AUTHOR (PSN ID): Jay_mb
CATEGORY: Race
DIFFICULTY: [Medium]
LEVEL LOCATION: Just outside of Mexico (To the West)
TIME OF PLAY: Approx. 4 minutes
PROS:
It is exactly what the title and the description states. You must equip a tetherless jetpack in order to complete the maze in a preassinged time provided by the starting line and timer. With only one life check point at the beginning, you must make your way through traps, dead ends and hazards that will attempt to prevent you from reaching the finish line. Simple and slightly more elaborate traps are used to get your heart going. There are several hidden areas with score bubbles. By getting these bubbles you are able to momentarily stop the timer and gain extra points. Be careful though, some of these traps have spikes just beside them. I you get greedy or you are with a speedy mindset due to the adrenaline, you might get hurt by the spikes and would have to respawn at the very beginning of the level. The replay value is higher than others precisely because of the timer. You might give it a couple of runs because it is challenging and yet fun.
CONS:
As I said before, innovation seems to be really difficult to accomplish for today's levels. Unless you are new to LBP, this level does not have anything new. Also, decorations and stickers are absent throughout the level. You really do not care for them much since you are more concentrated on reaching the finish line on time.
NITPICKS:
- The score board is pale.
OVERALL RATING: 4/5 
VERY GOOD! [level and author not hearted]
SUGGESTIONS:
- Add a lot of stickers and/or decorations to the score board. The color it has naturally does fit in with its environment, but extra attention of detail to it would be better.
- Make part 2 with much more elaborate traps and design. It could be done either with the same stone material you used or go for something completely different. Something (like a creature) that moves inside the maze would be awesome.
- If there is a part two, make the entrance of the maze more elaborate so that players know that they are getting themselves into something worth their while.
AUTHOR (PSN ID): Jay_mb
CATEGORY: Platformer
DIFFICULTY: [Medium]
LEVEL LOCATION: North Pacific Ocean
TIME OF PLAY: Approx. 4 minutes
PROS:
This is the second level that I review from this author and I can say that he is pretty good at making platform levels. This one in particular is not based on a race. Contrary to the one I recently reviewed called Jetpack Maze of Doom. The concept for this one is that you must help the Queen of LBP find her Scoreboard since it went missing. You travel through this level which is filled with obstacles and numerous paths that can be taken. Eventually they all lead to the same destination. Within the level description, the author mentions that there are a total of six custom prize bubbles that can be collected. They are all hidden, but you must find them. There are rather quickly spotted if you pay close attention.
CONS:
The gameplay is so smooth that you can finish the level rather quickly. Im not pointing at the level's difficulty, but at the physical length of the level. It could have a couple of more things added to it. I do not believe that the thermometer can be too full. Its fun, but it really does not have something that distinguishes it from other levels.
NITPICKS:
- The Queen does not appear ever again even though find the scoreboard she cried for.
OVERALL RATING: 3/5 Worth Playing! [level and author not hearted]
SUGGESTIONS:
- I would make the Queen be surrounded by royal things. Having her just stand there without anything to reinforce her class society takes away from her character. Create a throne behind her filled with jewel decorations. You could also make two custom knights that stand beside to protect her as she is outside her castle. It would make the whole level experience be more genuine. The knights must have their armor and weapons.
- The Queen can also mention to the players through an added magic mouth that there are six items scattered across the "forest". She can say that these items are relics of the kingdom. I know that the level's description mentions them, but not everybody reads it. Sad, but true.
- I would have really liked to see the Queen again at the end. Perhaps with her knights. A different pose for the two knight would look great. Perhaps kneeling and facing the scoreboard. The Queen should state how happy she is and why she needed the scoreboard. Something like: "Thank you so much! This is essential to keep the Royal Records of all who visit LBP" or something along these lines.
- You may create a prize counter so that you are rewarded at the end for every prize you found. The Queen could be the one that rewards you as well. She is the Queen after all or maybe even the King could may his presence felt at the end.
AUTHOR (PSN ID): Heckboy88
CATEGORY: Platform
DIFFICULTY: [Medium] - [Hard]
LEVEL LOCATION: South of Greenland (Denmark)
TIME OF PLAY: Approx. 12 minutes
PROS:
Fresh concepts and ideas are clearly noticeable in this level. Its as if Ben & Jerry came up with a new flavor that every one really liked. I have only seen a couple of the ideas implemented in other levels, but the author went to great lengths to harness them make them his own. You are currently a kidnapped specimen and must pass some tests. The people who abducted you know who you are and they mean business. Despite your pleads to be let go, they are determined to make you into a perfect fighter. All the obstacles have several phases within themselves making the level long and exciting. Innovative applications of the paintinator are used to spice up the gameplay. The name of the level lures players in while the description puts the icing on the cake. It is noticeable that the author tested this level thoroughly to ensure the overall quality of the level. This is a mixture between a story and a platform level. The platform aspect is more dominant though and thus receiving its current category. I recommend that you personally play it since the LBP ingame camera does not capture every detail and hazard. This level deserves more plays than what it currently has and I hope to see a sequel.
CONS:
Regardless of lasting around 12 minutes, the level ended before I wanted it to. The author himself states that the thermometer got maxed out and could not proceed.
NITPICKS:
- The icon does no justice for the level's content.
OVERALL RATING: 5/5 
MUST PLAY!! [level hearted and Author not hearted]
SUGGESTIONS:
- The level's icon can be changed for something more interesting. I know that it shows a Sackboy leaping over a gap, but it really does not do justice to your hard work. You could just write "Epic Leap 1" or place a more visually attractive image.
- The concept that magic mouths that are suppose to represent Sackboy's thought and feelings at the beginning is not clearly grasped. I suggest that you place something like: "Sackboy: ..."or "You:..." so that people get the idea better.
- Right after one jumps over the three platforms (the ones with Epic Leap 1 in front of them) there is a magic mouth with a word that can be quickly fixed. Its the last one just before the first real test. It should read: "are too pathetic..." instead of ""are to pathetic..."
- There is a magic mouth that should read: "You get the concept..." instead of "concert".
- The is a slight game loop hole. Just when the companion cube is released I accidentally died and respawned behind the doors that open revealing the green push button. Since I respawned there, I had electric hazard to both my left and right side. Only after very careful movements, was I able to continue the level by escaping to the right. It was too close for comfort and did not feel like that was part of the level. I would place another paintinator immediately to the right of THAT checkpoint. This way players may equip the paintinator, shoot the electrified red circular MGS material in to get cover and proceed.
- At the end you mention "sequal" when its written "sequel".
- A part 2 must definitely be considered. Perhaps with a boss battle
One Piece vol 1 : Thiller Bark
AUTHOR (PSN ID): Kazim-Kazim23 (battlefranky)
CATEGORY: Story/Boss
DIFFICULTY: [Medium]
LEVEL LOCATION: Virginia (East of North America)
TIME OF PLAY: Approx 5 minutes
PROS:
Are you a One Piece or an Anime fan in general? If you are, then you will get a special treat with this level. One Piece is a Japanese cartoon that focuses on Monkey D. Luffy. He is a boy who ate a magical fruit that gave him elastic powers and wears a strawhat . Due to that unique piece of attire, he formed a group of pirates known as the "Strawhat Pirates". They venture everywhere searching for the ultimate treasure called One Piece. If Luffy were to find it, he would become the kind of all the pirates. In this level, the crew docks in an area called Thiller Bark. It is a dark and gloomy place. Before you know it, you are encountering bosses left and right and you just hope that you survive. The bosses include the characters of Geko Moria, OZ, Kuma and others. A lot of quotes from the series are placed throughout the whole level making the level even more of an homage to One Piece. The boat at the beginning looks very funky and cartoonish; which I enjoyed. The thing that attracted me most about the level where the recreation of the characters. I do not know most of the characters since I am not too familiar with One Piece, but after I searched them in the web their rendition is incredible. Especially the faces.
CONS:
Knowing very little of these animated series I sought the help of a friend of mine who knows more about anime in general. Between the both of us we deduced that the characters where greatly made but the encounter with the bosses felt completely random. Thiller Bark is composed of several episodes/books and the author tried to fit everything in one level. This being the case, the story is all over the place. You really do not know who is who and why you are fighting them. This is something that the author can fix though with the use of a couple of magic mouths. The level in meant for true fans of the franchise, but those that are novice will have a hard time understanding it and appreciating all the details that the author put work into. I would have rated it higher if introductions were made in order to understand the story.
NITPICKS:
- The tethered jetpack on the ship is not glued.
- You can simply walk by the bosses and not fight them.
- The bosses just stood there and took your punishment. Even though they through plasma spheres.
- Grammar
OVERALL RATING: 3/5 Worth Playing! [level and author not hearted]
SUGGESTIONS:
- Glue the tetherd jetpack at the beginning to the ship. Since it was loose I could just fly over the whole level without going through the bosses or story.
- Introduce the cat character that is on the helm. What you could do is place the name of the cat before the text of what he is saying. You actually did this for some characters in the level, but not him. For example: "Name of Cat": "Captain!, we made it to Thiller Bark. Be careful though, it is home to Gecko Moria!". I recommend that you write it exactly as I wrote it because its sounds smoother and polished. I also recommend that you write every word fully instead of using slang like "2" instead of "to". It will make the level look more professional to match your great characters.
- As noted, the character's name is 'Gecko Moria' instead of 'Geko Moria'. Verify it.
- Also, make sure that the name of the cat appears on both of his magic mouths.
- Since 'Thiller Bark' is a place, both first letters (the "T" and "B") should be in capital letters.
- Anyone new to the series that plays your levels should get a brief introduction to the characters. Add one or more magic mouths to the cat so that he explains who Gecko Moria is. Something like, 'Name of cat': "Gecko Moria is a bad dude. He did this and that".
- Write the name of the squirrel brothers as "Risky Brothers". The "b" should also be capitalized.
- The introduction of Gecko Moria can also be done by the Risky Brothers. They could have a brief conversation with you explaining Moria's evil deeds.
- Players do not really know if the guy saying "kishi, kishi, kishi" is Gecko Moria. Write his magic mouth like this: Gecko Moria: Kishi, kishi, kishi! This way new players will know its him and not think he is a minor boss that might lead to Gecko Moria.
- Make the squirrelly character right after Moria also have his name in the magic mouth. In referring to the one that says "OZ is outside". He should also say something brief about who OZ is. New players do not know if he is good or evil.
- Within Absolum's magic mouth I would also avoid slang. Avoid the "u" and write the question mark at the end. Write it like
- I would add creature legs and brain to Absolum so that he may move back and forward between two guiding lights designed to keep a "creature" within a certain space. This is so that Absolum does not walk on the lifting platform to the left.
- Also,
Persona: You'll never get pass my ghosts!
- Place the name of the character on the roof that is smoking.
'Smoking Character's Name' : Captain, OZ is right up ahead! Grab on to the rope and destroy the brains!.
- The smoking character can also have one more magic mouth to describe OZ.
- Add the name of OZ to the magic mouth where he speaks:
OZ: Gum Gum Pistole!
- This will help players know that HE is OZ.
- Kuma's magic mouth should read:
One Piece vol 2 : Shabondy
AUTHOR (PSN ID): Kazim-Kazim23 (battlefranky)
CATEGORY: Story/Boss
DIFFICULTY: [Medium] - [Hard]
LEVEL LOCATION: Around Mexico
TIME OF PLAY: Approx 10 minutes
PROS:
Here in volume two of the author's homage to One Piece, the Strawhat Pirates find themselves in the Archipelago. Within the series, it is a place of very strict military conduct and the base for the Marines; which are enemies of the Strawhat Pirates. We are informed that Camie (a mermaid) has been captured by the Marines and taken to a Human Shop where they get money for rare things (like a mermaid). Once she is found, you must fight off Marines with a paintinator with the aid of Captain Kidd and Law. As you continue, you also fight bosses like Cyborg px-1, Sentomeru and Kizaru. There are a lot of others characters in the level; which will make fans of the series feel like they are in anime heaven. As I mentioned in the review for vol 1, the look and the expressions of the characters are great. I recommend you click on the promotional post above so that you know what I mean. Quotes directly from the series are also integrated.
CONS:
Hard work is noticeable for the characters, but (just like the first part) this level can only truly be understood by fans. New players willing to play the level will be lost throughout the whole level. Characters are not introduced properly in order for players to understand their goals, situations or at least who they are. I consider that the environment in the first level was more detailed and distinguishable.
NITPICKS:
- I see that you have written a similar word in three different ways and it is not clear how it is correctly spelled. The words Im referring to are Shabondy (level name), Sabaody (level description) and SHABONY (promotional post)
- Emitter are visible on the guns of the Marines.
OVERALL RATING: 3/5 Worth Playing! [level and author not hearted]
SUGGESTIONS:
- The environment needs some work. Im not too sure how it looks in the series, but there might be trees, bushes and perhaps even some barrels.
- The characters look great, but I would add some movement to them so that they look alive. A piston can be attached between a character and the floor to add said movement. Make sure to tweak the pistons so that they are not seen.
- The star at the beginning should give a brief introduction of who Camie is and why we have to save her. The Star character can mention that the Human Shop is like a pawn shop that pays people for rare goods.
- Tweak all the emitters located on the guns of the Marines so that they are not visible.
- I would make Silvers specify that HE was the one who rescued Camie. After he says it he can then say "Don't worry, I'll coat your ship.
Battle With Doller
By: Filipeq
Difficulty: Hard
Gameplay: This level had very confusing gameplay. You learned that you had to kill this person named Doller, but who knows why? So you set off on a mission to find this person and kill him, but it is very hard finding your way through this level. The beginning middle and end all seemed very fast. Also I thought it was weird that there was this freaky guy in a window laughing at you, and when you finally find Doller, he is throwing a bunch of the creepy guy at you, and he is electric! At first the game seemed like it was going to be this awesome game, and at first it was. But then it started going downhill. You had to shoot this people that looked like Snake from Metal gear solid. It was weird to me because he was trying to kill you! Also after that you had to dodge falling bombs, and if you survived you wait there to jump into the back of a truck. This is where it was the most confusing to me. After you get into the truck you wait to get to where you are suppose to go, but then... It is a trap and you have to run for it. The way the level looked made it so you had no clue where to run! Bombs fell on the truck and you died. So you would think, "oh ok now I know what to do! I have to run out of the truck somewhere!" Which that led to electrocution, but then you finally found out where to go. But you had to restart the game, because the exploded truck broke the entire rest of trucks so you got stuck and eventually died. The boss fight was very hard also. You had to get your gun, but he threw bodies at you every millisecond! The bodies were electric so you couldn't get your gun tell the right moment which was 5 minutes to be the right moment. This level was very tricky to get through, but still kind of fun. At the end you would say YES! I FINALLY MADE IT!
Overall Gameplay rating: 4 out of 10
Visuals: The very first place you popped up at was the best visuals in the entire level. After that it seemed to get kind of sloppy. The trucks would randomly appear out of sponge mountains that you would die if you went into them. There was also no decorations except for the very beginning room in the Keller. I can't say very much about visuals because there was only one part that had "visuals". That first room was great though! I like how he kept the theme in the lone room. (mechanical theme). Also I liked how you didn't just pop up by a wall, and he added a room to your back also.
Overall Visuals rating: 5 out of 10 (the room saved you!)
Level Design: The level design of this level was kind of sloppy also. Like the visuals, The beginning was the best part, and flowed the best. You got onto the elevator and went through the door. Then it just seemed like he randomly put things where they seemed fit. There were just 3 random people shooting at you, then bombs randomly fell out of the sky, but he made the vehicles come out of the sponge well. But then when the vehicle exploded and you died. If you died you had to restart the level because the other trucks did not disappear, and you could not get through. That was the main problem I saw. The other main problem I say was the boss fight. Making the electric bodies fly out at you killed you every second! Also you were not able to get the gun! This made the game loose its fun.
Overall Level Design Rating: 5 out of 10
This level could use some work, but with the work it could be a very good level! The storyline could be larger, and more obsticles could be added, and the obsticles in it right now could be fixed.
Suggestions:
- Add more detail!
- Fix the truck problem
- make the trucks come out of something besides a wall of ice sponge
- Give us more story to this level! There was no story excpt telling us to kill this doller guy!
- fix the boss fight! We need to be able to get the gun to make it past Doller!
Overall rating: 2 out of 5 (Author not hearted or level hearted)
If you fix these problems the game will be great! I can't wait to see if you make this an amazing level!
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