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#1

Midnight Train

Archive: 29 posts

Just published my second level.

You are traveling on a train, trying to catch up to the mysterious and elusive Midnight Train.

This level features my patented new Infinite Level Technology (tm) and a challenging new boss, enjoy! :eek:

Feedback and bug reports are appreciated 		2008-11-09 03:37:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

Wow it was great, I think I get what you mean by infinite level, it was really interesting though the platforming part wasn't very difficult. The boss was awesome, one of the best designed I've seen, it rivals Donkey Show's.2008-11-09 03:39:00

Author:
Tomo009
Posts: 274

Great level, the environment is a bit barren, but maybe that's because of the "infinite" level effect

jumping from train to the other was awesome and so was the boss.

hearted 		2008-11-09 04:24:00

Author:
Jinfash
Posts: 2

hey cant wait to try the level!2008-11-09 04:24:00

Author:
Gondito
Posts: 1082

9CTkCnad2BE

:arg:		2008-11-09 04:40:00

Author:
Unknown User

Hey, thanks for all the replies and a great thanks to everyone who hearted.

Yes, I would have wanted to make the place a little more vibrant, but the thermometer wouldn't allow it (I even had to fight against it several times just to add the few rocks here and there and the boss). Like with any new technology, it needs some refinement 		2008-11-09 14:16:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

I'm off to bed now (midnight in Japan) but I will definitely check out your level tomorrow.2008-11-09 14:35:00

Author:
OCK
Posts: 1536

i haven't played it yet and won't have access to the game for a bit, but can you describe your infinite level technology? it may come in handy for some ideas i have.2008-11-09 18:52:00

Author:
Conall-Star
Posts: 157

i haven't played it yet and won't have access to the game for a bit, but can you describe your infinite level technology? it may come in handy for some ideas i have.

I've created a thread to explain how everything works and how it's set up :
https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=t=4475 		2008-11-09 22:25:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

I really liked it, but I didn't get to finish it. I ended up dying...

I like the art direction and during the train incident, I was like "Ooooh sh-" lol.		2008-11-10 00:06:00

Author:
Voltiare
Posts: 646

"Failed to load level."

Honestly, what's wrong with the servers today?		2008-11-10 00:31:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729

I played your level Gilgamesh, and I really liked it, it was creative, and the boss was sweet, and i can see why you had to leave out on detail, i read that the infinite level tech takes up like 40% of the thermometer2008-11-10 00:35:00

Author:
Gondito
Posts: 1082

Is it anything like...Clive Barker's MIDNIGHT MEATTRAIN?2008-11-10 02:24:00

Author:
qrtda235566
Posts: 3664

Finally had a chance to try it earlier today and I gave it a heart. I admire the originality, creativity and design of your "infinite terrain". I was disappointed by the barren landscape but after reading the thread on infinite terrain I appreciate the difficulties in developing this concept and I am sure you will be able to work out a way to add more decoration etc. I appreciate small details like the rocket used as the trains gas plume (I do a similar thing in my level, using it as a jeep's exhaust pipe) and the headlights which really looked like they were "cutting" through the darkness.

A couple of suggestions though:

1. In a couple of places the camera zone revealed the wheels running beneath your platform which ruined the illusion you were trying to create. A simple readjustment of your zones will fix this.

2. The Midnight train seems to be layered with glass and I found myself slipping and sliding all over the place. I can only guess that you wanted to make it more difficult to get to the front of the train but I found it unneccessarily frustrating.

Other then that excellent work. Your boss was amazing, possibly the best user-made boss I have seen thus far. It took me a while to bring it down but I eventually did and it was satisfying. I look forward to your next creation		2008-11-10 10:20:00

Author:
OCK
Posts: 1536

Hey thanks for the comments.

I think I see now which camera is tilted too much, I'll try to fix it.

And yes, the train is meant to be made of glass. This gives it a more ethereal appearance, but unfortunately makes you slide back and forth. I decided to work with it though and tethered several skulls which you can hold on to to help you navigate your way forward.

I figure this level has had its run. I have made it copyable for anyone who wants to see the inner-workings (or just wants to keep it on their moon). If you feel like making a Midnight Train 2, go right ahead 		2008-11-23 15:40:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

Finally had a chance to try it earlier today and I gave it a heart. I admire the originality, creativity and design of your "infinite terrain". I was disappointed by the barren landscape but after reading the thread on infinite terrain I appreciate the difficulties in developing this concept and I am sure you will be able to work out a way to add more decoration etc. I appreciate small details like the rocket used as the trains gas plume (I do a similar thing in my level, using it as a jeep's exhaust pipe) and the headlights which really looked like they were "cutting" through the darkness.

A couple of suggestions though:

1. In a couple of places the camera zone revealed the wheels running beneath your platform which ruined the illusion you were trying to create. A simple readjustment of your zones will fix this.

2. The Midnight train seems to be layered with glass and I found myself slipping and sliding all over the place. I can only guess that you wanted to make it more difficult to get to the front of the train but I found it unneccessarily frustrating.

Other then that excellent work. Your boss was amazing, possibly the best user-made boss I have seen thus far. It took me a while to bring it down but I eventually did and it was satisfying. I look forward to your next creation

I feel exactly the same way. I came across your level when searching for a different train level. My first impression was that the level felt very empty and the icy train was a little frustrating as you slid across as the booster turned on and off. It's a pity that thermo bar was full.		2008-11-29 06:53:00

Author:
Traxxer911
Posts: 22

Sounds pretty cool, I will check it out later.2008-12-07 03:28:00

Author:
Hexagohn
Posts: 335

By far, one of the greatest levels in LBP.

The "infinite level technology" is completely original and makes the level stand out from any other level ive ever played.

This level is easy at first, yet challenging towards the end. The gradual increase in difficulty ultimately balances out the level very nicely and provides a sense of accomplishment at the end because of this balance.

The theme of this level flows well: a dark train ride requiring you to speed up and jump from train to train to eventually reach.... the midnight train! Dark blues are illuminated from things that are electrified in the darkness and compliment this theme extremely well. Not to mention the skulls that you grab onto to journey further. This provides a feeling that something isn't right about the train and makes way for a well thought out boss battle. This boss battle is difficult, but like all difficult things, you must practice and figure out how to defeat it. This element should be in every boss battle, no boss battle should be simple and should require at least SOME strategy. Gilgamesh has effectively incorporated this element into this particular boss battle.

Overall, this level is a gem and should be played and appreciated as such.

5/5, hearts for both the author this level.		2008-12-11 09:18:00

Author:
xbriandeadx
Posts: 134

Is it the level where at first you chase the train in your car and then catch up and get on and then each section of the train has a sort of puzzle you need to solve to move on to the next one?
I came across it while ago. It's one of my favourites. The infinate level technology was really cool, and I had to see your tutorial just now to understand it. I don't recall winning it as a prize, maybe I'll have to play again.		2008-12-11 23:55:00

Author:
Grethiwha
Posts: 61

Is it the level where at first you chase the train in your car and then catch up and get on and then each section of the train has a sort of puzzle you need to solve to move on to the next one?
I came across it while ago. It's one of my favourites. The infinate level technology was really cool, and I had to see your tutorial just now to understand it. I don't recall winning it as a prize, maybe I'll have to play again.

Actually, that would be The Puzzle Train by Link_AJ. I've played it myself a while after publishing Midnight Train. The concept is similar, but I think his uses the MM method of generating terrain. It's a pretty good level though, but some of the puzzles are very tough.

Also, if you stay in the car at the start, and the car blows up, you can never get onto the train afterwards and have to restart the level (I've had this happen to me, I wonder why it wasn't caught in playtesting).		2008-12-12 00:20:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

Haha, I was just about to edit my post and say I felt like a bit of a jerk for it.
I played your level, and it was really good. I loved the boss at the end.		2008-12-12 00:52:00

Author:
Grethiwha
Posts: 61

I stumbled upon this level a while back and I remember wondering as I play "Geez, how did this guy make sure that I'd beat the level before he ran out of room?" Well, now I know! I really enjoyed the level, but like someone else posted it did seem a little barren. Not enough to ruin my enjoyment though. Well done.2008-12-12 00:56:00

Author:
mrsupercomputer
Posts: 1335

I stumbled upon this level a while back and I remember wondering as I play "Geez, how did this guy make sure that I'd beat the level before he ran out of room?" Well, now I know!

hahaha i wondered the same thing! Then i looked on here and figured it out

I still don't understand completely how he did it, it looks complicated. I'm sure if i sat down and tried to follow the blueprints that I would begin to understand it more. It's unfortunate that it takes up so much of the thermometer 		2008-12-12 20:19:00

Author:
xbriandeadx
Posts: 134

Oh man, do I love this level. I made a train level, a fun race thing, but this is vastly superior to mine in every way. Wonderful execution, and the train, down to the little connection beams on the wheels (something I could not get to work properly either) and the cabs themselves. It reminds me so much of the ghost train in Final Fantasy 6, one of my all time favorite games. There was even a ninja, like Shadow. The boss is absolutely awesome, though slightly easy, it's still amazing looking and constructed in a fantastic way visually and mechanically. Your emitter terrain is a magnificent idea, and something I wish I had thought of for mine... nice prizes too

A level with lots of personality, and obviously a labor of love. Hearted, and will be shown to anybody who joins a game with me. Great job.		2008-12-12 21:01:00

Author:
Unknown User

Oh man, do I love this level. I made a train level, a fun race thing, but this is vastly superior to mine in every way. Wonderful execution, and the train, down to the little connection beams on the wheels (something I could not get to work properly either) and the cabs themselves. It reminds me so much of the ghost train in Final Fantasy 6, one of my all time favorite games. There was even a ninja, like Shadow. The boss is absolutely awesome, though slightly easy, it's still amazing looking and constructed in a fantastic way visually and mechanically. Your emitter terrain is a magnificent idea, and something I wish I had thought of for mine... nice prizes too

A level with lots of personality, and obviously a labor of love. Hearted, and will be shown to anybody who joins a game with me. Great job.

It's funny you should mention the ghost train from Final Fantasy 6. It is one of the inspirations for the level, good job catching that 		2008-12-12 23:49:00

Author:
Gilgamesh
Posts: 2536

Off topic post, but: Do you have Soul Caliber IV by any chance? If so we oughtta play sometimes so I can show you my Gilgamesh and Gogo characters... and Cyan, Locke, Edgar, Shadow, Terra, Terra (Morph) and Celes.2008-12-13 00:21:00

Author:
Unknown User

I finally got to playing this level and love it.

Just a few bugs i noticed.

Right when you get on the second train the dialogue is all stars,

I actually found managed to jump off of the emitted gound part, so i could see how it all worked. Really amazing concept.

I have a lot of trouble seeing where i was supposed to go. Especially when I got to the midnight train.

All in all, this is really an amazing concept that I think you should apply to other levels too. I'd love to see what kind of ideas you could incorporate this with.		2009-04-20 20:58:00

Author:
ApellesJr
Posts: 282

Checked this out the other night and just loved it. I was trying really hard to figure out how the whole infinite level thing worked as I haven't seen/read anything about it before I played your level. It's really an amazing system you've got working in there - I couldn't tell the floor was moving at all!

I liked your train a lot too. Nice design work there.

Thought your boss was really unique and funky!

My only complaint was it's hard to jump on the soreboard. lol

5 stars and hearted!		2009-04-25 05:06:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

Just finished playing it and it is a very good level. Some excellent enemies, a beleivable story and a great boss.

Pros:
+The "Infinite Life" Technology
+The general design of the train.
+The Scorpion
+The boss

Cons:
-The land was a little barren, but that didn't matter too much
-The scoreboard was annoying xD
-The first carriage disappearing after you step out of it

Overall though, despite a few problems (the second speech bubble all in stars etc.) this level was very fun. I gave it 4 stars and tagged it "fun"		2009-04-26 08:23:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645


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