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Dark/Light (Spotlighted!)

Archive: 59 posts


Newest Level: Dark/Light
PSN: ZipCity

FULL DESCRIPTION A FEW POSTS DOWN


This took over a month to make. Please give it a try!!
2009-06-03 06:06:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


A small description perhaps?
Come on m8, just giving the name won't attract many players, give some flavor to you presentation so people will have something to look forward to.
2009-06-03 07:42:00

Author:
Silverleon
Posts: 6707


A small description perhaps?
Come on m8, just giving the name won't attract many players, give some flavor to you presentation so people will have something to look forward to.

When I get the photos of the level uploaded I'll provide a full description. Coming soon....
2009-06-03 14:29:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


LEVEL: Dark/Light
PSN: ZipCity

DESCRIPTION: You are trapped in an underground fortress, and your only way to escape is to solve a series of puzzles involving light and dark. Sometimes your clues are subtle, and sometimes they are right before your eyes. You will be given clues along the way, but it's up to you to make your way back to the surface.


PHOTOS:


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/OHCubsFan/DL1.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/OHCubsFan/DL12.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/OHCubsFan/DL13.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/OHCubsFan/DL14.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn233/OHCubsFan/DL15.jpg
2009-06-03 15:20:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Just republished with some minor bug fixes. It's getting a decent amount of plays today, but I'd really appreciate some constructive feedback2009-06-03 17:12:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


I really enjoyed all your puzzles except for the last one. Sorry, my memory just doesn't function that way. I spent way to long trying to figure it out..trial and error. Nice job on mixing things up and making it interesting. Excellent use of light and dark as a medium for creating engaging game play. Nice job. Your time was well spent. 2009-06-03 18:01:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564


I really enjoyed all your puzzles except for the last one. Sorry, my memory just doesn't function that way. I spent way to long trying to figure it out..trial and error. Nice job on mixing things up and making it interesting. Excellent use of light and dark as a medium for creating engaging game play. Nice job. Your time was well spent.

are you referring to putting the lights in the right order? I think there's a slight bug in there that I need to fix. I'll republish again here soon. It's an "and" gate that is giving me fits for some reason
2009-06-03 18:33:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Okay, all fixed. Sorry about that. I'd hate to think that people wrote the level off because of it.....either way, try again. You were one step away from the end2009-06-03 19:16:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


I did finish the level when I played it. It just took me a long time to do that last puzzle. Fun stuff though for sure.2009-06-03 20:47:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564


I did finish the level when I played it. It just took me a long time to do that last puzzle. Fun stuff though for sure.

I saw your score on there, so thanks for playing! The work you put into these levels rarely seems to translate into plays/hearts, but I'm hoping....
2009-06-03 21:27:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


I already have more hearts and plays in this level's first day than I did for my first level, which was published 6 weeks ago. Hopefully a good sign....2009-06-03 22:34:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


This is a fantastic level. I urge people to try it out. Amazing use of lighting, real inventive and innovative. I'm guessing it won't be an easy level for a lot of people, but it is worthy sticking with.

Great work.
2009-06-04 12:04:00

Author:
jackofcourse
Posts: 1494


Wow, thanks for the kind words! I really hope people keep playing it and it doesn't fizzle out like my last level. Spread the word!2009-06-04 14:13:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


I'm going to try it- I love puzzle levels! I'll let you know what I think 2009-06-04 16:21:00

Author:
GrahamLif3
Posts: 386


My first impression was joy, were in another factory for no explained reason. I thought it would be military based but as I went in I thought it was quite a good and astounding environment and in all nicely designed.

All was well till the game play came in. The first part... how do you expect people to know to grab those lights? you got to be psychic to play this level... and if your going to use trial and error as an excuse then that's just poor. The next part with the turning wheels. Again it was quite appealing area, but you just get splatted a lot needs to be more spaced out...

I liked the part after the wheels. The enemies with little lights going backwards and forwards was a nice touch and the only part I actually liked. After the lift the next part was just impossible. These platforms twist but you can't jump on them or anything... You could of added a proper clue... "You done well to make it this far, but can you trust your own eyes?" Is not helpful at all.

I gave up after that, I did try 4 or 5 times. Overall the level was amazing from what I could see, the checkpoints are nicely spaced together just shame it's the wrong type for this kind of level and didn't really enjoy the game play at all for obvious reasons. The only way you could do to improve is to give a lot more advice on how to play this level. Hardly anyone's going to try and figure it out when there are plenty of other levels to play without being a trial and error.

I gave this level 2 stars and tagged annoying.
2009-06-04 17:57:00

Author:
LordMagicPants
Posts: 187


Sorry you found it difficult. Every puzzle has enough clues. There is a light that illuminates the strings that the lights are hanging from. The "do you trust your own eyes" is a clue that the way the rotating platforms work may not be what your eyes tell you.

Either way, thanks for the feedback.
2009-06-04 18:00:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


piggybacking on that last review, I wonder if you guys would find it valuable if I added some "last resort" hints to the level. I'm thinking a piece of sponge that you could grab that would turn the lights on for a second or something. Worth it, or does that take away from the challenge?2009-06-04 21:26:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Just added prizes for completion and the hints.2009-06-04 23:33:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


apologies to the person who was playing this while I was fixing a bug....I couldn't get to it quick enough. hope you try it again!2009-06-04 23:42:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Ok. I just tried this one, and I think it's brilliant. In my opinion you shouldn't change anything. I loved your puzzles. We don't get enough levels in lbp like this where you have to really look, and think your way through the level. This level is all about observation. I'd say that if a person is having trouble that they aren't looking close enough, or their tv is set wrong. All I did was take it slow, and I made it through just fine. By the way nice touch on that puzzle towards the end.(SPOILER) Who ever would've thought I could actually use one of those snapshots. GREAT WORK!!!!
I recommend this level to everyone.


F4F: mountain marathon
2009-06-05 00:17:00

Author:
smasher
Posts: 641


Ok. I just tried this one, and I think it's brilliant. In my opinion you shouldn't change anything. I loved your puzzles. We don't get enough levels in lbp like this where you have to really look, and think your way through the level. This level is all about observation. I'd say that if a person is having trouble that they aren't looking close enough, or their tv is set wrong. All I did was take it slow, and I made it through just fine. By the way nice touch on that puzzle towards the end.(SPOILER) Who ever would've thought I could actually use one of those snapshots. GREAT WORK!!!!
I recommend this level to everyone.


F4F: mountain marathon


THANKS!

EDIT: Just gave your feedback....your level is beautiful!
2009-06-05 00:38:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Just want to thank you guys....i'm up to 100 plays and 13 hearts in 48 hours. I really appreciate your feedback and giving my level a try.2009-06-05 05:02:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


So I tried your level and I thought it was beautiful and challenging! My two favorite aspects of a level well-done. The challenge involving moving the lights around to find the right position was a KILLER to me and I had to give up for the night, but I will most definitely finish it tomorrow
The only thing I noticed is right after you start you might want to make the sound radius on the lowering platform larger because if you stand on the edge the sound goes away, but like that is really that important

I will definitely heart it tomorrow- thanks for creating such a great level
2009-06-05 05:25:00

Author:
GrahamLif3
Posts: 386


Just played this. This is a really cool level, with some very unique puzzles, and even some twists on old ones. Only thing i reccomend changing is making the "final machine" door an infinite life point. I died there, and several times lost my lives as i spawned straight into plazma.

oh, and FYI, please use the edit button instead of double or triple posting It makes the thread read easier.

no F4F needed, this is hardly feedback.
2009-06-05 08:06:00

Author:
Burnvictim42
Posts: 3322


A great lvl, it's definetly worth a look!

He uses light and dark in a magnitude of interesting ways!
All that make really good puzzles.

As i commented on your lvl here are the 2 small problems i encountered:

1 - with the maze puzzle (absolutly excellent btw, normal mazes are really easy, by adding darkness i actually hit a deadend :O ) anyway when i got the light to the end it went into the hole but olled to the side of the hold it seemed.
(the green light came on and went off and it was in the whole but not recognised by the sensor so i got stuck permantly, easy fix though ti would seem.

2 - When i had to shoot the lights , the first time it went okay and then progressed upwards but the second set of lights i shot all fell away but nothing happened, This one could have been my fault and i didnt know where to go but i had no indication so i assume not. i did try jumping places.

Never the less great level!
2009-06-05 12:20:00

Author:
BlackToof
Posts: 172


A great lvl, it's definetly worth a look!

He uses light and dark in a magnitude of interesting ways!
All that make really good puzzles.

As i commented on your lvl here are the 2 small problems i encountered:

1 - with the maze puzzle (absolutly excellent btw, normal mazes are really easy, by adding darkness i actually hit a deadend :O ) anyway when i got the light to the end it went into the hole but olled to the side of the hold it seemed.
(the green light came on and went off and it was in the whole but not recognised by the sensor so i got stuck permantly, easy fix though ti would seem.

2 - When i had to shoot the lights , the first time it went okay and then progressed upwards but the second set of lights i shot all fell away but nothing happened, This one could have been my fault and i didnt know where to go but i had no indication so i assume not. i did try jumping places.

Never the less great level!

I will look into those, thanks. I think you were the one who was playing the level as I was trying to fix some bugs, so that may have been part of it.
2009-06-05 13:06:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Hardly anyone's going to try and figure it out when there are plenty of other levels to play without being a trial and error. Pft! Simple levels are ten a penny; a well thought out challenging level is another matter. There are a whole host of us dying to play levels where everything isn't so obvious and your mind is challenged slightly more than "look, there's a lever, it opens a door", so definately don't be discouraged. I'm not sure how this has passed under my radar for the last couple of days but I'll be sure to give it a go when I get home. I'll edit this post with my feedback.2009-06-05 13:38:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497


I had some thermo left, so I created a 2x path that has a few of the same puzzles but with a twist that requires two players. I published it, but it's locked until I can get someone to help me test it. Send a friend request, and I'll pull you into my pod to help me test it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!2009-06-05 17:39:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Sorry I took so long getting to this but I've been very busy. Did play it just a few minutes ago though and found it pretty enjoyable.

Pros:
+Brilliant use of light
+The way every puzzle seemed impossible but would have been very straight forward in the light
+The coloured lights puzzle was unique and well done
+Repeating a challenge with a different twist

Cons:
-Just seemed too dark and sometimes the challenges were too difficult for the lives you got.

Overall though a nice use of light, which I admire, so 4 stars
2009-06-05 19:20:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645


I really enjoy puzzling levels - especially after that recent one by OIL_! I'll try this out as soon as I can (I'm realllllly busy with exams though so don't know if that will be in the next couple days or more... ).

And yeah, like rtm223 said there's lots of people who really enjoy a good thinker
2009-06-06 01:16:00

Author:
hilightnotes
Posts: 1230


Newly republished with 2 player path....2009-06-06 06:07:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


okay I played this and got passed all the puzzles and loved them, but then after doing the last puzzle where you sort the lights I came up to the bit where it tells you to step into the light one last time, after doing that I died, so then I started shooting the light and the light went out, but then I had no idea what I was doing and just kept dying.

what the heck was I supposed to do?
2009-06-06 12:21:00

Author:
groble
Posts: 223


okay I've now played this about 12 times, it looks feels sounds and plays amazingly apart from that final bit where the "lamp" comes down.

I assume its broken becuase I have no idea how to work it, I shoot everything and get it to a point where it doesn't even spit out the electrified material, but then what it just goes up and down. really frustrating becuase otherwise it would have been a perfect level.

really clever and tricky and actually made me use my brain, loved it... apart from the end.

fix it and i'll give it another go
2009-06-06 13:12:00

Author:
groble
Posts: 223


okay I've now played this about 12 times, it looks feels sounds and plays amazingly apart from that final bit where the "lamp" comes down.

I assume its broken becuase I have no idea how to work it, I shoot everything and get it to a point where it doesn't even spit out the electrified material, but then what it just goes up and down. really frustrating becuase otherwise it would have been a perfect level.

really clever and tricky and actually made me use my brain, loved it... apart from the end.

fix it and i'll give it another go

okay, I'll look into it, thanks. It's supposed to kill you so you respawn at the final boss. Not sure why it's being weird.

UPDATE: All fixed. I accidentally tripped a piece of dissolve material while in edit mode and that screwed up everything. Don't you hate that? (ha ha).

So all fixed, try it again.
2009-06-06 15:17:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


all in working order now.

magnificent level.

my favourite is still the section where you plug in the lightbulbs, my housemate loves the wheel puzzle and we both think the rotating platform section is genious.

I just hope that glitch didn't affect your score too badly, well worth 5 stars.

what I want to know is how on earth did you do the section where you had to point the spotlights to open the door?
2009-06-06 16:24:00

Author:
groble
Posts: 223


all in working order now.

magnificent level.

my favourite is still the section where you plug in the lightbulbs, my housemate loves the wheel puzzle and we both think the rotating platform section is genious.

I just hope that glitch didn't affect your score too badly, well worth 5 stars.

what I want to know is how on earth did you do the section where you had to point the spotlights to open the door?


Thanks for the kudos! Glad it was all in working order.

The spotlight pointing was a fun one to design (especially the one where it shifted and you had to do it again). I was going to make a "behind the scenes" video of how some of the stuff worked, but I only have a webcam, and the framerate on that was too awful to use seriously. Don't know if this is the appropriate thread to discuss design mechanics or not


UPDATE: Maybe if I get some time I'll make a walk-through level that shows some of the puzzle mechanics.
2009-06-06 17:08:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Lovely level, sadly I couldn't finish it as I made the mistake of running back right after I entered a room and got squashed by the door. Trouble was the checkpoint was on the wrong side of the door.

Third picture from above is the room I'm talking about, but I guess it could happen in any room.
2009-06-07 22:03:00

Author:
Syroc
Posts: 3193


I just added a "Behind-The-Scenes" level for Dark/Light. The key for it can be found at the end of the level. I'd love feedback on it (in terms of how informative it is).

Thanks!
2009-06-08 17:58:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Great level but I couldn't finish it last night - room right after two color light puzzles. The one without instructions - I'm torn if I should ask how to finish or try to figure it out again on my own - it's killing me!

Loving the level so far - once I get it finished I'll post more.
2009-06-08 18:10:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983


I got stuck on the rotating plasma spitters; I shot out all the lights and the plasma kept coming, had to return to pod

Other than that, was a pretty awesome level. I like how it's tricksy enough to keep you guessing, but still possible. The rotating platforms were mean

I have community photos turned off, so I didn't get the lights picture - but I have a decent memory so I was able to get past there. Miiiight want a warning, or maybe some other way to look back and see what the order is.
2009-06-09 08:56:00

Author:
Loius
Posts: 342


A few people have gotten stuck at the end there. Did the explosions happen? Did the lights turn on? I might have to tweak it a bit2009-06-09 13:35:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


So I played again to get to get that backstage pass and would have aced it if not for the forced dying bit. Again no gliches worked perfectly.

The behind the scenes look was really good. The spotlight thing was so simple but worked perfectly, it was amazing seering how all the little bits worked. well done, thanks
2009-06-09 14:08:00

Author:
groble
Posts: 223


So I played again to get to get that backstage pass and would have aced it if not for the forced dying bit. Again no gliches worked perfectly.

The behind the scenes look was really good. The spotlight thing was so simple but worked perfectly, it was amazing seering how all the little bits worked. well done, thanks

Thanks, glad you liked it.

And hey look, I made it to the Cool Levels planet! How does that even happen? Oh well, hopefully the plays/hearts will go up now....
2009-06-09 17:00:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Thanks, glad you liked it.

And hey look, I made it to the Cool Levels planet! How does that even happen? Oh well, hopefully the plays/hearts will go up now....

wow good work you, well deserved I feel
2009-06-09 17:06:00

Author:
groble
Posts: 223


A few people have gotten stuck at the end there. Did the explosions happen? Did the lights turn on? I might have to tweak it a bit

Nope and nope.
2009-06-09 17:23:00

Author:
Loius
Posts: 342


Nope and nope.

Okay, I tweaked the magnetic key switch that triggers that stuff just in case something odd happened and the key somehow fell out of it's range. Hope you'll try it again.

Also, I changed a bunch of the checkpoints to double-life, as i've received some comments that the single-life ones weren't enough. Glad to get that kind of advice, as I've played the level so many times now that I never die. It's tough to critique the difficulty of your own level when you know exactly how to do it....
2009-06-09 17:25:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Not worth a new thread, but I made a "Dark/Light Survival Challenge". There's a key at the end of Dark/Light (though it's not locked).

Making the survival level is more an experiment in cross-promotion than anything else. I wanted to see if I had multiple iterations on the same theme (with keys at the ends) if that would increase traffic on my levels.

Not that it's a bad survival level or anything.....
2009-06-09 21:53:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Wow I played this today and I really enjoyed it! The puzzles were ingenious and took the concept of light/dark in really interesting directions. Great visuals and great variety in the gameplay. Good job!

My only criticism is that I couldn't find the scoreboard at the end...where was it??
2009-06-10 14:22:00

Author:
CheesyMcFly
Posts: 211


Wow I played this today and I really enjoyed it! The puzzles were ingenious and took the concept of light/dark in really interesting directions. Great visuals and great variety in the gameplay. Good job!

My only criticism is that I couldn't find the scoreboard at the end...where was it??

Did the wheel not blow up for you either?

Maybe someone can help me with this. I don't know if it's glitched or what, but the way the final wheel challenge works is that the paint switches on each light are attached to a piece of dissolve material that are stacked. When each light goes out, a key block on top of the stack drops closer and closer to the bottom until it turns on a set of magnetic keys that cause the wheel to explode and the sponge to drop down. I play tested in my pod yesterday and on one test, I had the "wheel not exploding" issue. I went over and saw that one of the blocks of dissolve was still sitting there and no longer had a wire attached to it. I rewound the test to the beginning and every block had a wire. So why would a wire mysteriously disappear mid-play? I would change the entire system to a large "and" gate with pistons, but the paint switches also turn the lights themselves off, so they need to be on/off, not directional....
2009-06-10 14:59:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Well the wheel seemed to blow up properly, then the lights came back on and I wasn't sure where to go after that. I was able to drop down from where the boss fight was, but it didn't seem to lead to the scoreboard...2009-06-10 15:12:00

Author:
CheesyMcFly
Posts: 211


How's it going? I gave this 2 plays last night and came across a problem. I only played it 2 player, so I can't comment on the 1 player route. In the 2 player route, at the part where one player move the light/emitter and the other emits the blocks we found it impossible to move on. The emitted blocks don't last long enough to get up to the next section. We tried several times and knew what we were supposed to do (I think.). But just could not do it. I would recommend lengthening the life of the emitted blocks. We even tried backtracking to try and take the 1 player route but found the way blocked. Other than that I enjoyed the level up to that point. The puzzles were good even if a little trial and error was needed.2009-06-10 16:06:00

Author:
Chicago51
Posts: 258


How's it going? I gave this 2 plays last night and came across a problem. I only played it 2 player, so I can't comment on the 1 player route. In the 2 player route, at the part where one player move the light/emitter and the other emits the blocks we found it impossible to move on. The emitted blocks don't last long enough to get up to the next section. We tried several times and knew what we were supposed to do (I think.). But just could not do it. I would recommend lengthening the life of the emitted blocks. We even tried backtracking to try and take the 1 player route but found the way blocked. Other than that I enjoyed the level up to that point. The puzzles were good even if a little trial and error was needed.

Thanks for the feedback. I never properly playtested the 2-player path. The idea in that room was for the blocks to last long enough for just one person to get up (while the other uses the button, and then the person up top does something to get the 1st player up there. I don't want the blocks to last long enough for both to get up there....so would a couple more seconds solve the problem?
2009-06-10 17:16:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


That is exactly the part I had problems with the other night. I played through the 1x area and it worked great. The 2x area is way to fast with the block dissolve. I thought we were doing it wrong so I was trying to figure out what we possibly could do differently. More time would really improve that area.

The other thing I encountered last night was in the maze puzzle section. It is very possible to break the light. I would suggest emitting the light in the center of the puzzle so if the first is destroyed the player can re-do the puzzle and not have to restart the whole level.

It's also very possible to break the sponge with the two lights that bring the player from the final boss platform up to the surface. It gets caught up under the overhang occasionally and snaps. Could you extend the checkpoint that pops up from the ground floor to the platform up to the surface - just in case the sponge goes poof. It would be a shame not to finish the level just because you can't get up to the scoreboard after basically finishing all the rest of it.

Just a suggestion too - when you defeat the spinning light wheel - if you jump down rather than grab the sponge you end up on top of your level. It's possible to wander around a good portion of the stuff that should be unseen. I'd suggest emitting some gas between the top of your level and the platform so the player re-spawns without seeing the mechanics.

I am loving the level though. Super fun to play and some awesome mechanics going on. Certainly deserves page 1 on Cool pages. Let me know via profile message if you get a chance to update what I listed above and I'll be happy to have another go at it.
2009-06-10 17:28:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983


Yeah. I second that. I'll give it a 1player play next time I get a chance.2009-06-10 22:19:00

Author:
Chicago51
Posts: 258


Played through twice tonight and didn't have a single problem with the areas I did before. I didn't get a chance to do the 2x challenge that was timed odd so if someone can confirm that is working that would be awesome.

Only thing I noticed is make the piston holding your moving checkpoint at the end invisible. It's noticeable and a little distracting during the boss battle. 5 stars & hearted! Nice work - thanks for sharing it!
2009-06-11 05:38:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983


Thanks for the plays and the feedback! Glad it's finally cleaned up....2009-06-11 14:14:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Thanks to those who chose my level for Spotlight 15! I'm truly honored!2009-06-13 21:44:00

Author:
ZipCity
Posts: 208


Finally got around to playing this and really enjoyed it! Unfortunately, I died and was unable to finish, but I'll be back for more! The use of light was very creative and set up a lot of interesting situations. I loved the room where you have to aim the lights while plasma is falling and then once you get it... it switches! Very cool!

I didn't have any major problems or criticism, but I'll let you know if I do after completing the level. Nice job!
2009-06-18 01:50:00

Author:
mrsupercomputer
Posts: 1335


Not only was this the most beautiful, atmospheric, and downright creepy level I've ever played, but the puzzles were some of the most original, intricate, gameplay elements I've ever seen done not just in little big planet, but in video games in general! None of the usual "I need an object, where is it?" Bravo!2009-07-09 01:17:00

Author:
RadicalStan
Posts: 99


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