xdaniel's untitled Sonic 2 hack

I like it! In fact, I like it a lot—it's a very platforming-centric approach on the level, feels very open, and has quite a few alternative paths. In addition, there were quite a few traditional "gimmick" areas, like bouncing the player back between two red springs. There were a couple of small speed sections to make the player feel victorious, some good spring and collapsing platform placement, and overall it was very fun to go through. Nice work!

If this is to decide whether or not you continue hacking, then I definitely encourage you to keep on going. This is some seriously cool stuff here!

 

I just played it and I really like it. The speed section at the start is pretty cool and I like how there are speed sections and platforming sections because usually you get either one or the other. I like the alternate paths too; not to many, but enough to have made me play the level at least twice to see if I had missed anything (And low and behold, I missed a life box and an invincibility, as well as going on a different path).
Nice one!

 

I like your sense of level design, with some original artwork that hack could turn into something really special.

 

<!--quoteo(post=210172:date=Jul 23 2008, 11:15 PM:name=)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE ( @ Jul 23 2008, 11:15 PM)

By the way, this is how everything stands right now (some HUD changes), including the palette I mentioned. I just slightly modified to be a bit brighter as the original was very, very dark. I kinda like it, but I think it's still a bit too dark... however if I brighten it up even more, it'll pretty much end up as your standard Emerald Hill with some slightly different shades, even moreso than now... ahh, told you I suck at art :P

And finally, in case anyone wants to take a closer look at the layout (for missed hidden areas or whatever), here it is: http://magicstone.de/dzd/random/LevelMap.png

Gonna think about and start EHZ2 tomorrow, hope it will come out nice as well![/quote]
Not being nasty, but I've seen that HUD style before:

Nice work on the life icon though & the pallete change looks fine, in fact it looks like chocolate and the layout you did's awesome.

 

Haven't actually played the game but saw the picture. Reminds me very much of the first stage of Sonic Chaos, which I think is a good thing.

 

Your current HUD is absolutely fine. Who cares if someone else used it?

 

I also used that HUD design way back in 2003, and I'm sure a lot of other people did as well. Who actually gives a shit?

Back on topic, the level design is very well done, although I do have a criticism of sorts, which you may take into consideration.

First of all, I didn't feel that there were many speedy parts. There were a couple in places but a lot of the zone involved quite a bit of stopping and starting. If you take a look at the original EHZ, you'll notice that along with the exploration parts, there was a route you could take which was speed based and could get you to the end pretty quickly. GHZ also had a similar design and it seems to be a fairly common thing with the earlier zones of Sonic games.

Aside from that, this level was very well put together and I look forward to seeing what else you can come up with for the other zones.

 

My only problem is the launch from the tube at the start. It sends you past the (frankly, unecessary) first checkpoint. I did like the hidden cave with the invincibility box, though.

 

I loved the layout. I'd say, do more if you feel up to it. I could see very playable hacks coming from you in the future.

Off topic, what hack is that pic from? I've never seen it before...

 

I agree, it does feel more like a later level than the first one, it would do better being later in the game I think.

 

Improvement! Getting rid of bottomless pits is always a welcome thing. Bottomless pits can be a challenge to a point, at which then they just become annoying.

 

I liked your EHZ1, it's very well done, though I liked EHZ2 more.

Ohwait.

 

YOU CAN SEE THE FUTURE?!?!?!

In all sriousness, I can see EHZ2 being just as good or better than EHZ1.

 

<!--quoteo(post=210183:date=Jul 23 2008, 03:33 PM:name=xdaniel)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xdaniel @ Jul 23 2008, 03:33 PM)
Nice work on the life icon though & the pallete change looks fine, in fact it looks like chocolate and the layout you did's awesome.[/quote]

I figured that someone made pretty much exactly the same HUD before me - after all, I just used the available colors and applied a gradient to the original tiles using them... I don't really like how that turned out anyway (at least the letters, the numbers are good, with the ones in your picture having the better gradient :P), so I'm going to change the HUD again - problem being, to what? Sonic 3, Chaotix, all been done before, and custom art... did I mention I suck at art? XD
[/quote]

Feel free to use the HUD, I already have a much better HUD created so it's fine with me. In fact, I had applied a gradient to the 1992 SEGA text in the title screen without realising it was exactly like Sonic 2 Megamix's and Tweaker was fine with it.

I haven't actually downloaded your hack yet, but I'll definetly try it out and let you know my opinions.

 

When I first played it, I thought it was just okay. Then I saw the layout map you posted and I think it's really cool that you have all that hidden stuff. I didn't find any of it XD I also like that you're getting rid of bottomless pits since I fell down a couple (doh)

But yeah good level design, I think you have some good stuff going here.

 

So xdaniel, are you planning on taking this any further? If that layout is any show of what you're capable of, I'd say you'd end up with a really, really well made hack, should you continue. I hope we get to see more.