Introduction : I saw Ragnarok still didn’t get a review for his level, and I don’t want to make him sad, so here comes a review! This is Rag’s first released XLM level, and he used WSF II for this. Personally, I like WSF III more, but that’s just because it’s more dark. Let’s go on now, ok?
It wasn’t a very original choice to use WSF for this level, but I don’t think anyone cares. You can’t do alot of original things with this tileset anymore, because almost all ideas are gone. Ragnarok still tried something, and I found something that’s a bit original. The blue tiles with some ammo on it is an example of this. Not a major thing for originality, but I haven’t seen a level with these tiles before. Ragnarok used tile 2,44 in this tileset alot in this level. The background isn’t very original, but there aren’t many other levels with a good background like this background. The level also uses the more hard parts of the tileset, and the lightning in the background looks good. The level has a turret as well, and I like to see it in a quite small level like this. I can’t say this fortress lacks eye candy in some places, so good job.
This level is quite small, and it’s also quite open. The layout is solid in some places, but there are also some small platforms here and there. The triggers that are in the level are fun. This fortress has a jail as well. Funny to see it has, and also quite original. It’s not too easy to get to the area with one of the power-ups ; the Toasty PU. The one ways are useful, because it’s not fun to bump against a wall. Some places aren’t that easy to reach, like the left side with the Bouncy PU above it. You have to jump sometimes, and it’s Jazz unfriendly a bit, because Spaz can get up there faster. Best thing you can do is that you prevent to fall. The flow in the level is good, so is the spring placement, although the spring at 9,18 can’t get you up that fast if you are Jazz. You need to have good timing if you want to get up there fast.
This is a quite small level, like I said, but I don’t have a problem with the amount of PU’s in the level. This is, because it’s a Battle level. The level has 4 Power-Ups, but 3 of them can shoot 2h off someone. You can only get the Gun9 PU (if you don’t have it) by entering the tube at the right side. The other Power-Ups are Toaster, Bouncer and Seeker. The Bouncy PU is at the top-left, Seek at top-right and the Toasty PU which is quite hard to reach. The Seek PU is in a wall, but you’ll need the Gun9 PU before you can get it. The best way to get the Toasty PU is by shooting through the tube at 63,35. The ammo placement is good. There are some nice shapes of ammo, but also unoriginal ones. The groups of ammo aren’t that big, but others are bigger. The level has 2 carrots. Last version I played had 1 carrot, but that was not that successful because people camped alot(I did as well) The carrots are at 42,5 and 74,24. The one at 42,5 was the one that was the first in the level, and that one gave people the opportunity to camp alot. There could be some ammo around 73,34, but that’s just one of my stupid suggestions. Although the end of the platform at the top with one of the carrots could use a small group of ammo as well.
This level has some original things, even when it uses an overused tileset. One of these original things is the jail. Some placement was original, like the placement of the Toasty PU. There isn’t alot of original EC, but I think there is some. The music file used for the level is used in other WSF levels by Rag(for example Rag’s Stronghold) I liked the textstring about that you are prisoned =P
Ratings :
Eye candy : 8.2
Gameplay : 7.5
Placement : 7.5
Originality : 7.7
Conclusion/others : this is a nice Battle level by Ragnarok with good eye candy, quite good gameplay and placement, and it has some originality.
Host : sometimes. This is a good new Battle level, and I’d say you have to download this if you like WSF alot(like me)
Download : Yes.
Final rating : 8.2 + 7.5 + 7.5 + 7.7 : 4 = 7.725, rounded down to a 7.7.
Oh, and btw. I’d give you a higher rank in XLM if I were Chip =)