56 replies to this topic

[Pinchanzee]

Just wondering what you guys tend to look for in your levels, what really grabs your attention and pushes that level up to the 5th star.

[Dubster]

When I want a good level, I'm looking for the following:

Visuals: A plain level without even a try to decorate isn't always fun. I would love to have a good atmosphere in the level. If it lacks this plus one of my other requirements, I'm probably out of the level already.

Diversity: A level needs to have some diversity. A level where you do the same puzzle or same challenge all over again is not fun. Such levels shall not exist. I would recommend to anyone to ever use the same kind of challenge only once.

Story: Having a good story is always a plus, in my opinion, though a level can be good without one. One can expect higher ratings from me if it has a good one, though.

Gameplay Strategy: Once again, it's a plus. This especially is something you need for bosses. If you just stand there shooting your paintinator from a spot where the boss can't reach you, it isn't fun. Or if you use the paintinator at all, unless it really needs a paintinator. One can try combine the paintinator to make the enemy vulnerable to something else, though. Again, this can bring it to higher ratings.

Originality: This is a huge rating chooser. If the level in question isn't original, it's a huge downside. One can easily expect less than two stars if it is without originality.

I will kill whoever copies more bomb survivals without making them unique!

Challenge: This is something I like. A level that everyone can complete isn't fun unless you have some funny friends who just love to fool around on the level, so I'd set this in between. It depends what you are looking for. Otherwise, I am usually going as lowest for a bit above Bunker-acing difficulty, which isn't all too hard

Well, that pretty much covers it, thanks for reading

Edited by Dubster, 26 July 2009 - 08:28 PM.

[noemiid]

good lvls to me are detailed lvls with a good story, action, and puzzles that arent to easy or to hard

[Pinchanzee]

I agree with you on so many levels Dubster! Specially boss fights as standing holding a paintinator...

[DRLONG]

I agree with you on so many levels Dubster! Specially boss fights as standing holding a paintinator...

Ya u can kinda do that on my alien boss in the Space Station:( however I tried to have somewhat of a unique style to killing it by having to weaken the ship and then pulling a lever which activates a giant laser to blow his ship to smithereens!:D MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!
good times...goooooood times....

[Mrgenji]

Diversity: A level needs to have some diversity. A level where you do the same puzzle or same challenge all over again is not fun. Such levels shall not exist. I would recommend to anyone to ever use the same kind of challenge only once.

Whoops

A level without that bloody paintinator is always nice. That gun seems to have sucked everyones creativity when it comes to bosses.

[Pinchanzee]

Interesting... I thought people liked Platforming... That's good...
Hopefully this poll could turn into a pretty nice graph of the best things to focus on, thanks for all the input guys

[FishBone]

I voted for everything except automation and platforming.
Not that it's a bad thing, but i don't think those are what makes the level good.

Automation/cutscene is a nice thing, but if the rest of the level is bad this won't help.

[Pinchanzee]

Automation/cutscene is a nice thing, but if the rest of the level is bad this won't help.

So the kind of thing you squeeze in at the end after you've finished all the juicy stuff?
I really thought more people would've chosen that..

[sackboy096]

I voted for Visual, Gameplay Strategy, Diversity, and Challenge:)

[FishBone]

So the kind of thing you squeeze in at the end after you've finished all the juicy stuff?
I really thought more people would've chosen that..

No of course not.
I like it, but it's not the reason for the level being good.
But it might be part of the reason.

[Dubster]

Speaking of intros, if you really want an intro, try to make something that will fit into the story, as seen in the Royal Love Letter, part 1, or AFP's snuck-in intro on LBL #3. An intro also looks better when you have put some time into it.
What I thought you meant with automation at first was "A level that plays itself"

[Pinchanzee]

Should've made an Intro option rather automation, thanks for all the input guys Good to get everyones opinions

[Max Artist]

I love a level with a great story and a cliffhanger at the end with a diversity of challenges, i voted for diversity.

[Elsa]

I just like a good fun level with a good story behind it, as long as their is a great story to a level I'm too fussed on anything else

[Frank_Burns]

Well I need A atmosphere. On all my level there's atmosphere. On all good levels there is a atmosphere. What i mean by that is Decoration and Visuals. On My Dead Space Level (In production), You can definitely tell what I'm trying to achive. On All good levels You should be able to go "Oh, i know whats gonna be the theme." That is why the intro is important. A bad intro means a level where you instantly quit. And a change in theme gets me a bit confused unless you have a little Video Or cut scene, it Is always important. And well some one said i like cliffhangers! And well my new level Has one! (Alone Team Part ) And poorjacks Mitholics 2 Sympathy Of Sorrows (Part 1) Has A GREAT Cliffhanger. Sorry that was off topic. Well Yeah That is it. in my new level I tried to put everything into it. So yeah. God im off topic.

[UltraRazpacho]

Story has always been a big thing for me, and orignality Im also sick of every f***ing boss battle using that f***ing paintgun >:[

Edited by UltraRazpacho, 28 July 2009 - 04:34 AM.

[EM-5]

Originality, Story, Challenge, Visuals and definitely (not on there) FUN! :D

A level that everyone can complete isn't fun unless you have some funny friends who just love to fool around on the level

I am guilty!

I am usually going as lowest for a bit above Bunker-acing difficulty, which isn't all too hard

Are you kidding me? I aced the Bunker on my first try at acing it... (got lucky i guess)

Edited by EM-5, 28 July 2009 - 04:58 AM.

[Dubster]

Originality, Story, Challenge, Visuals and definitely (not on there) FUN! :D


I am guilty!


Are you kidding me? I aced the Bunker on my first try at acing it... (got lucky i guess)

The only issue I have ever had with the Bunker is the damned Spinning Wheel of Death, Doom and Destruction, as I dub it. Also, mind you I completed the story itself within just 2 days, running through the levels, and went onto acing the bunker just a few days later. With only 5 days experience with LBP, I managed to ace it after a while. Besides, my sister ALWAYS wanted to join, and she failed miserably all the time at "SWDDD"

Now I can ace it with ease, no longer any problems Might aswell do an ace speedrun, or w/e.

[Pinchanzee]

Are you kidding me? I aced the Bunker on my first try at acing it... (got lucky i guess)

I'm sure you did.

Seems originality suddenly spiralled to the top
So before even starting a level, ask yourself "is my idea original?" maybe Search through existing levels and check if there's anything like it.