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Metal Gear Karas by graygoose

Archive: 37 posts

I reviewed this level for graygoose, and I'm glad I did. It's fun, varied, and makes great use of the paintinator. It looks great, uses music well, and has the odd bit of humour thrown in too.

PSN: graygoose
Level: Metal Gear Karas

JUST TO HELP PEOPLE OUT THE LEVEL IS LOCATED IN THE ANTARCTIC with a Red Crow for an Icon.

Pics below.		2009-02-20 12:01:00

Author:
dawesbr
Posts: 3280

thanks dawesbr, ive got some pics.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/gray0goose/stuff/enteringlevel.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/gray0goose/stuff/buwahahaha.jpg

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o102/gray0goose/stuff/levelparts.jpg

and yes your suggestions were taken into consideration. Karas' function is now covered. and 2 switches has been flipped. the bouncers will have to stay tho (they are a part of the MGS 4 so they actually fit the level).

thanks again for the review and for this recommendation.		2009-02-20 19:19:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

yes, i've said this before in other threads, but this is a really good level. I'm not a MGS fan at all, but as far as MGS levels go, this one is probably one of the best I've played (I'm a girl, so please don't crucify me for not being a fan of MGS)2009-02-20 19:27:00

Author:
xkappax
Posts: 2569

lol thanks kappa, and my apologies girl, i think ive called you a him and his before. :blush:2009-02-20 19:41:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

lol. that's all right... I call most people on gaming forums "him" too... I was very surprised to find out that that jakisthe person on gamefaqs was a girl, and so was cybermonkey!

I'm not the girliest of girls, but I really don't go for war/mgs sorts of levels, so when one impresses me, chances are that it's actually a good level. Yours impressed me, and so did robotic automatic. So, there you have it! ^_^		2009-02-20 19:44:00

Author:
xkappax
Posts: 2569

EEEEEEEEK! A GIRL!

Seriously though, Im going to play this right now!		2009-02-20 21:02:00

Author:
DRT99
Posts: 431

i don't have cooties. i got vaccinated when I was 12.2009-02-21 05:10:00

Author:
xkappax
Posts: 2569

Ninja recommended this level to me a few days ago, and I played it and gotta say this level is both fun and challenging.

The gameplay is surprisingly refreshing in a sea of cookie cutter MGS shooters saturated with story mode turrets and VR material. I really liked the layout and was impressed with how much level there is. This one is looong, and players should appreciate the "continue" version of the level offered about midway through. Goose's final boss is an excellent effort... well balanced in difficulty and mechanically interesting and will show you just how big plasma balls can be.

I did have one small issue with this level, which I even discussed briefly with graygoose. All of the air ducts are grabbable (made from styro IIRC) however they are covered with thin-layer metal material. I got stuck and frustrated during my first couple of playthroughs in one section where I was supposed to grab an airduct that didn't look grabbable because of this. A few things aren't exactly intuitive and should be accompanied with explicit instruction.

On a related note, there is a fair amount of shimmying required in this level. Novice players may have a hard time passing the level because of it, but experienced players will have no problems.

All in all, Metal Gear Karas is a fun shooter that will keep you challenged for a good half hour. The MGS theme isn't strongly emphasized, and it plays as more of a generic shooter beyond the numerous air ducts, a few dwarf gekko, and metal gear boss. Definitely looking forward to more.		2009-02-21 06:28:00

Author:
Thegide
Posts: 1465

kappa

lol cooties!! also cybermonkey is a girl too? cant you girls name yourselves girly names? like cutevelvet or princess_peach? hahahah dont take my ranting seriously...

but thanks for liking my level even tho your not into MGS or War themed levels... that says alot that my level is really good.

The Gide

im not sure if youve seen it, but the continuation level has been replaced with SUPER EASY MODE Continuation... the pistons the lowers the vent has been slowed drastically, giving you more time, also the jumps on the moving platform, now has grabable vents above, and 3 double life checkpoints into the last obstacle before reachiong Karas was added.

so now novice players will actually get to see the end of the level and fight my all mighty Karas kun.		2009-02-21 06:38:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

Just so he doesn't have to say it, it's Thegide, there is no "The Gide" It's a random name, I think he said it was supposed to be pronounced "Theh-geed"

Anyway, super easy level? Sounds like the thing for me! (jk)		2009-02-21 11:13:00

Author:
dawesbr
Posts: 3280

ahh... gotcha! didnt want TheGide to correct me, but seriously dude^^^, plenty of LBP players out there would get really frustrated even with my easy mode..

so now Super Duper Easy Mode is available ("DUPER" i should add that) does that makes you wonder what my Medium Difficulty used to be? HA!!! 10 out of my 1st 200 plays were probably the only ones who managed to beat it. the checkpoints were rare ad distanced far apart, jumps were, required skill also the vent the drops down used to be even faster and lowers down lower.... lol searchlights... ha i could keep going.

good thing ive managed to make it more user friendly and still give it some good challenge.		2009-02-21 19:20:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

No caps on the G! It's all one word!2009-02-21 19:40:00

Author:
dawesbr
Posts: 3280

I searched for the level, couldn't find it' ill just search for graygoose next time
@dawesbr: poor Thegide, he's got alot of people mutilating his name doesn't he?
@kappa: I wasn't scared of you because you're a girl, it was... ermm... the thing behind you... yeah! thats it!		2009-02-22 02:29:00

Author:
DRT99
Posts: 431

I had that as well, DRT99, I had to go through around 3 pages before I found it. Worth it, though.2009-02-22 08:25:00

Author:
dawesbr
Posts: 3280

Ok, so I just finished my metal gear level tonight. I've been working on it since November.

Guys, if you enjoyed this level and have some free time to playtest, I'm hosting a closed beta that you won't want to miss.

See this (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=p=137254#post137254) thread. Thanks.		2009-02-22 09:24:00

Author:
Thegide
Posts: 1465

alright Thegideill test your level tomorrow or should i say 7 hrs later... (just got back from a long trip and i really tired gotta sleep)

JUST TO HELP PEOPLE OUT THE LEVEL IS LOCATED IN THE ANTARCTIC with a Red Crow for an Icon.		2009-02-22 09:43:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

I love this level! Wish I archived my reviews from gamefaqs, basically this got a 9.4 ish review out of 10 - and is one of my favs.2009-02-27 06:16:00

Author:
LuckyShot
Posts: 713

thanks dude i actually have yours and everybody else's review in it... all 8 of em.2009-02-27 06:40:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

Very cool, but unfortunately I couldn't get past the electrified cog wheels following the researchers. I don't understand, I usually don't have a problem with grab-swinging, but for some reason I just couldn't hang on. Is there a trick to it?2009-03-05 19:49:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284

Very cool, but unfortunately I couldn't get past the electrified cog wheels following the researchers. I don't understand, I usually don't have a problem with grab-swinging, but for some reason I just couldn't hang on. Is there a trick to it?


in between the electrical gears, there is enough space for a sackboy to fit in without getting electicuted. so when it comes down, just position your self in between the gears and stop moving, then you would be fine.

once it goes up again, keep moving until you reach the platform. 		2009-03-05 20:00:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

I figured that's what I had to do, but I couldn't even swing more than two times before dropping, and I let go of R1 for just a tiny amount of time. Maybe the controller's a bit empty... or my reflexes.

Oh well, I got it hearted, I can retry some other time. 		2009-03-05 20:09:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284

just a suggestion on swinging. hold down the R1 button, pay attention to your sackboy's body, when its swinging forward, that is the moment to release your R1 button... once released. press and hold until you see your sackboy's body swinging forward again.

with practice you can even do this without releasing your joystick, press forward and hold your joystick, then tap your R1 button as you move along, while still paying attention to our sackboy's body.

if you still cant get it...

the other way to this obstacle is to jump on the lowering platform itself (where the prize bubbles are seated), you are to place your self in the back plane and jump when the platform is in its lowest point. its not meant to be like that, but i decided to leave it alone in case some people cant go through it.

on another note, i suggest practicing on create mode. just get a straight grabable material, put it above ground and do the instructions ive provided. goodluck! 		2009-03-05 20:40:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

This is a very good level. The theme is perfect, the level plays very good and smooth in general. I only played once and without any glitch like i read somewhere.

Highlights:


What makes this level a bit odd is the level of difficulty at some points throughout the level, hard enough to make any casual gamer quit the level (take the race as a good example)). Thou the creator helps by placing multiple checkpoints at some difficult spots, the obstacle becomes annoying very easily.

There were some soldiers scatter throughout the level that will shoot straight for almost a minute avoiding you from making a move.(or maybe i was sleepy and wanted to get over with it)

Is not a huge level but it will take you some time IF you insist on completing the level.

The Boss: Is a good Boss, one of the best i seen, too bad most people wont get to see it. Very Dynamic, it felt real and cool. It had a few lovely stages which i love.(We are seen o lot more interesting BOSS since LBP's ray appeared)


In short, making a challenging level is more difficult then it seems. Is very Hard to keep a balance between challenging and interesting. On this level the line between challenging and hard is blurred-out (I know this from personal experience with my levels). How?

The levels stars interesting and intriguing, you go deeper into the level and starting to like it, and all the sudden you get to this annoying spot that gives you a feeling of quiting the level.
Some annoying spots:
The first electric Steps, The Race: the spot on were you have to jump a electric wheel from a moving platform to another, and a few other spots on the race.

If you guys saw this boss and liked it as i did, Checkout my level "The Little Big Planets" and select the HARD mode(planet) and try my boss with multiple stages, and tell me what you think...		2009-03-24 06:41:00

Author:
SnakeED
Posts: 25

thanks for the feedback snakeED, about the annoying spots, perhaps i can do some adjustments to what you have pointed out especially the jumping from a moving platform over the electric gear, also the fist stairs section would probably get tweaked aswell.

im glad that you find the boss Metal Gear Karas to your liking, it took me some time to make a 4 stage boss that would sorta transform like that.

thanks again for the feedback. 		2009-03-24 12:16:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

Hey Graygoose! Had no idea you were on lbp central! (It's *cough* me. Y'know... the crazy guy off PSN...) I was privaledged to have played your level when it was first made, and agree with everyone else that it's great!2009-03-26 20:06:00

Author:
Avatar_of_Chaos
Posts: 48

Just finished playing. Dope level man, I loved the challenge and the epic feel of the boss. Great stuff indeed.2009-03-28 18:35:00

Author:
tyboogie
Posts: 96

Hey Graygoose! Had no idea you were on lbp central! (It's *cough* me. Y'know... the crazy guy off PSN...) I was privaledged to have played your level when it was first made, and agree with everyone else that it's great!

LOL im surprised to see you here too man im glad tho. lol im glad you felt good about playing my level in its raw challenging days, but judging with your own created levels i dont think you had too much problem with it since were both like the difficult ones.

its a whole new level now tho and its been dumbed down alot, but even still, theres so many that finds it very challenging.


Just finished playing. Dope level man, I loved the challenge and the epic feel of the boss. Great stuff indeed.

im glad you liked it man... watch out for my story driven level coming out in about a week or so.		2009-04-04 22:17:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

Hey, I'm agreeing with everyone that this level is awesome, although I did manage to break your karas:

When it starts firing missiles at you, I managed to hit one of the mit the paintenator just as it was emmitted, it blew up and (i'm guessing) took out explosives hidden inside the metal gear! After this it just sat there swaying! Thought you might wanna know!		2009-04-12 14:07:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Hey, I'm agreeing with everyone that this level is awesome, although I did manage to break your karas:

When it starts firing missiles at you, I managed to hit one of the mit the paintenator just as it was emmitted, it blew up and (i'm guessing) took out explosives hidden inside the metal gear! After this it just sat there swaying! Thought you might wanna know!

I already know about that issue, thus i even mentioned in game "To be able to defeat the pilot, you have to shoot from the middle plane. Do Not Shoot The rockets or the level will brake"


Currently the level is at its 99.99% full on its Thermo and as far as changing the gameplay for the boss would mean alot of redesigning.

IMO the level really works great except for that risky bug in the boss fight.

All i can do is warn players about it and all they have to do is follow instructions.

I suggest playing through the published Boss Rush if you just wanna finish it. (you havent even seen Metal Gear Karas' Ultimate form its really cool)

Thanks for playing.

EDIT

Ive added a warning dialogue before entering the boss fight.. this should let the the player know to pay attention to the in game boss battle instructions.		2009-04-14 06:51:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

:blush: Apparently I didn't read the instructions - doesn't it suck when you go to all that effort then some dumb user like me doesn't pay attention!? :blush:

Anyway, I'm gonna give it another go when I get in this evening anyway as the rest of the level was really enjoyable.		2009-04-14 09:52:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

^^^ Its no problem at all rtm223 you actually helped me out in a way, because i can never tell what people do or do not do in playing my levels. What you did, gave me information that there's still risks of my level breaking when players choose not to read the dialogue (especially for an important one)

FYI i had to take out one double life checkpoint in order to add one magic mouth, my level is really full its crazy!

By the way The Boss Rush does not have the added warning dialogue, only the original level.. Ill have to add that there.		2009-04-14 17:23:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

I played this level and hearted, mainly because, well, I don't know, it probably kicked more *** than any level I've ever played on LBP. I loved this level, I think it was introduced to me by the Goose himself...2009-04-14 21:33:00

Author:
KoRnDawwg
Posts: 1424

Sorry for bumping this thread, it was a GREAT level and Graygoose asked for F4F when my PS3 was dead, so I couldn't do F4F for a LONG time..

PROS: Great level! I enjoyed playing it and I'm glad you did F4F with this level, It was very fun! It felt like more than an LBP level, when the turrets exploded and made holes in the walls it felt like I could jump out of them. =P Amazing detail, and great decorations. I loved it! It was very creative with the stairs with electricic

CONS: During the boss, one of the enemies that it shoots out was exploded by a bomb, but not all of it. Now it was a very annoying little electrified piece of cardboard preventing me from finishing the level. Another thing is that when the boss died, the building's ceiling wobble bolt went out of control and same with the piston pushing the building base up and down. After the boss was probably the hardest part of the level.

Overall, 4/5 stars and a heart. Would have been 5/5 if after the boss was easier.		2009-05-07 02:54:00

Author:
tjb0607
Posts: 1054

WOW, I have got to play this level.2009-05-15 03:18:00

Author:
sjbluedog24
Posts: 80

Wow, this level was one of the best MGS levels I have ever played! The boss was amazing and the characters looked great. 4/5 stars and hearted.2009-05-15 03:43:00

Author:
brnxblze
Posts: 1318

LOL! I cant believe this thread is still alive! But HEY! Thanks guys! Im glad you liked it, im really proud of this level even tho i just published 2 new ones. Mainly because of my own Ultimate Metal Gear. The Metal Gear Karas...

I just remember my creation days when i made the Ultra Magnetic Karas Mode come to life OMG! Even as the creator, i was struck in awe lol!

About the Metallic Shed, it was never like that until Cornish Yarg update came out. ever since then, i noticed about a week ago my metallic shed is pocessed by an unknown force, it saying bye bye lol.

The reason behind this is because, the switches that are linked to Karas but not attached to it, disappears along when Karas dies. Its so frustrating! i dont know what to do with this bug! So thats why... Im really sad because i cant fix it, and to add to that im at 99.99% in thermo. My goodness Gracious, what a deal breaker for a level.

i lost a star out of 5 huwaaaaaa!!! huwaaaaa!

Well enough of that crying! why dont you all just try my new levels that just came out. Check my sig for info. I still have great respect for Karas but i think ive done a really good job with The Count Of St Claire Island.

Check my sig.		2009-05-20 08:39:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

well i played the island with korndawwg,
and after seeing it,
i know, this level is gonna be amazing!

(surpised i havn't played it yet 0.0)		2009-05-21 02:13:00

Author:
johnrulz77
Posts: 835


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