Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Online

Level design is fairly solid for the most part, however many of the levels (DiamB levels in particular) feel dull and lifeless and a lot of the pack in general just screams “devres wannabe”

Versatile and nice-looking for the most part, but some things, most notably the second set of destruct blocks, are pretty poorly done, though that’s probably to be expected of something like an LMAT set.

It took me a while to decide how to approach reviewing this pack. As others have stated, its quality is…variable, to say the least. So I’ve decided to split the review into three sections: one on the levels I really like, one on the levels that are passable, and one on the levels that just don’t work. In that order, because it will make the ending that much funnier.

So, first. The best levels. Opinions vary, of course, but I’d say Technologized Sonicwaves, Pleased with Presents, and Hard Cheese qualify.

Technologized Sonicwaves is a very well-designed and well-constructed CTF level. It has few flaws if any, and is highly suitable for both duels and larger games. As with most such levels, however, there is not a lot to say about it.

Pleased with Presents is a battle level which I actually helped quite a bit with, as far as design decisions and balancing, although admittedly most of this was in its earliest stages. In particular, I am afraid that I am to blame for the belts. I beg forgiveness from anyone who has fallen into a pit because of them.
That aside, the level has a nice, learnable layout, and good eyecandy (although the background may be a bit too strange for its own good). Its biggest drawback is probably its inconsistent placement of Fly Off events – you can enter some indoor areas, but not others, while flying. Still, the level is fun to play in.

Hard Cheese is a simple, yet moderately unconventional, CTF level. It’s mostly horizontal, even moreso than most levels, and although you’d expect this to lead to a ton of awful bottlenecks, it actually works very well. I am not, however, especially fond of the eyecandy here – it feels like it was sort of thrown on in a rush, as the style is rather inconsistent.

Now, on to the levels that missed the proverbial mark in some way or another, but still manage to be (barely?) playable.

I’m going to start with Knight FurnFace. This is one of the most graphically striking levels ever made for JJ2, as the tileset lends itself to FawFul’s use extremely well. Unfortunately, this lovely eyecandy comes right back around and bites the level in its wrinkled 8-bit rump: it’s rather difficult to tell whether or not something is on layer 4 or 5 (or 3 and 2 in a few especially bad cases). This means lots of bumping into things and falling through things, probably into one of the level’s pits. Mercifully, a pitless version is included, but the level still requires memorization before it can be properly played.

Neglected Future is a level that, while nicely balanced and well-designed overall, has a lot of annoying quirks. I could describe them, but 30 seconds of playing will demonstrate.

Myopia is a level which suffers primarily from being too large for any fewer than 10 players, and even with 16 it feels rather too large, especially given the nature of its layout. If JJ2’s netcode were reworked (hey, BlurredD…wait, where are you going? BlurredD?) to support more connections, I have no doubt that this would make for some great 12vs12 games. But that hasn’t happened yet, so this level is not especially useful.

Radioactive is simply too boring to be given any more than an acknowledgement. Unlike pretty much every other level in the pack, there’s nothing unique about it, and when that’s added to the fact that it isn’t exceptionally well-made in the first place…

Alien Heart. This level has been played a lot, and I’m pretty sure that’s only by dint of there being so few Domination levels around. Although it’s playable, it’s not very enjoyable, especially with things like that seeker powerup…

Hideout Center I never got the chance to actually play, since Flag Run isn’t exactly the most popular gamemode around. It feels a bit too complicated for it, to be honest.

And now the part you’ve all probably skipped to: the bad levels. There’s just no excuse; they’re bad.

Favourite Park. Horrible usage of sucker tubes, and a limiting layout, combined with mediocre eyecandy.

8th Heaven could simply be described as an idea that seems good but isn’t. The towers make gameplay feel both limited and repetitive, and the pillars of light are downright silly.

Downtown Maze is pretty aptly named, because trying to navigate the level is like trying to navigate a maze. In other words, worst layout ever. Wait, no it isn’t; I forgot about…

Klassieker for the SnOOzE. I don’t like Snooze very much now, because if he hadn’t existed, we wouldn’t have to suffer this level. The bases are extremely close, the layout is small and very strange, and the level is terribly unbalanced – what were you THINKING with that seeker powerup?

Electric Factory…well, it’s not a serious level, and so shouldn’t be treated as such. I honestly can’t imagine anyone wanting to play it though.

But I’m basing my rating on the levels that ARE worth playing. And the pack is definitely worth downloading, just don’t be disappointed when the later levels don’t hold up to the standards set by the earlier ones.

This was nicely done. DR

Good concept, nice tileset, i wanna say RARE tileset… XD lol…

Cool!

BG is nice!

XD good idea

ok i do “Add and i put it he way i want it but when i press “Build” it always says

“Error Cannot open file c:/Games/Jazz2TSF/Tiles/CD31.bmp”“,……..how i fix this?

[Rating (1.2) clearance. – cooba]

This has got to be the best tileset of 2009 and possibly of all time. The theme is very original. Tileset is easy to use and there’s lots of tiles to be creative with. Three different palettes are included; Inferno, Toxic & Winter.

DOWNLOAD NOW!!

decent conversion :)

PurpleJazz: I was going to add a textured background, then realized that I couldn’t think of anything that would fit. I could’ve just added a generic JJ2 textured background, but I doubt anyone would have actually used it.

sonicnathan: Which tiles are missing? PM me if you have to. Also, the animations in JJ1 have as many frames as they do in the tileset – you can’t complain about missing tiles AND complain about them taking too much space. Well, you can, but it doesn’t make much sense. I guess that’s what quick reviews are for, though.

I agree with snz. =]

The best level by FS so far in my opinion. Awesome music choice. :D

well deserved for versatility

Amazing pack, I think 9 is good rate, some levels have bugs and you added them before testing carefully

A textured background would be nice.

Jgke is telling the truth I think.Hasn’t this program been the 3rd one that does the same job(finding connected files:tilesets,musics…)?

(Edit by me ~ sorry,i didnt see the source.Yeah thats better than others with source code )

=]

Another solid, but not spectacular level by SJ.
SJ’s levels are always fun to play, and they manage to be ‘good’ or better in every single aspect almost always.
This symmetric one ain’t any different.
Just as SJ said, this plays well with at least 6 players. It isn’t a huge level, but the layout definitely makes it feel bigger.
Thumbs up.

@FawFul

I have to agree, they look pretty bad.

I am not really in the mood of writing a full review but i will point some aspects from the pack. The eyecandy is very good. There are no bugs or anything, gameplay was very good. The levels really make you feel that you are there and the enemy/picup placement is not frustrating. Music is very good and it fits the pack etc. My rating is 9.7 with DR

This is the epitome of a well-done collaboration by skillful tileset builders.
The tileset is — as some people like to say — easy to use, but hard to master, which is a common attribute of really well constructed tilesets.
This is a tileset you definitely want to download if you’re looking for a tileset without limitations.
Great job guys.