well actually they could have used some of the limestone pieces to get a similar effect and it would have been great to see an arch built from pieces from the columns set...
I'm sorry if my critiquing was not up to standard...
anyway I agree, it is hard...
but lets see if i can give it another shot...
Good:
*Has a complex solution, which is not overtly obvious at the start.
*There is a definite attention to detail by the use of holes in the pillars, as well as an attempt to vary the texture of the land.
*Good use of layering (such as the exit appears to be buried in rubble as well as pillars appearing in front and behind the land to create a kind of three dimensional feel.)
*Nice use of timing in the level, however the timing is not excessively precise, which makes for a good level. It is usually a bad thing when a level has to be TOO precise, there usually should be some room for error in the level.
*Good concept for a level and good use of a theme.
*The player has to save all but one, which in my opinion is much harder (and makes for a better level than saving 100%) since the player is made to think about how and why a lemming must be killed, as opposed to a 100% level where the player automatically assumes that all lemmings must be saved.
*Good use of terrain and skills, which prompts the user to explore the level as there are enough skills to allow the player to explore all parts of the level, although both sides of the level initially appear to be possible which encourages the player to explore (instead of having one side of the level blatantly incorrect). Although the left side doesn't actually have a purpose it does make an interesting puzzle, where the player has to decide the possibility of each side being correct.
Bad:
*The gap on the far right seems suspicious and is an easy tip off that you need to build over that gap since it doesn't remain constant with the other gaps (being filled with sludge), a possible solution is removing all sludge, as it doesn't really fit well with the theme of the level. The parts that contain sludge above land could maybe be made into holes.
*Could have used the column set, this statement still stands, as it would have fitted the concept of a Roman styled level far better.
*Having a climber is not necessary; however, it is possible to achieve 100% with just slightly more effort (and the climber). This should be avoided as it is pointless make it possible to complete the level with 100% when it is only required to have 98%, an alternative to this would be to remove the climber. Having it possible to only complete with 98% would also remove possible back routes where a lemming can die somewhere else in the level.
*An extra minute is given to complete the level, the time limit should be changed to 2 minutes, and this will make the level appear more concise as well as adding the "thrill" of timing.
there.
Happy?
a 477 word "analysis on this level detailing both good and bad points.
