Puzzling – Page 2 – Reviewing Levelhead levels

The Steel Forest Factory by Bmiclock

c0tkc0s | “The Steel Forest Factory” by Bmiclock @smqp4f | Long, Powerups, Puzzling

If anyone want’s to see good level design, go check out this level. Good use of space, decorations, backdrop and transitions to make it feel like a real metroidvania style of world. I love the little trees, they feel like mini treehouses, with swoopadoos that need removed. The flingos in the beginning feel fun and bouncy, AND teach the player how to use the flingos later on. I appreciate the checkpoints.

I love the hazards that are off but visibly ominous. I love that you get these powerups and then later on the hazards turn on, increasing your ability and the difficulty. Really fun. I applaud any level that can fit in two powerups in a meaningful way. Really creates a sense of space and different sections. I think the 3 flingo challenges was just the right amount of difficulty, it took me a number of tries but I got it. Had to switch to dpad the second time so I could be more accurate.

One downside and I’m not sure how to avoid this: I skipped the last gold gate with the zipper, and then got myself stuck with tiptoe because the key was on the other side. I’m not sure if this needs fixed, since I had a feeling that would happen, but it did suck that I had invested 15 minutes and locked myself out. [Note: the creator confirmed this was intentional to punish cheaters. Well it worked!]

Otherwise no other recommendations, great level and clearly you put the time and effort into it. Solid work.I suppose you could have a golden key on the Tiptoe side, but probably not needed. Those players are chaos monkeys!

Calmly Rift Through Time! by ChilledSponge

l90534z | “Calmly Rift Through Time!” by ChilledSponge @82j434 | Complex, Long, Puzzling

Took me nearly 10 minutes to beat it, but it was a lot of fun. I love the choose your own adventure feel. I really appreciate the signs in front of the rifts so I didn’t backtrack constantly. I also appreciate the unlimited checkpoints I liked the variety in challenges, really good there.

I think the level of difficulty was appropriate for the challenges. Challenging but not overwhelming. the space in the package jump room could have been a bit bigger because I would do a straight package jump and hit the spikes above me. The treadmill every time you came back was a nice touch. It added a feeling of difficulty, without adding any extra difficulty.

Fun level overall.

2 Way Search by Retro Banana Man NL

fh32wc6 | “Up Over Jumpy Escapade” by Magalagums @m2l8fg | Beginner-Friendly, Simple, Quick

I like the idea quite a bit. Choose your own adventure and exploration is fun. I love the blopfish on paths makes them unpredictable and terrifying, lol. The Lizumi on the top of the first chamber is easy to cheese with her own missiles. I think a checkpoint at the beginning would have been really nice. It’s frustrating to explore, explore and then die and have to start all over. Especially if you are going to have one path drop you into spikes.

I’m personally not a fan of surprise spike floor. I got stuck on the path on the top left with the 3 switches. I turn on all 3 switches but the regret gate at the top didn’t change? I got my package stuck between the regret gates next to the golden key.

It seems like there are some areas you need the package to get through, with the spikes and all. Some package cams might have been nice to prevent players from going to spots without the package. Overall really cool and fun idea.