I’m not sure exactly how to rate packs as a whole compared to single levels, so I’ll rate this based on which levels would actually be played. In other words, I would rate highly if one level would be played often, and if I find it fun to play in.
Fawful made some awfully big levels in this pack with awfully complex concepts. There’s definitely a lot of vigor put into some of these levels. If there ever was a need for the exclamation mark “!” this pack certainly deserves it. However, how was that vigor harnessed?
There’s certainly a difference between throwing darts at a dart board and throwing spears at it: Spears will likely destroy the dart board. Overkill is overkill, and I never enjoy playing in epically big or complex levels, simply because it’s harder to roast other players, and it’s often how easy it is to roast that makes jj2 fun. Of course there are exceptions, and many ways to design layouts that allow for them to be slow or fast paced despite size.
I like to compare levels, and I don’t care what anyone thinks of it: Myopia and Starlit Summit are somewhat similar, but there are also differences. Starlit Summit has a well thought out design imo. After playing Starlit Summit a few times in jdc events, it was quite enjoyable, but most players would agree it’s not suitable for smaller games. Some players thought it was still too big. In some games I recall it was extremely hard to score points, and they would end at 3. While being slightly horizontally smaller, Myopia is vertically bigger, has 3 full nrgs (Summit has 4 separate +1s and 1 full nrg), fly carrots and the layout is more open and spread out than Summit. If Summit is barely playable in jdc events, why the heck would I want to play Myopia in one? – Myopia might be OK in jdc events, but I don’t see it becoming an ideal level for them. In fact, some games in Divide and Conquer have been pretty slow paced as well. That aside, the music is nice, and in my opinion faw’s best track so far. By the way, Myopia is blurred vision; the effect presented in the bg is not totally consistent with the concept, but whatever.
Moving on to Downtown Maze: This probably has the weirdest CTF layout I have ever seen. I am pretty sure this level isn’t very balanced. I am definitely not fond of the layout organization. I’m not really sure what else to say about this, but I definitely don’t want to play here.
Neglected future is a level I did get a chance to play, and it was decent, but the layout could be better if it was simpler. For example, there were times I wanted to go straight up to blue base from the blue spring under it, but I was delayed by a green spring. Also, if you use the same blue spring to go towards the upper platform at the right, you’re required to use another green spring on the platform below it, but it doesn’t bring you high enough as jazz (but spaz can double jump). Jazz and Spaz can, however, make it to that platform fast with the aid of the suckertubes, this is a very weird concept though o.O. Another questionable spring placement is at the far right side, where there’s a ‘hole’ by a red spring, and you can camp there or something, but I only want to go straight up. There’s a green spring that can only let you reach the red base area, but reaching the other area not far above requires a bit more effort. I’m not sure if this level is that balanced, but I didn’t notice any balance issues while playing here.
Technoligized Sonicwaves is probably the most well rounded and playable level in the pack. My favorite ec aspect is how the solid tubes and suckertubes are used, just that little detail impressed me. I recall playing at least one game here, and it played solidly.
Klassieker for the Sn00zE has another non-symmetrical layout that is also very weird. I’m not sure how balanced the level is, but the layout is just so wacked out I can’t imagine it is.
Electric Factory has a somewhat symmetrical layout with bases at opposite diagonal corners of the level. No…just no. Of course, faw does not want me to rate this level in the pack? – Beats me.
Hard cheese is quite a solid/standard ctf level with at least one nice tactic I’ve noticed, and this is probably one of the best levels in the pack. However, playing this level really does feel cheesy thanks to the tileset.
Now onto the battle levels.
Pleased with Presents features a concept where players can only fall into pits if they are frozen, this is a very nice idea on how to deal with pits. Playing here a bit I can say it plays decently, even if the layout organization could yet again be better.
Knight FurnFace is the most annoying level I have ever seen. I have always liked wacky, silly or abstract levels as they fit pretty well with jj2, when I made that statement I wasn’t thinking of refined versions of zappo levels. The overall look is amazing, but technically it might as well be crap. Just like those abstract paintings that look like something a child made. The layout organization is nice, and I can see the big idea here. The problem with this level is the execution. Perhaps a different tileset or a different use, and this level could be one of, if not the best looking level I’ve seen so far. So I suggest redoing this level, it potentially has the ‘wow’ factor.
Favorite Park is not my favorite park unfortunately. It’s nice that I can use toaster underwater, and it’s also nice that I can walk and run underwater. So is that even water, and if it is water, why is it there in the first place? – Anyway, this seems like a solid battle level, and it can make for a few fun games every now and then.
8th heaven is a tower level. I mean, it’s a tower level in the sense that there are simply 3 towers, really, just 3 basic towers. The level is quite big, so I don’t see myself wanting to play here often.
Radioactive seems like it could be a decent battle level, but it’s quite…empty. Really, this level is kind of boring.
Moving on there’s a dom and an fr level.
I have already complained about the eyecandy in Hideout Center. Also, this level is a lot more complex than a normal fr level. So I’m really unsure about this.
I had got a chance to play Alien Heart in a jdc event once. While it played decent, there were some annoying things like camping at the seeker pu and +1. I’m serious a +1 and a seeker pu are TOGETHER.
So..some decent levels, and some questionable ones. In my opinion, Technoligized Sonicwaves is the best level in this pack, and the main reason to download Planetary.