Archive: 41 posts

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I've just played the OH NO! Princess series.... I fell in love from the very first text bubble. The opening speech is something that I was going to do for my next level. For the people who wanted a story...I was going to do something exactly like this, stupidly generic and making fun of it's self. Anyway back to my point. I forgot how platforming should be. I try to make my levels so fancy and clever that I've missed that old school 'Jump Jump Jump, watch that hazard, Jump Jump Jump!' I've just had the most fun I've had in absolute ages. I died a ridiculous amount of times but not at any stage did it become frustrating. It was just like old school Mario, you know where you just get killed and killed on the same point over and over again, and eventually you work out the timings and get it spot on. These are the only levels that I've seen that have got this sussed. Usually in levels, if you keep dying on the same spot, it's frustrating as hell and you start to blame it on bad design. Where as this is the opposite, it's timed so that's it's possible, it's just down to you to work it out, just like Mario was! Basically, this isn't just about this levels (I don't want the thread getting moved). It's about platforming in general. Playing these levels have just opened up my eyes to like a whole other side of LBP. I thought Mm had got the fun basic platforming side perfected. But this has just shown me another side to the game, and it feels weird because it's like, TOO simple. It's just how platforming used to be, and I don't think we should ever forget it. As you can tell I'm just so excited about what I've just played. I fooking love this game!!!

2009-08-20 20:34:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

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I've just played the OH NO! Princess series.... I fell in love from the very first text bubble. The opening speech is something that I was going to do for my next level. For the people who wanted a story...I was going to do something exactly like this, stupidly generic and making fun of it's self. Anyway back to my point. I forgot how platforming should be. I try to make my levels so fancy and clever that I've missed that old school 'Jump Jump Jump, watch that hazard, Jump Jump Jump!' I've just had the most fun I've had in absolute ages. I died a ridiculous amount of times but not at any stage did it become frustrating. It was just like old school Mario, you know where you just get killed and killed on the same point over and over again, and eventually you work out the timings and get it stop on. These are the only levels that I've seen that have got this sussed. Usually in levels, if you keep dying on the same spot, it's frustrating as hell and you start to blame it on bad design. Where as this is the opposite, it's timed so that's it's possible, it's just down to you to work it out, just like Mario was! Basically, this isn't just about this levels (I don't want the thread getting moved). It's about platforming in general. Playing these levels have just opened up my eyes to like a whole other side of LBP. I thought Mm had got the fun basic platforming side perfected. But this has just shown me another side to the game, and it feels weird because it's like, TOO simple. It's just how platforming used to be, and I don't think we should ever forget it. As you can tell I'm just so excited about what I've just played. I fooking love this game!!! I cant possibley see a connetion.

2009-08-20 20:41:00 Author: Adam9001 Posts: 744

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Yup, loved these. I put a comment on the level thread that I really appreciated the Mario "feel", not just the "look" like many other levels have done. Super Mario Brothers games are hard - but yet virtually every level in LBP that tried to do it were fairly easy.

2009-08-20 20:44:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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LOL I thought you might enjoy those levels, they are pretty **** awesome, probably some of the best in LBP. I'd love to see you make one of these kinds of platformers, it'd be cool to see how yours comes out.

2009-08-20 20:45:00 Author: brnxblze Posts: 1318

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I've seen loads of peoples scores pop up saying they'd played these but never thought of giving them a go. Thanks so much for sending me a message brnxblze. I honestly don't see how I could top these levels in anyway. They are absolutely perfect. People in the comments were moaning they're too difficult, and they do get hard, there's no doubt about it. But the difficulty rises gradually across all 3. As I said, they do it in a way that it's never unfair or frustrating, if you die, it's your own fault and you didn't time your jump right.

2009-08-20 20:49:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

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I am a huge fan of the series as well. CaptainCowboyHat keeps cranking them out and the quality is top-notch every time.

2009-08-20 20:49:00 Author: BSprague Posts: 2325

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He`s been spotlighted 3 times. I do love his levels, they are perfect for LBP.

2009-08-20 20:50:00 Author: Matt 82 Posts: 1096

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Big fan here too! It's ALL about the jumping in these levels and nothing else. Love 'em. Plus they make me larf.

2009-08-20 20:54:00 Author: julesyjules Posts: 1156

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People in the comments were moaning they're too difficult, and they do get hard, there's no doubt about it. But the difficulty rises gradually across all 3. I noticed the gradual change in difficulty across the 3 but these levels really should have 5 stars. He puts infinite-life checkpoints so if you keep trying you will get it. But back on topic, it does seem like these simple platformers are in the minority. It seems like the only ones are those "Jump 9999 times til u die lolz" levels : .

2009-08-20 20:58:00 Author: brnxblze Posts: 1318

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Yeah as usual you've raised a very good point here Jack. Story driven levels are great yeah - but at heart LBP is a platformer just like Mario. But you've gotta capture the feeling as opposed to the visuals of mario. The spotlight crew really enjoyed the levels by CaptainCowboyHat (even with his weird name) mainly for the platforming. Jump, jump. Wait. Die. Curse. Start over. It's the greatest genre of games and has been around since.....forever! Donkey Kong was a platofmrer was it not? The greatest games are platformers and there's not enough Old school ones within LBP.

2009-08-20 20:58:00 Author: Coxy224 Posts: 2645

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Seems like I have to play them too. Always was put off by the title thinking it would be some boring story level. Incidentally I was thinking about doing a basic platforming level that pretty much ignores that there are three layers and only uses the last two for decoration.

2009-08-20 21:17:00 Author: Syroc Posts: 3193

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Thanks for pointing these out these are the kind of levels that i like, so i will go try them. If you like straight up platforming you should try my Jumper levels. I have two out know ... The Red Zone and The Blue Zone. I have finished making a third The Green zone but just havent got around to publishing it yet.

2009-08-20 21:17:00 Author: deboerdave Posts: 384

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I've just played the OH NO! Princess series.... I fell in love from the very first text bubble. The opening speech is something that I was going to do for my next level. For the people who wanted a story...I was going to do something exactly like this, stupidly generic and making fun of it's self. Anyway back to my point. I forgot how platforming should be. I try to make my levels so fancy and clever that I've missed that old school 'Jump Jump Jump, watch that hazard, Jump Jump Jump!' I've just had the most fun I've had in absolute ages. I died a ridiculous amount of times but not at any stage did it become frustrating. It was just like old school Mario, you know where you just get killed and killed on the same point over and over again, and eventually you work out the timings and get it spot on. These are the only levels that I've seen that have got this sussed. Usually in levels, if you keep dying on the same spot, it's frustrating as hell and you start to blame it on bad design. Where as this is the opposite, it's timed so that's it's possible, it's just down to you to work it out, just like Mario was! Basically, this isn't just about this levels (I don't want the thread getting moved). It's about platforming in general. Playing these levels have just opened up my eyes to like a whole other side of LBP. I thought Mm had got the fun basic platforming side perfected. But this has just shown me another side to the game, and it feels weird because it's like, TOO simple. It's just how platforming used to be, and I don't think we should ever forget it. As you can tell I'm just so excited about what I've just played. I fooking love this game!!! Glad you're having fun. When I first played it online, I was screaming loud cause how fun jumping over things is.

2009-08-20 21:20:00 Author: Unknown User

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Yup I love these too. Designed so the player is only in one layer too. Take that 3D glitch. lol. It's very hard to make it look that easy too don't you think? I've always admired levels that can pull off that effortless look even though you know it was a challenge and a half to design. I'd love to see more of these "old school" kinds of levels too. Problem is I think they are very hard to do and it takes a creator who really gets how they work to make a good one. Thanks for pointing this out though - I think a lot of people overlook the cleverness in this sort of gaming.

2009-08-20 21:24:00 Author: Morgana25 Posts: 5983

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Yes, great fun. I love simple and effective stuff. jackofcourse - forget platforming, make me a Pong or Arkanoid tribute level! Now THAT would be worth playing. In return? Er... either a big wet snog or a poem about rubber and dark matter!

2009-08-20 21:28:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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Yup I love these too. Designed so the player is only in one layer too. Take that 3D glitch. lol. It's very hard to make it look that easy too don't you think? I've always admired levels that can pull off that effortless look even though you know it was a challenge and a half to design. I'd love to see more of these "old school" kinds of levels too. Problem is I think they are very hard to do and it takes a creator who really gets how they work to make a good one. Thanks for pointing this out though - I think a lot of people overlook the cleverness in this sort of gaming. Definitely, I'd love to try and make one of these kind of levels. The thing that I doubt most people will realise is how hard they are to make. They look and play so simply but it's really not that straight forward. While I've been doing the one layer thick thing for a while, (I only ever use the amount of layers I need, so usually it's just the one) it is definitely a much under used technique. To think up simple yet fun platforming elements is no easy task either!

2009-08-20 21:29:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

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I'm a big fan of those levels as well. There were a few areas that I found to be too difficult, but overall, had a blast with it. I'm a big fan of that platforming style as well. You don't always have to be innovative, you just need to make it fun!

2009-08-20 21:29:00 Author: mrsupercomputer Posts: 1335

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To think up simple yet fun platforming elements is no easy task either! But probably more fun to create than a highly detailed level. At least in my opinion.

2009-08-20 21:40:00 Author: Syroc Posts: 3193

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This is fun to an extent, i mean, it really depends on how well made the obstacle is. For instance, if i'm playing a level with several jumps, followed by some swings, followed by a hazard, it will get boring and linear. If you have the same content, but have added your own little touch to it, just enough to make it stand out from the rest; then that can be terrific fun!

2009-08-21 00:26:00 Author: Mr_T-Shirt Posts: 1477

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Yes, great fun. I love simple and effective stuff. jackofcourse - forget platforming, make me a Pong or Arkanoid tribute level! Now THAT would be worth playing. In return? Er... either a big wet snog or a poem about rubber and dark matter! Both and we have a deal...! I've just played these again and they've left me inspired and a feeling a bit rubbish at the same time! I absolutely loved them (as you can tell) yet they are the total opposite to the level that I'm making at the minute. It's about 60% done and it's quite a moody arty type level...I still like it...it's just that having been inspired by the total opposite while in the middle of creating it, it's left my brain in two different places! I would also like to comment on the story...this is what LBP is all about. These levels are now my definition of LBP. I know that's quite a daft comment when LBP can be anything you want it to be. But at heart, it's a fun platformer, and the story in these levels fit perfectly.

2009-08-21 00:38:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

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I just want to step in and toss around another level that many haven't yet played. It's "Lost Ages" by deftmute. He's a member here, and his level has been spotlighted, but it's still definitely in the minority. There are two halves to the level, each taking a ridiculous amount of time. The first half of each half (you can go right or left at the beginning and play the second one afterwards), is straight jump, jump, [swing], jump. I have to mention the swing, because there are a few after all, but this level is 90% jumping goodness. Be warned, it takes a while to get used to the fixed cameras, but stick with and you'll be gadding about happily. It was probably the most satisfying straight platforming lbp level I've played. The second half of each side is rather different, which again makes for a great change of pace, and maintains some real difficulty throughout. Once both sides are complete, the "above ground" area on each side becomes littered with collectibles (in plain view) which create even more platforming on the areas already traversed. Completing everything, it will probably take you 1 hour (or longer). He has a sequel out as well, which wasn't quite as simplistic as the other, but it's definitely more difficult. I'd say I prefer part one, but they are both worth a look. (Hey deftmute, when's my money coming...? [/sarcasm])

2009-08-21 00:42:00 Author: comphermc Posts: 5338

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i don't want to sound like i'm just trying to advertise here, but i too have been inspired by this very series of levels. so much so that i started a 10 level series to try to emulate mega man in a similar fashion. i hope captaincowboyhat sees this thread so he knows to keep up the excellent work! i hope he doesnt feel like i'm stepping in his territory oh my. comphermc posted as i was righting this. now i feel weird.

2009-08-21 00:47:00 Author: Deftmute Posts: 730

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I just want to step in and toss around another level that many haven't yet played. It's "Lost Ages" by deftmute. He's a member here, and his level has been spotlighted, but it's still definitely in the minority. There are two halves to the level, each taking a ridiculous amount of time. The first half of each half (you can go right or left at the beginning and play the second one afterwards), is straight jump, jump, [swing], jump. I have to mention the swing, because there are a few after all, but this level is 90% jumping goodness. Be warned, it takes a while to get used to the fixed cameras, but stick with and you'll be gadding about happily. It was probably the most satisfying straight platforming lbp level I've played. The second half of each side is rather different, which again makes for a great change of pace, and maintains some real difficulty throughout. Once both sides are complete, the "above ground" area on each side becomes littered with collectibles (in plain view) which create even more platforming on the areas already traversed. Completing everything, it will probably take you 1 hour (or longer). He has a sequel out as well, which wasn't quite as simplistic as the other, but it's definitely more difficult. I'd say I prefer part one, but they are both worth a look. (Hey deftmute, when's my money coming...? [/sarcasm]) Yeah I've played this, definitely a platformer but I get a totally different feeling to it from these OH NO! levels. It's just a more serious level really. (You're right the fixed camera definitely do take some getting used to). Rtm223's new level is definitely worth a mention here, it's the same kind of style as Lost Ages. I think it was just the old school feel that I loved about these OH NO! levels. They almost feel like a game on their own. It's works just like a platformer on all levels, the story is minimal, it just keeps you going to the next scene with some good humour thrown in. We travel across these different worlds until no doubt we get to the final 'showdown'. It's amazing, it really is.

2009-08-21 00:49:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

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now i feel weird. Good. My plan is working.

2009-08-21 02:32:00 Author: comphermc Posts: 5338

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LittleBigPlanet is often criticized for two things: floaty physics plane shifting While many of us adjusted to the floaty physics, most people would agree that plane shifting remains a problem. Well, by stripping LittleBigPlanet down to it's basics, CaptainawboyHat has effectively eliminated that problem in one fell swoop.

2009-08-21 06:30:00 Author: EVOin3D Posts: 91

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I loved "oh No... The Princess", all three of them. There are a lot of things about it that make it just right, but the fact that it has completely done away with most of the staples of LBP platforming. It's the gameplay matching up to those old school games as well as gust being a generic LBP level with visual references. I haven't played lost ages - I'll have to add it to the list. With regards to my caves, I had no real aims or aspirations towards the oldschool for that, I was just sick of seeing LBP "caves" that were three-layer wide, flat platforms, with some stalagmites slaped on the front layer, filled with motors and pistons and all kinds of mechanical stuff. I just wanted to ditch all the standard LBP methods and go out on a limb with that - and I had great fun doing it @EVOin3D. Plane shifting is fantastic. Once you get your head around it as a player and creator (I'm nearly there on the latter I think) you realise the mechanic is spot on. Creators that have you randomly shifting between front and back layer mid-jump (because of poorly placed scenery) or trying to planeshift onto a platform that is just at the height of you maximum jump - these are the ones who should be critisised, not the game.

2009-08-21 09:51:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

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Is it just me.... or are these old-school stuff pretty addicting? Simple... yet fun. I think that's what a game should be. I remember when i used to go to the Arcade with a few coins in my pocket and just went there to mash buttons and shoot pistols for 1 hour. After that I would just feel really good and ready to challange the WORLD! Out of the many games released.... recent games, if i beat it once or twice I get sick of it but games like Metal Slug, Mario, Street Fighter I acutrally come back to play even if I've beaten it 100 times......I wonder if it's the memories keeping me coming back.... or because it's just so fun!

2009-08-21 11:16:00 Author: snowyjoe Posts: 509

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Played these levels last night after reading this thread. I've seen other people playing them but was put off by the title, which, because it was all in captials, made me think it was just some noob on the front page of cool levels with a rubbish level. How wrong I was. I'm feeling so inspired now... Whenever I've been making levels, I've always been too focused on the detail, and the problem with making realistic levels is that you often don't have much fun gameplay in there. These OH NO levels are pure platofrming, and I love them for that. It's made me realise exactly what LBP is about. Once I've finished my current level, I'm think i'm going to make some old school platofmring levels like this. Full of enemies, lots of moving platforms, I just want to have fun making a level rather than an interactive story.

2009-08-21 11:55:00 Author: Nuclearfish Posts: 927

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Played these levels last night after reading this thread. I've seen other people playing them but was put off by the title, which, because it was all in captials, made me think it was just some noob on the front page of cool levels with a rubbish level. How wrong I was. I'm feeling so inspired now... Whenever I've been making levels, I've always been too focused on the detail, and the problem with making realistic levels is that you often don't have much fun gameplay in there. These OH NO levels are pure platofrming, and I love them for that. It's made me realise exactly what LBP is about. Once I've finished my current level, I'm think i'm going to make some old school platofmring levels like this. Full of enemies, lots of moving platforms, I just want to have fun making a level rather than an interactive story. Yeah, I came to that conclusion a while ago - a few of my recent levels I first developed really fun and original play mechanics, then built a game around them. Those are the ones that I have the most fun playing. Just got a totally new idea and I'm working on that now. I had never played this series until a few weeks ago when the 3rd one was spotlighted, so I got to play all 3 at once - fantastic!

2009-08-21 12:18:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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I'm glad others have been in spired by them too. I love how simple they are but at the same time they do what they're meant to perfectly. The atmosphere, the story, the visuals, the actual platforming, all absolute spot on. What Rtm223 said about the plane shifting is right too. There is nothing wrong with it, it works perfectly. If you're experiencing problems with it then it's due to bad design. If you're experiencing problems with it in a well designed level then you just aren't used to it yet, once you suss out how it actually works (always jumps to the highest layer etc) then it's consistent and well judged.

2009-08-21 12:43:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

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I'm a big fan of the OH NO series too, and it's a great series because it takes platforming back down to it's very basics, and it has a great old-school feel. The humor is great to, it doesn't go overkill with it, but once in a while you get welcomed with a humorous cutscene. They inspire me too, it shows that you don't need all 3 layers in LBP to make a fun level, and you don't have to make a epic storyline too.

2009-08-21 13:46:00 Author: lk9988 Posts: 1077

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you don't have to make a epic storyline too. I'm not so sure about that, I'd say he as a pretty epic storyline, in his own special sense of the word.

2009-08-21 13:49:00 Author: BSprague Posts: 2325

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How have i not played this series???? one sec

2009-08-21 13:52:00 Author: springs86 Posts: 785

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How have i not played this series???? one sec One sec? That's optimistic! *1 hour and 45,000 deaths later...*

2009-08-21 13:53:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

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One sec? That's optimistic! *1 hour and 45,000 deaths later...* The only part that got me was the sun flying all over the place. Man, I had to sit and watch that for a while to get the pattern.

2009-08-21 13:55:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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The only part that got me was the sun flying all over the place. Man, I had to sit and watch that for a while to get the pattern. The suns are tricky. That's the part that I was referring to most in my opening comment about how you can die so many times but it doesn't become frustrating, because you know it's your own fault. It's just working the timings out!

2009-08-21 13:56:00 Author: jackofcourse Posts: 1494

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The suns are tricky. That's the part that I was referring to most in my opining comment about how you can die so many times but it doesn't become frustrating, because you know it's your own fault. It's just working the timings out! Yeah, that's a mark of a good design. It can be hard, but it must be fair. The player needs to always feel like it was their fault. This is something that many level creators have a problem pulling off.

2009-08-21 14:07:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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What bugs me about captaincowboyhat is that he seemingly pulls of the insanely hard but fair effortlessly I think it comes naturally to him. He doesn't spend that long on them yet everything is just spot on. I hate people like that

2009-08-21 14:17:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

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I didn't literally mean one sec, i played the first level now, but got invited, so can't play the rest till later, didn't die that much To get on topic, the platforming in that 1 level that i played waas cool, like how it's all on one layer, if i didn''t have a locked level with the similar concept then that would be awesome

2009-08-21 14:18:00 Author: springs86 Posts: 785

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Well, wow, if I'm not careful this thread will totally go to my head. I'm thrilled that people seem to like my levels so much, I really am. I'm making the kind of levels I like the most, so if I'm inspiring anyone to make similar levels, everybody wins! I'm at a loss right in the middle of making the fourth level, so hopefully this weekend I'll get inspired and realize what needs to come next. I'd write more, but I'm already late for work - I just wanted to thank everyone!

2009-08-21 14:22:00 Author: CaptainCowboyHat Posts: 153

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Actually I think that this series is a real achievement and a marvelous example for every creator. Every time I browse searching levels and I see, "Metroid Tribute", "Metal Slug Tribute", "Super Mario level 3", "Green Hill Zone", I stay far from those levels as I would stay far from someone that has pest. Many times those tributes are just visuals "inaccuracate" reproductions of great games, with great gameplay and the originals are always better than even the best tribute. LBP has its "strong" and real "personal" gameplay, very balanced with jumps and runs, and it can't be bent toward another kind of gameplay without being somehow broken. Cowboy instead has completely eaten and regurgitated Mario Spirit, reworking it into his own levels, with the foundation in LBP game mechanics and not in Mario's mechanics. He also understood the funny and colourful spirit of Mario Universe, but again, he reworked it and he sculpted it out of LBP clay. I absolutely love the series, but most of all I love what his creator has skillfully achieved. Respect and praise.

2009-08-21 14:28:00 Author: OmegaSlayer Posts: 5112

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