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Lone Ninja Episode 5: Trouble at Sakigahara - spotlighted!

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Lone Ninja Episode 5: Trouble at Sakigaharacoyote_blue
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=5745Having defeated the corrupted Lord Ikari Sakunaga, Lone Ninja is surprised when Sakunaga's brother, Ikari Nigirizushi, summons him to the mountain fortress of Sakigahara-jo. Explore the palace, but beware...Sakunaga may be dead, but his mistress, Izanami, has other minions about.
all
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=5744 Hope you're not afraid of the dark.

That's right, kids. Lone Ninja is back - apparently, LittleBigNihon still needs more of its demons' faces rocked. Demonic face rocking is, of course, but one of a ninja's critical skills.

Sakigahara-jo, the fabled mountain redoubt, has sights, people, and peril out the wazoo! Come for the Magic Mouths, stay for the prize bubbles!
http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=5747 Take pity on the elderly in the Rock Garden!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=5743 Enjoy evening entertainment, and petty larceny, in the Geisha Room!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=5742 Rubberneck the scenery on the Back Stair, overlooking the lovely Candyk Falls!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=5748 Restless? Then tackle the SLS10 Demonic Dirigible on the rooftops!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=657&pictureid=5746 Later, relax under the spring maple and sakura trees in the Cliff Garden! {NOTE: Sakigahara-jo Tourism Department not responsible for incidental puncture wounds or plasma burns you may incur during relaxation events.}

CREATOR NOTES: Object thanks: Sasuke, visual design influence; Gopher42, logic tutorials; snowflakecat, awesome switches; Candyk, waterfall; SLS10, original AI concept I adapted for the Demonic Dirigible's brain.

Playtester shout-outs: MrsSpookyBuz, CuzFeeshe/Ccubbage, Wap_07, HeckBoy88.

This is my sixth level. Lone Ninja has undergone some episode numbering changes, and my first ever level (now episode 4) ended up changing so much, I deleted it and started over.

I started this series, and Create Mode overall, wanting to make Sackboy do over-the-top moves. The only thing funnier than Sackboy, as I see it, is Sackboy doing a spinning powerbomb on a bad guy thrice his size.

This forced me to learn about the guts of LBP, which I've been getting steadily better at. But as I've gotten farther into the "serious" (he said sarcastically) LBP community, I've felt increasingly that I should be doing more. With any luck, this is more.

http://lbp.me/v/p3d97w		2009-08-15 19:58:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!!!

This level has just about everything.... action sequences, arcade-type areas, ninja moves, sneaking, AND even Bruce-Lee-type writing and drama. Wow!!!!

I loved the details... all the way down to the stairs that were carefully designed to walk up without hopping constantly.

5 stars and a heart.		2009-08-15 20:19:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Interesting level, I didn't finish it just yet, got till the forest but I liked what I played. Mainly the details and the design. Loved the finisher moves, didn't expect that. I will definitely try it again later.2009-08-15 20:22:00

Author:
Onymega
Posts: 17

Well, coyote, I've got to reiterate the point - in my view this is far and away the best Lone Ninja yet, in EVERY department.

Humourous, involving, ingenious, challenging... the list goes on. This is one heck of an enjoyable and fun piece of work. The sheer craft on show is truly amazing - it's a REAL world, and I WAS a hard-as-nails ninja.

The boss ROCKED (glad you tweaked that), and I adore the health bar, showing me how much more I had to do.

But it wasn't just the health bar, it was all those little touches. Special mention must go to the stickers and decorations - players will quite rightly be concentrating on the challenges and story, but those garden scenes are fabulous. Nice work, mate.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this level to anyone reading this who may think they're in for a dark matter/cardboard crap-fest.

This, my friends, is a level that you will enjoy. This, my friends, is how you construct a darn pro-quality level.

This, my friends, is Lone Ninja 5. Don't talk about it, PLAY IT!

5 shiny gold ones, 1 big red one and a tag of 'Brilliant'.		2009-08-15 20:34:00

Author:
MrsSpookyBuz
Posts: 1492

And have I gone insane, or...did Mm secretly change the rating algorithms? I added keys to Episode 5 on my other four levels...and they reappeared on Cool Levels!
wtfzomgroflcopterz?!		2009-08-15 20:42:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

I never had the chance to play one of your levels, but I saw in the forums that you have a lot of consideration from good creators so I told myself that I had to play one of your levels.
Then, as every day duty I check the new levels, the recommendations, the picks, the old classic that people around mention (I'm only for less than a month even if LBP was a first day purchase).
Then today you have published your new level and I saw it was a ninja series, so I got into level one and played them all.

What can I say?
They're simple amazing!
From the visuals to the mechanics they're wonderful to say the least.
They're fresh, funny and completely over the top.
Suplexing Onis is simply wonderful and put Ninja Gaiden's Ryu Hayabusa to real shame.

I enjoyed them a lot. Thanks!
25 stars, an heart for part 5 and one as a author.

GREAT GREAT GREAT!
Kudos!		2009-08-15 22:55:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

Thank you very much for giving me a shot, OmegaSlayer. Showcase a level! Give me something to play back!2009-08-16 00:09:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

At due time...
I target my first release for early September, since I don't want to release shovel stuff, and make the first level is quite an emotive block, being surrounded here with such wonderful creators.
It's sick that I'm doing a lot of promotion for something that is still into beta...but it does indeed exist and rtm and Swanbrown helped me a lot with testing.		2009-08-16 00:16:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

Holy crap!

Let me say first I enjoyed the other lone ninjas, but this... this... Seriously this has to be one of the best levels I have played. The set design at the beginning is just fantastic. And stairs, that look like stairs and I can run up! Followed by best waterfall ever. Funny dialogue then the action kicks in and it's back to back set pieces, each of which is original, unique, intuitive and rocks. Great story telling with plenty of humour. It's amazing.

Minor gripes:
1) It was annoying that the doors to the rooms opened when I was running along the top. Either that or my ninja relexes weren't good enough. Or I was supposed to be running on the beams above, I'm not sure... Edit I just realised doors are thin layer anyway, it doesn't matter if the open or not. Ignore comment #1
2) some of the deaths on the boss fight were a little unavoidable (spawning into plasma, dropping minions on my head, but I can let that slide for unique fighting style and coloursed healthbar.


That's it. 5* and hearted, the level is incredible. Thank you.

If you're doing F4F, link i sin my sig, but read the F4F note in the OP first


PS I left you a message in your comments detailing how I felt after playing this - should break up the begs for plays and the H4H messages somewhat 		2009-08-17 00:47:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I had to throw a thanks on rtm223 for that comment - pretty much cemented how I felt about the level. I got to do some playtesting, and I was totally stoked on this level. I agree that the addition of the arcade-ish gameplay into it really kicked it over the edge.2009-08-17 02:21:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

This was my first Lone Ninja level so:

Pros:
- interesting story filled with funny little humor
- the ninja feeling
- the awesome and I mean seriously awesome finishing moves
- the boss is so great. It has a big number of different attacks, looks neat & has a unique way to beat it
- the mini game with the monsters climbing the wall was pure genius and fun
- the ending race battle was awesome too.... Loved killing them

Cons:
- None!

This is really great level and I've enjoyed playing it
:star::star::star::star::star:, heart & brilliant		2009-08-17 08:29:00

Author:
blizzard_cool
Posts: 752

@CCubbage, To be honest, I could have left my review at
holy crap! ***** <3 and it would have summed up how I felt after playing it! 		2009-08-17 10:19:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

@CCubbage, To be honest, I could have left my review at and it would have summed up how I felt after playing it!
Sometimes less is more!

Went back and played this 2 more times last night. The gameplay in this one doesn't seem to get old. I'm going back in tonight to see if I can get a higher score - I keep getting 20k+ and then do a couple stupid things near the end and lose my points.

coyote_blue - yeah, I knew about the treasure combo trick. My score was AFTER pulling that off and getting plasmafied a few times! The fight on the roof is totally fair, I just keep doing a few stupid things. That's the sign of a great game - getting killed but feeling like you SHOULD have gotten killed.		2009-08-17 13:52:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Let me say first I enjoyed the other lone ninjas, but this... this... Seriously this has to be one of the best levels I have played. The set design at the beginning is just fantastic. And stairs, that look like stairs and I can run up! Followed by best waterfall ever. Funny dialogue then the action kicks in and it's back to back set pieces, each of which is original, unique, intuitive and rocks. Great story telling with plenty of humour. It's amazing.

I stole candyk's water from her test "please take this" level. The rocks are mine, as is the silly little pond that runs under the foot of the barracks. But it's great...I wonder why she seems to have quit making levels.

The Japanese spring maple idea was a happy accident of thermo. Once I figured out how to mass produce blooming sakura trees, I accidentally maxed deco thermo. Which led me to looking for Mm trees I could hide platforms in...which led me to putting stickers on plats to match leaves..then I went AHA, and looked for another Japanese tree that blooms when sakura does.


Minor gripes:
1) It was annoying that the doors to the rooms opened when I was running along the top. Either that or my ninja relexes weren't good enough. Or I was supposed to be running on the beams above, I'm not sure... Edit I just realised doors are thin layer anyway, it doesn't matter if the open or not. Ignore comment #1


No, I won't. It annoys me too. I'll tweak sensor ranges and republish. UPDATE: none of the shoji opened when I stood on the roof above them, but "someone begged to get robbed". Added an AND switch;
people should only beg to get robbed inside a certain room. UPDATE 2: Oh, wait. You mean the doors open when you're running on the shoji themselves. Yes, they do, and it's a good thing, because it warns you to jump the gap. If you fall, climbing elements are positioned so that it is ALWAYS possible to get back up without dying (I encountered this situation early on, and tested it). Or run in the rafters, as I originally intended. If I could have jiggered a way to make players run upside down on the ceiling, I would have.


2) some of the deaths on the boss fight were a little unavoidable (spawning into plasma, dropping minions on my head, but I can let that slide for unique fighting style and coloursed healthbar.


Originally, I played with several respawn ideas with the Demonic Dirigible. There is an orange light that warns background shots, and a red light that warns foreground shots (you can see what bit of the floor has a pool of light on it). So yeah - get killed early on the foreground blast, you may get killed two or three times. But you earn the first one yourself.

I tried putting a little shield over the CP, but this makes it hard to jump back into the action when the time comes.

So when I had to choose between keeping the action going or making that one 3x penalty death go away, I chose action. 100% item pickup wins the boss...barring that, befriend me and I'll send you the thing, and you can tell me if I'm missing an obvious solution.

The minions dissolve in 5 sec. It cannot be much shorter, to ensure that there are enemies to dodge during the entire attack phase. But jump down and wait, and they can pile up as much as they like.

I HATE cheap deaths. I've never been the most skilled gamer in any group, just enthusiastic, so I assume cheap death is a game maker openly mocking my thumbs. I studied SLS10's AI machines before I dared to do something so complicated (for me).		2009-08-17 14:45:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

The issue with the minions is simply that they sometimes spawned directly above me and their swords just dropped on my head. The various plane attacks as well aren't really much of an issue because there are patterns to the attacks. In honesty I was most just jumping around with wanton disregard for my safety and having a good time not a big deal and certainly not enough to be frustrating at all.

You could have a shield over the checkpoint that is high enough for you to jump up directly onto the layer above, to get back in on the action, so it wouldn't impede movement but would prevent the multideath on failure. It could even be an emitted feature (when sackperson not on screen, emit for x seconds) so it isn't a permanent hiding place. not very multiplayer friendly but y'know, an idea. Don't think it really matters though		2009-08-17 15:07:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

The issue with the minions is simply that they sometimes spawned directly above me and their swords just dropped on my head. The various plane attacks as well aren't really much of an issue because there are patterns to the attacks. In honesty I was most just jumping around with wanton disregard for my safety and having a good time not a big deal and certainly not enough to be frustrating at all.

You could have a shield over the checkpoint that is high enough for you to jump up directly onto the layer above, to get back in on the action, so it wouldn't impede movement but would prevent the multideath on failure. It could even be an emitted feature (when sackperson not on screen, emit for x seconds) so it isn't a permanent hiding place. not very multiplayer friendly but y'know, an idea. Don't think it really matters though
Maybe a little LED light up right before they emit to give warning. Definately not a big deal - if you stay more in the middle during the fight as intended, it never seems to happen.		2009-08-17 15:32:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Today I forced Shadowheaven to play this series and he enjoyed it a lot!2009-08-17 18:13:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

I may not change this level, but that's not a bad idea. With tips this good, I may call upon you for Lone Ninja 6's guts...which as of now, is going to be 5 consecutive boss fights. Looking back on what I've managed to puzzle out, I still think I could really get better with AI and emitters.2009-08-18 02:12:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

Hmmm 5 boss fights eh? TBH I generally hate bosses in LBP. Most are unimaginative and uninspiring at best and I hate the "it's not a real level without a boss, ummmm... here's a plasma turret - yeah!" design methodology. Needless to say I've never enjoyed a level that consists entirely of bosses...

That said, I'm actually looking forward to this and can't wait to see what you come up with, your gameplay concepts and the way you implement them are absolutely top notch - I played through this level with a big grin on my face as I smashed demons into walls and all that 		2009-08-18 10:02:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I think what kills most boss fights in LBP is people sticking to stomp/shoot. I've established Cross Clash, Rising Fist, and grapple moves as the defining move sets in Lone Ninja. Now that I've got an HP meter working, and I'm learning more about alternating attack patterns, I think there's some opportunity to do more than normal, but keep it themed.

Lone Ninja has been a real "school" for me of sorts. If I can pull off what I intend with 6, I feel like I'll have all the tech stuff behind this game figured out.


That said, I'm actually looking forward to this and can't wait to see what you come up with, your gameplay concepts and the way you implement them are absolutely top notch - I played through this level with a big grin on my face as I smashed demons into walls and all that

Originally, I thought I'd be able to get through LN5 without making up a new attack. Didn't work out that way, I guess.		2009-08-18 13:56:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

Yea - cool pages!

Ok - played trough it last night and really enjoyed it. I noticed you stepped up the visuals and it looks great! I love your cherry trees and the building has a very simple but stylish style that fits wonderfully. The water fall area is set off nicely by the camera angle you choose too. Really lovely.

The characters are great too. I like the sword lady (sorry - her name escapes me at the moment) The section where she and the player go medieval on the demons is great! Love the look on her face!

The boss was cool and a challenge. I thought the life bar was a nice touch.

5 stars & hearted. Always a good feeling to get back into ninja mode!		2009-08-18 15:17:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Daruisha was a weird brainwave I had. She's more of a requirement of where the series is going than anything else. Long story short, now that people are playing, I have to put the story back in. I wanted a strong character of the opposite gender of most of the players, and I hate forlorn princesses.

I came up with the title "Lone Ninja" before I decided the storyline, and I've always been amused that I somehow decided a village full of people ALL called Lone anything was a good idea. But if you like where the story is going, I'll fix it all in Ep 6. Honest.		2009-08-19 02:28:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

Coyote you definately out did yourself! That was a beautiful level!! Very creative, challenging, and artistic! Lovin' the waterfall! I was hoping I could ride it down, but you poisoned it! LOL :star::star::star::star::star:2009-08-20 01:50:00

Author:
MaximovSephiroth
Posts: 36

I showed you where to get your own. You can make a whole level of falling down waterfalls if you want.

Though soon, it looks like you can let Mm do that bit for you! Gads, will the new stuff let you create a running water feature?

...argh. the waiting. And I digress.		2009-08-20 05:20:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

Brilliant as always! With beautiful visuals, awesome design and the Lone Ninja series' enjoyable comedy, this, for me, is definitely the higlight of the series so far. The entire level was great fun from start to finish, whether I was exploring the beautiful area, sneaking across the ceiling or charging through a swarm of enemies, I was enjoying every minute of it. I especially liked the character Daruisha, she grew on me so fast, you've managed to give her a great personality with such a small amount of dialogue. At least tell me she'll return in episode 6. I loved the teleporting effect at the end, with a great use of the time warp sound effect, it's set the stage perfectly for the final episode.
In conclusion, I'd say this is the best LN yet, with action, humor and kick-*** ninja moves! :star::star::star::star:star:		2009-08-21 00:34:00

Author:
persona3fan93
Posts: 155

Daruisha will be scripted into level 6, but I will not guarantee that every player will see her. LN 6 will have multiple endings, and...I was gonna say. But I won't yet.

I will leak a little bit more: the next series after Lone Ninja will be "Archenauts", "Mythcreants", or some such, and at least one of its episodes will be based in the SMT universe.		2009-08-21 00:48:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

Played it and
i go one word for this
Awsome		2009-08-21 00:55:00

Author:
Unknown User

I just wanted to join the queue of those saying how wonderful your level is. It managed to pull off the almost impossible feat of combining great visuals, good original gameplay and a strong story/characterisation.

Particular highlights

? the trees, waterfall and the Japanese house (I know that?s probably not the right word but I?m no expert, lol) and all the attention to detail - like the gong that has a gong sound effect
? the cut out figures ? some of the best I've seen in LBP, Daruisha in particular
? Fun ?moves?
? Humour (Daruisha again, even funnier when you are playing as a Sackgirl yourself, lol!)

Anyway a totally immersive experience. 5 stars and a heart		2009-08-22 12:35:00

Author:
shropshirelass
Posts: 1455

I've always been very aware of the fact that more women play this game than a lot of others. Daruisha's assumption that Ninja/Kunoichi are perverts is mostly a riff on the fact that Ninja/Kunoichi are in the business of skulking around. So I didn't want to be too ham-handed on the "love interest" thing - teenage boy players can assume that if they want.

That said, I'm glad that you enjoyed the character. If the world of Lone Ninja continues after Episode 6, Daruisha will be a prominent figure, if not the main character, herself.		2009-08-22 16:00:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

Another brilliant level! I LOVE ninja levels and yours really are the best. This one might be the best one yet, it was really funny, looked great, and had a lot of good gameplay. Can't wait for part 6!2009-08-22 18:33:00

Author:
brnxblze
Posts: 1318

Good to see you come round, brnxblze. Always a pleasure.2009-08-23 15:25:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

KUDOS!!!
Just played it and it's awesome. Great gameplay and an amazing atmosphere.

Even though you added some great ninja-gameplay in all your "Lone Ninja"-levels this one is my favourite cause of its beauty and atmosphere.

AND i love the font at the beginning (yay, the small things make the difference).

I have nothing to complain.

Greetings, Anna		2009-10-18 08:33:00

Author:
SantaAnna
Posts: 51

Thank you very much for the kudos, Santa Anna. Hope to see more Alpine Saga in future.2009-10-24 18:14:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422


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