Two new levels for your enjoyment ;)
by Andrew Sears · in Marble Blast · 05/20/2006 (6:30 pm) · 34 replies
Using some interiors from "A Day at the Beach", I have created two fun, new, and exciting levels for you to play:
"Invasion!" - The player must loot a large castle full of gems before the time limit (7 minutes). This level features a front gate that actually opens, a moat, a large wall in front of the castle, and a partially raised drawbridge to make the level look more realistic! There are gems galore here, inside and outside the castle.
"Bridge Over Marble-ed Water" - The player must cross a large river by using a long, obstacle-riddled bridge to get to the other side. The bridge has railings, and there are trees on either side of the river to make this a more realistic and eye-pleasing level.
I believe that these are my best levels yet, and I'm sure you'll think so too after you play them. So, you know what to do, post your e-mail address here if you want 'em!!!
"Invasion!" - The player must loot a large castle full of gems before the time limit (7 minutes). This level features a front gate that actually opens, a moat, a large wall in front of the castle, and a partially raised drawbridge to make the level look more realistic! There are gems galore here, inside and outside the castle.
"Bridge Over Marble-ed Water" - The player must cross a large river by using a long, obstacle-riddled bridge to get to the other side. The bridge has railings, and there are trees on either side of the river to make this a more realistic and eye-pleasing level.
I believe that these are my best levels yet, and I'm sure you'll think so too after you play them. So, you know what to do, post your e-mail address here if you want 'em!!!
About the author
#2
05/20/2006 (7:05 pm)
Tpantano@mac.com 
#3
Bridge Over Marble-ed Water - On the bridge we go!
Fun Factor - 10/10 (+2)
Creative reuse of MBG parts - 8/10 (+1)
Challenge - Easy (+1)
Thought Factor - 9.5/10 (+1)
Map Layout - 9/10 (+1)
Finish-able - Yes (+1)
Shortcuts - Low (0)
Placement of Items and their Strategic Usage - 9/10 (+0.5)
Gold Time - Easy (+1)
Qualify Time - None (0)
Frustration - None (+1)
Overall Score - 9.5/10
System Scoring Glossary:
Challenge/Gold Time/Qualify Time:
None/Novice/Easy/Medium/Advanced/Intern/Expert/Ace
Frustration:
Negligable/Low/Medium/High/DELETING THIS LEVEL NOW!
Finish-able:
Yes/No
Shortcuts (how many shortcuts are there?):
None/Low/Medium/High
General Comments:
Yet again another level by Andrew Sears, this time called "Bridge Over Marble-ed Water". Bridge Over Marble-ed Water Presents the player to a small map where there're two shores and a river seperating the two. In order to cross, the player must use power ups to get on the bridge, pass several obstacles and slide down a tube to the mud and to the finish. Although simple looking, this level has some tricks and traps, but an easy gold time. Bridge Over Marble-ed Water was well thought and it shows by its realism with the trees, grass and water interiors. Andrew Sears has tested the level and made sure that the gold time is easily reached and that the level has no bugs or flaws. Short, quick and easy, Bridge Over Marble-ed Water is recommended :)
Personal Comment:
Interesting style and choice of level. I really like the idea and this level was pretty quick to finish. I enjoyed this level and I hope to see more of its kind.
Stuck? Cannot pass the Gold Time? Here's a walkthrough:
1) Start with a Fast Start and get the super jump, then press W+A and before the wall jump and activate the super jump. You'll fly high in the air. Quickly roll forwards and as you hit the super speed, activate it, gaining extra speed.
2) As you go very fast and fly, press Jump and Forwards and you'll make it to the tube without getting stuck somewhere.
3) Go down the tube and try and get from the mud to the finish without going to different directions.
05/20/2006 (8:02 pm)
Review by Matan - Your Local Custom Level ReviewerBridge Over Marble-ed Water - On the bridge we go!
Fun Factor - 10/10 (+2)
Creative reuse of MBG parts - 8/10 (+1)
Challenge - Easy (+1)
Thought Factor - 9.5/10 (+1)
Map Layout - 9/10 (+1)
Finish-able - Yes (+1)
Shortcuts - Low (0)
Placement of Items and their Strategic Usage - 9/10 (+0.5)
Gold Time - Easy (+1)
Qualify Time - None (0)
Frustration - None (+1)
Overall Score - 9.5/10
System Scoring Glossary:
Challenge/Gold Time/Qualify Time:
None/Novice/Easy/Medium/Advanced/Intern/Expert/Ace
Frustration:
Negligable/Low/Medium/High/DELETING THIS LEVEL NOW!
Finish-able:
Yes/No
Shortcuts (how many shortcuts are there?):
None/Low/Medium/High
General Comments:
Yet again another level by Andrew Sears, this time called "Bridge Over Marble-ed Water". Bridge Over Marble-ed Water Presents the player to a small map where there're two shores and a river seperating the two. In order to cross, the player must use power ups to get on the bridge, pass several obstacles and slide down a tube to the mud and to the finish. Although simple looking, this level has some tricks and traps, but an easy gold time. Bridge Over Marble-ed Water was well thought and it shows by its realism with the trees, grass and water interiors. Andrew Sears has tested the level and made sure that the gold time is easily reached and that the level has no bugs or flaws. Short, quick and easy, Bridge Over Marble-ed Water is recommended :)
Personal Comment:
Interesting style and choice of level. I really like the idea and this level was pretty quick to finish. I enjoyed this level and I hope to see more of its kind.
Stuck? Cannot pass the Gold Time? Here's a walkthrough:
1) Start with a Fast Start and get the super jump, then press W+A and before the wall jump and activate the super jump. You'll fly high in the air. Quickly roll forwards and as you hit the super speed, activate it, gaining extra speed.
2) As you go very fast and fly, press Jump and Forwards and you'll make it to the tube without getting stuck somewhere.
3) Go down the tube and try and get from the mud to the finish without going to different directions.
#4
Anywho, wachovia_138@yahoo.com please
05/20/2006 (8:59 pm)
Why does this thing have to take me to my profile and not to a post when I login? it's So frustrating!!Anywho, wachovia_138@yahoo.com please
#6
Fun Factor - 10/10
Creative reuse of MBG parts - 9/10
Challenge - Very Easy
Thought Factor - 10/10
Map Layout - 8/10
Shortcuts - 1
Placement of Items and their Strategic Usage - 10/10
Gold Time - Supereasy
Frustration - Absolutely none
Overall Score - 9/10 (45/50)
This level made me feel relaxed, no frustration, and happy. Pretty simple level, makes me calm, just like a river.
Also, matan, wouldn't you consider using the super jump and super speed to skip some of the platforms a shortcut?
[img src="http://www.freewebs.com/marbleblastballs/Picture%201.png" /]
Invasion- Recommended to: Intermediate+
Fun Factor - 8/10
Creative reuse of MBG parts - 10/10
Challenge - If it was steak, it be medium-rare
Thought Factor - 10/10
Map Layout - 8/10
Placement of Items and their Strategic Usage - 10/10
Gold Time - Medium
Frustration - Medium
Overall Score - 46/50
Somewhat frustrating because of GM's, trapdoor to castle (it hit me back out of the castle after I got in) and fans. This level is still recommended though because it has some fun and creative reuse.
05/21/2006 (7:28 am)
Bridge Over Marble-ed Water- Recommended to: AnyoneFun Factor - 10/10
Creative reuse of MBG parts - 9/10
Challenge - Very Easy
Thought Factor - 10/10
Map Layout - 8/10
Shortcuts - 1
Placement of Items and their Strategic Usage - 10/10
Gold Time - Supereasy
Frustration - Absolutely none
Overall Score - 9/10 (45/50)
This level made me feel relaxed, no frustration, and happy. Pretty simple level, makes me calm, just like a river.
Also, matan, wouldn't you consider using the super jump and super speed to skip some of the platforms a shortcut?
[img src="http://www.freewebs.com/marbleblastballs/Picture%201.png" /]
Invasion- Recommended to: Intermediate+
Fun Factor - 8/10
Creative reuse of MBG parts - 10/10
Challenge - If it was steak, it be medium-rare
Thought Factor - 10/10
Map Layout - 8/10
Placement of Items and their Strategic Usage - 10/10
Gold Time - Medium
Frustration - Medium
Overall Score - 46/50
Somewhat frustrating because of GM's, trapdoor to castle (it hit me back out of the castle after I got in) and fans. This level is still recommended though because it has some fun and creative reuse.
#7
Mmmmmmm, I love steak. Especially with french fries, yum, yum! :D
Oh, and thanks for the reviews!
P.S. This is my 100th post!!!!!
05/21/2006 (8:30 am)
Matan, what are those numbers after each score (you know, like "0", "+1", etc.)? Is it a new part of your scoring system?Quote:If it was steak, it be medium-rare
Mmmmmmm, I love steak. Especially with french fries, yum, yum! :D
Oh, and thanks for the reviews!
P.S. This is my 100th post!!!!!
#8
Anyway, I'll post my review on Invasion! Soon. And yes Tristan, I knew about these 2 shortcuts. Read me walkthrough.
05/21/2006 (2:24 pm)
I was just trying them out, don't worry :)Anyway, I'll post my review on Invasion! Soon. And yes Tristan, I knew about these 2 shortcuts. Read me walkthrough.
#9
Invasion! - It's not an alien invasion, it's you who are the invader!
Fun Factor - 8/10
Creative reuse of MBG parts - 8/10
Challenge - Medium-Advanced
Thought Factor and Originality - 5/10
Map Layout - 9/10
Finish-able - Yes
Shortcuts - Low
Placement of Items and their Strategic Usage - 9/10
Gold Time - Advanced
Qualify Time - Medium
Frustration - I almost deleted this level after 4 hours of straight play. Shall we say, very very very very high in frustration.
Overall Score - 5/10. You ain't gonna escape from me this time!
System Scoring Glossary:
Challenge/Gold Time/Qualify Time:
None/Novice/Easy/Medium/Advanced/Intern/Expert/Ace
Frustration:
Negligable/Low/Medium/High/DELETING THIS LEVEL NOW!
Finish-able:
Yes/No
Shortcuts (how many shortcuts are there?):
None/Low/Medium/High
General Comments:
Invasion! is a different kind of a level, consisting of a sand castle tower with a moat, a wall and an opening door. Quite realistic and well layouted, but can be very frustrating. Unfortunately, Invasion! repeats the same idea from Andrew's other levels and so there seemed to be no originality, but there was some thought in how to build this level, even though the interior the sand castle itself was not made by Andrew. The idea that Andrew emphasises on is the challenge and marble building skills by using a variety of challenges, where the tightropes top them all. However, the challenge can be a nuisance once you learn Andrew linear style of adding tightropes and other challenges. Although these can be passed, they can become very frustrating. Invasion! is actually a good level for those who don't know Andrew Sears style and will find this a very nice challenge. The level has some very nice stategy in it and good use of MBG parts, but could improve. Overall, Invasion! is recommended to play by those who won't get too frustrated after several hours of play.
Personal Comment:
The truth? I hated this level. I had no problems inside the castle, getting 24 gems in an easy time of 1:40 minutes, but getting the last 15? I hated this level. You managed to ruin another good potential for another level by using these dreaded tightropes. Try and use platforms that are bigger at least twice than is the marble and that if you fall on them from above you ain't gonna hit their edges. To make it worse, if you got stuck to the wall, you had this annoying bug where the marble stuck to the wall until it stopped or it would suddenly fly off in a different direction, very annoying when you jump! This is why each tightrope must never be either next to a wall and if it has to be, then it must be twice as large than the marble is, not the same size like in this level. You did show a bigger tightrope this time when not next to a wall and that was a good improvement, but your tightropes next to the wall didn't show any new improvements at all. It was not surprising why I was pissed off at this level after 4.5 hours of straight play on this level, trying to pass the same tightropes again and again and again. I somehow still would like to play your future levels, but the tightropes can be very annoying. It might sound weird, but at least in the MBG level, Tightrope, you can still do something as you're not stuck to a wall! Anyhow, I deleted this level and the only time I finished it was at a gold time of 3:47 minutes.
For people who cannot get the gold time:
This level is linear but there are some darn good tricks and paths up my sleeve:
1) When you get the 4 gems at the start, start from the right and jump to the left wall. Get the 4th gem, then W+A into the castle. Get the 2 gems on the oil slick, then the one on the bumper, then the fan, space and bumper, go right and super jump to the gem. Go left, up the door very quickly and go back down slowly and before the floor, jump and go forwards towards the gem at the corner. Without jumping, get into it and then Jump and rotate camera 180 degrees as you hit the wall. You will be shot out of the tornado. Get the gem near the fan and double super jump to the gem, back down and go from the left to the fan with the gem. Now go on super jump to the highest part of the stairs and go back down 4-5 steps on the gem and then go left into the hole and get the gem. Now go back, take super jump and continue forwards to the GM next to the space thing (you'll see why). Get the GM and get the gem on the left, get GM and get both gems, now go right and use super jump to get to the 4th gem (and 23 in total). Hit GM and go left and get super jump and then to the last hole and out we go.
2) The tightropes are linear. Literally. But very hard. The tips are: After the first fan, get the gem above and continue. Get Super jump and jump+Super jump to the top of the castle. Get all 4 gems and use super jump to get the other 4. Get super jump and fall on the gem and super jump back up (unless you can stabilise yourself) and then if you went back up, fall on the tightrope that continues (after the shock absorber), or if you stayed on the tightrope, jump above shock absorber on the ightrope. Now go after both bumpers, get the gem and jump twice to get both gems. Continue upwards, get the last gem and go left or super jump up. Get the super speed and hit the ramp and jump to the finish, beating the gold time by a lot.
3) If you don't wanna go up after the 26th gem (the one after the first fan outside), continue normally and beat the level normally. Faster, but I like my way since it's more safe and you have a Super Jump with you to help you out, just in case.
05/21/2006 (2:58 pm)
Review by Matan - Your Local Custom Level ReviewerInvasion! - It's not an alien invasion, it's you who are the invader!
Fun Factor - 8/10
Creative reuse of MBG parts - 8/10
Challenge - Medium-Advanced
Thought Factor and Originality - 5/10
Map Layout - 9/10
Finish-able - Yes
Shortcuts - Low
Placement of Items and their Strategic Usage - 9/10
Gold Time - Advanced
Qualify Time - Medium
Frustration - I almost deleted this level after 4 hours of straight play. Shall we say, very very very very high in frustration.
Overall Score - 5/10. You ain't gonna escape from me this time!
System Scoring Glossary:
Challenge/Gold Time/Qualify Time:
None/Novice/Easy/Medium/Advanced/Intern/Expert/Ace
Frustration:
Negligable/Low/Medium/High/DELETING THIS LEVEL NOW!
Finish-able:
Yes/No
Shortcuts (how many shortcuts are there?):
None/Low/Medium/High
General Comments:
Invasion! is a different kind of a level, consisting of a sand castle tower with a moat, a wall and an opening door. Quite realistic and well layouted, but can be very frustrating. Unfortunately, Invasion! repeats the same idea from Andrew's other levels and so there seemed to be no originality, but there was some thought in how to build this level, even though the interior the sand castle itself was not made by Andrew. The idea that Andrew emphasises on is the challenge and marble building skills by using a variety of challenges, where the tightropes top them all. However, the challenge can be a nuisance once you learn Andrew linear style of adding tightropes and other challenges. Although these can be passed, they can become very frustrating. Invasion! is actually a good level for those who don't know Andrew Sears style and will find this a very nice challenge. The level has some very nice stategy in it and good use of MBG parts, but could improve. Overall, Invasion! is recommended to play by those who won't get too frustrated after several hours of play.
Personal Comment:
The truth? I hated this level. I had no problems inside the castle, getting 24 gems in an easy time of 1:40 minutes, but getting the last 15? I hated this level. You managed to ruin another good potential for another level by using these dreaded tightropes. Try and use platforms that are bigger at least twice than is the marble and that if you fall on them from above you ain't gonna hit their edges. To make it worse, if you got stuck to the wall, you had this annoying bug where the marble stuck to the wall until it stopped or it would suddenly fly off in a different direction, very annoying when you jump! This is why each tightrope must never be either next to a wall and if it has to be, then it must be twice as large than the marble is, not the same size like in this level. You did show a bigger tightrope this time when not next to a wall and that was a good improvement, but your tightropes next to the wall didn't show any new improvements at all. It was not surprising why I was pissed off at this level after 4.5 hours of straight play on this level, trying to pass the same tightropes again and again and again. I somehow still would like to play your future levels, but the tightropes can be very annoying. It might sound weird, but at least in the MBG level, Tightrope, you can still do something as you're not stuck to a wall! Anyhow, I deleted this level and the only time I finished it was at a gold time of 3:47 minutes.
For people who cannot get the gold time:
This level is linear but there are some darn good tricks and paths up my sleeve:
1) When you get the 4 gems at the start, start from the right and jump to the left wall. Get the 4th gem, then W+A into the castle. Get the 2 gems on the oil slick, then the one on the bumper, then the fan, space and bumper, go right and super jump to the gem. Go left, up the door very quickly and go back down slowly and before the floor, jump and go forwards towards the gem at the corner. Without jumping, get into it and then Jump and rotate camera 180 degrees as you hit the wall. You will be shot out of the tornado. Get the gem near the fan and double super jump to the gem, back down and go from the left to the fan with the gem. Now go on super jump to the highest part of the stairs and go back down 4-5 steps on the gem and then go left into the hole and get the gem. Now go back, take super jump and continue forwards to the GM next to the space thing (you'll see why). Get the GM and get the gem on the left, get GM and get both gems, now go right and use super jump to get to the 4th gem (and 23 in total). Hit GM and go left and get super jump and then to the last hole and out we go.
2) The tightropes are linear. Literally. But very hard. The tips are: After the first fan, get the gem above and continue. Get Super jump and jump+Super jump to the top of the castle. Get all 4 gems and use super jump to get the other 4. Get super jump and fall on the gem and super jump back up (unless you can stabilise yourself) and then if you went back up, fall on the tightrope that continues (after the shock absorber), or if you stayed on the tightrope, jump above shock absorber on the ightrope. Now go after both bumpers, get the gem and jump twice to get both gems. Continue upwards, get the last gem and go left or super jump up. Get the super speed and hit the ramp and jump to the finish, beating the gold time by a lot.
3) If you don't wanna go up after the 26th gem (the one after the first fan outside), continue normally and beat the level normally. Faster, but I like my way since it's more safe and you have a Super Jump with you to help you out, just in case.
#10
05/21/2006 (4:29 pm)
Matan, I knew you knew about them but you put 0 shortcuts
#11
05/21/2006 (4:44 pm)
Sorry, Matan, for all the frustration with "Invasion!" :'( I forgot that you hated tightropes so much. If I had remembered, they would've been wider, or not there at all. I'll try to remember next time.
#12
05/21/2006 (5:58 pm)
Oh and A.S., I somewhat hate tightropes too....
#13
It was the score. No shorcuts = 1, medium = -0.5 and high = -1 in score. Low is 0.
If you want me to start to input all the shortcuts I found, I would say for that level is 2. For platform challenge it would be ~8 or something.
Anyway, I forgive you Andrew :) It was just very annoying finishing that level.
05/21/2006 (11:32 pm)
"Matan, I knew you knew about them but you put 0 shortcuts"It was the score. No shorcuts = 1, medium = -0.5 and high = -1 in score. Low is 0.
If you want me to start to input all the shortcuts I found, I would say for that level is 2. For platform challenge it would be ~8 or something.
Anyway, I forgive you Andrew :) It was just very annoying finishing that level.
#14
If I may say so, the problem with Matan is that he tries to go too fast :-)
05/22/2006 (4:39 am)
Tightropes don't annoy me at all...If I may say so, the problem with Matan is that he tries to go too fast :-)
#16
Oh, and Matan DOES go insanely fast.
05/22/2006 (10:55 am)
I don't try to go too fast and tightropes still tick me off. They tick me off because I'll THINK I'm lined up perfectly straight only to find I'm off a good 10 degrees or more! (I may never beat the advanced Tightrope level.)Oh, and Matan DOES go insanely fast.
#17
Basically, for tightropes watch the two edges of them. You will see that because of the pixelation of the screen, their edges will be a bit ragged, like a staircase. The idea is to get the same number of "steps" on both sides of it. Then you'll know you're lined up perfectly.
05/22/2006 (11:41 am)
I suppose lining up is the one thing I'm half good at... (That's why I have the two WR's I do!)Basically, for tightropes watch the two edges of them. You will see that because of the pixelation of the screen, their edges will be a bit ragged, like a staircase. The idea is to get the same number of "steps" on both sides of it. Then you'll know you're lined up perfectly.
#18
05/22/2006 (11:54 am)
Technostick, why did you post the same message 3 times in the last 6 minutes??!!
#20
05/22/2006 (1:10 pm)
Send them to ninJa-conen@hotmail.com 
Matan
matanweissman1@hotmail.com
if you have MSN/Yahoo/AIM, we can chat :)