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The Lost Crystal Caverns

Archive: 42 posts

The Lost Crystal Caverns
PSN: ryryryan

So this is my first level, and it really is more of a full level than a tester. I've put most of my weekend into it and a few other nights on top of that and I'm quite happy how it turned out. There were a few bugs that kept popping up now and again but I finally got the level sorted and all the bugs gone (I think)

It's also got a simple and cheesy story, cause I'm rubbish at making up stories
Also, my biggest weakness is creatures, so I've kept everything quite simple in that respect. Though there are a few parts involving some logic here and there, particularly with the plat forming.

Hope you get to try the level out and any feedback would be much appreciated!! I'm always looking in ways to improve 		2009-11-30 00:15:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

This is an amazing level. It's really detailed and has some awesome effects. The characters were well made (I wish my attempts had turned out like that) and the gameplay was fairly straightforward. The enemies may be a little simple though, but they got the job done.

One bug to report : Your second magic mouth (the one that appears after you die at the beginning) is censored. I imagine they use the same censoring system as on the PS3, so you could look at the censored words thread.

Also, a couple of the magic mouths (the one after falling in the trap and another one I can't place precisely) opened and closed instantly. This is probably because their radius doesn't extend far enough.

I also recall seeing a sound object early in the cave, near a place where things fall. I don't know if it was intentionally left visible or not, but I imagine not.

Great work, :star::star::star::star::star: and ♥'ed.

Hope you'll be able to fix those issues so I can redownload it and play through again! 		2009-11-30 14:07:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

This is an amazing level. It's really detailed and has some awesome effects. The characters were well made (I wish my attempts had turned out like that) and the gameplay was fairly straightforward. The enemies may be a little simple though, but they got the job done.

One bug to report : Your second magic mouth (the one that appears after you die at the beginning) is censored. I imagine they use the same censoring system as on the PS3, so you could look at the censored words thread.

Also, a couple of the magic mouths (the one after falling in the trap and another one I can't place precisely) opened and closed instantly. This is probably because their radius doesn't extend far enough.

I also recall seeing a sound object early in the cave, near a place where things fall. I don't know if it was intentionally left visible or not, but I imagine not.

Great work, :star::star::star::star::star: and ♥'ed.

Hope you'll be able to fix those issues so I can redownload it and play through again!

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I bet I know which magic mouth it is, I say 'Darn' in it. I did think twice about it when I made it... should of thought a 3rd time! I've made it say 'Argh!' instead now
Oh wait wait wait... I'm editing the level right now and there is nothing bad in that sentence. Did the 'Darn, Cave In' one not censor then? The one that appears when you die is emitted behind him and should say 'What happened? Oh well, Wait for the wedge to be pulled back up and try again. And don't touch the Ice!'. Now nothing there would be censored if Darn isn't. Must be an emitter bug with magic mouths :/ May have to investigate further.

Fixed the radius on the other one too, should work now. Was the second one at the end by the helicopter? If you jump off without it telling you too that may just flash up quickly.

And thanks for the heads up on the visible sound device. Fixed. Also added a few more sounds throughout the level for detail.

Anyway the level has just been republished. I'm going to download it myself and see if that magic mouth still censors.

EDIT: Yup it is >.> hmmm. May have to figure out another way for it to appear. Just thought of one 		2009-11-30 14:39:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

The word "happened" cannot be used on the PS3 because it contains "pene", this is a pet peeve of a lot of people (myself included) and I'm sad that it translated over to the PSP.

You'll have to find some other way to write that phrase.		2009-11-30 14:58:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

The word "happened" cannot be used on the PS3 because it contains "pene", this is a pet peeve of a lot of people (myself included) and I'm sad that it translated over to the PSP.

You'll have to find some other way to write that phrase.

Wow, thanks for that. I literally just pressed publish then read that so it's cancelled. Oh well it's also got a new method, more reliable without an emitter which shifts. (kind of like material shifting, except the emitted material seemed to keep changing place).

One other thing I noticed... you cant glue switches down (2 way, and 3 way ones) if theres a wall behind because the switch will get stuck and not work. Remove the back wall, then glue, then put all back.
Also, if you look carefully you can see just the moving part of the switches in my level have shifted. If I try to correct this the level goes nuts, so I'm editing it as few times as possible now so the switches dont move much.

Finally, level is republished and fully working Hopefully no bugs now. Also made it easier to jump down to the fallen ice by taking the gas back a bit.		2009-11-30 15:20:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

Lost Crystal Caverns?! ... Well, now I know what the first level that I'm playing is when I get this for Christmas. ^_^2009-11-30 15:27:00

Author:
xkappax
Posts: 2569

This is a great level! You're tied with Jaeyden for the best community level I have seen yet. (Sorry Gilgamesh, yours is great but this is spectacular.) The gameplay is very good and polished, and the mechanics throughout work very nicely. You did a particularly good job on the overall snowy/icy look and feel of the level - very well done indeed.

I found the initial descent between the ice cliffs to be very difficult. The controls in the game just aren't tight enough to easily keep Sackboy in the right spot - I had the same problem in the Sewn Identity story mode level. Regardless, the rest of the level flowed nicely once I got through it.

5 stars, hearted, and a creator heart. I'll be keeping this on my PSP for a long time.		2009-11-30 19:40:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Wow, thanks so much for the feedback! I never really got this kind of praise on my PS3 levels, though I never get to play it too much anyway.
I was worried about that decent at the start. I'm almost tempted to make it a bit easier but I'm not too sure yet. I'll see how others found it too. What about the part similar to that when being pulled out of the ice cave? That's another part I was worried about being an annoyance.		2009-11-30 20:47:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

I thought the ascent part was tougher than the descent, but in the end I managed to make it through both without too much trouble. I think I died once on the descent, and about four times on the ascent.2009-11-30 20:52:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

I thought the ascent part was tougher than the descent, but in the end I managed to make it through both without too much trouble. I think I died once on the descent, and about four times on the ascent.

Hmm, 4 times does sound a bit too much for an experienced lbp'er, I may make the gap a bit wider so it's less of an annoyance. Ideally I'd like it to be a first time pass thing, while still feeling like you have had a challenge.		2009-11-30 20:56:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

Well, the first two times I didn't expect a corner in time, the other two times I was just a bit too nervous and overcompensated on the analog stick (which made me "bounce" against the wall and back towards the gas). By using controlled stick movement I managed to make it through afterwards. I think it was alright really.2009-11-30 20:58:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

Well, the first two times I didn't expect a corner in time, the other two times I was just a bit too nervous and overcompensated on the analog stick (which made me "bounce" against the wall and back towards the gas). By using controlled stick movement I managed to make it through afterwards. I think it was alright really.

Fair enough. I've decided I'll keep it how it is then for a bit and see how it goes, just cause I don't want things shifting about even more when I go into edit mode again. Darn bugs >.>		2009-11-30 20:59:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

Actually, I thought the descent was much harder than the ascent... I died maybe 5 times during the descent but aced the ascent. So maybe it's fine as is afterall. 2009-11-30 21:02:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Actually, I thought the descent was much harder than the ascent... I died maybe 5 times during the descent but aced the ascent. So maybe it'ss fine as is afterall.

Ah cool cool. The main thing which kills people on the descent no doubt is that bit at the end poking out. However, if I get rid of that people can just jump down which makes the winch pointless D:		2009-11-30 21:04:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

Wow, very impressed at this level - especially as your not a well known PS3 creator.
Lovely icey style really felt it.
I found the ascent harder than the descent (which I aced quite easily) but I think the difficulty is about right.
Not much more to say, enemies were simple as was the gaeplay but it all worked well together.

Oh and the ending is superb

Five stars and a heart		2009-11-30 21:36:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

I quite enjoyed it, I had trouble 1st time on the ascent, one thing that has been puzzling me is that alcove on the left when you reach the top of the ascending one, is it even possible to get that and live?

Anyway I got a recording!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13TLfYrf7NQ		2009-11-30 22:22:00

Author:
JKthree
Posts: 1125

I quite enjoyed it, I had trouble 1st time on the ascent, one thing that has been puzzling me is that alcove on the left when you reach the top of the ascending one, is it even possible to get that and live?

Anyway I got a recording!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13TLfYrf7NQ

Thanks! And yeah, every playthrough I do to test, I actually grab those points and then jump over. Just don't jump too early and dont let go of jump, should make it comfortably.		2009-11-30 22:42:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

Awesome level. Loved the look and feel. Gameplay was spot on and the variation was really nice. It's in top favorites for sure. 5 stars and a heart!2009-11-30 23:29:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564

It was really good. You should make more stages like this one.2009-11-30 23:34:00

Author:
PokerPolo
Posts: 13

Oh and the "secret message" made me LOL for like 5 minutes.2009-11-30 23:35:00

Author:
PokerPolo
Posts: 13

That level looks pretty cute. I'm glad the video was there as I could see the level without having the game. Great work!2009-11-30 23:36:00

Author:
xkappax
Posts: 2569

Thanks for the kind words guys. I won't be making another level like this... but I have already thought out the next theme. May be difficult without the ps3 light effects but I'll do my best 2009-11-30 23:56:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

What is the trick to start the level, am I missing something? I've died like 20 times, and quit the level. I think it's too hard and could possibly deter other users from playing it as well. Sorry, but just giving my feedback. I was really looking forward to playing through the level. Oh well.2009-12-01 02:54:00

Author:
duvalla09
Posts: 7

What is the trick to start the level, am I missing something?[...]You grab the sponge by the side of the ledge and rappel down while avoiding touching the walls (since they're made of gas). Move carefully and it shouldn't be too difficult.2009-12-01 11:24:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

Perfect recreation of a cold, crumbling ice cavern. You can actually feel the ice and the isolation. The climbing bits are specially exciting. I also loved the puzzle with the cage and the platform that you had to pull up; it was simple but nice.2009-12-01 17:20:00

Author:
Lleonard Pler
Posts: 277

Good work really liked it

Quite simple but done very well and very effective. I liked the ascent and descent. Going up is pretty nerve-racking! Really enjoyed that actually, died twice I think. Defintely going to be tricky for the less capable players but awesome all the same

Only suggestion, and it would be a minor one, have it re emit the winches for the descent and (especially) the ascent if you die. If you get near the top on the ascent and then die the wait for it to come back down can feel pretty long. I would hazard a guess that if you've died a few times on it too the wait could get pretty frustrating.

Great work. 5 stars!		2009-12-04 04:29:00

Author:
jackofcourse
Posts: 1494

Good work really liked it

Quite simple but done very well and very effective. I liked the ascent and descent. Going up is pretty nerve-racking! Really enjoyed that actually, died twice I think. Defintely going to be tricky for the less capable players but awesome all the same

Only suggestion, and it would be a minor one, have it re emit the winches for the descent and (especially) the ascent if you die. If you get near the top on the ascent and then die the wait for it to come back down can feel pretty long. I would hazard a guess that if you've died a few times on it too the wait could get pretty frustrating.

Great work. 5 stars!

Thanks for the suggestion... only problem is I don't know How I would emit something that is attatched to the scenery Oh actually I just thought it's possible for the acsent! Just not the descent though... the waiting time is less on that anyway.		2009-12-04 13:41:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

You could do what I did for the final bubble of my level in order to bring it back. Make the visible winch less than 10.0 strength and add a fast, invisible winch that is handled by a directional proximity switch at the starting position, bringing it back much faster. You'll have to do some tweaking to make sure nothing breaks though, it can't go too fast. 2009-12-04 13:48:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

Hmm, I would love to add it but tbh I don't want to lose the plays and hearts on it :/ It's such a pain that it doesn't carry over. I would love it if they patched it.2009-12-05 00:53:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

Congrates on your Sack it to Me spotlight.2009-12-05 02:10:00

Author:
Darth J464
Posts: 343

I think this is my favourite PSP level yet. Nice little plot, some good humour, enemies to beat, challenging bits, but not frustrating, just really good stuff all round.

Easily 5 stars and a heart, looking forward to your next level! 		2009-12-08 21:38:00

Author:
LieutenantFatman
Posts: 465

Thanks!! I really want to start up a new level... but starting is always the hardest part I find. Each time I start, I scrap it about an hour later deciding it's not good enough.
You may be interested to know this happened with the lost crystal caverns. I wasn't happy with the start. Originally you started next to the cave full of point bubbles (from where you had to jump down), but I didn't like it and instead added an abseiling part of the level. I think the start is always so important to a level, as it's the first impressions.

As soon as I am satisfied with the beginning of my next level, I'll start it

EDIT: OMG BRAINSTORM *picks up PSP*		2009-12-08 22:30:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

I think the start is always so important to a level, as it's the first impressions.

As soon as I am satisfied with the beginning of my next level, I'll start it

This is so true. I always have a hard time planning the start of my levels becase usually, the first ideas are not good enough. That's why I tend to leave an empty room for the initial section and then build everything else. When most of a level is finished, it's easier to think of a proper start that might introduce the player to the rest of the level.

The beginning of "The Lost Crystal Caverns" is pure genius and totally sets the mood.		2009-12-08 23:03:00

Author:
Lleonard Pler
Posts: 277

Thanks man.

Well what do you know... I finally get an idea with I'm happy with for the beginning of my level. I spend 2 hours on it, nailed the look and feel of how I wanted things... I put in an emitter, and place the emitted object (a bomb triggering itself to go off instantly) and it crashed the PSP. I lose all my work cause I totally forgot to save.

Go********it Ryan.

Oh well.
May start it up again and try again. Sigh. Hope I haven't corrupt my data.		2009-12-09 01:41:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

I find that when that kind of thing happens to me, redoing what I had lost never takes as long as it did the first time. You already know exactly what it is you need to do, so there's no fiddling around trying to get it how you like it.2009-12-09 01:56:00

Author:
Taffey
Posts: 3187

Yeah it should only take half an hour or so. What took longest was making certain complex objects... which I saved

As a test I tried the emitter again... and yep... crash. Don't have a self instantly detonating bomb in an emitter It crashed as soon as you choose where to place it.

Anywho I've gone off topic... this is about The Lost Crystal Caverns.		2009-12-09 02:12:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

I played this level a while back, but forgot to post about it until now xP
Anyway, great level, really loved it. Everything looked really good.
5/5* and <3		2009-12-15 16:22:00

Author:
Sackwise
Posts: 305

Cheers Sackwise Got a bit of a milestone today, it finally hit the first page of most hearted. Hopefully it will stay up for a week or so, then hide away to let other levels get up there 2009-12-16 19:55:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767

Congratulations Ryan, you certainly deserve it!2009-12-16 20:00:00

Author:
jeffcu28
Posts: 648

I can't wait till Christmas so I can finally play this level! ^_^2009-12-16 20:21:00

Author:
xkappax
Posts: 2569

Really great level! 5 stars and heart. Why dont you make more great levels?2010-03-11 13:37:00

Author:
himoks
Posts: 734

Sorry for the bump but only just read himoks comment! Unfortuanatly I'm very busy with uni work atm (along with a few good games... and my social life ofcourse xD ) but I do plan to make another level at some point! Just whenever I find the time (and inspiration )2010-04-19 03:44:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767


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