Home    LBP Showcase / Reviews / Recommendations    Level Showcase
#1

Night of the Monsters! 2: Metropolis Gates

Archive: 11 posts

Night of the Monsters! 2: Metropolis GatesSLS10
The beloved yet underplayed level Night of the Monsters! now has its own sequel! Gad about a volcanic wasteland towards the Metropolis to save it from a very monstrous invasion!
all
I promise to upload some screenshots for this one, guys. Until then, do tell me what you think.		2009-08-18 16:10:00

Author:
SLS10
Posts: 1129

I think I have a cameo in it.

I played with you on this one last night and it's a more than worthy successor to the first level. You really took what was great about the first level and ramped it up.

+ Visuals look great (lighting and material choices)
+ cool opener
+ Secret boxes that are more than what they seem sometimes - really funny
+ Love the blend of horror and tech styles
+ cool swing system with the green lights and the combination of those with the fast slide sponges is very challenging and innovative.
+ The volcanos look great and sound great
+ the pop up platforms with the "lava" are wonderful
+ The boss is great!

No cons I can think of at the moment other than you could add more cameo's than just me - I'm feeling a little weird being the only one - did no one else send you photos?

5 stars and hearted and I'll go back and do it again now that you've republished.... what a night 'eh!? Great level! Thanks for sharing it!		2009-08-18 16:25:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

No, Morgana, nobody else sent me any pictures. Plus, there's very little room to put in any of those intended advertisements anyways. I'll ask my new LBP friends if they want to be featured.2009-08-18 16:28:00

Author:
SLS10
Posts: 1129

Awesome! I like the first one, but this is fantastic! Looks great, quite cutesy but, unlike a lot of cutesy aesthetics, very detailed. Like the first one it's got great humour. The gameplay is great - not much of a challenge but very varied and it's a nice long level - this is definately a plus for me, I don't feel shortchanged when this level ends.

The green light swingers were great, took me a few goes to realise they stay green when you are holding them - brilliant. That's a really well thought out bit of gameplay there.

Secrets!!! Lots of them. I didn't find all of the "what are these levers for?" levers, but I would recomend making them pay out more points than prizes - a lot of people don't really care for prizes, but everyone loves points, right? Oh and boobytrap secrets too - love them. There is just enough time to register and run from the bombs

There are some fun bits of expanding tech etc., and I dig your visible switches, although some of the P switches could do with stickering so they fit the theme better.

The volcano gave me a little bit of lag. Not much but enough to be noticable - I don't think it necessaraly needs changing but it's just an FYI.

The boss was good, but I couldn't help thinking it was a little bit too static. It played well but I tihnk a couple of wobble bolts on there, making him jig around would make it fantastic.

Anyway :star::star::star::star::star:, a heart and a "Brilliant" tag. If you're doing F4F then link is in my sig - read the H4H note first though 		2009-08-18 20:02:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Another level, another shot at glory.
This level is epicness and I hope you will continue on this series, since you have a cool style that mixes wonderfully the MGS and monster packs materials, and this time really better than on the previous episode.
I loved the first and I'm bewitched by this second.
Thanks and keep up the good works.
I really wonder why someone rated 3 this 5 stars level.		2009-08-18 21:16:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

Although some parts were difficult, looking at you bats, the level was great.
Visually sound as always, especially the exploded lift area.
Only downside for me was that the boss seemed less epic than the spider one in your arachnaphobia level. But then I thought that Ze dude was more epic than the creator so ignore that.
Hoping for a part 3, Jedi_1993
P.s. Very happy that I have the demon bad guy, he's awesome.		2009-08-18 22:45:00

Author:
Jedi_1993
Posts: 1518

I'm writing this as I play. I don't like to read the other posts before I review, since it may bias my review, so forgive me if I repeat.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg opening title: I'll save the debate over the merits of opening titles for a different thread, but if you are going to use them, it's generally bad form to abbreviate the main subject.
I liked the fact that they were interactive, so it feels less like you are being held-up.
I also really enjoyed the way you had timed them out, and the sound effects. I could maybe have done with-out the car engine, which didn't make much sense.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg The talking gate: I got the correct switch first, then got admonished by the second switch to try the first. If you have the correct switch disable the false switch, it will look better, since it's not easy to predict what a player will do in this instance. or have the "false" switch open a path to the first, and do away with the prompt.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg The "I heart LBP" sticker seems a little out of character, here on the wall above a fire filled pit.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg The mechanical stairs that come up under the green switch are wonderfully done. I especially like your decision to use speed switches for the lights instead of the same old boring on/off! kudos!

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg After the first set of Green/red grab-swings you have a music object showing. Actually, I notice a lot of switches, keys and the like made visible. If it's your artistic decision, so be it, but it kind-of disrupts the mood you've so carefully crafted.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg After the "only you can prevent escargot" snail, and you make the hazardous and difficult jumps to the left; All you get is one measly treasure box that spills it's prize bubbles onto an electric surface? really?

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg At the part where you jump betwen eruptions of fire, there is noticeable, and irregular slow-down with the pyrotechnics during time-sensitive jumps.


http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg "...Chaos inferno dares you to walk..."; At that point, if you jump down, and run to the right, you fall off the level.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/swanbullets.jpg I liked the boss, with all the flames and what-not and no real slowdown. Nicely done!

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/Hfadeline-1.jpg
The all-around look of this level is nice, and I found the game-play highly enjoyable. I thought it was a solid 5 star level.
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/Hfadeline-1.jpg
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt210/swanbrown/utility/Hfadeline-1.jpg

for the H4H F4F (oops) thing I'd like a review of either Gradient Studio Utility (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=t=14333), or Transcendental Sackitude (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=t=14464) when you get time.		2009-08-19 06:22:00

Author:
swanbrown
Posts: 898

I enjoy the humour and slight whimsy that is apparent throughout this level. There is a lot of solid platforming elements in this level and you do a good job both breaking up the obstacles to introduce new elements but to also re-use previous elements that have been extended to increase difficulty.

I enjoyed the monster snail that comments at various sections as well as the small guy that mocks you for exploring a bit of cranny. It is a small thing but I liked that your creatures as well as the commenting are all moveable objects. The bad guys, necessarily, move and threaten the player but the snail is also a discreet character rather than a snail that is glued to the level. (e.g. a prop.)

I had a bit of tangential fun trying to push the snail off of platforms whenever I was able. Weee

I do think that there is a weakness in the level, particularly in the first half where the player is often presented with multiple directions to explore. I would reach these junctions and head off one way on a whim do what needed to be done only to find out that it was intended that I go a different route first. I think that you can guide the player a bit more in these areas through visual clues or other some such.

One example of this that others have also raised is the section that you come up to with two platforms raising/lowering that have crossed pistons supporting them. (I liked this creations, very nice looking.) I head left and up, pull a switch which does something. I head higher, pull a switch and get the bad message. I head back down to find out that the switches opened a door yet the door is still talking as if it was still closed.

Simply because I went left I was given the solution to the problem before I even knew of the problem. There was a time or two more where I?d go a specific route and I kept wondering if it was a side path meaning I could get extra bubbles or get a switch or if it was the primary path and I?d pass a point of no return preventing me from exploring the other path. Just a bit unclear on the direction to take. Exploring is fun but as the second half of the level is very linear the contrast stuck out.

I think that you?ve done an excellent job decorating the level, giving it a consistent theme as well as creating different sections containing a specific look. I like the metallic themes as well as the fire destruction filling the second half of the level.

There is a hidden score box up along the top where the snail talks about escargot. After this box is opened it falls off the ledge to a section of level below.

The boss was fun to play and is the first one that I've noticed that I've been able to use the paintinator to block or divert incoming dangers. Most bosses have used plasma which the paint balls won?t touch so it was a bit satisfying being able to shoot the fire and fireballs out of the air to remain safe.

There are fire logs looking objects that the boss shoots/spits out. Each one has a red magnetic key on them but I didn?t see a mating magnetic switch in the area. Granted I didn?t scour the boss looking for the switch as I was taking care of business but the keys seemed to not be used or left over. I?m sure they stop some other process while they are out but I thought I?d bring it up.

I do like that you stow your switches and pistons. It is nice to have them invisible but also a treat to see them laid out and clean looking. Your contraptions and machines are fun to watch and are creative. You show a lot of fore thought and good implementation of logic and machine skill in many of these objects.

Is it just me or was there only one zombie in the level? I saw a lot of devil and bat creatures, a snail and a small assortment of others but only one zombie. (I may have not paid attention at certain areas.) There was a description or two in regards to ?zombies? that would seem to be better as ?zombie? but this may be a bit too literal minded.

This is a good follow up in the series, humour, solid run and jumping and a lot of fun visuals to see.		2009-08-19 17:27:00

Author:
Trindall
Posts: 297

Ok! I found a couple of bugs on my first playthrough (left info in uploaded pics), but honestly I didn't care because I played it through immediately thereafter, and I'm not kidding when I say this...I believe it may very well be the most balanced (in every sense of the word) level to date in LBP. This level has it all, literally. Replayability, Creative flair, Challenge, Visual appeal...EVERYTHING! 5 stars all across the boards, and probably in my top 10 levels of all time (that good)...I enjoyed the first one...but WOW! this one was astonishingly Mm like...Actually, I would have liked Mm to do something like this in their monster pack...this is THE PERFECT monster themed level... Period.2009-08-21 20:33:00

Author:
miltonTPS
Posts: 126

All very flattering. And your criticisms, I will take in mind.2009-08-24 00:56:00

Author:
SLS10
Posts: 1129

Epic,under many point of view even better than NoM1

+cool visual style
+awesome enemies
+some original platform
+tons of hidden area
+i loved the lava effect
+challenge but not frustrating
+epic boss
+nice humour

Continue,please

:star::star::star::star::star:+H


ps: for H4H if you want try https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=t=15462
but don't feel forced,only if you want 		2009-08-24 17:23:00

Author:
GEK83
Posts: 163


LBPCentral Archive Statistics
Posts: 1077139    Threads: 69970    Members: 9661    Archive-Date: 2019-01-19

Datenschutz
Aus dem Archiv wurden alle persönlichen Daten wie Name, Anschrift, Email etc. - aber auch sämtliche Inhalte wie z.B. persönliche Nachrichten - entfernt.
Die Nutzung dieser Webseite erfolgt ohne Speicherung personenbezogener Daten. Es werden keinerlei Cookies, Logs, 3rd-Party-Plugins etc. verwendet.