This pack was rather interesting, for all the wrong reasons. Also, I will have to pick at other reviews, something I despise doing, but feel is very neccesary in this case.
Story-3/10
The back of the gamebox(AKA- Download info) reads as so:
“You have found out that the evil Big Corp. is evil and have found ut they ae makeing weapons. But for what reason? And who is the owner of the factory?”
Ok, if no one could figure out that the “Evil Big Corp.” was evil, then I doubt the success of the mission. There also many unexplained bits in the story,spolier alert
End spoiler
or what the ‘Trigger safes’ had to do with anything. There are also major plot holes. such as why were the turtles working for Big corp if they were going to be see above spoiler.
Very little adds up, and once the true villain is revealed you’re going to be very confused. And as mentioned before, his motives are extremely unclear. Sure it didn’t include Devan, but it might as well have. spoiler
Just replace the Turtle City as a Rabit City, and bolly as Devan, and you wouldn’t know the difference
end spoiler
And what is wrong with Devan being the main villain in a pack? Play the IoD seiries made by Evilmike for an example of an excellent story involving Devan. Heck play that for an example of an excellent story ‘cause there ain’t one here.
Gameplay and Level Design-4/10
Listen it’s possible to make linear levels that are good. If a level is linear, and it’s still pretty decent I give it a decent score. The 2nd level was a grand example of this, too bad it was pretty short compared to the waytoolong first level. However the first and third level are prime examples of poor linear levels. The puzzles and secrets are so simple to solve and find, it’s pretty embarrising. So is the unforgiving level design. Theres more than enough carrots, but all in places you dont need them in. The level formula for the first level is this: Shoot, run, solve simple block/crate puzzle, run, shoot smash trigger crate, rinse wash repeat. You’re bound to get bored playing throught the first level normally. Now add in a couple of deaths, and too-far-spaced-out checkpoints, and you’ve got a breeding ground for more boredom and some frustration. Not to mention of the last segment of the first level is a downer.
The third level also follows a formula and its : Stomp crate, enter newly opened area, stomp crate, enter newly opened area, stomp crate, enter newly opened area. And then a boss fight in a pinball arena. Wait- Pinball arena? Why does Big Corp. have a huge Pinball room? And doesn’t a Corp. have extermintors to take care of the rats, bees, bats, and ravens? To tell you the truth, the pinball arena is very poorly done, and makes the fight easier than it should be. Finally here is the bit where I pick at another’s review:
When Chandie said that the moving crates was ‘innovative’, I was thoroughy confused. The concept of moving/ falling crates have been used in levels before. While the majority of those aren’t ‘Single Player’ levels, the idea has been done. Innovation usually means something new, and there isn’t anything in this pack I haven’t seen before
Secrets,Puzzles, and Pickups-2/10
I’m sorry, but if you cant solve the puzzles in this pack, then you need to get a new brain, and an IQ above 2. I never felt like I was solving a puzzle at all in this pack, although there are some bits that try to disguise themselves as a ‘puzzle’. Puzzles should be slightly dificult, not braindead easy. Same goes for the secrets: Make them secret! All of the secrets in this pack can easily be found. A simple way of finding secrets is this: If you can see it, chances are theres a ‘hole’ in the wall/ceiling nearby that sends you to the secret. Pickups are horrendusly useless, with the exception of a few carrots and 1ups, I don’t think anything I found was particully useful. The ammo only got in my way, and when I want to use the blaster over the seeker, you know that extra ammo is useless.
Final Score*- 3+4+2=9 9/3= *3.
DR?- No. I can’t say I reccomend this pack. And trust me, I have played some packs I’d love to reccomend.