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Lost Shrine of the Bunraku Monks

Archive: 29 posts

Lost Shrine of the Bunraku MonksPickled-punk
The esoteric sect of the bunraku monks guard the fabled and forbidden oni-mask. Their secluded shrine rests high on a snow capped mountain, guarded by a series of crazy contraptions.

The Lady Masquette has brought you out to the island by boat. Now it’s up to you to claim the oni-mask.

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19263

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19290

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19280

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19260

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19264

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19270

PS. Thanks to TheAdipose for teaching me his tightrope-trick.		2010-03-26 10:25:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

I played a bit of it. Pretty good for a 3rd level! However, the scenery was a bit haphazard, so I didn't know where I was going most of the time. I gave up on the bit with "Mr Smiley" on it. That section wasn't polished enough so it was really frustrating. I will however try and complete it to give a full review

Take in mind for next level:

1. NEVER use MM story objects(except the "real life" objects) - It doesn't take much effort to plonk in a story character. I know making custom characters is a pain, but it's worth it and people will appreciate the effort.

2. Use corner editor/use it more - Parts like the cave just looked like you went at it, cutting pieces out with the square shape. Using the corner editor gives a cleaner, more visually appealing look.

3. Use more camera zones - At some parts, like the bit with the giant grabbable conveyor belt, it was really hard to see where the next grabby was etc.

4. Scenery - At the part with the conveyor belt, the scenery deteriorated quite a bit(it was mostly this wooden shape copied over and over again)

5. There were bits where you could cheat - Basically bits where you could take an easier route which wasn't meant to be there. For example, on the rope bit, you could walk on top of it rather that grab-swinging across it(unless you were meant to, otherwise, there are a few other areas like this)

6. Generally polish it up a bit(gameplay/graphically) - parts like the conveyor belt, there were little things like how one of the grabbies was a little too high to be easy to reach, stuff like that

Sorry if it sounds like I'm insulting your level, I didn't want to come across like that D:		2010-03-26 15:37:00

Author:
Unknown User

No insult taken, on the contrary: thanks a lot for the criticism. I'll try and use it to improve my level.

About the corner edit tool and the cave editing. I learned a lot from the tutorial by Luos-Desruc & TheAdipose, it gave me a lot of new tricks and insights, but I still need practice to master those Dark Arts. I will polish up when I'm better.

Never use a lot of MM objects, actually, except for some doll parts for the talking heads in this level. All the rest I made myself. I rather like creating custom characters. Lady Masquette and Patch were made from scratch, hope you didn't miss those right at the beginning. And I used a silhouette of the bouncer (I believe) for Mr. Smiley.

Walking across the tightrop was intended, there's another one like that a bit further along. Also the easiest route along the crazy monks' contraptions is there for players who don't want to take a lot of time to explore the contraptions. (But if you like they are there to clamber, jump and swing across those dangling wheels and conveyorsz to get all of the prizes and scorebubbles.)

Will install more camera zones. Good point!

At the moment I'm busy finishing up part 4, after that I'll rework the Monks.


Is there a level of yours that I can F4F in return?		2010-03-28 10:18:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

Thanks for listening! Btw, you said there was an alternate route to get past the machine part? I wouldn't do that, Just make them go through the obstacle as intented.

My level: The Site PART 1
(sorry, it's a tad old and hasn't aged well D: )		2010-03-28 10:44:00

Author:
Unknown User

I'll give your level a try and get back to you.2010-03-28 11:51:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

Ok, overall your level was very good, nice plot and setting. However, as paddy said, you do need to work with the corner editor more. I had a problem with the area leading up to the oni mask, that being that it wasn't very easy telling were I was supposed to go. I used the grabbable snowball that took me up to the next area, bet fell down again. Unfortunately, the switch for the snowball is set to 'On/Off'. It would make the section better if the switch was set to 'Directional'. Anyway, brilliant level, and don't for get to check mine out! *linked in my signature*2010-03-31 06:51:00

Author:
FlipMeister
Posts: 631

Thanks for the feedback!
Good points: I'll add some more arrows and will change the winch to 'directional'.

I have left you feedback on your level in your thread.		2010-04-01 06:30:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

I just played your level and I really love it! The atmosphere was just great just like the story and the characters. Your humor was great aswell and the mechanisms where a lot of fun! Unfortunately I couldn't give you 5 stars because the beginning was a bit empty. No details in the background and nothing under water. You could have added something interesting there. What I didn't like at all was when you jump into the water on the left when you start the level. I thought there would be something interesting because you could swim behind the wall but it was empty. Maybe you should simply add an invisible wall or something to block the way.
One thing you shouldn't do is to use story objects or at least not to many of them. It looks like you are too lazy to make stuff yourself and you want to people to look like that (don't you?) => O_O

I gave it 4 stars and hearted it. I hope there will be a sequel to your level soon!		2010-04-02 01:43:00

Author:
Chrree
Posts: 554

Thanks for your nice comments. Glad you like the humor

I must indeed add something in that blank space, I was planning to, but seemed to have slipped my mind.

The first two parts of the Lady Masquette story are already out; give them a play if you like. Part 4, 'The Strange Denizens of Interzone' is on it's way and it will give the storyline an unexpected twist.		2010-04-03 08:07:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

I played trough this with adi and co. a few days ago but today went trough it again with Lemon.

Some parts in your level have very nice layer work, the icey mountain and the moving grab-thingy mechanism are good examples.
Your caves however could really benefit from some corner editing.
Try using the corner editor more, eventually you dont want to use anything else to create your shapes!

Some of the smaller area's like the chinese houses look very well and the theme looks good,
but I do think you could try and add more detail in the level to bring out the theme more.
Try some trimming on wooden pillars, floors.. make it all look more solid and powerfull, small decorations like tree's, flowers, chinese related objects like statue's, bonzai, sand/rock gardens.. just to name a few..
I would also think if you made the big convayor belt thing more wind-mill themed it would look so much better.

overall you got some very cool idea's, but you need to perfect your executions, so try to play around with lighting..
Play with the corner editor and layerwork.

I gave it 4 stars and marked it platformer.

Now.. this sunday/monday I will release three new levels,
Would you be so kind and take a look at at least one of time, I would really appreciate it.

cheers,

Luos		2010-04-03 14:27:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

Hey Pickled-Punk. Nice you've published A new level. I've also published a new one called Dragon Ball - First Book. Would you like to play it, and then post feedback on the topic. Link:

http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/sho...all-First-Book

I think you should upload images in here. It suits the layout of the topic. Now for level feedback:

I really like how your levels is kind of open-ended. It 's been a while, since I tried it I can't remember everything from your level. I like the theme. The water and the ground walk on suits each other really fine. You've also made the water look really cold and that's nice. I did really spend time exploring your level and found several hidden secrets. But for my bad, I didn't get the High-Score.. : ( Ended up 3rd. I did like all the mechanisms, but some was glitchy. One of your winches was set to On/Off, so I couldn't get on. Luckily I found another way to get across. Ending was cool. Nice third level! I really love your series, and I'm excited for the 4th level.		2010-04-03 19:15:00

Author:
ghik16
Posts: 311

Hey Luos, thanks for the feedback and good suggestions. I'll try and improve the level soon. I think I will start over with the caves (using the corner editor on any one layer now gives all sorts of ugly cracks).

Maybe I can create some Asian-style stone lanterns and stuff like that.

At the moment I'm doing The Strange Denizens of Interzone, and the creation of the characters is taking up a lot of my time (but good fun).

I will certainly check out your new levels - I'm a die-hard morbidzzz-fan - and leave you some feedback.		2010-04-03 21:10:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

Hey ghik16, thanks for the feedback! (I just spotted your comment from a while back!)
I was also rather pleased with the way the background and the water work together.

I must change the winch off course. (Should've done that already!)

There are still some hidden caches of scorebubbles high on those crazy contraptions the monks built...


I'll give your new level a look!		2010-04-03 21:16:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

Ok I will give them a try later. 2010-04-04 01:02:00

Author:
Chrree
Posts: 554

Okay, I finally played this and here's my opinion:

The level doesn't look bad, but the corner editing tool on some sections could really do wonders. The premise was pretty interesting, but the ending, right before reaching the Oni mask, was straight up weird and the obstacles didn't make much sense to me. Also, I thought the end was abrupt and didn't give the player much closure. I assume you're working on a sequel? I felt that there was a real rift in quality in this level. The first half looked pretty decent, but the end looked rather bare and rushed. Again, the corner editing tool would really help you. Also, there was a lot of running, but I really did like how open things were and the platforming parts were pretty fun. I gave it 3 stars. You do have noticeable talent, though. I think with a bit of work you could make a really good level.		2010-04-05 01:08:00

Author:
qrtda235566
Posts: 3664

Hey ghik16, thanks for the feedback! (I just spotted your comment from a while back!)
I was also rather pleased with the way the background and the water work together.

I must change the winch off course. (Should've done that already!)

There are still some hidden caches of scorebubbles high on those crazy contraptions the monks built...


I'll give your new level a look!

Hey. As I said I tried it a long time ago. Way before you posted the level in here I think. And I've someone else also pointed it out.		2010-04-05 10:54:00

Author:
ghik16
Posts: 311

Thanks for the good feedback!


I assume you're working on a sequel?.

Yes, this is part three in my series. Part 4, Strange Denizens of Interzone, is coming up soon.


The premise was pretty interesting, but the ending, right before reaching the Oni mask, was straight up weird

Well, I was actually aiming for 'straight up weird' Seemed fitting for those crazy bunraku-monks.
But I'll get back to this level and polish it up. I got a lot of good suggestions from these boards and other playtesters.


You do have noticeable talent, though. I think with a bit of work you could make a really good level.

Cool, thanks. I'll keep practicing 		2010-04-05 16:15:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

Okay, playing this while I type. Yes, I play with my tongue. Right off the bat, I fell off into the water. Thinking this was multipathed I swam all the way left and all around at the bottom only to find out that there's nothing there! I don't know if this was intentional but a suggestion would be to add gas slightly above the water so more casual players won't get frustrated and potentially quit the level.

Lol at the talking mushrooms. One of the score bubbles by Mr.Smiley has a visible string attached to it. Whoa, lol u used the layer glitch at a random time. It looks trippy hahaha.

Overall, it was a nice level. I don't know if you were going for the freeroam concept but I felt lost more than once throughout the level. There weren't a lot of score bubbles used in this level. Maybe you could show the player where to go using score bubbles? A good place to put them is just after Mr.Smiley talks to you and you're holding on to those sponges. Just a thought. Didn't have too much trouble with the level. 4/5 stars from me

I agree with awesomemans though. The first half of the level gave me a stellar vibe. But the second half just felt rather.... meh. I wonder if there's a sequel?

Edit: Just read your confirmation on a sequel. Thumbs up!		2010-04-10 10:52:00

Author:
MrTran
Posts: 216

Thanks for the good ideas: I will add a trail of score bubbles soon. And something extra in the hidden area.

And stop drooling over your controller haha.		2010-04-11 21:41:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

Ok I gave it a try again and I beat it this time! I think I missed one of the sisters the first time, specifically the one saying see if you can find all of us. I didn't know they were just like collectibles so to speak. First time i just hovered around one of them thinking what now lol. I didn't think it was that confusing once I found that out and so I just looked around finding things here and there. I really enjoyed that aspect, I didn't mind looking around for a stash of score bubbles, which I never found lol but still it didn't feel like a chore. I thought visually it was very nice. The snow with that dark brown on the wood looked great and fit the theme well. I do agree with Luos though could do with more trees and objects around the place related to the theme, this applies to all your levels. The monks looked hilarious and I loved the talking mushrooms. As was said before a bit more score bubbles around the place would be great, in those places I often found my self wandering to and being greeted by a dead end. I loved the humor and would love to see the next part. Polishing this up would add a lot to it I think. The monks contraption thingy was slightly confusing to me, I didn't get a clear path on it. I'm sure it is multipath but I felt when i did scale to the top it was becuase a sponge jammed in a certain way by chance. I never ventured into the parts you could walk on in the rotating part becuase I didn't get it, maybe focusing a cam on it and showing it to the player in its entirety would help. Just playing with camera zones in that whole area I think would make it a much more enjoyable obstacle.2010-04-12 15:26:00

Author:
OneEyedBanshee
Posts: 1370

Thanks for the extensive feedback!
I will start polishing the level soon. (Finishing part 4 is still occupying all my spare time at the moment!)		2010-04-13 19:48:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

Thanks for the extensive feedback!
I will start polishing the level soon. (Finishing part 4 is still occupying all my spare time at the moment!) Oh. It sounds awesome! I'm so excited for the part 4!		2010-04-15 16:55:00

Author:
ghik16
Posts: 311

Sorry that I?m so late leaving feedback for your level. I played it just before I went on holiday for Easter and didn?t get a chance to leave feedback before I left. Anyway, I played it again and enjoyed it a lot.

I don't think I've got anything new to add to the feedback you?ve already had. The first half of the level was very good visually. You really created a very authentic mountain temple atmosphere ? a bit like monasteries in the Himalayas. I agree, though, that there were a few straight edges and geometric shapes which could have looked more natural. All in all, though, you have made huge progress with this side of your creating. I also really enjoyed the story and secret hunting elements and there were some nice touches of humour. The dialogue with the mushrooms was particularly funny.

On my first play through I did get a bit confused about the monks? contraption. I appreciate that it is meant to be multipath and that some of the routes are essentially optional but on a first play through you don't really know this and I spent some time going here, there and everywhere, worried that I was going the wrong way. It was easier on my second go - I?m not sure if this was because I knew my way or because you had added more arrows, lol. I think the suggestion that the player should be given a view of the overall structure with a cutscene at the start of this section is a good one.

Overall, an entertaining level with some nice ideas and good visuals which only needs a little more polishing to get 5 stars.

Looking forward to the next instalment. 		2010-04-16 16:10:00

Author:
shropshirelass
Posts: 1455

Hi, thanks for your very nice comments again! Glad you liked the level.

I noticed you got the highscore, which means you've found even more bubbles then I did

I will add an explaining cutscene soon.
In the meantime: I've just published the next part, The Strange Denizens of Interzone. Hope you like it.		2010-04-24 11:04:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

Added some pictures.2010-07-15 11:51:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

When I check my subscriptions...
I cant help but read "lost shrine of the bukake monks"
i feel so bad

freud would rofl out loud.		2010-07-16 10:53:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

Those dirty, smutty puppet-monks with their gutterminds

I'm just glad I don't speak Japanese...		2010-07-16 18:18:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598

looks cool. I'll check this out when it's not 2 AM anymore. 2010-07-17 09:56:00

Author:
Pulsemap
Posts: 92

2 AM is actually a fine time for some monk-madness... okay, maybe not...2010-07-17 19:40:00

Author:
pickled-punk
Posts: 598


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