Yep, it's that level from KIMOKAWAIII, remade from scratch and enhanced for 2.2
I don't exactly remember what or who inspired me to make this, all I remember is that one day I just went "Damn this level aged pretty bad, I really need to improve this to fit 2.2 standards", and so this began. I worked some days over the original map file, until I realized a complete remake would be the best option. Due to the pandemy and quarantine I spent most of may/june working on it most of the day. Eventually the combination of my passion for the map, unhealthy amounts of coffee with a pinch of self-loathing drove me to push everything to the limit, I didn't want ths to be just a simple port. I started to toss around a lot of ridiculous ideas for stuff to add to the map, from simple non-euclidean rooms, to multiple acts with a boss fight at the end. Eventually I realized I lack the skill and knowledge to implement some of these ideas, so I started to lose motivation on this, working less and less each day. Around July, for reasons I prefer to not talk here, I left the community, putting the last nail on the map's coffin.
Fast foward a few weeks ago I was doing a cleanup on my PC, when I found the files for the map remake. I decided to launch it on zone builder to see how much progress was made before I tossed everything to the trash. To my surprise, as a simple enhanced port it was around 80% completed. After a brief meditation I decided it was probably for the best to finish this map, after all, leaving behind all that progress I made around june would be a waste, and knowing me I probably wouldn't sleep with a clear mind until this was done. So it began again, I deleted most of the weird experiments I wanted to implement and completed what was missing.
So here it is, isn't exactly the 'full' thing I was planning back then, but I hope it delivers a nice experience for those that play this level for the first time, and a fresh one for those that played it before.
Fast foward a few weeks ago I was doing a cleanup on my PC, when I found the files for the map remake. I decided to launch it on zone builder to see how much progress was made before I tossed everything to the trash. To my surprise, as a simple enhanced port it was around 80% completed. After a brief meditation I decided it was probably for the best to finish this map, after all, leaving behind all that progress I made around june would be a waste, and knowing me I probably wouldn't sleep with a clear mind until this was done. So it began again, I deleted most of the weird experiments I wanted to implement and completed what was missing.
So here it is, isn't exactly the 'full' thing I was planning back then, but I hope it delivers a nice experience for those that play this level for the first time, and a fresh one for those that played it before.
For those that haven't played the original, the map is more or less an emerald hunt around a surreal palace. If you're a curious one you might find more than emeralds, probably leading to a different outcome...
Credits:
Sonic Team Jr. - most of the base textures, I recolored them to fit the level palette.
TelosTurntable - Her sprites.
My coffee - Keeping me motivated
Music used: DJMAX RESPECT - Miles (By Electronic Boutique)
Happy Hunting!
Supporters / Co-Authors: