Introduction to The Library:
This level uses The Library Tileset, a 120-tile arrangement of tiles that consist of books that are used as platforms in this game. Considering that the tileset was made in MS Paint, he did a great job with it.
The level:
The level itself has a great design. You’ll find yourself falling from obstacles where the fall isn’t too bad. Certain areas had a wall as a background, which was done quite nicely.
The tileset:
The tileset has average eyecandy, compared to other tilesets. I’d say that the shading could have used some work, but the level that uses it cancels out the look of the tileset. This level would look terrific if it used the "Haunted" tileset in TSF, for TSF.
Design/Content: 2.3/2.5
The level itself was great – It had a nice layout and the style it was made in was close to the official way. The only thing that took down the rating was the tileset itself. At least more tiles could have been used for this tileset, so the level could be more compatible with other concepts – This tileset wouldn’t make too many animating tiles, so it would be a great idea. Ambient lighting was used very well in this level, and it made a good touch.
Tile/event use: 2.0/2.5
Tiles and events should associate a little more, together. Destructable scenery could have been used to make things a little more active. Hurt events could be used more often, too, so some obstacles could be avoided.
Tile/tile compatibility: 1.5/2.0
The tiles really do fit well together, for the first third of the level. The rest was too confusing, as most tiles didn’t fit well together. The level was still attractive, because most of the layers’ tiles did fit well together.
Event/Event compatibility: 1.0/1.0
All the events fit well with each other. Where the tiles and events didn’t associate much, the events did, with each other. There was good use of the events that were on "Hard" only.
Layer use: 0.7/1.0
In the beginning of the level, great use of the layers was demonstrated. However, it began to get really confusing after a while, as the background layers were mixing in incorrectly. This is resolved for the last third of the level, though.
Game compatibility: 0.5/1.0
The fact that you may often get application errors when running it from within the game, and must run it from JCS to avoid these problems, brings down this level’s rating by half a point. I’m not sure what causes this (it doesn’t recognize the tileset being in the same folder) but for the half point back, it should be resolved for any further releases.
Overall rating: 8.0/10.0
The great design and good use of the tiles in the tileset paid off for the flaws of the layer use and the associations with the tiles and events. There’s still room for improvement.
Possible improvements:
This level could be improved, if the layers in the second third of the level were used in a way to make it less confusing. You can make levels confusing, but not too confusing, because this is a single player level. Tiles and events could have been used better together. Destructable scenery in levels can bring this rating up a little, as its a good example of the associations between them. Without associations between the tiles and the events, your levels won’t come close to being as alive as the official levels. Booting the level up itself, is a problem, if the game can’t recognize the tileset, while Jazz Creation Station can.
Summary for The library:
Downloading this level and the tileset is not a bad idea at all. You should at least download this for the tileset, because it can be used pretty well, if you’re good. The layer use is above average, the eyecandy of the tileset is average, and the design of the level is exceptional.
My opinion on The Library:
I enjoyed playing the level, because its design was great, and from what’s placed in the level – Its what I like.
Recommendation: Recommended
~ Derby