Grassy Paint

[Willhart]

Posting this here, since I'm interested to know if anyone else has attempted this.

This level is my first successful attempt of using couple of large npcs as a background layer. It allows getting around background and block limitations, making it possible to have a ton of unique details everywhere. I've managed to make a total of three other levels using this technique and this one is somewhat unoptimized compared to them. Gameplay could be better.

The largest problem was that the generators will not work without lunadll, meaning that the player can get stuck if they collect all the cats without getting to the exit. Also, changing the level layout afterwards and getting the hidden blocks align was rather difficult and time consuming. I've since found a way around that. The background was split in 4 quarters in order to get around gif color limitations.

I have noticed that using very large npcs and blocks does not cause lag for me. It only increases loading times.

This level also contains automatic and almost invisible character filter.

Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxij3Y ... sp=sharing

Screenshots:

Spoiler: show

Credits:

Spoiler: show

Graphics: Editing was done with Gamemaker and the effects were made with Gimp. Everything was put together with the help of copypaste-tool.
Music: tamariu - bbc radiophonic workshop.

[Superiorstar]

I think that review was BIAS. but the level was amazing though.

[AirShip]

Spoiler: show

Grassy Paint


Gameplay: -/-

This was not so much a level as it was a spiritual experience. Since this was obviously to only show off the gfx, and how the thing with the NPCs as bgo works, I'm not going to rate this after gameplay.

I have to say though, that it was impossible to finish the level without cheating. Or maybe I did something wrong, I don't know.

Also I really want to praise that character-change technique. It works, and the player sees nothing of it. Amazing.


NPCs: -/-

There were pretty much no NPCs in this level, except for a villager and a 1-up mushroom that both had some really thought-provoking dialogue. And a spring-onion that... ended.... the level?


Gfx: 10/10

WOW. This was amazing. It almost felt like a completely different game. The artstyle is astaunding, I especially like that cherry-tree in that unreachable area above the part where the player starts.

Everything was kinda blurry, with little specs that were really detailed. I didn't even mind that there were 1x1 pixels because honestly I didn't feel like I was playing SMBX anymore.

You, sir, need to make a game with these gfx.


Music: 8/10

The music really set the mood for the level. It feels like you walk along a grassy land, and come along a village/house with a man that tells you that he doesn't need your protection. That's really deep, man, and the music only helps underlaying that. I'm almost tempted to give it a 10/10 too.


This may not be a real level, but everybody should see this, 9/10, moved to The Best

You are evaluating the level or the graphics?

Because this note is absurd for one level of this type.

[Marina]

I need to judge this level, since it's not in the graphics section, what else am I supposed to do, there is literally nothing in this level except for graphics.

[Willhart]

There is an arrow to show that one could jump to the ledge far left below. I could have explained that better.

I was mostly wondering, if anyone else had done something like this yet. It does allow for unseen amount of variety. Taking screenshots of a premade level layout, combining them, removing the background and then drawing/tiling new graphics on top of the old, would be one of the easier ways to make something like this and to make sure that everything lines up.

[AirShip]

I need to judge this level, since it's not in the graphics section, what else am I supposed to do, there is literally nothing in this level except for graphics.

If the level has nothing but graphics, you'll have to judge it so, which is worth more on a level, your embellishments or your gameplay? Please...

[Superiorstar]

I need to judge this level, since it's not in the graphics section, what else am I supposed to do, there is literally nothing in this level except for graphics.

If the level has nothing but graphics, you'll have to judge it so, which is worth more on a level, your embellishments or your gameplay? Please...

Even airship didn't like that review. (I'm not telling you how to do your job)

[Fuyu]

Yeah, so, if you're gonna review stuff based on graphics you could go to the WIP Tilesets thread or the SMBX Screenshots thread. While aesthetics are important, you shouldn't base a review completely on the graphics. People could easily use great graphics on a wrong way, and based on your review, those levels should also be moved to "The Best" section.

While we shouldn't question your decision, I've gotta say you should reconstruct your review, and this time, based upon all important factors, not just graphics.

[AirShip]

I need to judge this level, since it's not in the graphics section, what else am I supposed to do, there is literally nothing in this level except for graphics.

If the level has nothing but graphics, you'll have to judge it so, which is worth more on a level, your embellishments or your gameplay? Please...

Even airship didn't like that review. (I'm not telling you how to do your job)

Actually, I just did not think it fair to evaluate a level for its graphics, which should assess in a level not is its structure and gameplay? The level has absolutely nothing and received a 9, beating several other magnificent levels, this is wrong.

[Beyond]

Actually, I agree with AirShip and Natsu. Only by the perception when I've read the review. I saw that you disregarded gameplay and NPCs (since the two don't have grades) and gives 10/10 to the graphics. A level has to be analyzed completely, not in parts. Anyway, I think you have to restructure your review.

[RudeGuy]

Unofficial and short review by me:

Gameplay: 6/10

The actual gimmick of this level was using Fairy Link's power to climb a mountain, and honestly this was a new and really good used gimmick, which I like. I didn't like, however, the fact that there weren't any NPCs other than the power-ups or that talking NPC. Also it was really difficult get the onion (the star) and I had to use the fence BGO the first time. At the second time I discovered that I had to do a really long jump to get those power-ups which makes you a fairy. I guess that an explanation of what to do would be nice, because I was lost if I didn't knew anything about those power-ups. Anyways, you made a really good gimmicks, so I gave you a 6/10.

Atmosphere: 9/10

I didn't get the atmosphere of the level (maybe a village? Or a mountain?), but I liked those graphics because they had a fantastic artstyle. There were some 1x1 pixels, tough. I like also that as I go up in the level, the colors slowly get an orange tone. I think the music fits really good in the level. It makes me thinking that the level is an uninhabited village. I guess a 9/10 is good.

Overall: 7/10. Pretty good level. I guess some NPCs or some sort of explanation on how to get the onion isn't bad.

[Darkonius Mavakar]

DID YOU SERIOUSLY JUDGE A LEVEL 10/10 ONY FOR THE GRAPHICS??????


YOU'RE STEREOTYPING THE SMBX COMMUNITY AT BEST.
(reffered to gluigix's review)

[Marina]

Yes thank you everybody for giving me critical feedback. I see that I made a mistake and I will have another judge review this level (since I obviously suck at reviewing, I'm so sorry guys)


Also yes, I made a mistake, I'm just human, big surprise. I also know that everyone of you guys so desperately wants to be a level judge yourselves, without knowing what a shitload of work that actually means. But wether I'm good enough of a level judge or not is still up to TNT, so if you wanna complain, complain to him. (Especially you, Christian.)

[Axiom]

Review - art

Im calling it art, that's pretty much what it is..modern art...a new genre of art: smbx. You know what this reminds me of? Final Fantasy 10. And I like that game alot. But what's with the 1x1 stuff? Idk, it's just kind of awkward looking. Everything is photorealistic and then we have 1x1 pixel stuff and Link. It kind of *gasp* clashes. The music fits though, and again feels like final fantasy. Thing is though, i couldn't figure out where the hell to go. the only place I could even think of is all the way to the right and even there I couldn't get up. It was short, there wasn't much to it. I'm going to judge this from a half and half level and artsy point of view.

Atmosphere: wowow it sure was unique that's for sure, it felt like a final fantasy game in way but a very artsy one. can't complain, but some of the 1x1 pixel things broke the atmosphere/focus 8/10

Gameplay: it was different. i'm not sure how to feel about it. but i kinda liked it. gameplay was lacking in a sense but its made up for through minimalistic almost story like telling. 8/10

NPC Placement: what npcs? lol 5/10

Graphics: the tilesets and bgo are great. but don't blend well at all with the 1x1 pixel npcs and bgo's that exist. 7/10

Overall Score: 7/10 this is a great concept, albeit very lacking right now. this concept could be expanded upon greatly to actually create one of the greatest levels ever, if only you took advantage of that and went with it. i wouldn't say that this deserves to be put in the best but i do agree with gluigix's statement that everyone needs to play it. it's art that's what it is, and i liked it alot.
However, if you can't appreciate art I'd suggest staying away from this since all you're going to do is rip it a new one.

[Willhart]

Thank you for the reviews.
I agree with this level not being deserving for the best section. Especially since I have made three better levels with similar idea, but with enemies and gameplay, since I figured out a good way to do that. I was not as picky with the resolution back then.

[Marina]

Thank you for the reviews.
I agree with this level not being deserving for the best section. Especially since I have made three better levels with similar idea, but with enemies and gameplay, since I figured out a good way to do that. I was not as picky with the resolution back then.

Would you mind uploading them too? I really liked the idea of this, and I wanna see more

[Axiom]

Thank you for the reviews.
I agree with this level not being deserving for the best section. Especially since I have made three better levels with similar idea, but with enemies and gameplay, since I figured out a good way to do that. I was not as picky with the resolution back then.

"remaster" this level, expand upon the concept. I really want to see more out of this

[Fuyu]

NPC Placement: what npcs? lol 5/10

If there are almost no NPCs judging for what I've read so far in this thread, where does that 5/10 come from exactly?

[Axiom]

NPC Placement: what npcs? lol 5/10

If there are almost no NPCs judging for what I've read so far in this thread, where does that 5/10 come from exactly?

Because the NPC's he had (there were some) were important to the art aspect of it. For example, the villager. The 1-Up said something too iirc.
What you don't realise is that nearly everything in this plays a role somehow, and like I said if you have a hard time appreciating art you'll have a hard time appreciating this level.