LBP Showcase / Reviews / Recommendations #1
Butch's Thread of Reviewing
Archive: 29 posts
| Long ago, there was a young and handsome gamer who used to obsess over making game reviews after reading EGM and IGN. In fact, in the faraway land of Serebii Forums, he used to run a thread on reviewing games! But a terrible wizard disguised as a forum update booted his screenname out because of a symbol in the middle (not a naughty one, mind you all), leaving his thread to fade into darkness... Now after years of sorrow, the young man discovered the land of LBPCentral. After also discovering the forum of Reviews, he finally reobtained his spark and the fire became as strong as it was long ago. Combined with his newfound love of LittleBigPlanet and the ever so amazing community here, he thought he'd do you guys a little favor. So with his mind and soul, he formed his own Thread of Reviewing! ... Well, enough egotistical narrating in third-person, but it's all a true story, except for my handsomeness, the years of sorrow, and the wizard. The update that made my account unloggable is true, though. I can prove it's not a ban. >> Anyways, I want to be an active part of the community, so one thing I think I can help out on is taking anyone's requests to review their levels. CB Reviewing Info Just to say this when I can, since I don't have a PSP, I can only do reviews for the PS3 version. My schedule isn't the most predictable, but I should be able to make at least three reviews a week. If you want me to review one of your levels, you can either post your level and gamertag in this thread, send me a Private Message, or a message on PlayStation Network (where my gamertag is also ButchInZero). If you expect nothing but praise here, then look elsewhere. If you make significant improvements after I review your level, you can go right ahead and resubmit it and I'll make a second opinion! Review Format Title by Author Short intro to the review. First Published: When it was first published online.[/Captain Obvious] Last Update: The last time it was updated before this review. Genre: What kind of level it is. Number of Players: How many players should be allowed. A screenshot of the level. Presentation: How well the level itself represents the setting you're looking for. Visuals: How pleasing it is to the eye and how it is pleasing. Audio: The use of music and sound effects throughout the level. Gameplay: Usually the most important part. Games should be fun from start to finish, after all. Lasting Value: If it's worth going back playing again--and again and again and so on. Final Score: Not out of average. Final thoughts included. ( All scores are out of 10. And yes, I ripped those categories out of IGN. XD; ) Review Example ( I hope the maker of this level doesn't mind. ^^; ) The 2099 Aerostation Project: Mars by Asbestos101 The creator of the 2026 Aerostation Project brings a familar successor with an even bigger and better challenge. First Published: May 8th, 2010 Last Update: July 23rd, 2010 Genre: Obstacle Course Number of Players: 1 http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Butchimatic/Butchs%20Album/LBP2099.jpg Presentation: 9.0 The Metal Gear Solid pack is used so well without having to be a shooter! The spotlight in the beginning and the use of ads, including one for LBPCentral here, are great touches to the setting of a deadly futuristic sports show! However, throughout the course, I've seen three of the same exact ads calling out Cool Page spamming. I know it was a gigantic deal when the two big spammers roamed the Cool Pages, but isn't three a little much? Visuals: 8.5 Decent attention to detail and responsible use of the MGS pack help flesh out the setting and please the eye! However, a bit more improvement in this department wouldn't hurt. I suggest making the sky redder to make it more convincing that we're in Mars. The rocket being held up by clearly visible glass I didn't think looks really good. Though, the only real flaw I could find would have to be just when you make it to the end. A couple words of the "Congratulations" sign are cut off by the light beams by each side. Audio: 8.5 The "Encounter" track is a perfect fit, especially when it changes in every area. The sound effects throughout the level are used almost as well, though I think a few more in some places wouldn't hurt. Gameplay: 9.5 Challenging to beat, but far from impossible. The originality and variety of obstacles you must overcome help make the level stand out from the rest of the competition! However, while one of these is far too easy, there are a couple that are a little cheap. Thankfully, one of them is optional. Yes, this race also has a few alternative paths! Lasting Value: 8.5 The race itself isn't very long, but if you want to get a higher score on here, you'll want to consider finding the best alternative paths and getting your timing just right to collect hidden point bubbles and save time. There's only one prize bubble and it can be a bit out of the way depending on what path you take. Final Score: 9.25 This is definitely one of the better one-player races out there, even better than its predecessor! Anyone up for a challenge and a fight for the top score should definitely check this one out! | 2010-08-04 23:54:00 Author: ButchInZero  Posts: 58 |
| I.. erhm.. reconsidered. I noticed a few things I need to edit. | 2010-08-05 00:23:00 Author: sackish  Posts: 72 |
| I won't be able to get on my PS3 until later tonight, anyways, so no worries. ^^ | 2010-08-05 00:42:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| Level name: Onion Gale PSN: NiKfY It is 8 different stages in 1 level, and it gets progressively harder as you go on. Try to get as far as you can. If you review my level, I could return the favor... | 2010-08-05 01:43:00 Author: figuer39  Posts: 108 |
| If you review my level, I could return the favor... No thanks, the only thing I have up is a level demo, but I'm taking it down hopefully soon and replacing it with a more current version. I do have one question before I'll be able to continue, how many players are allowed for your level? Is it strictly one player or can more join at once? | 2010-08-05 07:28:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| Oh, 4 players would be fine, except for in one tiny section of the level, which would only allow one player to go through (while the others would be forced to lose one life). The rest of the level is perfect for multiplayer, though. | 2010-08-05 12:02:00 Author: figuer39 Posts: 108 |
| Oh, 4 players would be fine, except for in one tiny section of the level, which would only allow one player to go through (while the others would be forced to lose one life). The rest of the level is perfect for multiplayer, though. May I ask what part of the level, specifically? | 2010-08-08 06:30:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| Hey, can I have a review of my level The Wise Owl by bonner123? I'm trying to make a "music pack level pack" so to speak. The Wise Owl is the second level in the series and is set in the temples theme.The level is best played single player due to camera issues. Thanks. | 2010-08-08 06:58:00 Author: bonner123  Posts: 1487 |
| The first obstacle in the stage known as the Hall of the Gargoyle. It is very brief, though, and it would only mean 1 lost life for your partners. | 2010-08-08 14:09:00 Author: figuer39 Posts: 108 |
| Level:Tomb of Doom Author: chimpskylark Genre: survival challenge Cheers! | 2010-08-09 12:18:00 Author: chimpskylark  Posts: 335 |
| My PSN is SpiffyMcCracken. I'm making a storyline called: "No Laughing Matter". The first third of the first level, titled: "The Genova Incident", has been completed. Last checked it had only been played by 8 people, but it had a rating of 5 stars. If I get enough play troughs to warrant my finishing of the story, I will. I probably won't change this first level at all, but any criticism you give will be taken heed for the future levels. It is short; my thermometer over heated and I was forced to split the level in thirds to compensate for the complexity. There is more than one path though, so that should help in lengthen the playtime. Again: any criticism will be helpful! | 2010-08-12 15:20:00 Author: Spiffy McCracken  Posts: 9 |
| Onion Gale: Obstacle Challenge Mix by NiKfY (aka figuer39) How far are you willing to go? First Published: May 2nd, 2010 Last Update: July 7th, 2010 Genre: Obstacle Course Number of Players: 1-4 http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Butchimatic/Butchs%20Album/APhoto_1.jpg Presentation: 4.5 There's intentionally no story in this, but the lack of scenery other than just one to three materials and one character per stage doesn't exactly spark most people's interest. The characters you meet before reach stage have some potential here, though. I'd suggest that instead of having magic mouths give you hints have that stage character (or a new one) give them instead. The second and fourth stages share themes, relating to spirits, that are what I believe are a little too similar. Visuals: 5.5 Even if visuals somewhat count as flashiness, as you said that you're not aiming for, a little more scenery and fitting materials I think would help more than hurt. Most of the characters were actually pretty well constructed, save for the gryphon, to my surprise. Audio: 5.0 Some tracks just didn't fit with the theme at all, which is one reason why I dreaded the third stage. While speed takes a back seat, the music is on full throttle, just not fitting at all. I suggest you try experimenting with different sounds and music boxes and see how well they fit. Gameplay: 8.0 Each stage has a race timer of its own and its own unique set of obstacles to test you on many skills, mainly timing, patience, evasion, and wit. The third level I found was tedious. Sometimes, getting the key into the cart without missing poses as a challenge of its own. On the unexpected second cart segment, sometimes when I walk down to pull the lever cart, I grabbed the cart with the KEY instead, toppling it over and spilling the key. It was obvious that the first and second carts were made of different materials. The third time I played through it was so much better, not having to restart any of the two at all by carefully going around the segments' user-unfriendliness. In the second to last level, that ONE section with the sensor cart, especially the end part, literally wiped out about 90% of my points. I figured out how to get through it eventually, so my second time through it was much, much better, even after I died a few times still. According to the creator, most of the level is supposed to be perfect for up to four players, though in the beginning of the fifth stage, all but one have to die in order to advance. Those who care about their score or going through without warning will likely have a fuss about this. I pretty much guarantee that you will die a lot. Thankfully, at the end of each stage, you're given the option to either stop and keep what points you got or go up to the next stage. It's quite a gamble if you care about your current score. It really does get harder in some segments the more stages you advance through. Even though the stages aren't friendly in any meaning of the word, the abilities to quit and continue the stage later is another story. However, you'll need the sticker for that stage, which can pose a little bit of a challenge. Lasting Value: 9.0 This is a very long level, so if you're willing to make one of the highest scores, you're gonna need quite a bit of time and skill to spare. Otherwise, if there's a particular stage you want to play through and if you have the sticker for it, you can just warp there and play it instead of having to go through all the others. Final Score: 7.5 I believe many fans of obstacle courses will be overall pleased with this series of races if they care not about presentation. | 2010-08-15 02:22:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| Thanks a lot for the review! I didn't think you would actually deliver. P.S. I did warn you about the fifth stage.  | 2010-08-15 11:21:00 Author: figuer39 Posts: 108 |
| Exellent. If you have the time and will, could you please review Two levels which is a part of one story? Basicly it's supposed to be one level, but the thermo just dosent like me so one of the level serves as the intro and another as the main level. The reviews looks really good so some honest critism would help!  Level name#1. Demented Co-op! [INTRO] Level name#2- Demented Co-op! PSN. Mnniska Plewase note thatr you will need two controllers in order to play thr levels properly. One player, but two controllers. Thanks in advance. | 2010-08-15 20:02:00 Author: Mnniska  Posts: 531 |
| Hey! If you wanted to, You could review my level Mining Mishaps (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=33057-Mining-Mishaps). Would appreciate it if you could, but if you're busy it's okay! | 2010-08-15 21:36:00 Author: standby250  Posts: 1113 |
| The Wise Owl by bonner123 The sequel to "Tea by the Sea" brings you through a temple of peril and silliness! First Published: May 24th, 2010 Last Update: August 18th, 2010 Genre: Adventure Number of Players: 1 http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Butchimatic/Butchs%20Album/APhoto.jpg Presentation: 9.0 In many ways, it looks and feels similar to a Media Molecule level that was lost in development, but then fine-tuned into something familiar yet fresh at the same time. There's not much story in it, save for having to go through most of the level in order to make it to the climax. However, the few characters are there to greet you with silly dialogue! Visuals: 9.0 Media Molecule-style visuals with a twist, as I sort of mentioned before, so seeing the mechanics of some of the obstacles is always interesting especially since they fit right in! Audio: 8.5 The music suits the stage very well also. It's not exactly breathtaking, but the tracks being altered as you progress from one obstacle to another certainly helps a lot. Gameplay: 8.5 The few sections left unpolished hurt the experience for me a little, but the clever and challenging puzzles certainly kept me hooked all the way to the end! Lasting Value: 7.0 This level is worth playing through at least twice, especially if you're trying to ace it. Final Score: 8.75 While "Tea by the Sea" was a promising starter of a now already awesome trilogy, "The Wise Owl" has me eagerly awaiting the final chapter! I suggest you all should, too! | 2010-08-20 07:33:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| My current list of reviews to do now as of September 15th: 1. Tomb of Doom (Done) 2. The Genova Incident (Done) 3. Mining Mishaps (Done) 4. Journey of a Thousand Wishes (WIP) 5. Draconia Cave 6. The Beacon 7. Demented Co-Op (Need a partner) | 2010-08-20 07:40:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| PSN: Rasumii PS3: Journey of a Thousand Inches Thanks in advance! | 2010-08-20 13:43:00 Author: Rasumii  Posts: 63 |
| Tomb of Doom: Survival Challenge by chimpskylark Visually delightful, yet very simple. First Published: August 9th, 2010 Last Update: August 9th, 2010 Genre: Survival Challenge Number of Players: 1 http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Butchimatic/Butchs%20Album/APhoto_2.jpg Presentation: 7.5 It's a survival challenge, so presentation isn't all that important. However, I was definitely convinced that I was in what a tomb could look like if it were a three-layered death trap! Visuals: 8.5 The lighting is just perfect, I loved it! The materials used here are perfectly appropriate, though I can't 100% say about the actual use. If possible, though, could you make the green waves on the back layer (where my character in the screenshot is in between) even somehow? Also, would you be able to make the killer pillars more pleasant to the eye without having to see all those spikes poking out like a sore thumb? Audio: 6.5 The Metropolis-themed music doesn't really fit the intended theme of the level. Gameplay: 7.0 Again, pretty simple. All you need to do is jump layers to avoid the deadly pillars and obtain points. However, when the pillars pick up enough speed, and it will shortly, the only way to survive is to restrict yourself to two layers. At that point if you try jumping around all three still, death is an instant guarantee. Lasting Value: 6.0 It may be simple, but it will be short for at least most players. Final Score: 7.25 If you're looking for a quick survival challenge to play, this should be on your list. | 2010-09-02 09:32:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| Thanks alot for the review mah man! | 2010-09-02 17:38:00 Author: chimpskylark Posts: 335 |
| If you could... Level Name: Draconia Cave PSN: ShamgarBlade I would love a review! | 2010-09-04 18:18:00 Author: ShamgarBlade  Posts: 1010 |
| im posting my level in a couple minutes so i figure i might as well request a review, ill be lucky if i get a five :/ PSN:LittleBigEnder Level:The Beacon | 2010-09-05 09:13:00 Author: Charlemagne  Posts: 513 |
| No Laughing Matter LV 1.1: The Genova Incident by SpiffyMcCracken The first level of a series, so would it be a slow introduction or an explosive enterance? First Published: August 3rd, 2010 Last Update: August 3rd, 2010 Genre: Adventure Number of Players: 1 http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Butchimatic/Butchs%20Album/APhoto-1.jpg Presentation: 5.0 For a city-wide battle against invading clowns, there didn't seem to be nearly enough story (or humor) to tell what was going on exactly. At the start, for some reason, the player is just running and leaping across buildings. Also then, if the meeting with the old man is to be necessary, there should've been a way to block off the path until the player sees him. A little later on, one could barely see the maid nor the branching off point for the two alternative paths. The end felt kind of abrupt, especially without a change in music then. Visuals: 5.5 They're not exactly eye candy, lacking some detail here and there, but they're okay at best. The lighting's not bad, either, though timing with the global lighting objects in the old man's house could be fixed. The clowns could use some more edging or otherwise retooling and the maid could get some more space so she'd be able to have eyes and she can be seen better. Audio: 4.5 The Winderness music felt very unfitting with the urban battle, especially when it starts in the middle of the track. I think there's room for adding music for the first half of the level. Gameplay: 5.5 At the beginning, it was mostly just jumping from one building to another and collecting point bubbles. For the enemies on the streets, there wasn't any strategy to take them out, just switch layers when they fire at you, then aim slightly upwards and mash R1 to rain paint on them. It was very effective even on those far from your screen. However, I did kind of like that the roofs have some originality, which is a big plus. Lasting Value: 7.0 The level is actually not very linear. There are two alternative paths that are supposed to add replay value, but they can both be taken in one playthrough if the bottom one is cleared first. Final Score: 5.25 So far, I don't find this too promising, but if the gameplay and story were to be spiced up and fixed up for the future, I could just reconsider. | 2010-09-09 22:49:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| Mining Mishaps by standby250 Just the same old runaround through an abandoned mine? First Published: August 13th, 2010 Last Update: August 20th, 2010 Genre: Puzzle/Platformer Number of Players: 1-2 http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Butchimatic/Butchs%20Album/APhoto_2-1.jpg Presentation: 9.5 Fluid pacing, perfect camerawork, and well-designed mechanics help greatly enhance the experience! Visuals: 10 I didn't expect this to be eye candy, taking place in a mine. When I finally played this level, however, I relearned not to judge a book by its cover, even here in LittleBigPlanet! The screenshot up there really doesn't do it justice. You have to see all the magnificent detail and lighting for yourself! Audio: 9.0 The "Abomination Alley" track used here suits the theme very well. There are also plenty of sound effects to keep you immersed throughout the entire level. Gameplay: 9.0 There are plenty of fun and clever puzzles to solve during your journey. The only two puzzles I had problems with at first were the bounce cart and the puzzle right afterwards. With short experimentation and observation, respectively, I was able to get through with no problems. Another somewhat minor problem I enountered were the geysers. I got killed even when they weren't erupting, so I had to wait until all the white smoke in the pit, not just the smoke gushing up, disappeared. Lasting Value: 8.5 With the race option available to you once you finish the level once, it's worth going through at least twice if you're bound to hit the high score or get all the prizes. You'll need a partner to perform the latter. Final Score: 9.5 I'd tell 250 to keep it up, but I'm afraid then he'll be doing even more mine levels. Seriously, all but one of his levels take place in mines! Nevertheless, this is one level I think all should check out--and will probably heart it as I did! | 2010-09-15 08:06:00 Author: ButchInZero Posts: 58 |
| Hey, if you're not busy doing other reviews, could you play my level, Space Mini Level by jrichards16, and here's the LBP.me link: http://lbp.me/v/26yy09 Thanks! Cheers, flyinhawaiian | 2011-08-07 20:42:00 Author: flyinhawaiian  Posts: 357 |
| Oh ye flyinhawaiian, great resurrecter of long dead threads! You have just requested four or five reviews from threads thathave been dead for about a year. Your powers are indeed great! | 2011-08-08 01:39:00 Author: celsus  Posts: 822 |
| haha, well the more recent threads have been busy, so I though I could bring some back to get at least one review | 2011-08-08 01:55:00 Author: flyinhawaiian Posts: 357 |
| Lol, the only thing is there is not a simple way to know if someone has replied to a thread you have not used for a year. I am sure I missed stuff on half of my threads because I forgot about them. Also if some one has not posted in a year they may not even have LBP2 or play anymore. Good luck with that, but it will be funny to see if people start requesting reviews from the ones you bumped up from the dead. At least that will make less reviews the current reviewers have to do if everyone is requesting them from old threads. | 2011-08-08 07:47:00 Author: celsus Posts: 822 |
| haha, yeah, who knows what i might have done XD | 2011-08-08 13:23:00 Author: flyinhawaiian Posts: 357 |
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