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Crazy Train! (normal and hard versions)

Archive: 65 posts

EDIT:

There's now an "normal difficulty" and "hard difficulty" version of that level. If you think the hard one was too much, have a try at the normal one. If you give feedback i'd like you to indicate it's feedback on wich version of the level. Tks all


Hi guys and gals,

So here's the time to publish my new level. This time it's a one player intended thing of hard difficulty. I'm sure I will be fried alive in the cool pages but honestly I can't care less. There's got to be someone somewhere making good hard levels for more advanced players that want a challenge.


Point of interests:

-Train level, yay!

-Simulation of a parallaxed background.

-Bubble mode.


When you finish the level you're going to get a sticker for the Bubble Mode. The bubble mode is about trying to go through the whole level and grab all the bubbles in ONE huge combo. The layout of the level changes accordingly you are in Bubble Mode or not so you can actually achieve your goal.

I hope you enjoy the thing, don't be shy to give feedback and to rate it high if you liked it in order to counter the difficulty whinners out there. You know what I mean, I don't want to come around here as a rating begger.

Oh and I finish this post with some screenies:

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrain03.png

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrain04.png

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrain01.png

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrain02.png

.		2009-05-22 02:29:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

One thing I would suggest, by just looking at the pictures, is to change those letters, to some nice looking ones. A really nice level I found was Font Cache? Or Cache Font? I don't remember but it has some nice fonts, I just don't like the MM letters, that's just me though.

I'll go give the level a try since I love challenges.		2009-05-22 02:32:00

Author:
Whalio Cappuccino
Posts: 5250

One thing I would suggest, by just looking at the pictures, is to change those letters, to some nice looking ones. A really nice level I found was Font Cache? Or Cache Font? I don't remember but it has some nice fonts, I just don't like the MM letters, that's just me though.

I'll go give the level a try since I love challenges.

Actually i'm doing my own fonts for many things in my levels but this time I thought it did fit. Since it's like the name of a brand that would be in LittleBigPlanet I thought that using the LBP fonts would be cool for a change.

I dunno, tell me what you think after you played the level. I'd like to know if you think its still not fitting. I dunno, I might change it down the road.

.		2009-05-22 02:35:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Actually i'm doing my own fonts for many things in my levels but this time I thought it did fit. Since it's like the name of a brand that would be in LittleBigPlanet I thought that using the LBP fonts would be cool for a change.

I dunno, tell me what you think after you played the level. I'd like to know if you think its still not fitting. I dunno, I might change it down the road.

.

Wow, this level is fun, and I haven't even gotten passed the paintballs, I wanted to ask a question though. Did you do the ducking thing on purpose? Because it seems that if you stand still, sackboy ducks under the paintballs, but if you move he gets hit. Also the bubbles at the top must be for bubble mode? I'm assuming.

EDIT: Ah nvm, it fits well.		2009-05-22 02:42:00

Author:
Whalio Cappuccino
Posts: 5250

Wow, this level is fun, and I haven't even gotten passed the paintballs, I wanted to ask a question though. Did you do the ducking thing on purpose? Because it seems that if you stand still, sackboy ducks under the paintballs, but if you move he gets hit. Also the bubbles at the top must be for bubble mode? I'm assuming.

EDIT: Ah nvm, it fits well.

To be honest the fact you can duck under those wasn't planned. When I was testing my stuff I noticed I could do that and I thought it was cool so I left it like that.
There's also a couple of other little tricks like that you can find in the level.

.		2009-05-22 02:54:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

To be honest the fact you can duck under those wasn't planned. When I was testing my stuff I noticed I could do that and I thought it was cool so I left it like that.
There's also a couple of other little tricks like that you can find in the level.

.

Hmm, one thing I noticed in Bubble Mode, why is that paintinator there? I didn't find a reason for it, but there is problem a secret so I was just wondering.		2009-05-22 02:57:00

Author:
Whalio Cappuccino
Posts: 5250

Hmm, one thing I noticed in Bubble Mode, why is that paintinator there? I didn't find a reason for it, but there is problem a secret so I was just wondering.

If you don't use the paintinator you will break your bubble combo...

.		2009-05-22 03:20:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Just had to try this since I read the post, because I love the hardcore levels. I loved it. Everything is really well thought out. Your obstacles are hard , but not frustrating. Very fun. One thing though. The checkpoint right before the plasma ball section, I think there's something wrong with it, because I had to run back and fourth in front of it, and jump up and down to get it to activate. I know this isn't your fault, but I just wanted to let you know. Great level 5*/ hearted.

could you check out my ( mountain marathon) thanks.		2009-05-22 03:42:00

Author:
smasher
Posts: 641

Just had to try this since I read the post, because I love the hardcore levels. I loved it. Everything is really well thought out. Your obstacles are hard , but not frustrating. Very fun. One thing though. The checkpoint right before the plasma ball section, I think there's something wrong with it, because I had to run back and fourth in front of it, and jump up and down to get it to activate. I know this isn't your fault, but I just wanted to let you know. Great level 5*/ hearted.

could you check out my ( mountain marathon) thanks.

Thank you buddy. It's exactly the type of bugs that are easy to miss. I'm gonna replace the checkpoint by a new one.

.		2009-05-22 04:25:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

sounds awesome, ill try tomorrow for teh high score!2009-05-22 04:40:00

Author:
johnrulz77
Posts: 835

Wow. I'm REALLY impressed by this level. I can tell by playing this that you carefully thought out every single piece, and adjusted it to be difficult, but to also be fair and make sense.

Jaeyden and I played through it together and.... it actually worked pretty well even for 2 players. It was kind of a survival thing.... just when we though we were going to die one of us would make it through.

One thing I'd like to mention to people planning on playing this: You absolutely MUST play this through twice. Seriously, the second run with the bubble sticker felt like a different game. You play many of the sections totally different than the first run.

Definately 5 stars and a heart from me... and some of the best background scrolling I've seen.		2009-05-22 05:01:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Alas, I do not have the skills. I played several times but could not get past the spinner on a stick over fire (OMG I hate spinners - ask Morgana). But what I did see of it was fantastic. The background scrolling is exceptional - the two planes (three really, with the tracks) moving at different speeds really gives the illusion of depth and speed.2009-05-22 05:50:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

I'm getting discouraged though.

I'm desperately trying to create a less thermo-heavy version because there's a bug I simply can't fix right now. Each time I go into my moon to re-save it for republishing, the thermo goes a little higher than it was before (even with zero changes, go figure) and then if I publish that version, you will see that the tracks aren't spawning during the 1-2 seconds the level is overheating (emitter glitch where they take more thermo until some calculation is made by the engine) therefore leaving a hole in the ground that passes under you

I don't know what to do anymore really. I simplified the backgrounds so it's less heavy on the emitters. The emitters are at the minimum they can be (lower "emitted at the same time" as possible, shortest "lifetime" as possible).
I even killed 3 materials. After all those changes, the level actually take MORE thermo.

I just want to ****ing kick the game.		2009-05-22 06:02:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

For your thermo problem, you need to get the emitted pieces to disappear so the thermo will forget about them. The mine carts in my recent level always took an extra couple thermo-pixels until I had them turned off. Once the ones 'in play' vanished, the thermo went back down to the right level.2009-05-22 09:38:00

Author:
Loius
Posts: 342

For your thermo problem, you need to get the emitted pieces to disappear so the thermo will forget about them. The mine carts in my recent level always took an extra couple thermo-pixels until I had them turned off. Once the ones 'in play' vanished, the thermo went back down to the right level.

This phenomenon indeed happens. When you finish loading my level, it overheats for 1-2 seconds and then it goes back down to third quarter. This is probably because the game counts both the pieces that are emitted already (that wouldn't count in the emitters that haven't started emitting yet) and add to them all the stuff that possibly will come out of the emitters. In short, it's there was double the emitted stuff when I launch the level. When those initial piece of background fade away, the thermo goes down.

What doesn't make sense with my level here is that when I simplified pretty much anything, the thermo isn't going down. Only by litterally chopping a part of the level it would go down. It's ridiculous.
So right now i'm stuck trying to find a solution and I can't republish in the meantime + losing my cool pages prime time. :/

.		2009-05-22 14:22:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Is your thermo not going down because you aren't simplifying the specific thermo that's the problem? (most likely separate objects thermo). You can simplify shapes, # of brains, decorations, or number of materials.... but if those aren't the specific thermos that are causing it to overheat it won't help. When it overheats, what is the specific message it is saying? (such as "use less objects or glue them down).2009-05-22 15:01:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

?? This message is dynamic and tell you the problem depending what it is?

I never noticed that. If I remember right it says to have less shapes and collected objects.

I don't have many unique shapes, everything is copied everywhere, even the wagons are all the same one copied. There's only 3 pieces of background, the track is actually 3 shapes + the ground. The wheels and support for my backgrounds are also the name on each piece (just with the wheel set at a different speed of course).

I'm gonna check tonight what the message exactly is saying. But the fact my levels overheat IS because of the way they calculate the emitters when you launch the level. If their engine wouldn't count the already emitted pieces ON TOP of the ones set into the emitters, the level would never overheat for 1-2 second at the start.

If ever it's only to remove shapes or object, I will pretty much only remove the wood panels under the track. It the only thing I can remove without changing the level.

.		2009-05-22 16:07:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

?? This message is dynamic and tell you the problem depending what it is?

I never noticed that. If I remember right it says to have less shapes and collected objects.

I don't have many unique shapes, everything is copied everywhere, even the wagons are all the same one copied. There's only 3 pieces of background, the track is actually 3 shapes + the ground. The wheels and support for my backgrounds are also the name on each piece (just with the wheel set at a different speed of course).

I'm gonna check tonight what the message exactly is saying. But the fact my levels overheat IS because of the way they calculate the emitters when you launch the level. If their engine wouldn't count the already emitted pieces ON TOP of the ones set into the emitters, the level would never overheat for 1-2 second at the start.

If ever it's only to remove shapes or object, I will pretty much only remove the wood panels under the track. It the only thing I can remove without changing the level.

.
Yup, the message is totally dynamic and tells you WHICH thermo is overheating (I'm sorry you misunderstood this... I was trying to get this across a while ago, but I'm not the best communicator...)

So, even though its the way LBP calculates the emitted objects, there is still a SPECIFIC thermo which is causing the issue (it's confusing the way LBP works... but the thermo on the left side of the screen only displays the thermo which is most used, so you may only be using 10% of your allowed material thermo, but 95% of your shapes thermo).

If it's that your shapes are too complex, you would need to figure out a way to lower this by getting rid of edges.

If it's collected objects, you MAY be able to lower your thermo by using your own less-complex-shaped tree in your parralax background instead of the one you are using.

(in fact, to test this you could remove the 3D tree from your background in a level copy and see if this helps).		2009-05-22 16:38:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

But the fact my levels overheat IS because of the way they calculate the emitters when you launch the level. If their engine wouldn't count the already emitted pieces ON TOP of the ones set into the emitters, the level would never overheat for 1-2 second at the start.

If ever it's only to remove shapes or object, I will pretty much only remove the wood panels under the track. It the only thing I can remove without changing the level.

.OK - So here's a thought... You could start the level without any emitted objects and only emit them once it begins. I would imagine this would not apply to your tracks, but certainly the backgrounds. Just put in a Global Lighting Tool and start out in black for the few seconds it takes to spawn your backgrounds.

Not a perfect solution, I realize - just trying to think outside the box here.		2009-05-22 18:10:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

OK - So here's a thought... You could start the level without any emitted objects and only emit them once it begins. I would imagine this would not apply to your tracks, but certainly the backgrounds. Just put in a Global Lighting Tool and start out in black for the few seconds it takes to spawn your backgrounds.

Not a perfect solution, I realize - just trying to think outside the box here.

I thought of something similar. I thought I could make some chamber BEFORE you enter the train, kinda at the beginning of Sack's In The City.

Anyways, I'm pretty confident I might find a solution tonight.

.		2009-05-22 18:49:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Was going through this again today, and I actually got hung up on one of the passing trees. It pulled me right out of the train. I took a picture, and uploaded it. Not a big deal though because I just killed myself, and I was right back on the train. Just wanted to let you know.2009-05-22 19:36:00

Author:
smasher
Posts: 641

hmmm, you shouldn't upload pictures of bugs because it makes the level look bad.

If ever you find some other ones, send me a PSN message with the screenshot attached instead if you want to show me.

.		2009-05-22 20:12:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

hmmm, you shouldn't upload pictures of bugs because it makes the level look bad.

If ever you find some other ones, send me a PSN message with the screenshot attached instead if you want to show me.

.

Sorry didn't mean any harm. Never even thought of that. Accept my apologies.		2009-05-22 23:04:00

Author:
smasher
Posts: 641

Sorry didn't mean any harm. Never even thought of that. Accept my apologies.

Not a problem buddy

.		2009-05-23 00:21:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Well i must say, im proud to finish the level at almost 30k points. Yeepee! Ive raised he bar pretty high eh?

Well on to my Feedback:

I think this level was simply addicting. It really tested my skills as platformer.

There were a few tricks that made the level easier. 1 i discovered was half of the plasma room you are able to duck under those plasma balls but then you really have to jump and pass all of the on the last half of it.

The other tricks, well ill keep them o my self since i like to be on 1st place. buwahahahah!

As for the visuals, inside the train is nothing grand its actually just simple. but the background is Unique, youre actually inside a moving train. How cool is that?

The level was hard at first but it turned into an addicting game, especially when your able to acquire the bubble sticker key.

I loved champing this level. so I gave it 4 stars and points fest plus a heart!

Suggestions:

As for your emitter problem, i would try and take off those tree objects from the story. I do believe they add quite alot in space, as most story objects do i think. Experiment and create your own simple tree, then compare, which tree eats more space. duplicate them 20 times for each tree to see the difference.

Also If you could lessen those holes youve made as windows in your train cars, i think you chop down some space used.

And If youve only used that wire metal material on that one cart, perhaps you can take that off? maybe not? its up to you.

Maybe instead of using the paintinator, you can attach those Dissolve Blocks into jump buttons. and still be able to rack your combo. I said Jump button coz you already used that in the first room.

Your using way too much emitters. I would drop that R1 box, and all Those Jump buttons (if you decide to use them) instead of emitting. Use gravity.

Try to make an "even less" complicated shape on the landscape that your trees are standing on.

I may have more but thats it for now.

Id like some feedback for my "The Count Of St Claire Island: Prologue please.

As for Chapter 1, if you do get to play it, that level is only at 98% in thermo only because of the cutting edge tool and being less dependent on emitters.

graygoose out 		2009-05-23 08:29:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

I just absolutely loved this level. Simple concept, flashy setting, awesome challenge, and amazing technical stuff behind the scenes. Bubble mode is a welcome addition that adds exceptional replay value. I told you this on PSN yesterday, but I'll say it again. Hands down your best level and one of the best out there. Why? Because it was a load of fun and it looks great. Gratz Ranger. Sorry to hear about your editting issues. I hope you can get them resolved.2009-05-23 09:16:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564

Ah very nice, refreshing gameplay with a strong difficulty. Well done

Pros:
+ Not too difficult, but still a challenge
+ The scrolling background
+ The different rooms
+ Bubble mode!
+ Some new ideas and challenges

Cons:
- I had to restart a couple of times because I lost all my lives. Might put other off so maybe unlimited life checkpoints at some of the harder challenges?

Overall though a very good level. 4 stars and a heart 		2009-05-23 14:16:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

THis looks awesome-I'll have to play it later (we really need that level queuing thing, don't we?)2009-05-23 16:33:00

Author:
ARD
Posts: 4291

I finally realised (yeah I know, I'm late) that the overheating message is actually telling wich type of things are causing the problem. The problem with my level there was unique shapes. I changed the way the track in made and now it's fine, it never overheat!

I might take time to simply other things down the road and maybe add to the deco. At some point I add supplementary lighting for the fires and such. This might come back. I will continue to experiment.

As for the bubble mode, do you think a contest could be interesting?



Graygoose:
The "R1 box" is necessary because it prevents your from loosing your combo if the wheel is not there or takes time to come by.		2009-05-23 17:18:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

I would be interested in a contest with the bubble mode (of course some people would have to win it first)
It would also help you get more plays on your level me thinks 		2009-05-23 17:57:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

I would be interested in a contest with the bubble mode (of course some people would have to win it first)
It would also help you get more plays on your level me thinks

Yeah I think i'm gonna make one. I will buy that exp thing and give the winners some.
I'm currently testing what type of score to aim for. Contest should pop sometimes today.

.		2009-05-23 18:08:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Just played this again... love the new trees. It looks much better this way.

Also, I left my 7-year-old playing this in the other room. I told him if he can beat it I'll let him have extra time on the WII this afternoon. As I'm typing this I can hear him yelling in the other room on the virge of tears.

You KNOW it's a great game when you can use it to drive your 7-year-old to tears!

(keep in mind, I was playing it before him and told him it was too hard for him, and he was saying stuff like "yeah, right! It doesn't look hard to me!)		2009-05-23 18:25:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Graygoose:
The "R1 box" is necessary because it prevents your from loosing your combo if the wheel is not there or takes time to come by.

I think you misunderstood me Ranger, im aware of the combo and i meant that you should drop The R1 box from the ceiling by the use of gravity.		2009-05-23 19:25:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

Just played this again... love the new trees. It looks much better this way.

Also, I left my 7-year-old playing this in the other room. I told him if he can beat it I'll let him have extra time on the WII this afternoon. As I'm typing this I can hear him yelling in the other room on the virge of tears.

You KNOW it's a great game when you can use it to drive your 7-year-old to tears!

(keep in mind, I was playing it before him and told him it was too hard for him, and he was saying stuff like "yeah, right! It doesn't look hard to me!)Big meanie!		2009-05-23 19:28:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

I think you misunderstood me Ranger, im aware of the combo and i meant that you should drop The R1 box from the ceiling by the use of gravity.

Oh I see, like I do with the paintinator and the red button. Now I get you. I'm very intelligent you know when people explain alot.

.		2009-05-23 19:29:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

58k holds top spot right now. Glad to hear you got your issue fixed with the thermo. Are those pistons and motor bolts visible intentionally? Just curious...can never tell these days, and noticed no one has said anything about em.2009-05-24 10:00:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564

58K high score didn't last long....2009-05-24 12:34:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

58k holds top spot right now. Glad to hear you got your issue fixed with the thermo. Are those pistons and motor bolts visible intentionally? Just curious...can never tell these days, and noticed no one has said anything about em.

my 30k got trashed? meh...

Although the background was nice, the insides of the train dosnt really offer much on visuals so the pistons and motor bolts visibility werent a real issue.

Not unless Ranger polishes it up.		2009-05-24 13:40:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

What's visible should be intended. The deco is simple in the level because i've been so busted with the thermo and well, i'm not THAT good at deco anyways. When something rotate, I like to see where it's fixed to keep the mechanical feel. Same goes with pistons. Sometimes you want a "magical platform" like my waffers in Ultra Beginners And Girlfriends and sometimes you want your platform or object to keep that mechanical feel again.

.		2009-05-24 14:14:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

I LOVED this level, it was probably one of the best train levels out there in my opinion, and I can tell you've put lots of effort into both the challenging, yet fun and addictive gameplay and the beautiful look and feel of the level. I'll go onto the pros and cons:

Pros:
+ Great challenging gameplay that isn't too hard in my opinion
+ A simple yet beautiful look to the level
+ It's a train level! Yay train levels!
+ Bubble mode is a GREAT idea
+ A nice, simple storyline that makes you want to go on until the end of the level
+ Quite long for a train level
+ Nice platforming elements

Cons:
- The end of the level seems a bit sudden, if you can, why not add a enemy or boss at the end of some sort?

As you can see there, I was really trying hard to look for a con. Overall, I'd give your level 5 stars and a heart. Great work!		2009-05-24 14:44:00

Author:
lk9988
Posts: 1077

I just realised that there are train sounds in the monster pack! I added them.

.		2009-05-24 17:50:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Well, I just discovered it's possible to jump back out of the truck once you get into it and trigger the door so as you can't get back in and have to quit the level. Oh, and thank you for making me hate springs..all over again. 2009-05-25 10:22:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564

Well, I just discovered it's possible to jump back out of the truck once you get into it and trigger the door so as you can't get back in and have to quit the level. Oh, and thank you for making me hate springs..all over again.

Yeah i'm sadly aware of that. I don't really have a fix though. I made so the door shuts itself ASAP but it's not perfect. It's also possible to force the door open again if it's not completely done moving...

.		2009-05-25 13:23:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Can't you adjust the tightness of the bolt...or change the material of the truck and the door to a heavier material?2009-05-25 18:24:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564

Can't you adjust the tightness of the bolt...or change the material of the truck and the door to a heavier material?

hmmm... I didn't think about using a different material. I'm gonna try that tonight. If ever I could fix this that would be nice. MOAR POLISH

Speaking of details, did you notice that if you come back at the rear of the train, the business man in the car isn't there anymore like he's gone preparing the truck?

------------

EDIT: OMG, I just made the top cool page yesterday!

.		2009-05-25 18:40:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Yeah i'm double posting because it's an important message.

For those that found this level is hard, I just published a "normal difficulty version". I would like to receive feedback on that version too but I didn't want to confuse people with 2 threads called "Crazy Train".

So have a try and if you leave feedback, please just tell me it's about wich level version.

Enjoy 		2009-05-28 16:21:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Yeah i'm double posting because it's an important message.

For those that found this level is hard, I just published a "normal difficulty version". I would like to receive feedback on that version too but I didn't want to confuse people with 2 threads called "Crazy Train".

So have a try and if you leave feedback, please just tell me it's about wich level version.

Enjoy
You may have changed this on the easier version already, but when I played last night right after the hanging part where the turning triangles used to be... the platforms you try to jump on seemed REALLY small (in fact much more difficult for me than the triangles used to be). My suggestion would be to make these platforms a bit wider, as coming off the hanging part and landing on them seemed more difficult than it needed to be.

Also, if you're trying to set the pace it occurred to me that in the first area, you really don't need ANY spikes. Getting all the point bubbles in this area without losing the combo is probably enough. It's probably a bit early in the first room to kill the player's confidence.

These are, of course, subjective suggestions. The level is fine the way it is, but these changed could possibly make it more enjoyable for the average gamer.		2009-05-28 18:59:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Anymore feedback?

For those who found the hard version too hard, were you able to finish the "normal" version?

Do you think the changes between the 2 difficulty levels are good?

Do you like it when a level is having more than one version like this or normally you don't care trying the other difficulty levels?

.		2009-06-02 14:56:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

From a 7-year-olds point of view (my son played it this morning):

Jumped on a box and landed on a spike at the very beginning.

Plasma shooting part - got hit over and over again. Had one more life - had to get daddy for help.

Coming off the hanging part - the platforms are too small. Kept getting burned. Had to have daddy do it for me.

Part with the spinning electric things - the little electric part going back and forth on the floor was mean! Made me very upset. Daddy had to do it for me.

Rated 2 stars and "lousy". Daddy was mad. Played it again and put a 5 star and "brilliant". Gave me a spanking.		2009-06-02 15:03:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Well, needless to say that for young kids we would need an "easy" version here.

.		2009-06-02 16:12:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

FINALLY got around to playing this... man, I was missing out. This is one of the coolest and most complete train levels I've played. That background scenery is fantastic! I really like the short intro and outro premise, and the heaven deposit at the conclusion. What was best about this though, was the flawlessly placed point bubbles and the fluid structure of the environment to make everything form into an almost constant combo chain if it was played right (which it wasn't that time lol).2009-06-02 18:41:00

Author:
Unknown User

Tried the normal version. I think the changes will make it much more accessible to the average bear. Good work!2009-06-02 23:07:00

Author:
smasher
Posts: 641

This level is great! The endless background thing was cool. It would've been nice if the level was a little longer but it's not really that important. The hard version wasn't really that hard, I don't understand why it was only 3 stars. I rated it 4 stars and hearted it.2009-06-02 23:15:00

Author:
brnxblze
Posts: 1318

From a 7-year-olds point of view (my son played it this morning):

Jumped on a box and landed on a spike at the very beginning.

Plasma shooting part - got hit over and over again. Had one more life - had to get daddy for help.

Coming off the hanging part - the platforms are too small. Kept getting burned. Had to have daddy do it for me.

Part with the spinning electric things - the little electric part going back and forth on the floor was mean! Made me very upset. Daddy had to do it for me.

Rated 2 stars and "lousy". Daddy was mad. Played it again and put a 5 star and "brilliant". Gave me a spanking.



Oh - that's so sad. I have no daddy capable of helping me. lol - then again I'm not 7.

I did play it and finally made it through the hard version! yea! Had to take picture just to proove it.

Really excellent level though. I'm in awe of your background tech and it looks great too. Really only one section sent me screaming from the room though - the plasma section. Everything else was manageable for me but if I see one more red plasma ball.... I swear! (Sign of a good level I guess - makes me homicidal)

I rated it 5 stars and hearted it. Thanks for sharing it!		2009-06-03 01:16:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

This level is HARD. But I kinda managed to get through it, with some points where I died anyway, but I stopped with the red plasma balls because those are the most annoying. That's just too bad. Other people might stop playing it because of that and rate it horrible, so I think you should make it a little easier even on the hard version.

Otherwise, this level is brilliant. How'd you do the scrolling background thing?		2009-06-03 16:07:00

Author:
Recurracy
Posts: 166

This was awesome! I do not have the skills for the hard version (I tried, then tried again, then went to the store and bought a case of new controllers to replace the ones I'd smashed against the wall, then tried again, and eventually quit).

But the normal level... Still a challenge for my nuthin-but-left-thumbs hands, but I completed it! And rather enjoyed myself on the way!

Good job Ranger!		2009-06-03 17:32:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

This level is HARD. But I kinda managed to get through it, with some points where I died anyway, but I stopped with the red plasma balls because those are the most annoying. That's just too bad. Other people might stop playing it because of that and rate it horrible, so I think you should make it a little easier even on the hard version.

Otherwise, this level is brilliant. How'd you do the scrolling background thing?

It's background parts on wheels. You set them with motorbolts of course so you have moving background parts. Then you emit those "vehicules" in succession.

Basically here I have 3 "roads" under the level where each of my background parts ride on. (track, trees and grass, sky and mountain) Each the background parts are moving at different speeds in accordance to each other so it create some depth effect.

Needless to say that half my thermo was gone for that effect alone. This is why the level might not be a looker.

.		2009-06-03 19:14:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

It's background parts on wheels. ...Needless to say that half my thermo was gone for that effect alone. This is why the level might not be a looker.

Aahh... see I beg to differ... It is precisely this effect that MAKES your level a looker! Very satisfying visually, and really quite brilliantly achieved.		2009-06-03 19:36:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

Hi RangerZero

I played the Normal mode very recently and here's some thoughts.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. As people have mentioned, the background is great and very effective at conveying movement. I liked a lot of your obstacles - some were tricky, some were difficult, but all were good and didn't leave me frustrated. Jumping between the train carriages to see what was in the next compartment was great fun.

PROS
+ Innovative background
+ Tricky, but not unfair, hazards
+ Humourous ending
+ Good sense of urgency, and good mix of panic and satisfaction

CONS
- not many at all from me. From what you say, thermo level was an issue, but I would've loved to have seen themed carriages: cattle carriage, passenger carriage, engine carriage etc.
- difficulty may put people off, but that's their choice.

OVERALL
I had fun with this level, and would recommend it as a tricky, interesting and entertaining train ride.

Rated 4*, tagged with 'Satisfying'. I'm going to try the Hard version, and then decide which version to Heart

Cheers,
MrsSB		2009-06-04 13:15:00

Author:
MrsSpookyBuz
Posts: 1492

The paralax and sense of speed/motion is worth the price of admission here. I'll probably play this again a few times to try and get a better handle on how it was done.

The game itself is fun as well. Lots of great activities that were for the most part challenging without being frustrating. For the one or two tough spots infinite checkpoints were well placed. I kept moving at a good pace, so by the end I felt that my progression through the level matched the centerpiece movement of the train itself. Nice.

Overall, I wished for a little more detail to the interiors of the cars. I think someone suggested themed cars, and I think that's a great idea. Looks like you took a stab at that, but more would have been nice-- dining car, observation car, baggage car, sleeping car, 1st class cabins, etc...

It was an excellent level that I won't hesitate to recommend!

-4 stars		2009-06-08 01:37:00

Author:
AAAlone
Posts: 71

Epic bump I know.

It's just that since now the emitters have been fixed and that my thermo dropped 50% tks to this, I now had the chance to add diverse materials to each wagons. This is something I wish I could have done from the start but there simply wasn't thermo space to do it + there wasn't a satisfying wood texture yet. Now with the POTC pack this is a thing of the past so I just refreshed the levels. Both the normal and hard version. The wagons are all different now and different from one level to another too.

Here's some pics:

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrainnew01.jpg http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrainnew02.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrainnew03.jpg http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrainnew04.jpg

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrainnew05.jpg http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/CrazyTrainnew06.jpg


2010-01-03 17:52:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Do you like Ozzy Osbourne?2010-05-13 20:59:00

Author:
FreeAim
Posts: 2462

Do you like Ozzy Osbourne?

lol
Not really a fan. I actually noticed one of his song was named "Crazy Train" only later by people's comments.

2010-05-14 04:08:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Yea. I was planning making level called ''Crazy Train'' about 3 months ago but then I lost interest and quit making level. I actually had Ozzy Osbourne called: ''The Stranger'' in level.2010-05-14 05:58:00

Author:
FreeAim
Posts: 2462

This levels only lacks Ozzy's song.
Republish it in LBP2 and I will play the guitar for you 		2010-05-14 09:27:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112


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