From what there is, it looks like it would have been a fantastic level! I love how much more open it is compared to the other levels in CD. Feels more like a Sonic 2/3 level, and that's definitely a good thing! A shame it couldn't be implemented
Yeah, they probably just had a complete folder with all assets and packed up the entire folder instead of pulling out the files that weren't supposed to be there first. Based on Taxman's comment, I'll assume that it's not possible to access with a code and stop looking. Here is an ad-free mirror of the XDelta patch that "You-Are-Pwned" posted above: http://www.sappharad.com/junk/dazzle.dat Changed extension to .dat because that's a more common extension for XDelta patches. (And MultiPatch for OSX expects .dat or .xdelta as the extension for those) The palette flashing doesn't happen for me, but I also replaced the bytecode files. You're not really missing anything with the PPZ replacement, because the level itself is identical either way.
The pictures probably cover everything there is to see. If you check out the level map I posted yesterday, the level is only 1024 pixels wide with just that flat ground below you. It basically wasn't even started.
If anything, what with the ideas of Desert Dazzle, the look of Egg Gauntlet (not so much the boss rush idea), and the idea for Final Frenzy, I do hope that at some point they'll have enough confidence in Team Stealth-Tax (Christian Headcannon sounds sillier) to let them have a crack at an original title with these stages implemented.
I've been thinking about this for a while, and I would be crushed if this wasn't the case... Playing Hidden Palace Zone showed me how creative and skilled these two are. Itwas the best classic-style Sonic level I've played in years, chock full of new ideas.
Seeing new pixel art for a Genesis style Sonic level (in its.. sorta entirety) really tickles my nostalgia. Gotta love how the community is going full circle thanks to Taxman. :v:/>
If they are worried about ruining the original 'vision' of the games I would suggest a 'classic' and 'remix' modes that would toggle the extra levels and features.
I know Tax revealed the level concept before, but I'm just now seeing this... Are those graphics Crackers inspired? I'm starting to see the trend considering we just made that connection with Sonic 2's Egg Gauntlet Zone.
I do have to wonder what the different Time Zones for Desert Dazzle would have looked like. Could any light be shed on this?
Let's have a look at the different states of Little Planet. http://www.spriters-resource.com/genesis_32x_scd/soniccd/sheet/25625/ While obviously Tax may have had different plans: Good Future: a more verdant desert, so vegetation and some water. Think of how most of the natural good futures tend to signal the harmonic balance of nature and technology. Bad Future: mechanized, possibly in ruins. This is where I think trying to echo the original R2 concept might have worked best. Past: I'm not really sure how you could depict a desert in pre-historic times differently. Maybe a more naturally verdant area (instead of verdant w/ tech like the good future)
With water everywhere in the background. Like a large lake with several pretty waterfalls going down that cliff face.