LBP Showcase / Reviews / Recommendations #1
Mining Mayhem
Archive: 30 posts
| Mining Mayhem PSN: DarkHawken Description: Clamber your way into the mine, plant the charges and escape before it all collapses! Pics: http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/stevehills64/APhoto_4.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/stevehills64/APhoto_5.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/stevehills64/APhoto_10.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/stevehills64/APhoto_9.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/stevehills64/APhoto_7.jpg Not sure what else to put here, just could you let me know of any bugs etc and how to improve / what you like Enjoy playing, DHawken Updates: - Removed a lot of point bubbles (Jagrevi's suggestion) - Changed icon for level (Jagrevi's suggestion) - Added "brains" to collect points instead of bubbles (Jagrevi's suggestion) - Fixed emitter glitch (comphermc spotted this) - Stopped players from using jet pack up the elevator (arcticpolar spotted this) - fixed bug which stops you from completing planting charges (I spotted this) - Stop players using jetpack all the way to near end (arcticpolar spotted this) - Stop a layer from falling if exploded (Createnplay saw this with me) - Stop players using jetpack all the way to near end (arcticpolar spotted this) - Stop a layer from falling if exploded (Createnplay saw this with me) - Make mine cart faster (OmegaSlayer's suggestion) Still to do - Stop players from backtracking (Kipmonlin's suggestion) - Reduce the annoying plane autoswitching (OmegaSlayer's suggestion) - Add more decorations (Coxy224's suggestion) F4F levels to do: Jagrevi Arcticpolar | 2009-09-04 17:57:00 Author: Dhawken  Posts: 96 |
| I think I'll give this one a try a bit later. | 2009-09-04 17:59:00 Author: Jagrevi  Posts: 1154 |
| I have now added pics, Also, how do I get the pics into the level description? | 2009-09-04 19:04:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| Before I get to my feedback... I have now added pics, Also, how do I get the pics into the level description? You mean on this website? Not sure. If you can edit the text for that area I'd assume you could just paste the IMG code in there. Anyways ... Feedback This level is actually very, very well done - but suffers from alot of flaws that I think will prevent it from "taking off" as is. First off, let me the complimentary stuff out of the way. You have obvious skill. Visually, the level was completely solid. Love the use of the "glitched-fire-material" by the way. So the visuals are already more than passable. Likewise, the gameplay was straightforward and fun. I loved the room that spun upside-down and was a different challenge going backwards, the mine cart ride was great, an A+ there too. The fundamentals are all there and all completely solid - the level looks great and is very fun to play. However, for once, that's not the end of the story ... Your challenge here I think is a much more subtle one, as while the level is technically well put together, it does a horrible job at advertising itself. The generic name is one thing, but on top of that the level's icon is a basic game sticker - there is nothing about it from first glance to indicate that the creator put care and time into it. I'm not doubting that you did, I'm just saying you have not advertised it in any way, and if I were just searching through levels I'd presumably just skip right past this one, as at first glance it does not stand out at all. Besides the self advertising, while, again, a very well put together, the level suffers from two other problems. One is ... the beginning - the part of the level that many people will use to decide if they want to keep going at all - is not enjoyable, and here's what I mean ... There are point bubbles everywhere. FAR too many point bubbles. Point bubbles are fun when you run into them naturally, when you know you can get through one part a little faster than most others and get a combo others failed to get. When you find a secret stash and can smirk as you can imagine outscoring those without your keen eye. Point bubbles are NOT fun, however, when getting a competitive score consists of going and picking them all up. That's a chore - and putting that chore in front of people is basically telling them that if they want to compete at this level, they need to engage in the tedious task of picking up all these point bubbles. That does not a fun game make. So right off the bat, at the first region, the player is immediately less enthused about the level simply due to the mass of point bubbles. If I can use another creator's work here as an example, Snakes on a Dame has a very solid distribution of point bubbles, and is very fun to compete on. This level, however, is not - and that feels a shame because of how well put together it is. Finally, and this might be the crux of the whole review - this level is too forgettable. Again, don't get me wrong, it's expertly put together, but it's like a good retailer - instantly likable and immediately forgettable. There's no lovable story, no memorable mechanic, nothing to stand out and makes us say "wait wait, let me play that level again". Did you ever see the 2001 film-noir The Man Who Wasn't There? (In the regards to a young girl's Piano Playing): "Mistake, no, it says E-flat, she plays E-flat. Ping-ping. Hit the right note, always. Very proper. ... Someday, I think, maybe, she make a very good typist." This level is full of technical expertise. It's clear you know what you're doing. The basics of aesthetics you have down as well. It looks good, it's fun. The problem is, your level is a plain cake donut in a brown paper bag. It's good - but you aren't really going to get word of mouth. When I played the level - I was the first and only play. The only person on that scoreboard besides me ... was you. I liked it. I really liked it - but it's clear that you can do so much better. Rating: :star::star::star::star: - Now 4 stars may sound like a good thing - after all the kids rate a level, a level is lucky to retain 4 stars. However, I don't want you to take 4 stars as a compliment. I know that sounds mean, but what I'm trying to emphasize is you clearly have enough skill to make a level that regardless of what the kiddies would rate, people would come on here and rave about. It's clear that you have everything you need to "knock my socks off", so-to-speak - but you haven't done so yet. You've shown that you have the skill to do that, and so far you've served us something basic with no frills. You're definitely above the "masses", but you're still not quite where you deserve to be yet. Don't focus on the 4 stars, focus on the one missing one. Also, on a final note, despite how "mean" I tend to come off (or so I'm accused of), I do want to make it clear that I did highly enjoy your level. I greatly look forward to seeing either a tweaked version, or your next project. What you need though, is a publishing strategy - you have FAR too few plays, so I'm going to assume that it's not something you've spent alot of time on - and I'd love tohelp you on that if you continue to show an interest in creating and the talent you've so visibly demonstrated so far. ....................... ... And that's my review  With the F4F, if you could review my one unlocked level, I'd appreciate a return of the favor (and you could talk "meanly" to me with any criticisms if you feel I unfairly attacked what I admitted was a very fun level). Please continue to create and share what you do here. - Jagrevi | 2009-09-04 20:09:00 Author: Jagrevi Posts: 1154 |
| Wow! Thanks for the excellent review. I don't think of it as being mean, I take it as constructive criticism. As for the bubbles, I will take a lot of them out, and as for the number of plays, the level was being published as I wrote this thread! lol but the number is slowly rising, Being forgettable, i agree with you as its really just another level, I dont think I can add anything in it as I would have to edit it a lot and the thermo is quite high. but this has encouraged me to create a sequel or prequel to it and have something which stands out in there What kind of picture would you recommend I have as an icon, I tried to make it have some replay value as there are two routes to take, (I don't know which you took) Glad you enjoyed the level and thanks very much for the great review. I will review yours later, i know you probably don't need any more but its only fair Oh and for your first point about adding images, i meant adding them to littlebigplanet. Thanks again, DHawken | 2009-09-04 20:27:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| What kind of picture would you recommend I have as an icon Something you make personally. Perhaps write out the name of the level in some artistic way and take a picture of it ... maybe a picture of a mining cart in front of a deep mine tunnel you cannot see the end of? In any case, something you make yourself. I will review yours later, i know you probably don't need any more but its only fair I can always use feedback Oh and for your first point about adding images, i meant adding them to littlebigplanet. Take a photo in the level while playing it, select the photo, and choose "upload". | 2009-09-04 20:49:00 Author: Jagrevi Posts: 1154 |
| Ah ok thanks, I see what you mean about the bubbles now, I am still get rid of them! Oh and wont this effect the high scores?!? | 2009-09-04 20:51:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| Oh and wont this effect the high scores?!? It won't effect the high scores that are already there - but if you really want to be fair you could make a bunch of dark-matter blocks "out of the level", put protected brains on them, and make one particular thing you do trigger the brains (1 shot) and give people alot of points. Then they will get alot of points naturally just by doing what they have to do (heck, you could even put it on a player sensor at the beginning of the level - throw them a starting score so that death makes a difference from the get-go), and the current scores won't be unreachably high. | 2009-09-04 20:59:00 Author: Jagrevi Posts: 1154 |
| ah, i like that idea, so like when they complete a section, they get points without actually having point bubbles. Will do that Like the idea about starting score | 2009-09-04 21:01:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| I couldn't complete the level because of the "plant the explosives" section. Only one bomb came out of each container... I'm not sure if this was intentional, but I assume not. I will reserve all other judgments til then. | 2009-09-04 22:56:00 Author: comphermc  Posts: 5338 |
| Hi, yes, im not sure whats gone wrong wiht this, it was woking then its just stopped, im trying to fix it now. ok it should work now, thanks for letting me know about it | 2009-09-05 08:42:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| Have got rid of the "soon to be 2 player section" and have decided to make it a level. Also need some more reviews as only have one, will review yours too | 2009-09-05 18:34:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| It looks good but you are in tough competition with the story mode levels with a similar look so it's not really memorable. It was fun but a little confusing. I backtracked a bit when I didn't have to. Maybe you could stop us from being able to go back so we are in a smaller area to figure out what to do. Lifting the track pieces in place was my favorite part of the level. | 2009-09-05 19:20:00 Author: Kipmonlin  Posts: 251 |
| Ok, thanks, I'll just put an emitter with something that blocks the way back, I'll also make sure I include the track part in my next level  Would you like me to review Vanilla Breeze or something different? Thanks | 2009-09-05 19:35:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| thats was amazeing, a lovely peice of art whil also being fun and interactive. i like how you used every obstacle and more. i loved setting charges and rebuilding the rails, it was just the right length and the explosions at the scoreboard were a fun addition. all and all a very well rounded level. oh and :star::star::star::star::star: | 2009-09-05 20:48:00 Author: Littlebigdude805  Posts: 1924 |
| Thanks for the review Littlebigdude805 I will let you know when I update the level based on Kipmonlin's suggestions. | 2009-09-05 21:44:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| A very good level! The atmosphere is right, and the puzzles were satisfactioning, but I think it needs a little improvement. 1. When you're going up with the elevator, after placing the seven bombs, i managed to still have the jetpack in the elevator and fly past everything, to the mine cart ride.  2. At the start, when there is two ways to choose beteen, over or under the bridge, it is almost impossible (it was for me) to get up again, even though the black matter things were there.  :star::star::star::star::star: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnd a HEART :hero: | 2009-09-06 13:40:00 Author: moonwire  Posts: 1627 |
| Thanks for the review, I did put a red cross in the elevator but it must have been too low, Thanks for letting me know about that though, I'll have to make it higher if that will work I'm not too sure what you mean about the second point, so you go onto the sponges but you cant go back to the left side? If that is what you mean then that was the idea, as you can only choose one route to go and if you wanted to go the other route you would have to replay the level. I put the dark matter there so you couldn't jump down from the bridge and take the other path. Thanks again for the review and am very pleased about having 5 stars and a heart! Which level would you like me to review of yours? DarkHawken | 2009-09-06 14:35:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| It would be nice if you played my level:The turning tube (survival level), please. I have the same problem as NoVaKaiN16 (you can't find me by searching moonwire, the PSN I made the level on), so you have to search for arcticpolar, then go to hearted creators, or go to page ten of hearted levels and find the level there. | 2009-09-06 15:01:00 Author: moonwire Posts: 1627 |
| Ok, I will look at that when I get home, | 2009-09-06 17:29:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| well look who made it to the cool levels grats dude | 2009-09-06 18:10:00 Author: Littlebigdude805 Posts: 1924 |
| Thanks, Although I'd prefer to have many more plays and hearts!!! Still only have 59 plays  DHawken | 2009-09-06 18:45:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| UPDATE: Fixed bug - Stopped players using jet pack up the elevator (arcticpolar spotted this) - fixed bug which stops you from completing planting charges | 2009-09-06 19:57:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| Played this level with you DHawke Thoroughly enjoyed every single detail of the level. so many things going on , its great, it truly is. Weird how the connection dropped lol. The explosive bit was cool but coulda been jazzed up by some arrows or something. The jetpack bit, there were times were i didnt touch the walls and i got burnt. Too tight. I like the bridge but make it so u can get to the second one from the top. 9/10 Great level with a few suggestions | 2009-09-07 20:13:00 Author: CreateNPlay  Posts: 1266 |
| Thanks for your comments, I think I will make the jetpack bit wider and that drop fireball thing slower so it is easier. With the bridge, the idea was to either go straight along the bridge, or go along the bottom things, I think I will have to make this clearer. Or I could just remove all the dark matter so you can go anyway. Infact, I think I'll go for the second option. Lol, I shouldn't really type this as I think Currently making my second level which is the same theme but it is a 2 player level. Trying to get it done before I go to uni which is the 19th Spet, so havent got long | 2009-09-07 20:36:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| hehe, I start college soon too xD | 2009-09-07 23:26:00 Author: CreateNPlay Posts: 1266 |
| Fixed bugs: - Stop players using jetpack all the way to near end (arcticpolar spotted this) - Stop a layer from falling if exploded (Createnplay saw this with me) | 2009-09-08 09:53:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
| Wonderful level, good gameplay, good visuals but not very polished. You should really try to fix some platform here and there that doesn't make the gameplay smooth. The section where there's the rail to put in place is madness due to the plane autoswitch. You should really tweak those kind of things, and the cart ride should be a bit faster. I rate it 4 stars because I know you can tweak those things (you really showed some skill!), but if you tweak them I'll replay the level and rate it 5. The 3 stars that your level currently have are madness by the way. | 2009-09-08 21:12:00 Author: OmegaSlayer Posts: 5112 |
| Very veyr nice level. I played it the other night and had a storm. Couldn't stop playing it, even for dinner! Totally deserves 4 stars, if not 5 for the detail that's been put into it. Every scene has a little bit of spark in it that makes it feel alive. I would have liked a little more decoration, but what you had was still very good. Nice use of materials and the gameplay was solid. 4 stars and a hearts | 2009-09-08 21:15:00 Author: Coxy224  Posts: 2645 |
| Thanks OmegaSlayer and Coxy224 for your feedback I know what you mean about he plane auto switching as it can be quite annoying when you are mean to be on the front plane, Although when fixing the rail, I thought that as the jet pack was used, this didnt happen? or is it to the right where the switches are? I'll change try and reduce the autoswitching Is there a particular part of platforming which is not smooth? As for the decoation, I will improve this aswell. Thanks again, and thanks for the heart coxy! DHawken | 2009-09-09 10:12:00 Author: Dhawken Posts: 96 |
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