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Melding Witchcraft

Archive: 31 posts

Melding WitchcraftBasketSnake
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/58/aphotor.jpgThe witch is on the lose again. The story continues where Northern Witchcraft ends. The witch has mixed all sorts of creatures and architecture together in this potato stew of a level. Breeze through. Try for combos....but I promise you if you look hard enough you will be rewarded with a cool easter egg. Thermo full. Death to H4H. Please give feedback.
all		2009-09-06 19:48:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Great level. The platforming was very fun and the style was unique. Excellent replay value with so many secrets to find and the temptation of this "cool easter egg". The only gripe I have is that the colour correction can be a bit too much at times, maybe tone in down in some areas.2009-09-06 20:13:00

Author:
Killian
Posts: 2575

That's the problem with the color correction. It's only the default one that allow you to actually see anything. If you had problems playing through it because of the colors then I'll fix it asap but other than that I will probably leave it.2009-09-06 20:19:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

That's the problem with the color correction. It's only the default one that allow you to actually see anything. If you had problems playing through it because of the colors then I'll fix it asap but other than that I will probably leave it.

No, no problems. I just felt it would look a but bit better if the changes weren't too drastic.		2009-09-06 20:37:00

Author:
Killian
Posts: 2575

I wish MM would do something about those oversaturated colors so that we could change them without it crushing the blacks. But I guess that's what oversaturation does! GAH!2009-09-06 21:25:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Played through it (alt acct) and loved it. Extremely creative and so much to do. Best I managed was to leave only 3 pearls. Dang you have those hidden well and one I can see but darned if I can figure out how to get to it.

Great secrets and stuff to figure out. The clock is neat and subtle, grabs were very subtle but I managed to find a few. The "light" references are everywhere too.

You have the best bubble decorations ever. Hands down in my book.

Very creative and original for sure.

5 stars & hearted... now If only I can figure out the rest of your secret stuff! Argh!		2009-09-06 22:01:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

You're going to have to look long and hard. Maybe one day you will be illuminated. Some of the clues are easy. Some are near impossible. Who are the Sack Templars? Are the characters all they appear to be?2009-09-06 22:38:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Thought this was great. I love the really weird levels, that have such a unique look to them. It had such a wonderful feeling to it, like Alice in Wonderland.

My only concern was with the camera. With it being so far out plus the lighting and colour correction, it was a bit hard to see what was going on at times. Not enough to really take much away from the level, but enough to have me a little frustrated at times.

Other than that I loved it. Only found one thingy, by accident, but I might have another go to see what I can find.

5 stars.		2009-09-06 22:48:00

Author:
Matt 82
Posts: 1096

Fantastic! This is definately up there with "Honeyland" in platforming (which was my previous favorite level of yours).

My only small suggestion is to adjust the lighting near the beginning. It just seemed TOO bright by a tad. Other than that, the platforming, the hidden secrets... all top knotch - and FANTASTIC characters.

The books flying around also - great stuff!

5 stars and a heart.		2009-09-06 23:02:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Woah! I MUST play this one.
I loved your Honeyland, a level that is really underrated imho, with one of the most original and fresh visual style ever.
I'm expecting great things from this one.

(still I want a Greven level...LOL )		2009-09-06 23:04:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

I have no idea what I just saw

:star::star::star::star::star: and I'll be back on this thread once my mind has re-ravelled and I have found words to describe it (and possible some of the secrets)


Oh and maybe I'll play the level(s) that comes before it as well, this I think might help.		2009-09-06 23:55:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Everything in this level is something. The platforms aren't just some stupid squares hanging in midair - they're flying books! Summed up in a word: spellbinding.2009-09-07 03:13:00

Author:
Kipmonlin
Posts: 251

To pick a favorite level in LBP is something I didn't think I could do...until I played this level.

I have no words to describe the level but I love the style and all the character designs, my favorite was the jester talking about saints row. And the story fit in with humor was great. I liked the guy that fell from the sky saying something about gameplay too, made me lol.

I didn't have any problems with the level and thought the lighting was great. The only time the lighting got in the way was in the beginning with the score bubbles, but thats not really a problem.

Didn't feel like myself after finishing the level. (Is that weird?) Anyway I, of course, gave 5 stars and hearted.		2009-09-07 03:32:00

Author:
Shris
Posts: 126

dang i JUST turned my ps3 off D: i havent seen so many people dumb struck by a levels magnificents in my life. im gunna have to play this first thing tomorrow before all the labor day BBQs.2009-09-07 05:32:00

Author:
Littlebigdude805
Posts: 1924

The very first section where you first spawn had some lighting effects I forgot to remove because I originally was going to make it very dark but that's removed now and that's much better. You don't have to play part 1 but you might as well to be introduced to two of the characters. Maybe I could've come up with something better for the jester and the barrel...guy to say but it is what it is and you seem to love it. Awesome.2009-09-07 06:39:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Can't wait to play this !!!!2009-09-07 17:46:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564

Wonderful level, funny, visionary, with good gameplay and pace.
Lots of places to go and lot of things to discover, amazing contraption.
I will only add 5 stars and a heart.		2009-09-07 20:08:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

The areas sort of have names. The first part I named Poseidon's Pillars for some silly reason. It just sounds cool. The Pumpkin Tower I made in half a day - well around 5-6 hours. Takes a lot of testing you know. I'm very careful about testing things as I build. The reward is I don't need too many testruns through my levels when it's nearing final stages. I tested this level maybe 10 times near the end but not with 4 players. Anyone had any frustrations with 2-4 players? I'd really like to know. After the pumpkin tower there's the "Floating Island" (how creative..). I don't have a name for the airship. The next area was going to be a forest with plenty of trees but nay. Maybe I'll fit in a couple of trees just to make it even prettier. The next part is the "Ancient" or "Burning" library. I was going to have a lot of it on fire but I kept dying and it just got frustrating. I had an awesome crystal ball that you jump into and land on the scoreboard but it didn't make it because of the thermo. The jester was the first thing I created and I named him "the ghostly jester". "The travelling mushroom merchant" - can't even remember where I got that idea. "The barrel character" as I call it I just made up.

I basically googled "witchcraft" images on google, browsed through a few pages and looked at stuff. That gave me ideas and I went from there. One of my concerns when I make things i to have things make sense and purpose just like the flying books. A circle swamp piece used for swinging across gaps is the most boring thing ever. Give me anything but that. I created for 2-3 days straight then my brain just dried out and I left the level for over 3 months I think. I finished it this weekend. Add several days of adding and creating minor stuff. I've spent more than 5 days on this. It takes so long time building something this detailed so I don't know how to top this with a third level heh. We'll see. To shris - if you're saying this is your favourite level in LBP then I don't know how to even comment on that.		2009-09-07 21:07:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

I've spent more than 5 days on this. It takes so long time building something this detailed

My god you made this in 5 days??? That's insane! Even if you're talking 5 days at 12 hours a day that still seems like a short amount of time for this.


Anyway I played through the first part and this, and it was certainly less of a shocking and disorienting experience second time round I think I hit a couple of snags with the secrets though. Two things triggered thesound, but gave me nothing, one other place there seemed to be a secret (there was indication of a secret and I grabbed soemthing that dissolved) but nothing else happened - there may have been more to this one but I couldn't find it.

Still fantastic levels, both of them 		2009-09-07 21:16:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Maybe nothing happens unless you find all the clues? I saw a few players already "illuminated" - shhhhhhh. I can assure you that all the black pearls triggers work. You can find all the black pearls but there's some other hidden illuminati mystery in various areas.....

If I say I worked on this for 15 days around 8 hours pr day that's a better guess. I can build architechture very quickly when I'm burning for it. My problem is I need to constrain myself and try to create gameplay as well.		2009-09-07 21:27:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Funnily enough, I played 'Northern Witchcraft' yesterday and really enjoyed it, so with it still fresh in my mind, the sequel appears!

You have an eye for a kind of dark fairy tale setting - both levels gave me a sense of Tim Burton or Hansel and Gretl. Charming, yet surreal. The characters were really fun, and the pumpkin was brilliant!

Played through with a friend, and we had no issues with multiplayer and gathering some of the hard-to-reach score bubbles.

I didn't find the contrast much of an issue - though I agree it was intense, I thought it complimented the level.

I'm really impressed overall. I lot of fun to both play and to look at. Well done indeed!

I rated 5*, hearted and tagged with 'Brilliant'.		2009-09-07 22:07:00

Author:
MrsSpookyBuz
Posts: 1492

yea i definatly sence abit of tim burton here lol. i played it and honestly i didnt like it. i like the more actiony levels with less sillyness. This was like all out chaos threw my eyes. lol. gave it five stars and a heart because this oviously took more skill then i have to do in five days and just cause i dont like it doesnt mean it wasnt a good level, but i would like to see what you could do with a level made over a long period of time. loved the "retarded" dutchmen eagle ship tho lol, even though i hit zero targets cause i couldnt figure out you have to stand on the thing sticking out the front and when i did it was to late lol. Ill be looking out for any new levels of yours though thats for sure. 2009-09-08 01:58:00

Author:
Littlebigdude805
Posts: 1924

Wow, I was blown away by this level. Incredible graphics and lighting, love the colour correction, fantastic gameplay. Truly mesmerizing.

I only found one of the pearls, so I'll have to go back and play this again!

5 stars and a heart.		2009-09-08 04:12:00

Author:
hilightnotes
Posts: 1230

Just forget my previous comments about how long time I spent on it. I can't exactly remember but it must've taken way more than five days.2009-09-08 06:56:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Played this earlier, it's very impressive. I've said before that your characters are awesome, and they definately were here. Nice to see how you used the flying thing too with the paintinator, which I've had fun blowing up many times before. 2009-09-08 20:14:00

Author:
Nuclearfish
Posts: 927

Fantastic level both in terms of gameplay and visuals. One of the most creative and original levels I've seen. I loved the overall look of it. The style reminded in some places of Jan Pienkowski?s illustrations of fairy stories, in particular his picture of Baba Yaga?s hut on its chicken leg.

http://www.loobylu.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/janpienkowski.jpg

I don't where to start with listing all the amazing things in the level but like everyone else I loved the score bubbles and the flying books . I also thought the airship was fantastic as well as the pumpkin tower and the floating island. Another thing which struck me was the great use you made of sound effects.

I always enjoy trying to find secrets and you?ve got some really well hidden ones! There?s still one pearl left at the end which I can?t get. I think I have got some way towards it as I have triggered certain things in the level which haven?t given me a pearl so I obviously need to collect all of the clues to get the pearl in the end. I?ll just have to keep looking...

Finally, as you know from the comment I left on your level, I managed to break it at one point! I am not entirely sure how it happened and it's probably a complete one off! Anyway I had been trying to activate the clock and been experimenting with stopping it at different times and then re-starting it again. I was probably pushing the button too hard and too often because just after I stopped, the whole floating island structure began to topple over slowly to the right (i.e. the direction I had been pushing in). It ended up upside down! I fell with it to the right and landed on the level floor. I re-spawned which took me back up to the checkpoint at the base of the tree but there was obviously no way of going on. It looked spectacular and so I took a picture!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=533&pictureid=6755

Anyway, thank you for a great level. I had enormous fun playing it!		2009-09-20 18:36:00

Author:
shropshirelass
Posts: 1455

Jan Pienkowski’s illustration looks so awesome. Never heard of the guy but I'm going to look for more of his stuff. I'm impressed at how the level totally broke apart like that. Finished first character for witchcraft 3 just now.2009-09-20 18:50:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

I played this level today and I'm still breathless...

This level has such a unique style that it sucked me into a fantasy land far far away... beautiful visuals, cute ideas (the wonderful self-made point-bubbles), a funny and nice story. Levels like this one keeps me playing LBP!!!!! In my view this level is so cool that it could have easyly been part of the in-game levels.

The pumpkin-tower, the big wooden-witch with the funny nose and the flipping arm, the flying books that carries complete rooms (wonderful idea), the air-ship at the end, the colorfull enviroment, the hidden hearts - all this stuff is so brilliant. I can't waiting to see the next part...

Very impressive work - I read you did this in only a few days?.... how sick is that?? LOL :-) great job BasketSnake - you build a timeless jewel!!

For me, it was a no brainer to give :star::star::star::star::star: and heart for both, level and author. I definitely will play this again and share this one to my friends...

Greets

Neo



due to the F4F, it would be nice if you can take a closer look at my "The Talocan" (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=t=16577) - thx in advance		2009-09-25 18:15:00

Author:
(___NEO___)
Posts: 206

Reading your comment felt like a LittleBig light at the end of a terrible day. Third level is underway. Just forget my previous silly statement about how long time it took. If you look at my deviantart account blog you can see I started back in May or something and worked intensely on it then left it for some months. Finishing it only took a couple of days. I will try to build something new a bit more often. Been building a mecha t-rex but I can't get a proper walk cycle done so I might find other use for it. I don't do this F4F thing. I just comment whereever I feel like but I'll play all your levels and give honest opinions. Thanks dude.2009-09-25 19:00:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Reading your comment felt like a LittleBig light at the end of a terrible day. Third level is underway.
It's nice to see, that my comments pushed you in a positive way :-)


I don't do this F4F thing. I just comment whereever I feel like but I'll play all your levels and give honest opinions. Thanks dude.

Oh, mea culpa - I didn't notice the missing F4F-purpose. Sorry about that ^^. Nevertheless: Thank you very much for your intention to play my levels. I appreciate m8!! And now, that I have you in my hearted author list: it's clear to me, that I will definitely play all your levels in the next time - Melding Witchcraft is so good, that I guess that your other levels will be able to make me feel good as well ;-)

Greets Neo		2009-09-26 12:37:00

Author:
(___NEO___)
Posts: 206

After a break of a week I went back to the level this morning to see if I could find the last pearl and I finally got it! W00t!!

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=533&pictureid=6930



There are still things I haven?t got to the bottom of, though. You don't know how long I spent by the catapult thing trying without success (aargh!) to find a secret of some kind! And there probably isnt even one there! Anyway the level came up as fresh as paint and I still get a kick out of playing it even after so many runs through!		2009-09-26 17:40:00

Author:
shropshirelass
Posts: 1455


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