Lemmings Forums Level Contest #12 - Playing Phase (Discussion Topic)

[IchoTolot]

Here are my replays to the currently updated levels

I am positivly surprised on the variations of solutions to my R3 level! I could possibly even cut a builder or up the save req to save all, but I think I leave it as it is, as all solution are non trivial and simply add to the varity the level provides.
I think I will make a best-of video of all the different solutions to my R3 level near the end of the contest playing phase

I also updated my R2 level, cutting a walker and therefor making Nepster's solution the intended route (BR's was a slight backroute) as it was a minor optimasation to my solution.

[namida]

namida (click to show/hide)

You're right: this is a well-known trick for the veteran player. You hit the nail with the intended solution, despite the embarrasing backroute that Raymanni easily spotted, much to my annoyance.

As I said to Raymanni, I've only made a few original levels, so it's comprehensible they are still not very hard, since I'm still a novice . However, I think the two I sent to the contest would be interesting and tricky to solve within the old engine (DOS/Lemmix), which offers no help at all to the players.

Also, I agree with you and Raymanni about the austerity of the scenario: I'll add some more extra decoration and fix the backroute in the next version. I'm afraid I can't think of anything to improve the difficulty: at least, I hope you find some challenge on the -somewhat- not trivial moment to increase of the release rate

Don't take it too harshly. These level design contests bring out a lot of very unique and excellent levels; so how your level is seen in the context of a contest should not be taken as a sign of "maybe I'm no good at making levels". And even more so - every good level designer had to start somewhere. Certianly, some of the levels I made in the past were far worse than this one.


IchoTolot: Your new solution to The Longest Minute is another backroute (as you may have guessed, since this solution wouldn't work on the original version of the level).

[IchoTolot]

Resolved namida's level.

[namida]

Getting closer now.

I'll work on another fix tomorrow.

[Nepster]

Unfortunately all solutions to my levels have been backroutes so far . Updates are coming soon...
- Sorry for the steel at the trap in "Greeting from the Mad Architect". I will try to make it more visible in the updated version.

- @bulletride (click to show/hide)

Your solution to "Grettings from the Mad Architect" is cool, but unfortunately hasn't anything to do with the intended one. Your solution to "Dark Secret" is close, but misses the trick that triggered the composition of this level in the first place.

- @IchoTolot: Yes, no custom music for my levels. But be glad, otherwise your video would have been silenced by YouTube again.

[IchoTolot]

Nepster's levels resolved.

[bulletride]

I'm not sure if this is intended or not; or if this level might even be an open-ended one.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I was not sure if this one would be open ended or not lol. I found my way to beat it and then hoped there would be no simple path that I missed. Yours and Icho's solutions each used part of my solution plus some other tricks thrown in so I think it worked out fine as being an open ended level. The way you used that one builder to bash through 2 blocks was some unexpected (but cool) behavior for sure!

[IchoTolot]

Nepster R1 V3 resolved.

[Nepster]

@IchoTolot: You solution to "Dark Secret" is an acceptable (because non-fixable ) alternative solution, which allows for a slight variation that is far less precise. "Mad Architect" still needs some more work, as you probably could have guessed.

And I resolved the updated levels:

bulletride's "Playing With Blocks" (click to show/hide)

Not much different that the first version.

bulletride's "Frostbite" (click to show/hide)

Nothing changed, except having to be one pixel more precise.

namida's "The longest minute" (click to show/hide)

Big backroute, if I have to guess...

Raymanni's "Claustrophobic Bricks" (click to show/hide)

Pixel-hunting is always fun...

Ron_Stard's "Lover of Mine" (click to show/hide)

Pretty easy for me, but fun. Not the best-looking level in the pack.

[IchoTolot]

Nepster R1 V3 V4 resolved.

[IchoTolot]

One backrouted person had enough for today, but it seems another one still wants more backroutes

Arty R3 V2 attached.

[IchoTolot]

Arty keeps on placing pick-up-skills that you don't even need to collect

Arty R3 V3 attached.

[bulletride]

Updated replays of Claustrophobic Bricks, Dark secret, Framed with the best skills, Greetings from the mad architect, lover of mine, freedom man, and the longest minute.

[IchoTolot]

Annnnd V4

But now it's time for some sleep

[IchoTolot]

Here are the 2 updated levels + zanzindorf's new entry

The "!" on the Longest Minute is appearing and disappearing in some versions. Was there a multiple change of mind about the name?

For zanzindorf's level some additional technical feedback: It looks great, but consider sacrificing the Lemmings spawn out of the mouth effect for a proper hatch as it is not clear where they spawn really. Maybe try and animate a fish mouth hatch? Also the minimap color is missing in your tileset --- simply add a fitting color for it in the GST and the minimap (old quality) is not a black void anymore