Single player, by 
“Jungle”
Hmm. I don’t have really high expectations from this level since the level name is pretty basic (many times you can see the level quality from the levelname – SPACE ISLAND LEVEL not included) but I still give this level a chance. Let’s see it.
EYECANDY: 2.1 out of 2.5
Wheew. Good game. Once I open the level, the eyecandy bashes into my eyes like a battering rm. You said you would try to give this the look of a real jungle level, and I think you succeeded in this over 100%. In fact, I would say that there is too much eyecandy sometimes! Really, sometimes there are so many paths crossing each other that you can’t really see the direction you need to walk to. That, and some minor tiling bugs (which are logical with so much eyecandy) make me lower my rating with 0.4 points. Anyway, good job!
ENEMIES: 0.8 out of 1.0
The placement of the enemies is also well done. Instead of some other levels, there are many different kinds of enemies and other forms of annoying creatures. Monkeys, turtles, bees, even crabs, all are included and the boss is a Schwartzenguard (don’t know how to spell it right). One bad point about the enemy placement is the fact that the overdoses of eyecandy sometimes makes the enemies invisible, which results in a painful life loss.
PLACEMENT: 1.2 out of 1.5
Now on with the placement of the other stuff, like foods and ammo. On this area you also did a really good job. There are multiple forms of ammo placement all almost al of them fit perfectly to the atmosphere of the level. There are but a few carrot but most of them are especially placed on the moments you need them, good thinking. Unfortunately, the placement has the same problems as the enemy placement: the loads of eyecandy make them invisible sometimes.
LEVEL STRUCTURE: 1.6 out of 2.0
Not much critique possible on the level structure, although there are a few problems which need to be pointed out. In the first place, there are some troubles with the eyecandy (again) There are so many paths visible, especially in the beginning, that it’s not always clear which path you need to take to get to the end and sometimes you feel a little bit locked in by several object. Those were the bad sides, now the good sides: the level structure is very diverse, it looks exciting, and there are many different modes of going around the level (spring placement, buttstomp) The saving spots are also placed at correct places, especially the one before the boss. Nothing is worse than getting killed by the boss and having to do the whole level again.
GAMEPLAY: 2.3 out of 3.0
The gameplay in this level, just like the other things, is just good, great even perhaps. There is a good flow and since many effects are used (good eyecandy, mixed light) you really feel like walking around in a real rainforest. The music file is basic, but at least it fits to this level. I can’t really say more about the gameplay. The level is quite original too, since I’ve not often seen a Jungle level with such good eyecandy.
RATINGS:
To be fair, it’s long ago since a level surprised me as much as “Jungle” by IJskonijn. The level is just very good, it offers really good eyecandy (more in the beginning, later the eyecandy slows down to just good) combined with good placement and structure. If you’re a fan of TSF and natural levels, this level is absolutely recommend to play, and if you’re just a single player fan, too. You’ve got an 8.2 from me, and I look forward to later levels.
Score: 2.1+0.8+1.2+1.7+2.4 = 8.2
Download: Yes, for sure. It’s a (very) good singleplayer level.
Host: I think the passages are a little too narrow for coop, but at least it’s worth a try.
Greetings,
- ChippieBW
