Archive: 16 posts

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The Banana Horde is already out since some time. It was my first level and I started it when I was in the beta for the game. However, having feedback on our levels still is hard and I would like to improve this level if possible down the road. I would like feedback on the level, what you think was good, what you think wasn't really good. I also want to know if people would like the have a second playthrough "race mode" like you have in the Metal Gear Solid pack levels. I thought this feature was awesome and I said to myself that it might add some nice replay value to our levels. Some points of interests about the level: - If you like momemtum based jumps (hardest type of gameplay for the regular LBP player it seems) there's a part based on that type of jumps. It can also make you better at that type of jumps, who knows. - Digging gameplay. (this inspired the second level I made - thread coming... ) - There's custom ennemis that aren't made from the story mode's own. There's also a boss. - If you like secrets like me you shall be pleased. Also, just to give you an idea about the potential score you can achieve, it's possible to go over 20k and actually beat my current position in the leaderboard (first). Screenies: http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/BananaHordeV15-1.png http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/BananaHordeV15-2.png http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq262/RangerX_photos/BananaHordeV15-3.png I made a video of the level (showing the main path but not alternates or secrets): YouTube - The Banana Horde v.1.5 (Main Path) .

2009-01-17 06:58:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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I liked this level. The look of this level is very pleasant and peaceful. I do question what is up with the bees that drop electric... eggs? The platforming in the section on the clouds is a bit tricky. The first spring would often send me straight into the cloud above (making me lose my momentum and fall back down). Maybe that cloud should be moved to the right a bit so it's out of the way. Also, that last spring that sends you to the next area should probably be set to one shot instead of just on. If you fall back down, the spring is already sticking out, so you have to get in front of it to go back in, and then you can use it again. Just seems a bit awkward. The part after that... I didn't actually try it, but it looks like that apple you need to reach the next ledge could just be pushed off the cliff if you're not careful. This would effectively force the player to have to restart. Might wanna trap the apple in that area so the player can't lose it. The enemies present here seem to all attack only on one layer. You can basically ignore most of them by staying on another layer. Once in the cave, the fire on the floor is rather hard to see with the normal camera angle. Also, it's rather difficult to escape the rolling thing (I didn't succeed once). I liked the part with the "vehicle". It seemed very wobbly though. It might work better if it were done using a piston to move left and right. The digging section was kinda neat too. The boss is rather annoying, since it keeps throwing the electrified bananas (wait... what?) onto the spring you need to use to reach the top brain. Other than that though, I have to say that it isn't much of a boss. Also, it might work better if the music didn't return to the other music when you die there. It's my general opinion that the "boss music" should keep playing as soon as you see it, and until it's dead. It kind of interrupts the feeling. Not bad for a first level. I liked the design of the various objects. Keep it up and such.

2009-01-18 02:57:00 Author: gameguy888 Posts: 159

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I liked this level. The look of this level is very pleasant and peaceful. I do question what is up with the bees that drop electric... eggs? Well, lol. I didn't have any effective way to make darts so I didn't questioned my imagination much and been going for eggs... The platforming in the section on the clouds is a bit tricky. The first spring would often send me straight into the cloud above (making me lose my momentum and fall back down). Maybe that cloud should be moved to the right a bit so it's out of the way. I'm having a hard time making people understand this one. It would need some arrow on it or something. Notice that this platform is the largest of all my yellow platform and that the camera shows you that you need to jump diagonally. In fact, I know, it doesn't seem to be clear enough so if you didn't notice it's not a problem. You need to run and jump on that platform. If you only jump you will not have enough lateral momentum and will crash yourself on the cloud. This jump seems to be hard for people because it makes use of both vertical and horizontal momentum... Also, that last spring that sends you to the next area should probably be set to one shot instead of just on. If you fall back down, the spring is already sticking out, so you have to get in front of it to go back in, and then you can use it again. Just seems a bit awkward. I've never been pleased with that either. You idea there is REALLY interesting. I'm gonna do some testing with one shot as you say. It might finally be the solution! The part after that... I didn't actually try it, but it looks like that apple you need to reach the next ledge could just be pushed off the cliff if you're not careful. This would effectively force the player to have to restart. Might wanna trap the apple in that area so the player can't lose it. Don't worry, the apple respawns if you throw it down the cliff. The enemies present here seem to all attack only on one layer. You can basically ignore most of them by staying on another layer. Intended. I didn't want the level to be hard actually (even if I failed in that regards it seems lol) Once in the cave, the fire on the floor is rather hard to see with the normal camera angle. Also, it's rather difficult to escape the rolling thing (I didn't succeed once). Actually there's a little observation trick there. On the wall you can see wich layer is occupied by fire or not. Kinda like it was drawn in the rock wall. I realised down the road that most people don't get it. Oh well... I liked the part with the "vehicle". It seemed very wobbly though. It might work better if it were done using a piston to move left and right. The digging section was kinda neat too. Cool. Also, it might work better if the music didn't return to the other music when you die there. It's my general opinion that the "boss music" should keep playing as soon as you see it, and until it's dead. It kind of interrupts the feeling. This is another excellent idea that I will look into. I appreciate your feedback. .

2009-01-18 05:52:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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I was gonna say that I had seen the digging section in a two player game that I had seen before, but then soon realized that it was you who had made that as well. - I didn't have the problem that the previous commenter had with the diagonal jump section. I think the camera angle along with the piston moving in a diagonal direction gives a pretty good indication that you need to go diagonally. - Although I do agree that the final one that pushes you over to the apple is set up strangely. They that they suggested to fix it may work, but if I were to do it, I would just use a motion sensor switch and set it to directional. So when you get close to it it goes out, and when you get hit away it goes back in. I think that would work, I have never used 1shot before but that way might work just as well if not better. - Oh, and I was typing this out while playing the level and I pushed the apple of to test it and it did indeed respawn, however when I went back to play again after typing for a bit the apple was gone and I had to start over. So it seems that you have it set to emit at least one new on or something but it must not last for that long. Not that it's very likely that someone will just sit there like I did and then have it disappear on them. Just saying it is a possibility. - After going back and playing again after reading about the clue about the fire on the wall it seems so obvious once you know it's there and what it is ... but I didn't notice it at all the first time. It's totally up to you on how subtle you want the clue to be. Anyway, other than what the previous poster suggested I don't have many complaints it's a really polished level that I enjoyed playing. Oh, and I really did enjoy the secrets in the level as well, my favorite (that I found) was the camera clue in the cloud section .... really liked that one. 5 star from me, really one of the better levels I have played.

2009-01-18 07:51:00 Author: Coreymill Posts: 85

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- Oh, and I was typing this out while playing the level and I pushed the apple of to test it and it did indeed respawn, however when I went back to play again after typing for a bit the apple was gone and I had to start over. So it seems that you have it set to emit at least one new on or something but it must not last for that long. Not that it's very likely that someone will just sit there like I did and then have it disappear on them. Just saying it is a possibility. I'm super happy you appreciated the level this much! I wonder if I could do so another Apple spawns once the lifetime of the first one is done. The problem is that, If I remember right, setting "emitted at once" to 1 will have the object respawned anyways if nothing blocks the spawn zone. Another problem could be that the spawner is activated from the magnetic switch that triggers the respawn when the Apple fall of the cliff. It's cool you point this out because this will also make me do some testing again. I'd like the Apple gameplay to be perfect

2009-01-19 06:27:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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Hi RangerZero, I finally found the time to play your level the last night and to re-play it this morning. But I can't reach the scoreboard yet! However, I loved your level and it full custom centent! Here some of my thoughts: PROS: - I loved your bees! The design is good and the danger too! I also liked your trees and your clouds (great great use of dark matter here!) - Your monkey with electrified banana's is a good element of the level. -I loved the cavern section with the giant wheel. It is here challenging (ouch to ace it!!!) but i loved it. - Your "grab and score" idea is great. The clue idea too. - I loved the moving engine idea...but i died her twice.... Suggests: - Ok my main concern was this engine section. It is a good idea, but unfortunately i died two times here. Actually, when riding the engine there is a passage where the gaz is moving up and down. I not used to drive such engines in my real live, and the two times i died on the gaz when my checkpoint was under the gas. Respawn...re-die immediately....respawn....re-died immediately....Start again. -Your cloud section is beautiful but i found the gameplay frustrating here. It take me 10 minutes to progress in this section. Two main problems i saw: i) your yellow diagonal springboard is very hard to tame. The only correct way i have found is to jump from the right on the platform when it was down. I was trying for the left first (and a long time)...uselessly. And when i was jumping from the right, i initially was blocked by the cloud above. You could add here an intermediate cloud to helmp the player here. I finally pass this section and...ii) i had some troubles with your horizontal springboard. I was trying to grab it initially and falled downstream (oh no! the diagonal one again...). I finnaly understood that grabing it was nefast. I suggest here to change the matter of this last springboard. Ok for this long suggest about cloud section, i must admit that my skills in LBP as a player are limited, and that it could be my fault. I rated the level 4 stars, because i unfortunately can't finish it. I keep an eye on this thread and will replay the level later if you add some modifications

2009-01-22 12:16:00 Author: Takelow Posts: 1355

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Your post just appeared under my eyes! Tks for the feedback, it's appreciated. I wanted to say that if you don't want to crash yourself in the could on that large yellow platform, you need lateral momentum as well as vertical. (It's a pain for most players it seems, don't worry) Grab the platform on the middle or a little on the right. Feel the beat from its movement. Start running and jump while its still going upward. If you do it right it will launch yourself so much that you can land on the top of the next yellow platform (the one its intended you grab under it). I suggest you give it a try again and since you know what's going on with the lift now, you will not crash yourself in the gaz and will see a gameplay part that I like in the last section .

2009-01-22 12:24:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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Hi again Ranger Zero... I seem to be following you around recently xP So, after playing your dig it level, my wife and I loaded up the banana hoard and gave it a shot. Overall, we both liked it (I especially liked the clumps of bananas at the end! ) In general it was a very fun level. The theme was creative and the level was colorful. A few things I'd recommend would be to make it so that you can't just walk behind the things the bee emits, it takes away a lot of the challenge when you can just do that. I know you made the cloud part specifically for the big jumps, but when it comes to multiple players, it's very hard to keep both people on the screen at once in that section. (especially if a player falls off... which isn't uncommon.) As for the rest of the level, it was cool, the trap just after you fall into the rock section was great, and nice work with the materials in the back. ^^ The big moving thingy that the monkey refuses to tell you how to drive and then tells you how to drive it was a bit clunky, but it was a fun section. The last boss was a bit frustrating, if the bananas were made out of fire instead of electricity, it would have been a bit nicer. However only having 2 brains on the boss made that also a bit more forgivable. Overall I'd give the level a 3.5/5 Good gameplay, pretty visuals, awesome bananas! Frustrating multiplayer aspects, and the clouds were rather frustrating. All things to keep in mind for the future, and certainly easily remedied. Keep up the creative work!

2009-01-25 01:04:00 Author: Inspectigater Posts: 126

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I think I have a personal problem about how LBP is designed. It's like a game where you really want to play multiplayer and at the same time I think the design of the game prevents some solid multiplayer times to happen (unless you play really simple levels). It's very hard to make anything truly compelling for 2 players or more. No wonder why there's only certain parts of the story mode that are for more than one player and of course they are bonus room. It simply is because the game kinda is best played single player for the most part. I designed The Banana Horde with single player in mind. I think it's possible to go there with more than one player but you might see outside the level, have a harder time with jumps, etc. I simply warned in the description that it's a single player level since I didn't have much "fix" for the problem you can encounter in multi without having to redesign the whole thing. After that I made Dig It! because I was like "why isn't there much REALLY compelling 2 players levels?". Then here again, in order to not cheap the 2 players experience I sacrified the level being playable alone. Of course it didn't please some people. They want to play 2 players in my single player levle and they want to play single player in my multiplayer level. Who can blame them after all? tks for your feedback, this always get you people some reputation from me .

2009-01-25 06:35:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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I designed The Banana Horde with single player in mind. I think it's possible to go there with more than one player but you might see outside the level, have a harder time with jumps, etc. I simply warned in the description that it's a single player level since I didn't have much "fix" for the problem you can encounter in multi without having to redesign the whole thing. I guess I missed that part of the description. Eitherway, still a fun level. : )

2009-01-25 14:05:00 Author: Inspectigater Posts: 126

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Oh yessssss i'm finally starting to capture with new hardware! I made a movie of the level but without showing the alternate paths and the secrets. Look in HD instead of the embedded here for more awesome. YouTube - The Banana Horde v.1.5 (Main Path) .

2009-03-11 07:44:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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Your new hardware makes your youtube look fantastic Ranger and so does the Banana Horde!

2009-03-11 07:47:00 Author: Jaeyden Posts: 564

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Update 1.6 -I improved the yellow platforms (tks to CCubbage for a little trick!) -I made the diagonal jump easier to pull off (in yellow platforms section) -Hazard warning in the lift section (limiting possible frustrating death I guess) -Made the leaderboard more beautiful (it was plain before...) -Move some arrow signs so they are spotted more easily -Added little alternate paths and bubbles. (you now can improve your score quite a bit) .

2009-03-25 01:58:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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Update 1.7 ! -It's darker when you enter the caves. -Enhanced lighting in the caves so it looks better. -Placed a camera at some secret's exit in order to prevent cheap deaths. -Improved the bubble placement in the caves. You can now score quite a bit more! I never got THAT much feedback on that level. Don't be shy. It's the first level I made but I think it still is worth playing and there's a certain charm to it. I made it easier but it still gives a good challenge. .

2009-04-24 05:17:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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I played this on friday, must say it does have a certain appeal to it, though the horizontal banana platform was very frustrating. It is timed perfectly so that it launches you against the cloud and you fall down and it launches you again. This makes it impossible to run along without grabbing, and this killed me twice while I was trying to acend the clouds. Apart from that, a good level, though the boss was a bit easy.

2009-04-27 07:48:00 Author: Cpt_Sainsburys Posts: 187

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I played this on friday, must say it does have a certain appeal to it, though the horizontal banana platform was very frustrating. It is timed perfectly so that it launches you against the cloud and you fall down and it launches you again. This makes it impossible to run along without grabbing, and this killed me twice while I was trying to acend the clouds. Apart from that, a good level, though the boss was a bit easy. The trick for the horizontal banana platform is to have lateral momentum. You need to make "momemtum run jump" on it. That's why I made it longer and a bit diagonal. It totally launches you at the right place when you jump like it should. .

2009-04-27 23:59:00 Author: RangerZero Posts: 3901

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