LBP Showcase / Reviews / Recommendations #1
An Extra Challenge
Archive: 52 posts
| This is my first level on LBP2, and my second level ever published. I wanted to make a challenging level, but not a stupidly hard level. Since I'm the only one that has ever tested it, I welcome any critique on the challenges in this level. Good luck!  http://lbp.me/v/x8d530 This is meant to be a kind of extension of the story, as if you went back to Da Vinci's Hideout after you beat the Negativitron. Here's a couple of screenshots: http://ic.lbp.me/img/ft/62c48301bbd9fa4daa75da8e64372e93ff1fcc0d.jpg http://i2.lbp.me/img/ft/8b2c9905666833d65962c45d8c5d0ffec780f10e.jpg If you really like this level, the best way to help me is to advertise! It's hard to get a level popular on LBP. | 2011-01-30 20:56:00 Author: Yofig  Posts: 288 |
| I'll try it out and leave some feed back. Try out my level? | 2011-01-30 22:47:00 Author: LukeCF  Posts: 790 |
| Sure! Thanks for taking a look. | 2011-01-30 22:48:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
Gosh man you weren't joking when you said you made this hard. Playing through it right now. Expect me to leave as much feed back as my brain can think of  | 2011-01-30 22:59:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| Haha yeah, I tried not to make it too hard, but I don't know if I succeeded, since I'm the creator. I played your level, and left a review. | 2011-01-30 23:10:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Haha yeah, I tried not to make it too hard, but I don't know if I succeeded, since I'm the creator. I played your level, and left a review. Well I can tell you right now, this is RIDICULOUSLY hard. I'm at the part with the bounce pads and the electric walls right now, if you know what I'm saying? Been trying this part for the past five ten minutes I'd say. | 2011-01-30 23:13:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| The one with the books behind the checkpoint? | 2011-01-30 23:15:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Nah, the ones where you jump down into like the hole surrounded by electric walls, bounce back up, go through a small hole, fall back down, bounce back up grabd asponge that twists you around, let go, fall down grab the sponge down there spin slightly let go to fling yourself onto another bounce pad where you go up and over. All the time surrounded by electric walls. That part... hah | 2011-01-30 23:19:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| Oh yeah, that. I may widen the gaps slightly. Is there a specific part of it you're having trouble on? | 2011-01-30 23:23:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Kay just finished it. I'll get feed back to you soon. I'm gonna use some pictures to clarify things easier. Edit It might be in a little bit actually I'm gonna go eat dinner then get to the feedback. | 2011-01-30 23:34:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| I just added it to my queue, Try out my versus level and tell me what you think about it :] http://lbp.me/v/wzjpr0 | 2011-01-30 23:47:00 Author: Ghost  Posts: 114 |
No problem, though I don't have anyone to play with.  I'll give it critique on stuff other than the multiplayer experience in that case. | 2011-01-30 23:49:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Kay so up first: When you first start the level, and are falling down here, you should probably add in some camera angles or something. Or a little movie camera that shows it before you jump down, because as is you have no clue what's coming when you jump down as far as I know. http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz165/Offofthemap/LBP%20picture%20dump/APhoto-1.jpg?t=1296432431 Second: That bounce pad circled... You don't need it there. Out of the many many times I tried this section I think I used that bounce pad once. MAYBE. When you run and jump over the electric material, your momentum gives you enough of a push to swing around up on top to where the bounce pads are. Third: Something you really can't do much about. But if you're hooked onto that sponge with your grapple hook, you can just back up and the grapple hook will you from bouncing all the way to the top making this section easier. But to be honest I didn't realize this until I was playing through a second time. http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz165/Offofthemap/LBP%20picture%20dump/APhoto1-1.jpg?t=1296432415 On a section where you die a lot, the check point should be right there next to the challenge. Kind of like how it was for the challenge in the picture up above. The picture shows where I think the check point should be obviously. http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz165/Offofthemap/LBP%20picture%20dump/APhoto2-1.jpg?t=1296432402 I love your decorations, but these two obscure your view of the electric wall. And seeing that wall is essentialist at this point because you need to be close enough to grab that sponge, but also can't get to close obviously. I had a lot of issues with that bottom sponge there. Not grabbing it, but the spinning around and letting go to get up onto the bounce pads. This section in general was the hardest for me, on my second play through I got through the other sections relatively easy compared to before, but this section was still really hard for me. http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz165/Offofthemap/LBP%20picture%20dump/APhoto3-1.jpg?t=1296432392 Kay, now that I got all that stuff out of the way, I obviously liked your level seeing as how I hearted it. Anyways, your visuals were great is there some sort of devinci preset or something that you used that I don't know about, or did you make all of that from scratch? Because it was gorgeous. Just saying. It was really hard the first time through. Like ridiculously hard. But on my second play through I made it to the electricly bouncy section realtively quickly with few dies, so I guess it wasn't quite as hard as I had at first thought? I dunno. I'll probably play it again within a couple days and see how I do. | 2011-01-31 00:32:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| Wow! Thanks for the epic review. It helps a lot. I did make it all from scratch. You should see the dozens of reference pics I took from the actual levels. I didn't even think about the decorations blocking it, thanks for pointing it out. I can see how that is an issue. I'll probably shrink them so the edge is visible. As for the camera, I actually tried to put a game camera there, but it created an awkward view angle, and it was really hard to get past that part because of it. Do you think that a short cutscene would help? And I'll take out that bounce pad, though I'm not going to worry about the gap, since I don't think it helps you much in that section anyway, though I'll test it. BTW, if you'd like some help with your level, I am pretty good with teh logicz. I owe you for giving my level such a warm reception. | 2011-01-31 00:52:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Wow! Thanks for the epic review. It helps a lot. I did make it all from scratch. You should see the dozens of reference pics I took from the actual levels. I didn't even think about the decorations blocking it, thanks for pointing it out. I can see how that is an issue. I'll probably shrink them so the edge is visible. As for the camera, I actually tried to put a game camera there, but it created an awkward view angle, and it was really hard to get past that part because of it. Do you think that a short cutscene would help? And I'll take out that bounce pad, though I'm not going to worry about the gap, since I don't think it helps you much in that section anyway, though I'll test it. BTW, if you'd like some help with your level, I am pretty good with teh logicz. I owe you for giving my level such a warm reception. Well it looks fantastic! You did quite a splendid job recreating the visual style of the story levels! Yeah, when I first saw those decorations I didn't think about them either but after dying a couple times by touching the wall were they were I started to notice them. I figured the gameplay camera probably made it awkward. And as for the movie camera, I'd say that's up to you. On one hand, it will give alert to players who are cautious, on the other hand, some people are impatient and don't want to see cut scenes probably. I'd cast my vote for a short movie cam. though to make sure people see the danger. "And I'll take out that bounce pad, though I'm not going to worry about the gap, since I don't think it helps you much in that section anyway, though I'll test it." -Wait, what gap are you talking about exactly? I'm not that bad with the logicz either. Though I have not yet tried stuff with movie cameras so I don't know if I'm any good with those. But like in my bird level, my boomerang has some nifty logic to get it to work right. If I ever run into anything I cannot figure out though perhaps I'll ask for some help? | 2011-01-31 01:06:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| I just republished it. I haven't added anything for the first drop yet, but I fixed the checkpoint and the decorations. Wait, what gap are you talking about exactly? The gap you can stand on between the bounce pads and the sponge. Poor choice of words on my part. I solved it by changing it to electrified material. | 2011-01-31 01:09:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| I love a chalening level, please check out mine?? MONSTER GOT MY FRIEND in my thread ill leave my opinions once im done | 2011-01-31 01:17:00 Author: jaboyle Posts: 23 |
| Oh I didn't mean anything about that gap, What I was saying is that if you don't let go of your grappl hook when you just swing around, and start bouncing on the pounce pads while still grappling the sponge, you can bounce across without going high enough to hit the electrified prongs coming down from the ceiling, the fact that I was standing meant nothing, I just wanted to take a picture where I wasn't about to die XD Do you know what I am saying now or should I go take a picture of it later? | 2011-01-31 01:18:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| Yeah, I do. I don't think there's anything I can do about that, though the gap was an issue as well, as you can just jump far enough to clear it. I love a chalening level, please check out mine?? MONSTER GOT MY FRIEND in my thread ill leave my opinions once im done Alright. I'll play it ASAP, my TV is occupied as of now. | 2011-01-31 01:22:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
just played it, ended up having to play it twice, absolutley loved it, I got 15k something and am second TO YOU !!! on the leader board, one day I shall beat your time  | 2011-01-31 02:02:00 Author: jaboyle Posts: 23 |
| Haha, you're welcome to! I could use the plays. EDIT: If you like this level, the best way to help me is to advertise! It's hard to get many plays on a level if you're not already well known. | 2011-01-31 02:09:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Haha, you're welcome to! I could use the plays. EDIT: If you like this level, the best way to help me is to advertise! It's hard to get many plays on a level if you're not already well known. A good way to get plays is to use the F4F system. A lot. Go out and find people and do a nuch of levels. And eventually some might start coming to you. It's what I do | 2011-01-31 02:49:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| When you said this was hard, you really weren't exaggerating. This most definitely was a difficult level, however some parts of it only seemed to be difficult because of the grappling hook's bad controls. For example, the very first obstacle was challenging, but for the wrong reasons. The grappling hook is really hard to get momentum with because for whatever reason Mm decided to make reeling and swinging be controlled by the same joystick, so the opening section of the race was really hard for me. I like when levels are hard because of clever platforming or precise timing, not broken mechanics. That's not to say your level didn't have any clever platforming or precise timing, it had that in spades. Really, once you get past that first part the level is very good. The bouncing over the electric walls and the grappling hook bit at the very end were great. Even though I died (a lot) to them, it kept me coming back for more. Other stuff to mention: Good: +Aesthetically, this level was really nice. I thought you were able to recreate the DaVinci theme perfectly. +I also liked the premise. Simple, but there was still a story (and I like levels with stories) +The platforming sections were very well made, especially when you consider how recently LBP2 actually came out. +This showed a LOT of potential. I'm eager to see what you make next. Bad: -Only that very first segment. I think I would've been able to finish the race if I hadn't wasted so much time trying to get past it. | 2011-01-31 02:51:00 Author: Doc_Rockefeller  Posts: 7 |
| I'm not sure what your problem with the grappling hook was... You get momentum by shortening the cord, so you just have to swing to the right once, then shorten the cord to launch yourself high enough to get to the upper sponge. Personally, I like those controls, I only wish they'd make it less sensetive (IE, more of an area where you just swing, and not shorten or lengthen the cord) Thanks for the critique and the praise, though, and I'll take that into consideration when I use the grappling hook in the future. A good way to get plays is to use the F4F system. A lot. Go out and find people and do a nuch of levels. And eventually some might start coming to you. It's what I do Yeah, I was looking at that, but I didn't know how to work it, so I didn't make this level a F4F. Is there any way to switch it over, or is that necessary? | 2011-01-31 03:24:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Maybe a Mod could switch it? I dunno. Or you could edit your title and put F4F like before "An Extra Challenge" | 2011-01-31 06:53:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| wow this level is addictive, it took me 11 attempts but finally I wacked down a massive score of 38,141........ the last two challenged with the boucepads and the grappling hook I did first time so got a massive 2x multiplier.......... I'm hoping that score with me there for years to come !!! | 2011-01-31 16:02:00 Author: jaboyle Posts: 23 |
| Haha, nice job! I'm still just trying to ace it. I can't even ace my own level... Maybe a Mod could switch it? I dunno. Or you could edit your title and put F4F like before "An Extra Challenge" I'll edit the title, I suppose. A lot easier. EDIT: Sweet, there's an option to switch. Problem solved. | 2011-02-01 04:11:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz165/Offofthemap/LBP%20picture%20dump/APhoto1-1.jpg?t=1296432415 Played it again and noticed something else. Kay so you took the bounce pad out here. But there are still bubbles going up and curving around that you used the bounce pad to get. (they're not in the picture obviously) just thought I'd let you know. | 2011-02-01 04:20:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| Oh, yeah, I forgot to change the bubbles to fit the new mechanic. I'll change it when I get the chance. | 2011-02-01 04:22:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Daaang, that was crazy hard alright. I played through it 5 times. On the fourth play I got the number 1 score, probably because I got really lucky and did the narrow section with the bounce pads in one try. This does a very good job of matching the da vinci level style. Though I don't think I ever saw a da vinci level with this high a percentage of electrified stuff. The challenges were pretty original, but the drop-swing-swing ones seemed kind of repetitive. The narrow section was a nice change of pace, but it might have been nice to have that a bit earlier in the level so you don't lose so many points to dying repeatedly there. It's not clear on most of the challenges at first what you're getting into. I'd like to get a better look at the narrow section for the first time through, but maybe you could make the cutscene skippable. I hate magic mouths with cutscene cameras that pop up during races because it slows me down. I close them immediately once it's clear they don't have any helpful tips. It's even more annoying on repeat runs because I have to remember to press circle immediately there. Take off the cutscene camera on da vinci at the 1/3 or halfway-ish point so I can read that text when I'm running on the straight section afterward. A lot of the score bubble trails are not very well matched to the paths I actually take through the level. The challenges can be really frustrating because even after practicing something 50 times you still will die on something stupid. For instance, the second wheel on the narrow section requires really precise timing that you can't judge by eye because of the way sackboy swings around when he's grabbing that wheel. | 2011-02-01 06:27:00 Author: phort  Posts: 74 |
| Thanks for offering to give feedback on Doodle Jump! I'm writing this as I play, so bear with me: OK, loved the opening, feels just like Da Vinci's levels, plus you used to tutorial music, which I love. Wow, I see what you mean by hard, this first bit is really tough! This swinging into the electricity sure is a nice challenge. Onto the first bounch pad bit, which is still hard as nails. At the enhancment remover but, my face dropped as I watched everything pop out. Ran out of time on this bit. OK, I've been at this bit for at least ten minuetes, make it stop D: OK, I'm sorry, but I give up. Visually it captures the feel of DaVinci's levels very well, and gameplay wise was a treat, nut there's a point when hard stops becoming fun and becomes fustrating, sorry. I still gave a though. | 2011-02-01 19:56:00 Author: kirbyman62  Posts: 1893 |
| Thanks for the feedback guys! Unfortunately, I've gotten too much mixed feedback to decide where to go with it. On the one hand, I have people playing through it in two tries, and on the other there are people who find it boringly hard... I don't know if there's a way to keep both parties happy. I'll keep it the way it is for now, though I'll go back and reposition the point bubbles, and check out the camera. | 2011-02-01 23:58:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| I only got to the part where you bounce through very narrow electrified walls. I decided to quit after this because, even if i managed to pull off the impossible feat of swinging off the grab spot perfectly down the other side, I had the sneaking suspicion there would be something else right after that would send me right back to the checkpoint. What you made is undoubtedly hard but definitely frustrating, which is okay but you should keep the time in between checkpoints VERY short. I suggest using a checkpoint after every point in the level that requires an amazing level of luck since I'm not going to keep trying it if I beat a very hard part and come to find that I need to do that three times in a row in order to get to the next checkpoint. EDIT: ok didn't know there was wood over the electricity to make it a bit easier on this part. EDIT 2: are you serious with that curving electrical jump, where not only do you have to jump perfectly, but you have to correct yourself from the incoming jump instantaneously? No one beat this in 2 tries. EDIT 3: Okay beat it after dying probably 30 times altogether. Felt good to FINALLY beat the electrified jumps but the last swinging section was very easy compared to the rest. I would suggest taking out the race part altogether because I don't think most people are going to be able to get any points from that, it's just an annoyance when you see the score decreasing as you're continually dying. | 2011-02-02 02:02:00 Author: Unknown User  |
| Hmm... I think I will make the race optional, because I can see how it can be a psychological downer if you're doing badly. Thanks for the feedback! | 2011-02-02 03:38:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Just published the update to the level, it's pretty huge. Added a cutscene for the first drop, race mode disables all cutscenes, repositioned a few point bubbles, made the safe spot in the tube section more visible. Hopefully the level has improved greatly | 2011-02-02 04:53:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Hey there! I played your level with a friend! It's really better for one player, but actually we've made it through! I don't have to say anything about the design. Its just fine as it is! The gameplay was really great. Never saw challenges using the grappling hook like that. But I'm pretty trained with the hook so I knew what to do in these tasks. Also the parts without the grappler were well made and were fun. I don't have to add anything. It worked all fine for me, didn't find any bugs or else. A 'Yay' for hard challenges! | 2011-02-02 15:01:00 Author: RedShadow_88  Posts: 100 |
| I really liked the level. Great atmosphere and challenge. One bit I thought was a bit too hard was the part where you lose the grapple in the narrow lanes you have to bounce up. The lanes themselves I like, but that last part where you have to actually curve yourself through the air all without touching the walls was bruuuutal lol. I think the difficulty is perfect though, but that one part just stands out as a bit over-the-top hard. Good fun though! | 2011-02-02 20:58:00 Author: Dietomaha Posts: 156 |
| That curving part is pretty hard... | 2011-02-02 21:22:00 Author: LukeCF Posts: 790 |
| It was hard! Well designed though so I don't mind! Would love to see more hard challenges! | 2011-02-03 00:16:00 Author: Unknown User |
| Hmm, I don't think I made the safe spot clear enough, because there is a safe spot in the tube part. You won't die if you keep holding on to the first wheel. Any suggestions to make it more visible? | 2011-02-03 03:51:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| This was a great reminder of how satisfying it is to beat a hard level, and it made me want to play more like this. Nice job, and a heart for you to keep an eye out for future levels. ~ Blob | 2011-02-03 04:15:00 Author: Blob  Posts: 10 |
| Hmm, I don't think I made the safe spot clear enough, because there is a safe spot in the tube part. You won't die if you keep holding on to the first wheel. Any suggestions to make it more visible? That part wasn't the issue at all, I found that fine. It's when you go down and bounce back up on that bounce pad that's nuts | 2011-02-03 04:43:00 Author: Dietomaha Posts: 156 |
| Ah, yeah. I'm glad the safe point isn't an issue then. | 2011-02-04 01:08:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| This is REALLY great. Super difficult as advertised which is a good thing. You replicated Mm's style perfectly. The platforming was AWESOME. The only suggestion I would have is maybe increase the amount of time that you have to finish the race (by maybe 60 seconds). I don't know if I just really stink or that I stopped for a little while to write something down but I couldn't finish on time. I gave it a Yay+Heart. GREAT job! I hope to see more from you soon. I would really appreciate it if you would return the F4F on my level A Helping Hand...err...Cursor! (In my sig) | 2011-02-04 05:03:00 Author: brnxblze Posts: 1318 |
| No problem! I'll queue it and check it out in a bit. | 2011-02-04 05:19:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| I just played it. Loved it, hearted it, yayed it etc. The attention to detail is magnificent and mirrors that of Media Molecule themselves. The difficulty is extremely high but that's the point isn't it? The section with the narrow electric barriers and bounce pads was far too frustrating however. I lost at least 30 lives trying to get through that. Perhaps get rid of that curved electric section to make this more barrable lol. Other than that, top notch work. Would love to see the rest of the game's major themes done | 2011-02-04 18:20:00 Author: Nick930930  Posts: 878 |
| Thanks for the feedback guys! Unfortunately, I've gotten too much mixed feedback to decide where to go with it. On the one hand, I have people playing through it in two tries, and on the other there are people who find it boringly hard... I don't know if there's a way to keep both parties happy. I'll keep it the way it is for now, though I'll go back and reposition the point bubbles, and check out the camera. I wouldn't say boringly hard, that's makes it sound bad. It's a good, fun level, but when you don't particually have unlimited time on the PS3 and you've been at the same bit for 15 minutes, it get's a bit tiresome. | 2011-02-04 20:49:00 Author: kirbyman62 Posts: 1893 |
| Well, as far as the unlimited time goes, I made the race optional. | 2011-02-04 23:47:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Optional race sounds good. But I think it was fine the way it was. The hardcore players can get the high score with the race, while the crappy players like myself will get the low scores for getting stuck at that **** bounce pad section lol | 2011-02-04 23:48:00 Author: Nick930930 Posts: 878 |
| Yes, but an optional race gives lets a player not feel as frustrated because they feel they need to hurry. It's a psychological thing, really. | 2011-02-05 19:36:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
| Im not even through with this level yet but i had to post my review now because i was so amped from the experience! I consider this the hardest level in the LBP 2 campaign, because it is as good as MM levels and should be added as another section of the single player. I'm serious i loved it that much. I can tell you must have spent hours testing each section yourself before you got it just right, because each section is so perfectly difficult, that you know you can make it if you just have another go. Fifty plus goes later and i finally get past said stage and the wave of satisfaction that i usually only get from platinum trophies floods over me. I just love your platforming design style - i want to see more levels like this! Heck, remake the whole single player! The only thing i encountered that i think needs improving, is the bit with the bounce bads and columns of electric where you have to grab a sponge ball to get around the U-turns. On the first sponge ball you have used a slat of wood to protect the player from the electric after the swing, i think it needs the same on the second one, and maybe move the bounce pad down a tiny bit there, because i found this exceedingly hard. Your attention to detail is incredible too. I loved the decoration and stickering, especially the way you illustrated how to progress. All of the detail gave it a real authentic feel, and if you put this and another of Da-vinci's levels in front of me before i ever played LBP 2 i wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Awesome, keep up the good work! If you have the time please take a look at my mini-game, link in my sig. EDIT: I am really glad you put in infinite life checkpoints, if you didn't i would have to hunt you down. | 2011-02-05 21:01:00 Author: Steve Posts: 134 |
| Thanks for the awesome praise! I've queued your level, and I'll play it ASAP! | 2011-02-05 21:05:00 Author: Yofig Posts: 288 |
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