Level Review Topic

[namida]

I was trying one of the challenges when I discovered that (I think it was the single lemming one). Before that, I thought the same thing.

[Proxima]

I knew about the drop from the first time I played that level

But now, it's time for my favourite level of all!

Mayhem 13 - The Great Lemming Caper


2 lemmings
Save 100%
Release rate 50
5 minutes

1 climber, 1 floater, 2 bombers, 2 blockers, 2 builders, 10 bashers, 10 miners, 10 diggers

Good: Has the most beautiful solution of any level in the game -- and you have to love the efficiency involved in making such a good puzzle with only two lemmings.
Bad: Too many backroutes. The single-lemming backroute doesn't detract from the level too much (and it inspired an interesting challenge!) but they could so easily have cut out the other backroute by removing the blockers.

[Minim]

DOS - Mayhem 14 - Pea Soup


Lemmings: 80
Save 93% (75)
Release rate: 70
Time: 5 minutes

10 bombers, 10 blockers, 30 builders, 21 diggers

Good: The name says it all. Removes the basher to remove a horrendous backroute. The 21 diggers give a clue.
Bad: Too many skills and too much time. Cut some of the bombers out next time. Also, a bit dark out in the open.

[Clam]

DOS - Mayhem 15 - The Fast Food Kitchen...


Lemmings: 80
Save 60 (75%)
Release rate: 60
Time: 3 minutes
Skills: 10 of each

Good: Good title, nice clean design.
Bad: It's easier than the Tricky version! There's still enough time that you don't have to multitask (aside from blocking the lemmings, which you had to do anyway) and you're allowed to lose many more lemmings this time. And with all skills still available, the solution is no different.

[Minim]

You also missed the point that the level template looks too generic without the lava, this is DOS remember.

DOS - Mayhem 16 - Just a minute


Lemmings: 50
Save: 50 (100%)
Release rate: 10
Time: 1 minute
Skills: 1 floater, 5 bombers, 5 bashers, 5 diggers.

Good: Takes another break from the building levels, the minute makes the whole level difficult forcing you to use the release rate, nice 3d style scenery on the left.
Bad: Cut those bombers out, it's not necessary to add them in a 100% level.

[Clam]

You also missed the point that the level template looks too generic without the lava, this is DOS remember.

I think I mentioned that when I reviewed the Tricky version of that level. Of course it's still true.

[ccexplore]

There's still enough time that you don't have to multitask

The funny thing is, the Amiga version actually only gives you 2 minutes instead of 3, and of course that version also has one of the fastest game clocks (as well as having 100 instead of just 80 lemmings).  So clearly it was meant to require multitasking, but then somewhere along the line someone must've complained that the original version is too hard or something.  Or maybe they didn't like having 2 consecutive time-constrained levels?

[Minim]

We don't care about Amiga just yet, shall someone do the next level? I know that there's a ceiling route to this level.

[ccexplore]

Maybe you don't " title="Angry" class="smiley" />, that doesn't mean others won't want to know about how certain levels evolved from port to port.

It's unbelievable how you do nothing but complain and rush other people.  If you want to review a level, please do it yourself instead of whining for others to do it and attacking stuff other people want to say. " title="Angry" class="smiley" />

[Minim]

Hang on, I hope you haven't forgotten the rules of this topic. I'm not allowed to do two levels at once you see, according to them, and remember, I'm not telling you, I'm only asking. It is a question isn't it?

Mind you, I was too addicted to reviewing levels that I did forget the rule, especially when I shouldn't be doing Tricky 1 or 4.

[ccexplore]

Fine, but you're not doing anybody any favors by whining about getting the next level reviewed while attacking other people's comments.  Notice that instead of having the next post being the review, we now instead have added 3-4 extra posts arguing against each other.  Good job.

[Proxima]

Added to which, I now have to look back at the previous page to find out which level I'm meant to be reviewing

Mayhem 17 - Stepping Stones


80 lemmings
Save 87% (70)
Release rate 50
4 minutes

5 climbers, 2 floaters, 2 blockers, 10 builders, 5 bashers, 5 miners, 5 diggers

Good: Two new challenges: judging the right moment to stop building and land on the stepping stones, and building over a blocker. The most accessible "ceiling route" level and a good introduction to the concept. Wonder if the designers knew about that route when they designed this level?
Bad: I can't think of anything. This is a good level, and a fun one to revisit and try different solutions.

Trivia: This level appeared on the box art of the Mac version. It was interesting when I finally reached the level and thought, "Aha, it's that one!" Even more interesting, the screenshot showed the lemmings faffing about in the terrain to the left of the entrance. Were they trying to hint at the existence of the ceiling route?

[Dullstar]

Mayhem 18 - And then there were four...

Lemmings:  80
To save:  90% (72)
RR:  1
Time  9 minutes
Skills:  2 climbers, 20 bombers, 10 blockers, 30 builders, 1 basher, 2 miners, 2 diggers

Good:  Nice level, encourages multitasking, but doesn't actually enforce it too much.
Okay:  The level can be a little frustrating at first, but it's not terrible.
Bad:  What's with all the bombers?  You can't lose twenty lemmings, so why twenty bombers?

[Clam]

Re: javascript:void(0);Level Review Topic

How the heck did that happen?


Moving on...
DOS - Mayhem 19 - Time to get up!


Lemmings: 50
Save 46 (92%)
Release rate: 20
Time: 5 minutes
Skills: 2 climbers, 4 bombers, 20 builders

Good: This level is imposing at first sight, as you would expect at this point in the game, because of the placement of the entrance and exit as well as the restrictive skillset.
Bad: Bomber timing always seems to creep in at about this point in the difficulty rating... fortunately this is the only one for the next while. But it's a tough one - bomber timing on two climbers on a wall is very difficult. (There is an alternative of course, but it's not immediately apparent.) 20 builders is far too many, and 5 minutes is too long.

[Minim]

Sorry for the argument that I made earlier, it was my wrong time to do it. I should have deleted that post unless ccexplore does decide to delete it. That was the third time ccexplore said to me about rushing things.

DOS - Mayhem 20 - No added colours or lemmings


Lemmings: 50
Save 50 (100%)
Release rate: 85
Time: 5 minutes
Skills: 2 climbers, 1 blocker, 1 builder, 2 miners, 1 basher.

Good: Recreates the level to make a fantastic brain-bending solution.
Bad: Random title like in the Fun Levels, Solution is frustrating.