Just commenting...
I was really looking forward to this contest since SonicMaster pointed out that the level he sent is actually the largest level of SRB2 and it takes place in various environments. I thought at first that the level would be much better than my two favorite maps, Metal Flower and Egg Palace, both created by Someguy. Unfortunately, I don't see him around anymore... well, out with the old and in with the new.
I'll be talking about both Elemental Mansion Zone and Magma Core Zone, since I thought those really stood out in the contest. And, this will be some competition, though I don't understand why. I'll not be giving any ratings, please note that.
First things first,
Elemental Mansion. When I first played the level, just that first view I got was something much lower than I expected. I thought it would be something that looks provoking, something that will make me play the level. But, it felt too bland, even if there was a lot of detail. But, the detail was spread out too much, that caused it to look bland and empty. It doesn't matter if there are a lot of sector tags and linedef actions and effects, etc. What matters is how everything looks and operates at the end. There may be a lot more details around, but because they're so far apart, I consider those excess ones useless. The secrets too, I consider not needed, since they didn't really help me in the level at all. I was impressed to see that there was a script in there that when executed, looked as if you were talking to the player. Still though, I thought that wasn't needed.
The level wasn't cramped at all in any places and it had fine gameplay (controlling Sonic through the level), but it was boring. The level was pretty easy, and yes it looked like it took a lot of time to make, a lot of time and concentration, and kudos to you on that. But, I was mainly surprised to see that it didn't look like something I've expected. I agree with all of Mystic's comments as well. I was really looking forward to this level just after hearing you mentioning it and describing it. But, after playing it, I didn't really like it... Well, then that's my loss.
SonicMaster, please note that this was just in regards to the level, not about your attitude towards me. I didn't relate to that in the comments in any way. I was really looking forward to this level, but it turned out to be something the opposite of what I was expecting. Again, my loss.
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Now, for
Magma Core. The expectation of this level was totally the inverse of that of Elemental Mansion. What came out of it, again was totally the opposite. I'm glad that this level was made, and I was really into this level, its scenery, the perfect music, and the nice level effects. It was a great level! I had a lot of fun playing through it. I actually hoped for the level to be much longer, perhaps the length of Metal Flower Zone, since I just enjoyed the level that much. The secrets you've embedded in this level were amazing. It's mainly how those secrets were placed in the level. The interesting differences that separated the level from the secret was great, and it made me want to move forward to get there. And, the hidden Chaos Emerald, nice hiding spot.
Now, my only concerns about this level:
- 1. When I first played the level, I had no idea what to do on those platforms with vertical rings floating above them. Only after reading this topic, I've figured out what I had to do.
2. The exit area. You had to touch the center of the whole lava pit, where the End Sign is, in order to finish the level. When the lava rose, the platforms kept going up until it hit the ceiling, simultaneously killing the player. If the exit sector was increased, perhaps the entire area where those floating, bobbing platforms are, then that would prevent an unnecessary death. But, that's just my opinion.
If I were going to score, obviously based on the comments, Magma Core would get a higher score than Elemental Mansion. Don't ask why I didn't rate. My answer would obviously be, "I chose not to." In general, I just gave feedback. Because I didn't vote (in this case, giving a rating/score of 0-10), the rules for voting are discarded from my post.
Well yeah, I never give a response to contest threads, but because I was into this (reasons: see first paragraph), I just wanted to post.