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Super Meat Boy / Level Showcase / Re: -----New Chapter! "Soulless"-----
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on: August 06, 2011, 11:53:04 AM
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Just played Acronym, it was interesting, but there were a few things that held it back for me.
First, since this is a black and white flat level, make sure it's completely clear what surfaces and objects will kill you please. After hopping over the big pit I jumped down to get ready to climb the left wall and died... I guess there was a hazard there. Also at the very beginning, I wasn't quite sure that I would die if I touched the middle area after the blocks vanished... I mean, I tested it and did, but it wasn't clear from the start. Not a super big deal, but the way my mental path-finding works, it's harder for me to move with any kind of speed through an environment like this.
The other thing is about pacing. Since there was some ambiguity about where I could and couldn't step I was going very slowly... and let's face it, this is an above average level in length, so I was being careful. Then I grab the key after the two "squishing" platforms and there a hell-maw that charges me instantly. I have enough trouble avoiding those when I can see what surfaces are clearly safe and have room to navigate... in this case, it consistently killed me. So, this is a point where I find the pacing to be off. Every part of me says this is a slow but steady level, and then you throw me a curve-ball (I'm guessing) about half way in. If this is an intentional move, then so be it, but it felt like it was betraying the identity of the map for me. I'd say a better option would be to have a giant saw blade very slowly making it's way across the top... that way you can see it and are ready to handle what's coming. It would keep the pacing intact and still create tension about hopping down on time.
Visually it seems pretty interesting, working a warp in was a neat idea too, and I can tell you used both sides of the warp which is also a plus. I'd say it's on stage 2/3 of polish. Give it a little more attention and it'll be good to go.
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Now for Wrinkle, I don't really have a ton to say in critique!
It was terrific. I was able to beat it in about 10 tries and I'm very partial to that kind of level. It was pretty well balanced and fair. I also really appreciated the second route at the beginning. Choices like that go a long way to making the level feel more balanced. It puts some of the pathing into the players hands and feels rewarding that you can go the way you see fit. It's all about risk and reward.
I feel like this is one of your best levels. It stayed rather simple and true to the SMB formula. I just had fun playing it, and never felt like I was put in a position where I was meant to repeat the same area too many times to figure it out.
The only thing I would do with this one really, is just continue to add decorations and details until it feels totally polished. Maybe ditch the weird saw in the very beginning, it is a bit redundant since it is going over a salt patch anyway, right?
I'll send you another message, I forgot to answer that question you mentioned in my last one.
Hope this mini-crit is useful!
Thanks, very usefull indeed! Will put these to good use when I reupload them after some time. I already polished up Wrinkle a little bit, and I'm gonna remove the demon maw and make some more changes to Acronym. It is indeed a bit unfair and against the spirit of the level which is indeed to go slow and steady. I'll make the changes and reupload them later with some revised levels. Thanks, and see you later! |
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Super Meat Boy / Level Showcase / Re: -----New Chapter! "Soulless"-----
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on: July 22, 2011, 07:12:39 AM
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Hey people, talking from France. I noticed that the chapter bug got fixed, so the chapter is probably going to be a full, 20 level meatboy-menace. I hope Ill be able to make all 20 as good as can be. Greetings from a sunny France!
TwitchFingerNightmare
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That is super awesome. And the giant Jigglypuff above it makes it that much better. 
