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#1

Like a Puppet on a String

Archive: 10 posts

ello!
Just finished a another platformer with a kinda dark, creepy feel to it. I attempted a story with this level, and would like to apologize now for the iffy plot. I did try to make it work by making it rhyme, but fear I made it worse :tongue:.

Here's some pics..

http://i4.lbp.me/img/ft/9445568db43fd96c72f67d2521325ab8e7eb1c25.jpg


http://ie.lbp.me/img/ft/b8e15995516c3a3acaef2da059b54c42df752774.jpg


I also tried something new with Check Points, where you have to spend points on them with the more lifed check point costing more points. So if you looking for that high score you may want to only buy a 4 life check point for 50 points. If that isn't enough, after completing the level you get a sticker for race mode, but be warned! Race Mode destroys ALL Check points in the level and forces you to ace .

Here is the Check Points..
http://i5.lbp.me/img/ft/eb53bea5e83b8061d462f0cba33c1b66a9fffe2d.jpg

Shout out to The_Jump_Doctor for some awesome pictures, NK827 for the epic music and a_robot_dlo__olb for some of the twisted doll's and other creepy stuff.

Hope you enjoy, and don't have nightmares!


Inspired and named after this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azGX_vPKngA
http://lbp.me/v/b2ncyk

http://lbp.me/v/b2ncyk		2012-06-29 20:34:00

Author:
tom230889
Posts: 117

I've only played the level once and died around the 4th checkpoint, I know where to spend the 1000 points of the unlimited checkpoint now Very unique way to use checkpoints and points. I'm going to try and beat it later, it is a tough challenge. Very very fun.2012-06-29 21:51:00

Author:
minifat
Posts: 75

Awesome level, very original idea! I played with 2 more friends and it was extremely fun!2012-07-02 19:05:00

Author:
BillyCrash100
Posts: 134

I've played that creepy level and I have to admit it pretty scary and hard.
I loved the idea of the checkpoint, you deserve a cookie!		2012-07-02 19:19:00

Author:
Sport_dude
Posts: 622

Points for checkpoints is a seriously innovative idea. Q'd for the playing 2012-07-02 19:53:00

Author:
grayspence
Posts: 1990

Those images really look sweet, and I gotta say, the puppet in the first picture scares the hell out of me, so of course I'll give this level a try. My review for the level is below. (Also, you might notice that in some reviews, I'll go into detail about certain sections, and might use both past and present tense sometimes. This is because I play the level and review it at the same time, so I can get all my thoughts nice and juicy, all bubbling inside my head as I rant about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Enjoy.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, the level's done loading I wonder what- OH GOD CREEPY PUPPET. No wait, it's a man controlling the puppets, judging by his name, and a seriously freaky one at that, having puppet strings attached to him. Just one look into his deep, pitch black cimmerian eyes, with that creepy smile, stretching how to show every last one of his pearly whites, and with god-knows-what latched onto his head, shows a major appreciation of details, and that's wonderful. Seriously, this guy alone should be plenty of reason to keep going for anyone. The dark, dismal tones followed by sounds of creatures of the night gave off a beautifully troublesome feeling, matching up greatly with the creepy tinker-boy's dialogue. The way he follows you around is another great minor detail, as not only do you know you're being followed by this major creep, but it's interesting, watching his puppet-looking body move around as it follows you was just a great little thing to throw in, I gotta say.

The black and white checkerboard floors mix in nicely with the other materials, like the knotted ropes and stain glass frames, along with the purple, pink and red lighting broadcasted through the hallways of this mad man's estate. The way the puppet master introduced you to the multiple checkpoints, and how you could use points to buy extra checkpoints was done extremely well, and having him say "How much do you value your life?" at the very end of his informative speech sent shivers down my character's fluffy spine. Some of these challenges will test your skills, and that's a great thing. The ever-changing types of challenges can end up requiring basic knowledge of LBP physics, such as using the momentum of platforms flying upward to reach over a wall, or to let go of swinging at the opportune time so you can reach another grabbable circle.

The variety of challenges presented not only spices up gameplay, but reinforces the checkpoint purchasing feature you've so greatly engineered into this level, and it's also cool and forces you to think a bit with how once you make your purchase in that area, you can't pick the other two checkpoints in addition, even if you do have enough points. For me, the first challenge was really difficult, as I died and died constantly, having to redo the level various times, trying to see just how I could make it far enough, just at the right time. It was also a good way to test out the different checkpoints too. I ended up having to go with the infinite on the first one. It might've cost me a good bit, but I had no other choice, unless I wanted to keep doing it over and over. I was able to pass, and success! Greeted by another sign, I decided to go with a double-life CP afterwards, not going too low, yet being at a steady medium between the two. The challenge that followed was much easier for me, and I went along with double-life, confident in how I succeeded in the challenge. Because that is the driving force in all of this, confidence. How you feel about the last challenge helps determine your choice on what you'll choose next, yet gambling on how you'll do next in a way.

The way simple obstacles and challenges unfold into the deciding factor of things is a powerful feeling that's rare to come by in a level, giving you take multiple ways to look at it. Perhaps you're trying to go for the high score, and feel like risking it all, placing it all on the table, with just four lives. Or maybe you don't care as much, but still want to get a relatively good score and go with double-life most of the time like I did, besides the swinging challenges, where I just went ahead with infinite lives, until being able to fully understand, and then even get good at timing them right.

The slight tilting of the picture frames, the ripped strings and watching as your body flies upward to another challenge sometimes, thanks to the master himself I presume, gives more the creepy edge this level never lets go of in the level. I like how you utilized every part of this mansion by the way, showing as you progressed through a challenge in a hallway, then above this area, and then below both of them. The following is just a real minor complaint, but maybe throw in a little lighting near the grabbable area you have to drop down to to land in the front layer, in the picture below? It was just a little difficult for me to see at first, although that could just be me. (Might be hard to see at first, but in the picture, my sackperson is grabbing on in the back layer, just to show you the area. It's fully clear to me now, just wasn't at first, that's all, and it's entirely up to you if you wanna do something or not. Like I said, real minor.)

http://i2.lbp.me/img/ft/09226751d0897d4b1bfcaabf5ac5b6552909b9e0.jpg

Unfortunately, I stopped at the swinging challenge after that. Yeah, I got the infinite life, but I kept dying over and over until I didn't have enough points to even buy a normal checkpoint, if I were to pass it. (Not that that's a complaint exactly. I probably just really bombed at it, although I'd love to see you try it. I just know you rigged it to be impossible for me and everyone else, and I bet there's some secret button beneath the floorboards, isn't there? jk)

TL;DR...

Pros
-------
1. Gorgeous visuals, lighting, decos, and story objects
2. The puppet master is amazingly creepy, and has some awesome dialogue, as he can be a pretty cool dude, reaching you to new heights, and even following along with you at the start of things.
3. The use of checkpoints and points is awesome, creating a system both simple yet complicated in a sense. If you really get deep into thought about wanting to get as high as you can on the scoreboards, yet think about the risks of having too little lives, it can really get you thinking.
4. Great variety of challenges all around eachother, (with little peeks at future ones too!) that ties in nicely with the checkpoint point system, bringing out your worst nightmares, and for me, it was the swinging parts.

Cons
----------
0. A what now?!

Awesome level, it was truly a pleasure playing this work of art. I'll definitely make sure to return to it, and if I'm able to get any further, I'll make sure to add more to this review, but I hope what has been written down so far has been helpful feedback. 		2012-07-02 23:54:00

Author:
Dragonvarsity
Posts: 5208

Yah, the checkpoint idea is cool, but it would be good to have an option for a 'fly over' to see what you have to get past until the next checkpoint option. It's sort of tricky to guess what to use without knowing what is coming up.2012-07-03 11:32:00

Author:
Mr_Fusion
Posts: 1799

I like the purple theme, colour themes are always a great idea.2012-07-03 15:11:00

Author:
Ironface
Posts: 432

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

@Dragonvarsity - Thank you so much man! Realy appreciate everything. I will be sure to gat some more light on the sponge that you said wasn't too clear on the first playthrough, and will also tweek some of the rollers that you (and others) are having trouble with.

@Mr_Fusion - I will try and add the camera to show what's up ahead, kinda makes sence and not sure why I didn't think to add that in the first place lol. It will defo be in part 2 as well as other creepy characters 		2012-07-03 16:36:00

Author:
tom230889
Posts: 117

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

@Dragonvarsity - Thank you so much man! Realy appreciate everything. I will be sure to gat some more light on the sponge that you said wasn't too clear on the first playthrough, and will also tweek some of the rollers that you (and others) are having trouble with.

@Mr_Fusion - I will try and add the camera to show what's up ahead, kinda makes sence and not sure why I didn't think to add that in the first place lol. It will defo be in part 2 as well as other creepy characters

Not a problem, reviewing levels the way I do can be a lot of fun. You get to choose which ones you review, you get to play the awesome levels, and then you get to rant about 'em all day, and then get showered with thanks.

But in all seriousness, no need to thank me, it was a joy to play, and the way you had to decide, and playing through the challenges, the environment, oh it was just wonderful! Thanks for taking my points into consideration, and even though I wasn't trying to complain too much about the rollers, it does mean a lot for you to decide to tweak them. I'll be happy to play the rest once that update comes out, and tell you what I think about the remaining sections of the level by the way.		2012-07-03 17:34:00

Author:
Dragonvarsity
Posts: 5208


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