Darren_'s Reviews

[Darren_]

I have always had a very critical approach in how I rate levels personally and how I appreciate them, I always muster up great jealous energy for them terrible levels that do better than mine undeservingly, for example, The Ninja Warrior Series, and so I want to voice my opinion and help others make the right choice.
I feel however, that I am fair in my approach.

I have recieved a great response for my reviews and I really appreciate comments
Heres what i will be reviewing like

-First Impression
-Presentation / attention to detail (sound included)
-Story
-Length (whether it be too long or short)
-Humor - (a level doesnt need this so it wont be docked marks without)
-Glitches
-Platforming
-Playability
-Overall Design (includes clever switches ect.)
and
-Lasting appeal

I will then discuss any improvements, or things that i would do diffrently or suggest, add up the scores, and give a % rating and a /***** rating :









I offer real Down to Earth Reviews, With Screenshots Personal comments and Fairness all guranteed. Thanks

Current Completed Reviews :
Sackrilege

Showcase Center

Nuka Cola Survival Challenge

Dragon Lair (part 1) The Castle

HEIST : The Midnight Star

Moonlight By Beethoven

The Hardest Level Ever And I Have The High Score!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

15000BC

The last hope for earth:intro

The Islands: Untold Chapter EASY


D.


Proud Member of The Official LBPFORUM.NET Review Team

[EnochRoot]

Welcome to the demanding world of Level reviewing Darren and by way of a welcoming gift I present you with my Sackrilege level to cast your reviewing talents over.
I've never asked for a review on the forum before so I hope you appreciate the gesture

[Darren_]

wow cool, trusting a rookie then? haha, ill try my best, ill play the level tonight and work on the review tomorrow

[Darren_]

Name - Sackrilege
Author - EnochRoot

Lets just get straight into it eh? I've tried to make this as easy to read as possible.

First Impressions
In the beginning you are faced with a cutscene introduction, your screen is decorated with swirly lights a black backround and a large golden sack. The music is calming and appropriate.
While the story unfolds you are in a square lift travelling downwards nearly off screen to the left. The story then ''goes wrong'' essentially, and you are hurdled from your lift into a dark bleak cave with a dim blue light in the distance to your right.
''The tale begins...''


My first impression was mixed feelings towards this level. I entered this level knowing it would be part 1 of a 10 part series, nothing short of epic, and so were my expectations.
What I got however was brilliant but not epic, however the story had me ready and excited to play the level. Unforrtunatly I was a little downed when I realised I wasnt in a magical place, just a shabby lift to the left of the screen, it did take away from the experience a bit, it's probably best not to have the player on screen, a simple black wall would keep him out of view.
Nevertheless it did not stop me wanting to continue on the journey!

First Impression - 7/10 - Satisfying, made me want more.


Length
On my first playthrough it took me 9 minutes to complete, but if for some reason you do not read speech bubbles it would probably only take you 6 minutes...

Length - 10/10 - Cant fault it, good length, was never bored or left saying to myself ''thats it?''

Presentation / Attention to Detail and Sound
The first thing i was struck by after the pretty lights and enormous sack, (pause for laughs) was when i arrived in the cave, it was unbelievably plain and the ground was perfectly level (which isnt very cave-like).
The lighting however was soothing and appropriate throughout the cave, and the sounds fitted in well with the narrarration.


Soon after the ''Hero'' rids the cave from the really cool looking monster-guys you quickly fall into and area of traditional LittleBigPlanet-ness, that is i mean lush greenery happy music and flowers gallore .
One touch i liked very much were the score bubbles disguised as apples, and when you ''eat'' them you hear a munching noise.
As you are walking along enjoying the serenity, you are unexpectadly killed and thrown down into a temple via a new checkpoint, (a recurring theme). It has to be said that the temple is probably the best looking part of Sackrilege, with tall columns, church-esque windows, blue and yellow candles, bibles, chairs, the lot, but again, it fell short on not having an alter (just a big switch) and plain walls.
Without giving away too much, the back of the temple was stylishly done also with great lighting and characters.

The level returns to the Cave-like material surronding you and has some pretty moments such as the ''old mans'' ring/bubble (which was quite similar to the story element of Oblivion) and the jewlery and enemies all looked enticing and brilliant. EnochRoot has a talent for characters definitly.

Soon after you come out of the cave, EnochRoot seems to have experimented with the 50 layer glitch,

Personally I am not a fan of these glitches and find them unnecessary. Also The vary-ing sizes of the checkpoints was annoying in my opinion, if you make them smaller then have them all small, not random occurances of diffrent sizes.


Characters 8/10
Backrounds 6/10
Foregrounds - 5/10
Detail - 6/10
Sound - 8/10

Story
There is no doubt that Sackrilege is a story based level and as far as LBP stories go this is one of the best!
The story opens as follows...

In the beginning there was the sack... containing all the hopes and dreams of creation... then came a dream so terrible it ripped the sack asunder... a golden bubble fell containing the dreams... the tale begins...
the lands were ridden with turmoil, sickness and death... war followed but in the darkest hour of need the Hero a follower of the golden bubble came forth and triumphed over evil!
the darkness vanished and an age of peace descended on the land... people worshipped the bubble and the hero... but there are whispers that the taxes and temples are run by evil...

Now dont worry there is playing between this, its not one massive cutscene .
Without giving anymore away that section is about one quarter of the Part I story. So you can imagine how epic this story will be when all 10 parts are compiled!

The story is at first, told from a narrative perspective in the past tense, and then catches up with the present. The story leads up to the uunravelling of a conspiricy beheind the ''Golden Bubble''.
Seeing as the story is this levels main plus point I do not want to spoil it any further and so I wont go any deeper into it... All I can say is that it is excellent and has to be played!

Characters - 7/10
Villains - 9/10
Plot - 8/10


Playability
As this is a story driven level there really isn't much need to replay this level, unless you are in need of a catchup when you want to play Part II.
But that said it doesnt set out for replayability...and playability doesn't make a level good.

Platforming
To be 100% honest, there is none... you really just walk everywhere with the occassional jump, its a cinematic experience, there is one person that you kill, but he is asleep , but in fairness it really doesn't matter because I never even noticed it until I wrote this . If your looking for a good swing, jump ect. This is not the level for you.

Platforming 6/10

Overall Design
The overall Design and layout is quite good though nothing special. The cave transition to the fields is seemless and unexpected, the way it should be.
Unfortunatly the same cannot be said for the rest as EnochRoots alternative way of travelling, is killing you and moving the checkpoint, and in one case, killing you twice as the checkpoint moves, which is unneccesary and annoying.
The Coffin Breaks if you stand beside it for more than 4 seconds, with the door just hovering which was just a bit odd to see...


EnochRoot doesnt make great use of Directional switches, regarding when you pull a lever and gate opens it just keeps opening and closing... same for The Golden Ring, it moves back before moving foward... Also the eagle eyed player will notice a global lighting switch visible just at the end.

Layout - 7/10
Switches - 5/10 (nothing goes wrong, but nothing impressive)


Known Glitches : POSSIBLE FIXES

-When told to grab the golden book, you approach and grab from the left, however if you grab from the right, the gas doesnt kill you and when you let go, you are forced to try and continue in pitch black, (my guess is I avoided an global lighting switch) this forced a restart
POSSIBLE FIX -- enlarge the radius of the switch.

-A Common flaw (as I've noticed in the level pictures) Is that you can grab the hero and pull him down into the peacefull LBP-land and he is supposed to be legend...
POSSIBLE FIX -- Make him out of cardboard or something ungrabbable

-The Golden Ring at the end is a dodgy way to travel... if you let go, you die and are forced a restart...
-After The Golden Ring when the finish is in sight, if you fall and die (which is easy as you cannot see the floor) there is no way back and forced to restart.
POSSIBLE FIX FOR BOTH -- put a checkpoint behind the ring and attatch it... this way when the ring dissapears, you will respawn at the finish should you die, or let go.

Negative scores
-8/10
-2/10
-8/10
-5/10

Lasting Appeal
This level has some minor issues that can be quickly resolved, if you are kind enough to turn a blind eye to them and enjoy the level, story and fun-ness of the level you will have a great experience. I can honestly say I am eagerly awaiting to play Part II, which is out now!
It is definitly worth a play people. EnochRoot makes you want more, and gets you immersed in his story.

64%

**** 4 Stars

Hope you liked my first Review.

[Flare Skull]

okay okay WOW that was huge!!!.....that was like a review from trindall!!! wow dude great job!

[DRLONG]

Hey you think you could review my Dragon's Lair Series. I want to know what the average LBP player thinks of it. And please don't give up on it because its too hard because I tried to make it challenging so if you need help on a certain part just tell me.
PSN: DRLONG
Level Names:
Dragon's Lair (Part 1) The Castle
Dragon's Lair (Part 2) The Cave
Dragon's Lair (Part 3) The Dragon

I hope you enjoy!

[Mrgenji]

If you ever get through that pile DRLONG dumped on you (Don;t worry he dumps them on everyone hehe) feel free to give either HEIST: The Midnight Star or HEIST 2: Rising Sunn a go if you want.

No rush though.

Oh yeah, @Mrgenji

[Jidget]

Could you review my Showcase Centre level?

It doesn't have a story, but a function instead, so you could leave most of the sections out.

-Jidget

[Darren_]

okay okay WOW that was huge!!!.....that was like a review from trindall!!! wow dude great job!

Thanks i guess... i dont read other peoples reviews so i dunno if dats a compliment

I will Do
Jidgets level,
Then 1 of DRLONG's
Then Mr.Gengi

[Dubster]

Thanks i guess... i dont read other peoples reviews so i dunno if dats a compliment

I tell you, Trindall has to be one of the best reviewers here on the forum. He is also one of the most known reviewers.

Besides, your review was really detailed and fun to read. I had this issue though that you are sort of... Spoiling the story a bit in the review. But I guess it was because of the level itself, which pretty much is just a story level.