Level Design Contest #33 - Playing Phase (Discussion Topic)

[JawaJuice]

I was wondering where you'd gone, Crane

You're gonna hate me for this, but I think I might have backrouted Lemming Ledger again, because this time I have miner to spare at the end. I keep thinking I've run out of ideas, but then something else occurs to me. You'd think by the law of probabilities, I would have stumbled onto the intended solution by now, but no

With Reverse the Polarity, you've done a good job of patching it so I'm not sure I can backroute it any more I feel like I'm close with my previous solution, but there must be some key element of the puzzle I'm missing. Frustratingly, my previous solution is so close to working, except for the fact the second blocker pick up occurs literally a couple of frames too late, so that the blocker under the hatch is ever so slightly off where he needs to be for a faller from the hatch to dig him out and release him. It feels like you got rid of the the floater pick up because this final digger would land safely on the extended platform. But even if I could pull this off, I'd still have a miner I didn't have any use for, much like the previous level! Argghh! You're a devious one, Crane

[JawaJuice]

Spoke too soon. My apologies - this one is egregious!

[IchoTolot]

As things solwed down a bit, I will try and go through the entries next weekend or so. 

[IchoTolot]

Here is my first batch of solutions! 

I saved a builder on Armani's R2 and I most likely backrouted Crane's R3.

The rest looks intended to me at first glance. 

[kaywhyn]

@Icho

All solutions to my levels are intended! Well done!

[Armani]

@IchoTolot
Your solutions to R1 & R3 are intended   
R2 could use an update though..

[JawaJuice]

Yo, Armani! Your update breaks my previous replay ;-) You must have missed it, but I guess that means I backrouted it after all. I'll take another look at it!

[JawaJuice]

@Armani

My solution to your updated R2.

Spoiler

I guess you're trying to force the player to use both exits, rather than just one?

[Armani]

@JawaJuice

I didn't notice that you had posted your solution for my r2, sorry!

Spoiler

Unfortunately your solution is a backroute. You're right that I'm trying to force the player to use both exits though. It's required by the rule! 

[JawaJuice]

Man, you've really stumped me with this update

Spoiler

I've noticed that you can shimmy into the portal on the left side, which seems like it should be part of the solution. Assuming my last attempt had the wrong idea of digging through the splat zone to enable the top lemming to fall safely through (because then both lemmings end up on the bottom, and after your last fix, that's game over), then it must be about using the builders to build a splatform for the top lemming. My idea was to have a lemming building to the left underneath the drop point where the button is, while the other lemming digs down to the bottom, underneath the bridge. The builder would then go back to the portal (using another shimmier to get on top of the platform to the portal then a second shimmier to enter the portal. He then lasers his way through to the button and the bridge he's built safely catches him and he walks to the right, over the hole made by the digger. Meanwhile, the lemming on the bottom uses a shimmier to cross the gap, lasers up to the left, so the top lemming walk down the lasered path and use the final shimmier to reach the last button and that exit. However, all this is scuppered by the fact that the builder dies in the splat zone when he's finished building up three bridges and I just can't see a way around this! It HAS to be 3 bridges high otherwise it won't prevent the splat. Argggh! This is definitely harder than your other two levels in this contest. I feel like I must be close to the solution here but I can't see a way to build the splatform and have the builder survive!

[Armani]

@JawaJuice

However, all this is scuppered by the fact that the builder dies in the splat zone when he's finished building up three bridges and I just can't see a way around this! It HAS to be 3 bridges high otherwise it won't prevent the splat.

Actually you provided the correct explanation of IchoTolot's backroute for the level which I initially overlooked.


There's a hint I posted in my response to Crane which I'll repeat here:

Spoiler

First, the two workers must meet on the lower floor and build a bridge together. After that, one of them should go back upstairs to complete his own task.

+
additional hints

Spoiler

Digging through the splat zone to allow the top lemming to fall safely is actually necessary. However, the lemming who digs through the thin floor must not end up on the bottom level, which means you have to prevent him from falling by assigning a builder. But how does he survive the fall after he finishes building? That's where the bridge that the two workers build together comes into play.

[IchoTolot]

My resolve for Armani's R2. This time no skill left over. 

[JawaJuice]

Actually you provided the correct explanation of IchoTolot's backroute for the level which I initially overlooked.

Spoiler

Digging through the splat zone to allow the top lemming to fall safely is actually necessary. However, the lemming who digs through the thin floor must not end up on the bottom level, which means you have to prevent him from falling by assigning a builder. But how does he survive the fall after he finishes building? That's where the bridge that the two workers build together comes into play.

In response to your second hint...

Spoiler

Ha! Making the digger build was actually the first thing I thought of! But I couldn't see a way to stop him splatting after he had I'll look at it again, knowing that I was on the right path now. Beast of a level compared with the other two, Armani, at least for me!

[JawaJuice]

OK, got it, you madman!

[Armani]

@IchoTolot @JawaJuice
You both found the intended solution! Well done