I have. Repeatedly. I personally like my water in water levels and nowhere else. Y'know, because if every zone apart from one contains some water (Oh, S3), what sort of identity of it's own does "water zone" actually have?
Im not a big fan of little bits of water in every level either, it just gets distracting most of the time, there should definetly be just one distinct water themed level. Although I wouldn't be adveres to one level (two at the most) being half and half water. I always liked how in ARZ you could go through the level almost completly under the water or hardly ever seeing it, the two different routes played pretty much like opposites.
I don't know what's wrong with putting some water part in some levels, it's funnier. So, people decide now, with water or without water(because I'm thinking this topic will be damnly discussed if we don't decide this NOW )
If there is any water in the first level, it'll be safe small puddles you run over by the sand part. Of course there will be a water level, as that is basic in big name games. That's final.
Well the main reason there was so much of it was that that way the water shield actually had use since it was the only one you could take basically through the entire level. Otherwise the elemental shields were kinda pointless.
Did a bit of a mockup based on Chimpo's sketch from the General Art section (and borrowing the background). I think we should keep the tropical theme but move away from the beach idea as its been done before. So I thought why not take it to a much higher altitude then normal, there's no reason why Sonic can't start the game high up on a costal cliff and makes his way down (from up there he could get a clear view of whatever it is Robotnik is up too). I was always a fan of the less detailed tile set we had for this zone but at the same time I thought it could do with more surrounding detail to create a contrast. The idea of a basic geometric design with the grey rocks overlaying it and vegetation growing underneath might work quite well.
What I was thinking is that we try making some level progression. We start off in the beach, run into a tropical man-made resort, then as we get further, tropical area becomes more wild with plant life, and then we exit our little jungle and end up in front of Angel Island. Also Note: The Angel Island in the background of the concept art is for shits and giggles. I just wanted the sky not to be empty.
Having it there reminded me of the story you posted before about Robotnik removing the master emerald so the island crashed, then attaching his robot fortress thing to it and rising up again. For Sonics story it might be handy to have it floating about in act 1 then crash into the sea for act 2 as we see robotnik scoot past with the master emerald. For Knuckles story it would start with you seeing robotnik stealing it so you can go straight into act 1 with the island in the sea. Then at the end of the next level we see the island fortress rising in the background and then the story is all set up and ready to go.
<!--quoteo(post=273430:date=Jan 27 2009, 10:59 PM:name=Matwek)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Matwek @ Jan 27 2009, 10:59 PM) I was always a fan of the less detailed tile set we had for this zone but at the same time I thought it could do with more surrounding detail to create a contrast. The idea of a basic geometric design with the grey rocks overlaying it and vegetation growing underneath might work quite well.[/quote] This image is pretty much what I had in mind, although, for the more solid foreground, I'd put more greenery in (But not too much...) to make it look lush as hell.
<!--quoteo(post=273281:date=Jan 27 2009, 07:18 PM:name=RamiroR)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RamiroR @ Jan 27 2009, 07:18 PM) Such water parts are more than enough for that first level. But that's of course my opinion and I agree we should decide now if this level should include water parts or not...
I think 2-3 zones should include small water sections (think CPZ and S3 CNZ), yes. And there should be a "real" water level (like LZ) too.
<!--quoteo(post=273723:date=Jan 28 2009, 07:29 PM:name=Icewarrior)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Icewarrior @ Jan 28 2009, 07:29 PM) Such water parts are more than enough for that first level. But that's of course my opinion and I agree we should decide now if this level should include water parts or not... [/quote] By looking that picture it seems that once Sonic is underwater, he can go back up with a spindash, then do another and take the upper route. It think it would be better NOT to have that option in the game. Although, I really like the idea.
Better yet, make the underwater wall NOT a quarter pipe. Does seem like a cool idea, kinda like in the water level from Rush, which had something like this.
.. you know, considering that image is a mock-up, and not actual in-game layout, isn't all this talk of how it is in exact form just superlative bollocks right now?
