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Sunset Caverns

Archive: 20 posts

When I started making this level, I set out to make a level that looked beautiful but different than everything else, that incorporated fun and intuitive gameplay, a compelling story line and had finely tuned audio for that extra bit of immersion.

I like to think I've managed it. (Though, it's not really for me to decide :/)

Sunset Caverns clocks in at about 4 minutes total play time with no deaths or thinking time, it's a puzzle platformer but instead of the puzzles being "but red block in red slot" they're linked into the obstacles and involve you using familiar techniques and objects in a new way. None of the puzzles are particularly hard, some in fact are extremely easy, but hopefully you get a "ah, that's cool" feeling from them.

The story takes a leaf from Braid's book in that it's in the form of a 6 part narrative, scattered throughout the level in hiding spots or along the way, and it gives meaning to your actions. It's all metaphorical and interpretative while being simple enough to take in without linking it to the gameplay.

There is one prize in the level, it's a simple EQ modifier to exaggerate the muddying of the music/effects when you're underwater, so some might find that useful.

I really enjoyed making this level, hopefully you'll have as much fun playing it (:

p.s. I can't really promise f4f as I haven't been able to queue levels since the PSN crash. I will try to play levels if you leave them though, it might just take a while.
http://lbp.me/v/52y36k		2011-09-04 20:40:00

Author:
JonnysToyRobot
Posts: 324

ARGH! Forgot to upload any pictures. I'll go off and do that now, in the meantime here's a picture from early-development so it's only similar to what the end result looks like.

http://i0.lbp.me/img/ft/4309de66b36b3ae1efd89e2d16f6edcdb87825ad.jpg

EDIT: Okay, here's some from the actual level.

http://if.lbp.me/img/ft/51f35492d7876b3fb78b2dcf98115ea670ce7218.jpg
http://i3.lbp.me/img/ft/df393dc9b4eee49e85f9feb68fe10b965f01bf04.jpg

And the updated version of the old picture.
http://ia.lbp.me/img/ft/1ca057446806700351cbb4b98c493c3a873d0f9d.jpg

(:		2011-09-04 20:45:00

Author:
JonnysToyRobot
Posts: 324

Level queued up!
I'll post a review after trying it.		2011-09-04 22:20:00

Author:
Maxouze
Posts: 96

Level queued up!
I'll post a review after trying it.

Thanks, can you give me a link to your levels lbpc post? I had some problems with it because of the small size of my tv so would like to highlight the places I found tricky.

Going up to update the level after some places were found that you grab onto instead of what you're meant to grab... so I'll probably end up covering them in ice or something xD

Oh and of course the 1 dislike is a giveaway level regular... grawr!		2011-09-05 10:04:00

Author:
JonnysToyRobot
Posts: 324

It was a good level. The visuals are well made & I think you used the layers well. The music gave the level a nice atmosphere & the platforming itself was also very good.
I did encounter one problem where the sponge got lost up on a platform that I couldn't reach so I had to restart.
Apart from that however, it was an enjoyable level.		2011-09-05 10:08:00

Author:
bdT96000
Posts: 25

It was a good level. The visuals are well made & I think you used the layers well. The music gave the level a nice atmosphere & the platforming itself was also very good.
I did encounter one problem where the sponge got lost up on a platform that I couldn't reach so I had to restart.
Apart from that however, it was an enjoyable level.

Yeh... just saw the picture and knew it would happen to someone. I think I've got a solution for it but it'll be pretty crude... better than nothing I guess.

Glad you enjoyed it 		2011-09-05 10:10:00

Author:
JonnysToyRobot
Posts: 324

Hi, the atmosphere and lighting in your level is great. However I did find the platforming frustrating to a point that I quit. BUT I will try again. When making my own level and testing it and watching others, I realised, what I could get past in a matter of seconds did not mean other players would since they didn't make it. It highlighted areas that needed tweaking to cater for sackboys own physics and momentum from sliding off platforms. So small platforms and ledges need to cater for this, by being bigger/wider or it becomes frustrating to the player. For example here:

http://ib.lbp.me/img/fl/1bb6c71967242ba5b74586cca880515402a9b1c1.jpg

The tiny platform in the middle, can quite easily be over jumped. Also from sackboys momentum/physics in the game, you can easily slip off. Resulting in an unfair death. To add to this there is a spike in between the jump pads on the left. Quite a few times the height of the jump pad sent me into these spikes and was tricky to control. If there is more then one player this can be even more taxing then what it should be. In fact someone else joined me and found the same thing and left. We both Found the platform in the middle too small. I like challenges and the odd difficulty but the jump height is a bit unfair (may be better to increase it a bit) with the spike in the middle, making it harder then it was since we a few times the jump pad sent us into the side of the next platform.

Yet your level design is amazing. I'm quite thorough in my feedback so I hope you don't take it in the wrong way. Don't worry, I'll be coming back to play some more with more feedback once I've finished it. It looks great.

2011-09-05 13:38:00

Author:
LittleBigDes
Posts: 920

looks great and will put in the queue box2011-09-05 13:45:00

Author:
biorogue
Posts: 8424

@LittleBigDes: Thanks for the feedback, I pretty much agree with you though you don't know the meaning of cheap deaths till you've played one of my other levels! xD

this picture worries me though

http://i9.lbp.me/img/ft/d49cc431a43e83ff56f86a8548f4d30a57b58b4e.jpg

So I'm guessing my fix didn't work :/		2011-09-05 13:58:00

Author:
JonnysToyRobot
Posts: 324

No problem, I never let difficulty or cheap deaths put me off a level. I always give them another go, just incase, also everyone's skill level is different. There are a lot out there that have difficulty spikes but that doesn't mean they are bad. I know a lot of kids out there will boo or leave because of it. Unless it is really frustrating gameplay wise or lacking, this can be a bit unfair to good levels. I'll be back.2011-09-05 14:05:00

Author:
LittleBigDes
Posts: 920

No problem, I never let difficulty or cheap deaths put me off a level. There are a lot out there that have difficulty spikes but that doesn't mean they are bad. I know a lot of kids out there will boo or leave because of it. Unless it is really frustrating gameplay wise, this can be a bit unfair to good levels. I'll be back.

M'kay, I look forward to it. Will go off and start some fixes now.

@All. If you've played the level and want to know where the secrets are this guy found all but one of them.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLwLI0sb9ps&feature=channel_video_title		2011-09-05 14:10:00

Author:
JonnysToyRobot
Posts: 324

Fixes of fixes = done.2011-09-05 14:46:00

Author:
JonnysToyRobot
Posts: 324

Fixes of fixes = done.

Just played it and I must say it plays a lot better since you updated it.

Gameplay: Can be tricky but the platforming is decent and fun. The story is intriguing with some replay value added with secret areas to find. It's a bit on the short side and could do with a bit more variety in obstacles to give it much more gameplay wise, but it's good either way. Grappling up to platforms made me feel as if I was really exploring and climbing my way through a cave.

Visually: The subtle lighting and colours really set a good atmosphere and tone to your level with a custom sound track that compliments this. Has a nice ambiance and warmth to it.

Overall: Decent level with solid platforming and grapple areas. Good atmosphere and subtle lighting that looks good and plays well. Has a good sound track that enhances it and is worth playing. Yay.

2011-09-05 16:12:00

Author:
LittleBigDes
Posts: 920

Hello There! I just played the level and thought it was pretty nice, although my review probably wont be too detailed since I am only 14 years old, I shall give it my best shot!
First off the level is good looking, with fun polished platforming, and a soundtrack that fits well with the atmosphere. I thought that some sections were well thought out and overall brilliant! I also liked the use of the waterfall material to give it that fresh sunset feeling. The only problems I had were technical, for example, since some parts of the floor are made of some sort of spongy material, I sometimes accidentally grabbed the floor instead of the object I was supposed to grab, this led to some of my deaths but nothing to serious. That is probably the only problem I had with the level, so overall its a fun, relaxing, and beautiful platformer! Great job! 		2011-09-06 22:42:00

Author:
SolidNInja2020
Posts: 39

This is a very well thought out level. The atmosphere is great, the music especially so. Sounds a lot like a Nine Inch Nails tune—one of the tracks from the Fixed EP, I think.

I love the idea of the hidden story fragments, but if there is one criticism I have it is that they seem rather abstract and disjointed. I only found three of them, which doesn't help, but none of the ones I found seemed like they were part of something larger. Maybe if the player could see the pieces she found together near the end, so see how they fit together. Better yet, it would be really great if there was some visual associated with these fragments, like there is in Braid, your inspiration. That would make it much more concrete, especually if you made the link to the rest of your level more clear in doing so.

Your gameplay is great and the visuals are very polished—I just want to see how the story elements fit with the rest of your design!		2011-09-07 00:42:00

Author:
Bercilak
Posts: 117

Queued. If I enjoy, I will heart no doubt. Outside of just that fact I will post back here with feedback afterwards which will help you on having your level reach the top ^.^2011-09-07 02:45:00

Author:
Xshaemus
Posts: 60

Well I'm definitely intrigued by the description, I'll check it out and report back. 2011-09-07 05:17:00

Author:
Unknown User

This was a great level. simple gameplay surrounded by beautiful visuals and atmosphere.
great job.
if you can check out my newest level " Nature's solitude" link in my sig
thread https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=57280-Nature-s-Solitude		2011-09-08 00:59:00

Author:
juscallmeJ
Posts: 77

I really liked the atmosphere set by the rainbow colored rocks and ambient music in this level. It really did feel like moving through a dream. The replay value is also good, trying to find those Braid reminiscent story pieces. The platforming was enjoyable, but pretty standard. As well done and polished as this level is, I actually liked a couple of your other levels more!

Your level hub is really cool, and definitely pulled me in to see what else you had to offer. My personal favorite is A Run in Autumn, and Sky Road was very good too.		2011-09-08 04:43:00

Author:
Unknown User

I really liked the atmosphere set by the rainbow colored rocks and ambient music in this level. It really did feel like moving through a dream. The replay value is also good, trying to find those Braid reminiscent story pieces. The platforming was enjoyable, but pretty standard. As well done and polished as this level is, I actually liked a couple of your other levels more!

Your level hub is really cool, and definitely pulled me in to see what else you had to offer. My personal favorite is A Run in Autumn, and Sky Road was very good too.

You had to pick the two levels that took almost no time to make! (aRiA was done in 2 hours, if I remember correctly)

xD		2011-09-08 21:11:00

Author:
JonnysToyRobot
Posts: 324


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