The first level of my episode (Need Feedback)

[AlanLive2020]

viewtopic.php?f=90&t=26498 - My Project

So this is the first level I've ever published. I want feedback.

Download - https://www.mediafire.com/file/4wo1pknc ... 1.rar/file



(Edited)

[Flitretpa123]

Its pretty good. im are Complete the World 2-4 of my Episode. but am are Needing Help to would will be the Special World

[AlanLive2020]

Actually it might be too short, even for a first level. I probably should make it longer. I also can't place checkpoints due to the side missions.

[Cedur]

SMM checkpoints have the property that if you first hit a later checkpoint and then go back to a sooner one, then the sooner one will be your most recent checkpoint again. In other words, SMM checkpoints are "multiway", any checkpoint you hit is the most recent one regardless of the order. Does that help maybe?

[AlanLive2020]

SMM checkpoints have the property that if you first hit a later checkpoint and then go back to a sooner one, then the sooner one will be your most recent checkpoint again. In other words, SMM checkpoints are "multiway", any checkpoint you hit is the most recent one regardless of the order. Does that help maybe?

Here's the thing, one of the bonuses, for example, is to avoid the coins. The thing is, if you die after a checkpoint, you basically get a free retry for the bonus because the coins will respawn. What I mean by this, is that you can basically get all the coins in the first half, die after the checkpoint, and still get the bonus "no coins" star coin if you don't get any at the second half. I think it's better to make more levels that are shorter, instead of less levels that are longer. However, even without checkpoints, it basically takes 20 seconds, and I think that's too easy. I'll edit the post when I make it longer. It's basically like the SMM2 clear conditions.

Thanks for the help anyway. I'm still learning level design. In SMM2 I mostly used to make speedrun levels cause they are the most simple to make and also that game was a lot more easy to learn, but in SMBX I mostly want to make a whole episode of "traditional levels" (Because SMBX is mostly built for this purpose) and I'm not used to it, because it takes a lot more work than a simple 20sec speedrun course, if you know what I'm saying.

Sorry if I have poor english, it isn't my main language. Also I should've actually used the editor in the past considering I've played this game for like 4 years or smth.

[ElectriKong]

Here's the thing, one of the bonuses, for example, is to avoid the coins. The thing is, if you die after a checkpoint, you basically get a free retry for the bonus because the coins will respawn. What I mean by this, is that you can basically get all the coins in the first half, die after the checkpoint, and still get the bonus "no coins" star coin if you don't get any at the second half.

You could make so that you have to you have to activate the side quests which disables the checkpoints in order to get the rewards for them, if use layers and events, but it would be more efficient to count the coins collected using LunaLua, saving it at checkpoints and resetting the count to the last saved count on death.

Of course there is nothing wrong with making the decision not to include checkpoints, some Mario games, like SMB3 and NSLU, did this. But you would have to design levels with the fact that the player will always restart the level from the beginning upon dying, which will often mean making levels more on the shorter side, as was done in both examples. Also there's nothing inherently wrong with very short levels (taking just 20 seconds to beat does not automatically make a level easy, and neither would 5 minutes make it difficult) but there is a greater risk of the level feels like it 'ends before it starts'.

[AlanLive2020]

Here's the thing, one of the bonuses, for example, is to avoid the coins. The thing is, if you die after a checkpoint, you basically get a free retry for the bonus because the coins will respawn. What I mean by this, is that you can basically get all the coins in the first half, die after the checkpoint, and still get the bonus "no coins" star coin if you don't get any at the second half.

You could make so that you have to you have to activate the side quests which disables the checkpoints in order to get the rewards for them, if use layers and events, but it would be more efficient to count the coins collected using LunaLua, saving it at checkpoints and resetting the count to the last saved count on death.

Of course there is nothing wrong with making the decision not to include checkpoints, some Mario games, like SMB3 and NSLU, did this. But you would have to design levels with the fact that the player will always restart the level from the beginning upon dying, which will often mean making levels more on the shorter side, as was done in both examples. Also there's nothing inherently wrong with very short levels (taking just 20 seconds to beat does not automatically make a level easy, and neither would 5 minutes make it difficult) but there is a greater risk of the level feels like it 'ends before it starts'.

Good idea. I'll use a side quest block toggler. Thanks.

Edit: Actually maybe I prefer to use no checkpoints.

[AlanLive2020]

Hi guys, I made the level a bit longer. Now I just need a review if any of you want to. Also, I won't have access to my pc for about a week after tomorrow so I won't be able to make levels. I would still be able to post, though.

[Umj1124]

I like it, 8/10 Remove the time limit Or make it higher

[AlanLive2020]

I like it, 8/10 Remove the time limit Or make it higher

Thank you. The time limit is optional, you just need to speedrun through the course.

[Radiance]

I don't know what will be the difficulty of your episode but time limit of 100 in the first few levels is pretty hard for first-timers.

I was confused at first since there is a star coin counter but I only see dragon coins. Pretty cool that you used it for achieving some stuff during playing the level.

I really don't know what to feel with the No blocks hit bonus. It feels like a No power-up bonus but slightly harder.

The level looks fine however, the abundance of coins kinda destroyed it not only in aesthetics but in gameplay as well. For a 1-1 level, some parts of the level looks very busy with the coins in it. Either spread it evenly, or reduce them.

The No-coin Bonus made the level way more difficult that it has to be, taking into account the time limit of 100. The All-coin bonus made the level slightly difficult for casuals as the allowance for exploring the whole level for coins taking into account the time limit of 100.

The All-coin and No-coin bonus is pretty great though, it adds replayability of each levels with different approach on how to finish them. I'd like to see how you will work around that on the future levels.

You can improve the level by reducing the number of coins and by giving an extra time for the players to explore your level.

[AlanLive2020]

I don't know what will be the difficulty of your episode but time limit of 100 in the first few levels is pretty hard for first-timers.

I was confused at first since there is a star coin counter but I only see dragon coins. Pretty cool that you used it for achieving some stuff during playing the level.

I really don't know what to feel with the No blocks hit bonus. It feels like a No power-up bonus but slightly harder.

The level looks fine however, the abundance of coins kinda destroyed it not only in aesthetics but in gameplay as well. For a 1-1 level, some parts of the level looks very busy with the coins in it. Either spread it evenly, or reduce them.

The No-coin Bonus made the level way more difficult that it has to be, taking into account the time limit of 100. The All-coin bonus made the level slightly difficult for casuals as the allowance for exploring the whole level for coins taking into account the time limit of 100.

The All-coin and No-coin bonus is pretty great though, it adds replayability of each levels with different approach on how to finish them. I'd like to see how you will work around that on the future levels.

You can improve the level by reducing the number of coins and by giving an extra time for the players to explore your level.

Thank you. I'll work on that.

[Lucario]

Let's be honest. If anyone votes "utter garbage" has 1-1 negative bias and never played a Little Timmy level in Super Mario Maker 2. Anyways, the level is 7/10, maybe a 8/10.

[smoke40]

i really like the different star coin challenges in the level, it was fun playing the level from two completely different perspectives and trying to collect all the star coins. the level is on the short side, but personally i don't mind it, especially if it's from an episode.

maybe the biggest issue with it is that it's not all that memorable, honestly. the overall look of the level is pretty standard, which is fine for your first creations, but maybe going forward you could experiment a little more with the editor.

i also think there should be some indication that the timer is just for a starcoin, and the player doesn't die if it runs out. when i first started the level, i didn't realize it and just rushed past everything in like 30 seconds. i thought i couldn't spare any time to explore, because i had no idea how long the level was.

there were also a couple of technical problems that you probably should fix for the final version:
- to get the "all coins" starcoin, you don't need to go to the underground section and collect the coins in there, which i don't think is intentional
- level wrap is on for some reason, which is unnecessary and causes some weird bugs if you try and go back from the starting point
- i don't know if i'm just blind, but i couldn't find the fifth dragon coin - i even went into the editor and looked around, but didn't see it

in summary: it's a nice level and the little side challenges are really cool, but maybe work on being more unique in the future.

[AlanLive2020]

i really like the different star coin challenges in the level, it was fun playing the level from two completely different perspectives and trying to collect all the star coins. the level is on the short side, but personally i don't mind it, especially if it's from an episode.

maybe the biggest issue with it is that it's not all that memorable, honestly. the overall look of the level is pretty standard, which is fine for your first creations, but maybe going forward you could experiment a little more with the editor.

i also think there should be some indication that the timer is just for a starcoin, and the player doesn't die if it runs out. when i first started the level, i didn't realize it and just rushed past everything in like 30 seconds. i thought i couldn't spare any time to explore, because i had no idea how long the level was.

there were also a couple of technical problems that you probably should fix for the final version:
- to get the "all coins" starcoin, you don't need to go to the underground section and collect the coins in there, which i don't think is intentional
- level wrap is on for some reason, which is unnecessary and causes some weird bugs if you try and go back from the starting point
- i don't know if i'm just blind, but i couldn't find the fifth dragon coin - i even went into the editor and looked around, but didn't see it

in summary: it's a nice level and the little side challenges are really cool, but maybe work on being more unique in the future.

My intention was actually to create a smb1 styled classic episode, but I'll see if I can add some unique stuff in the levels. I normally try to restrict myself to specific things in a level, because having too many options is kinda overwhelming for me, as I severly lack self confidence.

Added in 7 minutes 59 seconds:

i really like the different star coin challenges in the level, it was fun playing the level from two completely different perspectives and trying to collect all the star coins. the level is on the short side, but personally i don't mind it, especially if it's from an episode.

maybe the biggest issue with it is that it's not all that memorable, honestly. the overall look of the level is pretty standard, which is fine for your first creations, but maybe going forward you could experiment a little more with the editor.

i also think there should be some indication that the timer is just for a starcoin, and the player doesn't die if it runs out. when i first started the level, i didn't realize it and just rushed past everything in like 30 seconds. i thought i couldn't spare any time to explore, because i had no idea how long the level was.

there were also a couple of technical problems that you probably should fix for the final version:
- to get the "all coins" starcoin, you don't need to go to the underground section and collect the coins in there, which i don't think is intentional
- level wrap is on for some reason, which is unnecessary and causes some weird bugs if you try and go back from the starting point
- i don't know if i'm just blind, but i couldn't find the fifth dragon coin - i even went into the editor and looked around, but didn't see it

in summary: it's a nice level and the little side challenges are really cool, but maybe work on being more unique in the future.

My intention was actually to create a smb1 styled classic episode, but I'll see if I can add some unique stuff in the levels. I normally try to restrict myself to specific things in a level, because having too many options is kinda overwhelming for me, as I severly lack self confidence. Also how did I acccidentally activate the screen wrap lol. I was also going to make a pacifist bonus, but the problem is that some enemies, like goombas, tend to kill themselves by falling off ledges.

Welp I just messed up the whole post. Oops

There. I fixed some issues. Download link for the fixed version is in the same place. Also I just realized I forgot to specify the timer was optional after uploading, but whatever.

[P4VL0VSKEY]

I played your stage and I will say that it is well made for a starting board. You used some mechanics in an interesting way, but I have reservations about the time, which could be a bit more. The level is very short, so why not try increasing it a bit. However, I think you should skip this bonus at the end because it doesn't fit in well with the level. Overall it's pretty good, so I put 6/10.