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Chroma Stone Chronicles: Part 5 - Abyssia's Lair SPOTLIGHTED

Archive: 63 posts

Chroma Stone Chronicles: Part 5 - Abyssia's LairMorgana25http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_17-6.jpg
This is the fifth and final level of the Chroma Stone Chronicles. It's time to take the fight to Abyssia herself. Make your way through her dark lair and use the four Light Gems to defeat darkness once and for all. There are four sections connected by a "hub" area. Each one is full of platforming and stuff to do. The finale is a puzzle style boss section against darkness itself.

level: Chroma Stone Chronicles: Part 5 - Abyssia's Lair
by: Morgana25
location: USA


After 3 months of trying to squeeze in create mode time between the beta and spotlight I've finally got this done! To fans of the series - Thanks for being so patient and checking in with me to see when the new one would be done. I hope you like this one too.

Orignially I wanted this to be a very VERY dark level full of mechanics and scary stuff but after working on it for awhile I had to admit to myself that the whole series needed to work as a group so I lightened up a bit. It's still dark but not as much as I thought it would be. I've also made sure to include rich lighting as I love that in levels and the whole point of the series is light versus dark.

It's got a lot of platforming compared to previous levels I've done and it's the most ambitious wiring I've attempted. Getting the wheel with the different color buttons to work was interesting and getting the "hub" to unlock areas in sequence was also fun to figure out. The logic looks bad but it works

I maxed out most of the thermo's available. If I put one more score bubble in it overheats. lol. (Stickers/Decorations, Shapes/Collected Objects, Materials, moving objects - all are very close to max) I'd like to thank CCubbage, Catiers & xkappax for helping me with an 'aha' moment about thermo that made the length of this level possible.

Special thanks also to Jaeyden, Stove123, jwwphotos, Zwollie, xTrophx and Gravel for playtesting this for me. Thanks for putting up with my "yea, yea, I know I'm going to fix that" moments.

I'm going to put a few pics up but the lighting isn't shown very well. Check it out in person for the "full effect".

Hope you enjoy and Thanks again LBPCentral for all the support, interest and kind compliments for the series thus far.

Welcome to level 5.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_12-7.jpg

The classic Title treatment.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_21-4.jpg

Going down? My first real elevator.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_13-7.jpg

Welcome to the "hub" You'll be back.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_14-7.jpg

I love these things.... don't know why.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_16-6.jpg

One of my favorite parts. Huge scale and the camera was cool to set up.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_17-6.jpg

It's getting hot in here!

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_20-5.jpg

A potentially shocking situation.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_26-3.jpg

Deep

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_27-3.jpg

Purple lights don't show up well on camera - trust me... it's VERY purple down there.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_30-2.jpg

Abyssia's waiting for you.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_31-2.jpg

"The Darkness" or more accurately where the darkness hangs out as the in game photo tool doesn't photograph gas. Be careful.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_32-2.jpg

This shows the scoreboard - don't look if you want to be surprised playing the level.
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu15/Morgana25_photos/Chroma%20Stone%205/APhoto_33-2.jpg

Video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdYbB7WTmQk&feature=channel		2009-09-30 19:08:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Huzzahs all around, can't wait to see it with those final tweaks.
Can't wait to play it in single player as well as that is the way I get the most out of a level.		2009-09-30 19:16:00

Author:
Zwollie
Posts: 2173

Ohhhh, I'm excited already

Publish it now! now now now now!!!!		2009-09-30 19:20:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

I better get to your levels soon Morgana. They have been on my looooooong list of levels to play.

At least I know getting caught up won't be a problem since this is the last one.
I've seen a video or two of a couple and love the themes and have been wanting to play them a while. I might just have to skip ahead on my list and get to playing, lol.		2009-09-30 19:22:00

Author:
Unknown User

Oh snap! I know what i'm playing tonight But now i have to wait for it to come out XD2009-09-30 19:27:00

Author:
Burnvictim42
Posts: 3322

Oh yes! Excellent news.

The screenies look great, and I'll be back after I played it with comments and any feedback.

(PS Morgana - There is someone sat next to me who's now shouting 'Chroma 5, Chroma 5! I think you made his night!).

Can't wait...		2009-09-30 20:24:00

Author:
MrsSpookyBuz
Posts: 1492

Oh yes! Excellent news.

The screenies look great, and I'll be back after I played it with comments and any feedback.

(PS Morgana - There is someone sat next to me who's now shouting 'Chroma 5, Chroma 5! I think you made his night!).

Can't wait...

lol - awesome Hope he likes it. It's a little different than my regular style stuff. I'll get it posted as soon as I can run home from work tweak like four things then it's ready. 		2009-09-30 20:32:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Oh ****! I just switched off my PS3 as well! Why the hell does this always happen to me!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

...Anywhom, I will play this as soon as I can. The soonest is...Tomorrow. Which sucks. But it gives me something to look forward to 		2009-09-30 20:33:00

Author:
KoRnDawwg
Posts: 1424

o my goodness! finally.... iv played the 90% of the lvl already.. with you Morgana.. and is awesome! i like all the stuffs it haves.. and is fun, and the fairies are coolish.. dang lol *now is the time* for the chroma stone power*.. something like that.. can't take those words off my head!.. teehee.. anyways.. can't wait to play it in single player.. and try to break it again... 2009-09-30 21:09:00

Author:
Joey
Posts: 758

Can't find the level 2009-09-30 22:18:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

Can't find the level

Don't worry, Omega! She's not publishing it until a bit later 		2009-09-30 22:20:00

Author:
MrsSpookyBuz
Posts: 1492

yea it's not published yet - in about 4 hours it will be. My computer at home is dead so I have to post from work so I had to put the thread up a bit early. Sorry if anyone is confused. 2009-09-30 22:26:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Oh, what a tease!

I'm really looking forward to this one!		2009-09-30 22:29:00

Author:
mrsupercomputer
Posts: 1335

yea it's not published yet - in about 4 hours it will be. My computer at home is dead so I have to post from work so I had to put the thread up a bit early. Sorry if anyone is confused.


Oh, what a tease!

I'm really looking forward to this one!

Yeah - I think really she just likes to tease us!

Well, I can't wait... I've play tested this a few times and I must say it's an exciting and ambitious deviation from Morgana's (and the Chroma-series&apos usual style. I think y'all are really gonna like it!		2009-09-30 22:36:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

I've play tested this a few times and I must say it's an exciting and ambitious deviation from Morgana's (and the Chroma-series&apos usual style. I think y'all are really gonna like it!

Ambitious deviation, ey? We're all gonna like it, ey? Don't you start teasing as well! My husband (SpookyBuz) is chomping at the bit here, and it'll be, what, 02:30am when Chroma Girl publishes. He's gonna be a bit like a hyperactive hamster by then!

Geez, I really must stop reading this thread! 		2009-09-30 22:41:00

Author:
MrsSpookyBuz
Posts: 1492

**** you european timezone, I'll be sleeping while this is being published!

Luckily, tomorrow I've got a free afternoon so I can replay it for 3 hours!		2009-09-30 22:43:00

Author:
Keldur
Posts: 628

Lol, 15 posts and counting! Could this be the first level to reach Cool Levels before its even been published?

Very much looking forward to playing this one. Hope there are still one or two curlicues!



EDIT - LOL, this thread is moving so fast that "15" was out of date by the time I had finished typing!		2009-09-30 22:44:00

Author:
shropshirelass
Posts: 1455

LOL - I assure you I'm not out for torture.... Now Abyssia on the other hand she's not so nice. It is a different kind of level for me. Now I'm all nervous with the hype. lol

Hope you guys and gals like it... really do

Geesh - didn't think of that shorpshirelass - it would be a dubious honor I think. Um.... There are a few curlie cues..... not as many as in #4 but they're there. 		2009-09-30 22:44:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Amazing, truly amazing. Gorgeous as usual, i'm very surprised you were able to fit all that into a level! Great platforming, fun boss fights, and excellent rhyming The only thing that bothered me was that the scoreboard colors were all messed up. They don't allign with the fairies, or with the level, or with anything i could think of. Its minor OCD i know, but it bumped my rating down from a 10 star and 3 hearts to 5 and 1 heart. (of course, the rating system could have had an effect on that too )

Awesome job... now what are your plans for a new series? 		2009-10-01 03:01:00

Author:
Burnvictim42
Posts: 3322

o wow it looks amazing. ive played your other levels and they are amazing. ^^2009-10-01 04:57:00

Author:
Unknown User

I played your whole series before and I wasn't disappointed. I think you surpassed yourself here again but I did not finish the level yet so I can't judge your boss.

I've been unlucky and got stuck at 2 different places. When I activated the last elevator right after doing the purple part I didn't stay grabed on the switch and got out of the elevator. This will happen to many players simply because that elevator doesn't have doors. When you use the switch it starts going down. Since I the floor of the elevator was now already a bit lower than your solid floor, the game auto-layered me out of the elevator. I suggest you put a door in that elevator because this bad luck of mine is actually very easy to pull off. If you can't make a door there, maybe you can think of some fail safe somehow.

So anyhow, I wanted to make that elevator come back so I thought maybe it could be resetted if I was going away from there and come back. I then took the first elevator. When I grabbed the switch in there and pulled it to the left, the left door did not close. At that point, I don't know why but I layered down from the elevator just for fun.... and got stuck again.
This one might be harder to fix, I'm not sure why the left door didn't work.

With this trouble out of the way, I must tell you that your level is really great looking and fun. It's also superbly orchestrated and I have a sweet spot for those levels that are "in parts" and especially when you come back from a section in such cool ways as in the red and blue section.

I only have 2 cons:

-You're an expert in creating slowdown and you didn't disappoint here. But now it's the first time I feel it did affect your gameplay. Wich leads to my second con...

-The purple part. There is that section with rolling electrified things and you need to hide in the purple light windows or whatever it is. The slowdown + the shape of the windows rendered the thing harder that it really is. Sometimes I swear I would have fit in but I was layer changing a bit too fast (the cam + the angle of the windows make it hard to calculate the height of sackboy). Sometimes I would be at the right place but since it's slowing down, In reality the game react a tad too late and I'm not layer changing before the electrified thing hit me. This is where the slowdown affected the gameplay for me.

Regardless of the problems, this series was fantastic so far and this level still doesn't disappoint. You characters are lovely and I'm not recalling a similar series of levels that I truly did enjoy this much outside the story levels from MM. Good work! (and keep up!)

:star::star::star::star:		2009-10-01 06:04:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Same thing happened to me as RangerZero (sent a PSN message last night)... but you can still finish by popping yourself since there is a checkpoint in the pod. Sent you a PM with a possible quick solution.

Anyway.......


This level is fantastic! There was so much fantastic platforming, and the design was impeccable. This is hands down your best level to date, and a great finale to the series.

I actually got up early this morning and had to go back in and play one more time before work. It was even MORE fun the 2nd time and I noticed a lot more details. I think you fit just about every platforming style into one level - and the design of the level is extremely efficient to maximize the level size.... but yet the lighting and gas effects are amazing.

Fantastic job - an EASY 5 stars and a heart.		2009-10-01 13:29:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Chroma stone part 6....the RETURNnnnnnnn of chrommmmm2009-10-01 13:50:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Good gracious, I wasn't expecting that!

The darker and ominous atmosphere was a pleasant surprise. The hub system worked really well, and the different coloured themes were great. Lots of variety in the platforming but consistent quality.

And challenge? Boy, this level has it in spades. I struggled in the red area a bit, and I got fried a fair few times at the emitted electrified cylinders. Perilous, but challenging.

The boss looked superb, and once I'd figured out what to do, it was a fitting end to this leviathan you've created.

It's sad to know that this is the last in the series, but you've certainly finished the quintology with the best one of all.

5*, hearted and tagged with 'Ingenious'.

Well done 		2009-10-01 13:53:00

Author:
MrsSpookyBuz
Posts: 1492

Im at work. Get me outtttttt2009-10-01 13:56:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

mnnn... a bit bland really. I mean... I think it could of done with some more detail. Mabe add some funky laser effects. It could do with some excelent lighting and more colour. I was thinking you could improve it if you had 4 great platforming sections that all effortlessly lead back to the same spot. It definitely needs a dark and ominous boss battle at the end.

Joking aside, I love this series and this level doesn't disappoint. Its like a weird lovechild of the Terminator and Mary Poppins.

16 stars and 9.7 hearts. 		2009-10-01 14:59:00

Author:
wexfordian
Posts: 1904

I'm glad I found LBPC -- it meant finding Chroma Stone Chronicles by extension. Played them all straight through. So excellent.

RANDOM EDIT: Such a rad creator from my own 'hood (WI)!		2009-10-01 15:39:00

Author:
squidbunny
Posts: 8

Woot, so actually I just played this last night. The level is very impressive, great mix of art, technical skills, and humor. The Different sections of the level were noticably different from eachother in the obstacles that the hero of Hemm had to overcome. Way to mix up the danger- I'm pretty sure I got burned, electrecuted, impaled, and gassed. So yeah, great level all around, 5 stars and a heart.
I remember you saying you wanted to get away a bit from the linear gameplay, and though this level seems to pretend to do so. . . you still have to do everything in order. . . if that makes sense. If you're still looking for a way to mix that up a bit, I would let the player pick which room to unlock each time he came back to the hub.
If you don't wanna do that, then thats cool, absolutely nothing wrong with pseudo linear, or linear for that matter.
Lastly I notced that given the nature of the last two areas, they played through faster than the first two. Maybe its just the way i'd like to organize things but it makes me want to switch the order so that you have the shorter sections sandwiched by the longer sections.
So yeah, thanks for the fun level, had a blast 		2009-10-01 16:30:00

Author:
squirlin
Posts: 224

The only thing that bothered me was that the scoreboard colors were all messed up. They don't allign with the fairies, or with the level, or with anything i could think of. Its minor OCD i know, but it bumped my rating down from a 10 star and 3 hearts to 5 and 1 heart. (of course, the rating system could have had an effect on that too )

Awesome job... now what are your plans for a new series?

I have the colors aligned to the actual Chroma Stone symbol but I totally understand why it would bug you. I'll redo it. I also had the fairies set up in the order of the levels so that messed up the color set up too. I will adjust it so the fairies and the colors on the board line up. Point taken.

New series? Not yet but I think I'll do another series. Just need the right spark of creativity to hit me. I wanted to do a Halloween themed level as I love all that kind of stuff but I'm not sure I'll be able to pull one off in time. I'll post if I think of a new story to make. Thanks for playing it!


o wow it looks amazing. ive played your other levels and they are amazing. ^^

Thanks! I quite like your levels too. The Granny one is especially fun and cute!


I've been unlucky and got stuck at 2 different places. When I activated the last elevator right after doing the purple part I didn't stay grabed on the switch and got out of the elevator. This will happen to many players simply because that elevator doesn't have doors. When you use the switch it starts going down. Since I the floor of the elevator was now already a bit lower than your solid floor, the game auto-layered me out of the elevator. I suggest you put a door in that elevator because this bad luck of mine is actually very easy to pull off. If you can't make a door there, maybe you can think of some fail safe somehow.

So anyhow, I wanted to make that elevator come back so I thought maybe it could be resetted if I was going away from there and come back. I then took the first elevator. When I grabbed the switch in there and pulled it to the left, the left door did not close. At that point, I don't know why but I layered down from the elevator just for fun.... and got stuck again.
This one might be harder to fix, I'm not sure why the left door didn't work.

With this trouble out of the way, I must tell you that your level is really great looking and fun. It's also superbly orchestrated and I have a sweet spot for those levels that are "in parts" and especially when you come back from a section in such cool ways as in the red and blue section.

CCubbage has emailed me a possible solution to these problems. I think that it will work. I'm going to try and implement it tonight.

The left door on the top elevator is a problem piece of equipment. The pistons behave strangely and I'm not sure why. I figured since it worked on the way down and the odds of going back up again were minimal I wasn't going to re-engineer the door completely. I may have to rethink that.


I only have 2 cons:

-You're an expert in creating slowdown and you didn't disappoint here. But now it's the first time I feel it did affect your gameplay. Wich leads to my second con...

-The purple part. There is that section with rolling electrified things and you need to hide in the purple light windows or whatever it is. The slowdown + the shape of the windows rendered the thing harder that it really is. Sometimes I swear I would have fit in but I was layer changing a bit too fast (the cam + the angle of the windows make it hard to calculate the height of sackboy). Sometimes I would be at the right place but since it's slowing down, In reality the game react a tad too late and I'm not layer changing before the electrified thing hit me. This is where the slowdown affected the gameplay for me.

It's the shadow spotlights causing the slowdown. The only place they really come in handy is in the red section. Slowdown helps get the bubble combo up in the section with the gears and the sponge lifts. The slowdown makes it easier to control where you end up landing. Yea, other than that It doesn't really affect gameplay too much in the level.

I'll take another look at the purple section. I think the problem there is that the front part is two layers thick and it's not always easy to see with the camera angle I have where you are. I'll certainly look at it tonight and see if I can find a solution.


This level is fantastic! There was so much fantastic platforming, and the design was impeccable. This is hands down your best level to date, and a great finale to the series.

I actually got up early this morning and had to go back in and play one more time before work. It was even MORE fun the 2nd time and I noticed a lot more details. I think you fit just about every platforming style into one level - and the design of the level is extremely efficient to maximize the level size.... but yet the lighting and gas effects are amazing.

Thanks! I think the replay on this one is pretty good. I've run through it probably 30 times and it's still fun in most places. Glad you liked it. Means a lot. lol about the opening sequence pm you sent. I love that reaction from people. I had the opener done for two months and was just dying to show it to people.


Good gracious, I wasn't expecting that!

The darker and ominous atmosphere was a pleasant surprise. The hub system worked really well, and the different coloured themes were great. Lots of variety in the platforming but consistent quality.

And challenge? Boy, this level has it in spades. I struggled in the red area a bit, and I got fried a fair few times at the emitted electrified cylinders. Perilous, but challenging.

The boss looked superb, and once I'd figured out what to do, it was a fitting end to this leviathan you've created.

It's sad to know that this is the last in the series, but you've certainly finished the quintology with the best one of all.


Thanks! I know it's a different kind of level for me but I thought about the series and the bad guy level has to have a different vibe so I figured I go for it. I also did step up the difficulty too. I have nothing against easy levels (I made a ton of them) but I was really trying to work outside my comfort zone on this one. Challenging myself to do stuff I didn't know if I could do. That plus after playing a few really fun platforming levels from other creators I had to include a bunch of stuff to do. It makes replay better and I think it's more fun if the level interacts with the player. Took me a while to learn that though.


Joking aside, I love this series and this level doesn't disappoint. Its like a weird lovechild of the Terminator and Mary Poppins.

LOL - best quote ever! Ya know, someone asked me how I got stuff to be cute and creepy at the same time on something I did in the beta and I guess I just do it naturally. lol Glad you liked it. I have a new appreciation for how tricky cut scenes are to wire now - makes me admire your levels all the more.


I'm glad I found LBPC -- it meant finding Chroma Stone Chronicles by extension. Played them all straight through. So excellent.

RANDOM EDIT: Such a rad creator from my own 'hood (WI)!


lol Thank you for playing them. WI Rules!


Woot, so actually I just played this last night. The level is very impressive, great mix of art, technical skills, and humor. The Different sections of the level were noticably different from eachother in the obstacles that the hero of Hemm had to overcome. Way to mix up the danger- I'm pretty sure I got burned, electrecuted, impaled, and gassed. So yeah, great level all around, 5 stars and a heart.
I remember you saying you wanted to get away a bit from the linear gameplay, and though this level seems to pretend to do so. . . you still have to do everything in order. . . if that makes sense. If you're still looking for a way to mix that up a bit, I would let the player pick which room to unlock each time he came back to the hub.
If you don't wanna do that, then thats cool, absolutely nothing wrong with pseudo linear, or linear for that matter.
Lastly I notced that given the nature of the last two areas, they played through faster than the first two. Maybe its just the way i'd like to organize things but it makes me want to switch the order so that you have the shorter sections sandwiched by the longer sections.

All very good points. The blue and purple section are shorter due to thermo getting up there. If I could rearrange I'd make them the first two sections as well but the way it's set up that's not an option. I do like the visual punch the green section has and since it's first I think it sets the tone pretty well, so I think it still works. I'm not sure I wanted to get away from linear play so much as just having a horizontal surface you run in one direction in the level. I broke with it a bit in CS4 but essentially that was a run to the right with some up and down. This one is more back and forth, crisscrossing and working down all at once. So in that respect I think I achieved what I set out for.


Thanks everyone for the great responses so far. I love to hear people's thoughts on these levels. Thanks for the outstanding support from the community too. You guys have helped me learn so much and I owe a lot to LBPC and the awesome people here!		2009-10-01 18:06:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Awesome level, and I didn't expect less.
Great visuals as always, cool lighting, nice use of MGS lasers, great characters.

But something left me quite baffled...

First of all, the sequence of the sections.
Maybe it's just due to what I feel more comfortable while platforming, but I felt that the more I went through the level, the more it was easier.
Actually the green section with the rotating gears is the more difficult of the 4.

Second, I am face to face with Abyssia and I don't even kick her, ut I ran into a hole...not very heroish.

Third and last, I found the room where the boss fight takes place a little rushed, or better, not as epic as the other thing I went through in the other levels of the series.

This is actually nitpicking, but I sensed like a urge to deliver the finished level.
Maybe it was just thermo related...

Anyway, anything will prevent me from giving you 5 stars and a heart, for the greatness of the level and the awesomeness of the whole series.

Thanks for creating and sharing it.

EDIT: I saw this wall of text where I really only point little bad things, ut the others stole my thunder and already said all the good things that your level has 		2009-10-01 20:15:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

Thanks for the feedback!

I agree it gets easier as you go. I noticed it about 3/4 of the way through the level build but it didn't bug me so much. Ideally levels should get harder I guess but I'm going to chalk this up to the way the sections played out and there isn't much I can do about it now. Good observation though.

I wanted to let you guys kick her butt in a much more viceral and satisfying way but the thermo just won't allow it. I managed to pull off the boss build in less than two bars of thermo so I had to compromise on stuff in there. I don't know if I could have sacrificed more in the platforming to get more out of the boss or not. I did make extensive cuts and compromises in the platforming sections to get the logic and boss in at all. The guys who playtested it a few times during the build can testify to that.

I'm glad you seemed to like it faults and all Thanks for the play and the honest feedback 		2009-10-01 20:44:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

good job, i just played through all the levels again. i liked the change of pace on this one, and wrapped it up nicely. one issue i had on the final section i only had to turn on 3 lights to pass it. i didnt have to turn on the bottom left one i think that was the blue one. also like this one it had some challeging bubbles to combo. one oher thing was felt the race timer was too long as it dominated what your final score was would of liked to see the possible points on the race timer to be balanced with what is possible in the other three sections, but guess that is fine wouldnt want you to rest the score board or anything. good job too bad the series is over2009-10-02 05:38:00

Author:
deboerdave
Posts: 384

Well I just thought it was perfect. By far my favorite of the five and an epic scale end to a wonderful series of levels. From the excellent intro to the keen choice of materials this level is a real gem. The platforming was just right. Scale was spot on. The lighting was sublime, the jump pads were perfect and the story was right in line with the rest of the series. It had great movement - with the nice big slides to the gears moving everywhere. It feels like you filled every single inch of playable area. Six distinct sections! I'm so proud of you Morgana for finishing with such a BANG!! It's definitely a level worth playing multiple times and hands down a 5 star production from beginning to end. So sad to see it go. Like I told you the other night....I know it's great level when I wish I would have made it!! :star::star::star::star::star::star: Teehee 62009-10-02 07:23:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564

ok - update (sorry it's short - I'm posting from the PS3 as my computer at home has died)

Fixed issues:

- First elevator door opening/closing issue resolved
- Changed camera angle and wided corridor areas in the purple section with the electric obstacles.
- Used CCubbage's excellent suggestion to fix the second elevator (pod) from kicking multiple players or single players not holding sponge out of the pod.
- fixed the blue sponge/light in the boss battle all 4 are needed now (thanks for pointing this out as I missed it in testing completely!)
- Adjusted the stickers on the scoreboard to better match the fairies.

As of tonight it's sitting locked in on page 6 with 152 plays and 40 something hearts. Thanks everyone!		2009-10-02 08:05:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Hey Morgana,
Played your level multiple times and off course, its pretty great.

+ Great platforming madness
+ The hub enviroment is a cool concept
+ Very different visually from the previous ones
+ Good lighting
+ The characters remain fully awesome, even for being quite old by now.
+ Great finale to a wonderful series, you don't see series finished that much on LBP (cough)

- Lag, it does not make any level better in my opinion nor does it add a cool effect or make platforming easier. But that is subjective, off course.


On a personal level, and I am being very honest here, it is not my favourite of the bunch. (ducks for cover)

If I had to rate my favourites it would have to be:
1. Part 2 - Pyrra's Gem
2. Part 1 - Veriddian's Gem
3. Part 4 - Irridia's Gem
4. Part 5 - Abyssia's Lair
5. Part 3 - Cerrulean's Gem

Overall, an awesome conclusion to a great magical series. A real shame it is over....
Perhaps they travel to an alternate dimension where the roles are reversed?
4 evil fairies and one good fairy on the brink of dying without the powers of the stones.
Off course when she dies, the world dies with her so there is an objective there, haha.

Seriously though, it must be nice to be able to move to something else now and explore new territories.

Very well done, Morgana!! Looking forward to your next projects!! 		2009-10-02 08:44:00

Author:
Zwollie
Posts: 2173

looks great i will be sure to try this out2009-10-02 08:50:00

Author:
rseah
Posts: 2701

Ok, just got back from playing this for the 4th time.... I would have taken first place but I died jumping over the electric rolling things 3 times!!!!!

The changes worked great - I purposely tried to break it in the areas that were an issue before, but no problems!		2009-10-02 20:16:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

You dark horse, I wasn't expecting the amount of platforming you crammed in this! ; )
I really enjoyed it, i always like levels where there's a good variety of gameplay. I haven't played the first two levels in the series yet - it'll be like doing prequels. (laugh)

If you were thinking about the whole 'easier as it goes along', is it not easy to just change the order of the rotating hub switches?		2009-10-02 21:19:00

Author:
julesyjules
Posts: 1156

Ok, just got back from playing this for the 4th time.... I would have taken first place but I died jumping over the electric rolling things 3 times!!!!!

The changes worked great - I purposely tried to break it in the areas that were an issue before, but no problems!

That's awesome! Thanks again for the suggestion. Seems to work really well and it was very thermo friendly too. Glad you're enjoying it - there is a lot more to do in this one versus the others.

About the race - I didn't adjust the time but totally understand why I should. At this point it would affect the scoreboard and that's not fair so I'm stuck with it. I'm not too hung up on the score being high so it's ok.


If you were thinking about the whole 'easier as it goes along', is it not easy to just change the order of the rotating hub switches?

I could but I wanted the sections in the order of the levels as they came out so Green, Red, Blue, Purple.

Thanks for playing it and you'll notice they get more "walkthrough" the earlier they are in the series.		2009-10-02 21:22:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Wowzers! Awesome level, and great idea splitting the level into the five separately-themed sections - platforming galore!

Overall, very good fun to play, nice attention to detail and great lighting!


:star::star::star::star::star: + Heart, of course.

I'll write more tomorrow		2009-10-02 21:37:00

Author:
KoRnDawwg
Posts: 1424

Okay, I've got my "fifteen minute" licence from my wife that tells me I'm allowed to post! Here we go...

The Chroma Stone Chronicles are a series of levels that I've played and enjoyed. I'm a big fan, but I'm a non-secret 'bigger' fan of Morgana herself. No, this review isn't gushing praise of Morgana herself - I'll spare her blushes - but I will try to speak as I find...

For once, I don't know where to start. This level has all the craft of the previous instalments, and then some. But then, something happened. The Chroma World I knew became hostile, perilous and frightening. Yes, the visuals are still here, and yes, the charm of the four fairies are still here, but now it's absolutely full of danger. FULL!

Great hub system - I felt I'd completed a section and felt compelled to carry on. Good variety of platforming - some very good, some oh-so challenging.

A fitting conclusion to a stunning saga. Quality like this takes time and work, and I appreciated it. But I refuse to accept that it's over, and I look forward to the rebirth of any storyline you can conjur.

Magical.		2009-10-03 01:25:00

Author:
SpookyBuz
Posts: 29

Thanks to my biggest fan for the support and kind feedback.

I know it's much more dangerous than the other levels but it's where the bad gal liives so I had to do it. I have a new story running through my head but I have to see if it's something I can translate into LBP. It involves dragons so I have to be sure I can do them justice. and not step on other awesome dragon themed levels' toes. *checks behind herself for Zwolliie & MrsSpookyBuz*

Thanks again for playing it and I'm glad you enjoyed it. (If you start from the first level again it won't be over )		2009-10-03 03:36:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

I had a chance to play this level yesterday and I had a lot of fun while playing.

I like the atmosphere you've created here. The idea to divide this level into four (well, 5 including the boss-fight) areas with different color-styles is a pretty cool idea. What I liked the most was the style how you stickered the background material - very nice!!! It gives this level a unique touch. Your story-telling was also a great job - great fairy-tale-style! I was very impressed by your camera-angle in the green are whith this massive cogwheel-machine. Even that I don't like the fact, that the cogwheels ain't fitting into each other perfectly, this part is an awesome eyecatcher.

I would love to see some more plattforming elements because the plattforming was a bit (sorry ^^) to easy and simple for my taste. Nevertheless a great level with some great scenes and very entertaining.

:star::star::star::star: and a heart!

Keep up the good work!

Greets
Neo		2009-10-03 11:25:00

Author:
(___NEO___)
Posts: 206

I finally got the chance to play this level yesterday and wow! I've skimmed through the comments and agree with what most people say.

4 Stars and a Heart. =)		2009-10-04 00:22:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

Curse you Ccubbage for stealing away my #1 spot !! Argh!2009-10-05 19:32:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

Curse you Ccubbage for stealing away my #1 spot !! Argh!

lol - I was wondering how long before you noticed that Sorry Vortex. Might be a good reason to play it again? lol jk		2009-10-05 19:58:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

I just did. A measly 19,500. grrr2009-10-05 20:05:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

I just did. A measly 19,500. grrr
Yeah... sorry about that. I was going to leave you at the top..... but then I saw all these pretty little bubbles fall at the end and decided I wanted them....		2009-10-05 20:38:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Tada! I finally got around to recording it!

YouTube - Chromo Stome Chronicles: Part 5 by Morganna25 PART 1

YouTube - Chromo Stome Chronicles: Part 5 by Morganna25 PART 2		2009-10-06 08:24:00

Author:
JKthree
Posts: 1125

Ok, I finally got around to playing this. I don't know why it took me so long since I absolutely love this series. Maybe it's because I'm kind of sad to see it come to an end, but oh what an ending it is!

First, I'll start with the opening. I've loved how each level in the series has it's own take on the opening logo and this is the best yet. It's almost humorous how it goes from nice and cheery to dark and dreary (Oh no! Now, I'm rhyming!). It really sets the tone for a final confrontation with Abyssia.

The hub world was a great way to go with the layout. Each section seemed familiar, but different at the same time. It really had a Legend of Zelda feel to it, where I the fairies and color schemes from previous levels make an appearance to remind me where I have been and how far I've come.

As for the actual platforming mechanics, I thought they were solid. Each level offers new gameplay which was very cool and provided a lot of variety throughout the level. I did have a few issues here and there with steps being just a tad higher than they should be and the slow down was kind of a bummer, but overall, nothing too frustrating.

The final boss fight was very cool. I loved having to shine the different colored lights at that creepy cool gas monster. My only disappointment was that I didn't get to fight Abyssia! Oh well, I made sure to stick a mustache and witch nose on her... that showed her!

Anyway, great ending to a great series. I'm sad to see it end, but happy to have such a cool series! Well done!		2009-10-07 14:38:00

Author:
mrsupercomputer
Posts: 1335

Talking about this being the end of the series.....

Any insights as to where you will take us with your next level?		2009-10-07 15:04:00

Author:
wexfordian
Posts: 1904

return to chrommmmm....2009-10-07 16:41:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Talking about this being the end of the series.....

Any insights as to where you will take us with your next level?

I've been kicking a few ideas around. I really want to do something with dragons but there are already so many awesome levels out there with dragons that I don't know if I could bring something new to the game with them. I may do a single standing level or two before I settle in to a new series but it's something I'd really like to do. 		2009-10-07 17:18:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

I've been kicking a few ideas around. I really want to do something with dragons but there are already so many awesome levels out there with dragons that I don't know if I could bring something new to the game with them. I may do a single standing level or two before I settle in to a new series but it's something I'd really like to do.

you can do a puff the magic dragon level		2009-10-07 17:53:00

Author:
deboerdave
Posts: 384

I could but that's such a sad song I'd have to change it up.2009-10-07 17:56:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Just played this, and I gotta say, It was great. The platforming was fun although not completely mind-blasting (something that would make me go 'AHHH!!!&apos although that is hard to accomplish. The visuals were solid and overall it was a great level! I haven't played all of the levels in the series so i will replay it when i do... I might heart if the series is good enough :kz: lol

Great work.		2009-10-07 21:04:00

Author:
iGotFancyPants
Posts: 1355

Well, my 7 days on "cool pages" is up and the final tally is 260 hearts, 2694 plays 4 star rating. Highest page it stuck on was page 2 and it was a medium sized icon so I'm really happy with the results. Thanks everyone for the support and plays 2009-10-08 05:46:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

I went back last night when everyone was asleep (managed to find it this time... right there with the others - bizarre) and I CONQUERED THOSE BOUNCY PLATFORMS!2009-10-08 21:06:00

Author:
BabyDoll1970
Posts: 1567

Sorry for the late comments, but I am finally getting caught up as well as I really had to play this several times to fully appreciate this level to it's fullest.

First off.. The first time I played this all the way through I was blown away. Not only because it was cool and a fun platformer with lots of great lighting and scenery pieces, but I had to play it over and over again to realize that my good friend Morgana was the creator of this platforming adventure that passes through the 4 chroma colors. Wow.. too cool!

Not that I had any doubt mind you, it was just such a fun left turn from some of the others!! The best part about this level is the more I play it the more I enjoy it!

The lighting is spectacular as would expect. The intro is tremendous with the font shift and spookiness at the now oh so well known bridge of chroma. The rest is charming and fun platforming!! I found the gears sections especially fun as well as the cleverly placed secrets to add bonus to some extra exploring in this darkened lair of chroma. Plus a really interesting and cool boss / puzzle.

Just a few nitpicks, but you really had to dig to find them. So by no means are these issues or level breakers!

One that others have commented on would be the height of pop up stairs, though it did add to the challenge a bit. I did notice they were not on perm switches allowing me a free ride up in a few spots, but that could also be looked as a feature!

The other would be it was a touch difficult to see those rolling electrical hazards. Not sure if it was the angle so much, but maybe just due to the fuzzy glow that electrical has in that lighting. Looks cool as heck, but maybe if that was better defined somehow. Though to be honest after I played it several more times, I did get better! Just more a pride thing to see my score plummet so quickly those first few plays!!

Would have been fun to possibly blast at the boss. Sorta like a 2nd layer of boss'dom after the lights were aligned, but I understand that thermo was a major issue at that point.

Regardless, I had to give it 5 stars and a well deserved heart!		2009-10-12 17:46:00

Author:
jwwphotos
Posts: 11383

I'll review as I play, I've played it before but I'll need to play again to review it, And also as an excuse because I wanted to

The Emerald Section

The fog, smoke, and lighting effects that you used were excellent, especially in the area with all the gears.

Great use of materials and stickers, they really fit with the theme, The sound effects also make it seem real.

I liked the gameplay, I thought it was really innovative and exciting although it was a bit short.

The Ruby Section

Once again I though that the fog and lighting effects were fantastic, it really made the fire look good

There was something really fun about swinging on the gears, not sure why though.

The Saphire section

And once again, Great use of sound effects, Lighting and fog I really liked the slow pulsing of the blue lights and once again the gears

The material that you used for the walls worked very well, It looked really cool the way the light reflected off it.

This section felt a little bit short though.

The Amethyst Section

And Again, the Use of lighting and fog was fantastic.

The race was very fun and I enjoyed the plane changing and sliding down the glass, But the green light at the beginning did look a bit out of place.

I also thought that swinging on the wheels was quite fun

This section also felt a bit short, but it was still fun

The Boss

The boss was very interesting, it wasn't very hard but because it was made entirely out of gas it made for interesting gameplay.

The Green Lever wasn't completely stickered though

For some reason the scoreboard went up and than down again after I had activated it.


Other Thoughts

IMO it would look better with Red lasers in the ruby area, Green lasers in the green area and so on.

Excellent use of music, It fit the theme very well

I liked how you pressed the button for the colour of the next section once you come back to the hub area


Overall a very fun level (and series), With fantastic gameplay, visuals and storyline that leaves you feeling happy and satisfied, Excellent work.

:star::star::star::star::star: + Heart + tagged with beautiful for this level and the whole series (and for you of course)		2009-10-13 02:15:00

Author:
Unknown User

I must say, you didn't disappoint. Abyssia having her own logo was an awesome touch, as well as her smarmy demeanor: "Eternal Darkness. Is that too much to ask for?"

I have tried--HARD--to take a cue from your lighting choices, but I sure as heck ain't in your league yet. The colored sections were a real visual treat.

I also appreciate that you've stayed true to your audience regarding the difficulty. To wit: I absolutely HATE two things, as obstacles go: spinning wheel platforming and falling grabs past spikes. (I even hated the wheels in the story levels.)

Now, the "but": But in your level, they were fun. Seriously. Thank you for redeeming them to me.

5*/H. Hope your next series works out for you just as well. No F4F necessary.		2009-10-26 17:09:00

Author:
coyote_blue
Posts: 422

I also appreciate that you've stayed true to your audience regarding the difficulty. To wit: I absolutely HATE two things, as obstacles go: spinning wheel platforming and falling grabs past spikes. (I even hated the wheels in the story levels.)

Now, the "but": But in your level, they were fun. Seriously. Thank you for redeeming them to me.

Amen, and Hallelujah! (can I get a witness!?)		2009-10-27 00:56:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

Wow. Just wow. I haven't actually finished the level yet, and wouldn't have even started playing if it weren't for Chuck_18mp forcing me to, but this was crazy. I just wish it didn't make the game chug so slow.

That's my problem with these levels that use lighting so much. They look good but the game slows down so much. Of course, this has nothing to do with you.		2009-11-05 00:57:00

Author:
qrtda235566
Posts: 3664


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