF CLOCKWORK CLOUDS BY COSMIK

NPC PLACEMENT AND SECRETS
Basically, through most of the section a lot of the NPCs are fine... Except you have WAY too many piranha plants everywhere, also in the first section you placed too many koopas and those brick structures that are pointless since it's impossible to do anything with them because of the way you made them. The platform section has a stupid secret that isn't hinted in any way and is basically just guesswork that you have to fall down a pit to get a star (Also you get to miss the checkpoint).

GAMEPLAY AND ATMOSPHERE
The gameplay is fun although it seems a bit harder than your usual 1-1. While it might be a very slightly difficult it is very enjoyable, the second section is also pretty difficult for world 1 standards in general. In all tone down your difficulty if you want this to be 1-1. The atmosphere is also good, but it doesn't feel very sky-y.

SCORE:
6.5/10

[PixelPest]

The first level in your project and of course i die to the first koopa 3 times ;-;

REVIEW OF CLOCKWORK CLOUDS BY COSMIK

NPC PLACEMENT AND SECRETS
Basically, through most of the section a lot of the NPCs are fine... Except you have WAY too many piranha plants everywhere, also in the first section you placed too many koopas and those brick structures that are pointless since it's impossible to do anything with them because of the way you made them. The platform section has a stupid secret that isn't hinted in any way and is basically just guesswork that you have to fall down a pit to get a star (Also you get to miss the checkpoint).

GAMEPLAY AND ATMOSPHERE
The gameplay is fun although it seems a bit harder than your usual 1-1. While it might be a very slightly difficult it is very enjoyable, the second section is also pretty difficult for world 1 standards in general. In all tone down your difficulty if you want this to be 1-1. The atmosphere is also good, but it doesn't feel very sky-y.

SCORE:
6.5/10

Thank you for your review Frozen Boo. Could you (or anyone) give me some ideas on how to make a more sky-like level?
Also, in the episode, the placements of the "stupid secrets" will be hinted at in the castle/clocktower ruins at the beginning of the game, after the player accomplishes certain tasks. (I know I didn't tell you that before so I'm not criticizing your review.)
I didn't notice the lack of variation I put in the first section and I'll fix that up for the episode.
Where were there too many piranha plants? I thought I had spread them out nicely; or were you leaning towards the point that they don't fit in a sky-themed level?
The block structures are more decorations than useful objects and were intended to remove areas that the player could fall into. Those might be removed since I feel it looked a little messy in the way I used them and consider using this level for 1-3 or 1-4.
Thanks again for your quick and useful review!

[Valentine]

You see, if this is the first level of your episode having a piranha plant every 3rd pipe isn't very recommended.

If you want to make it more sky-ish then use more clouds in the foreground or something