Current progress: 100% completed (releasing soon!)
(http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/sshot/dtemple_banner.png)
It's been ages since I last designed a pure "Challenge" level, so I decided to take one of my recently released tilesets and start yet another project (instead of finishing any of the other 3 I started, like a smart individual would :P ).
"The Dithered Temple" (tentative title) will be a short, retro-styled (complete with fake 16-color EGA graphics and AdLib-like music) and rather hard challenge level with lots of traps and tricky jumps. It will also feature a secret, completely optional area with harder versions of the regular challenges and possibly a few new ones that will make the player experience a whole new level of hate towards the level designer (hence the Hard/Lunatic tag).
- Retro-style visuals and music, complete with 16 color fake EGA graphics (for the most part) and fake FM synth AdLib/SoundBlaster music.
- A lot of traps and tricky jumps that may (hopefully) offer experienced KS players a good challenge, while (also hopefully) not relying too much on random enemies nor in save point scarcity.
- Hidden treasure vaults and collectible artifacts. Finding some or all of them will unlock a few rewards, including a tough-as-nails bonus area. There will also be some minor, completely optional and really hard to find easter eggs.
- All secret passages will feature at least a subtle hint, without relying on completely unmarked fake walls. However, you will be able to (optionally) unlock the detector power-up by beating the level once, which will offer additional hints on secrets that you might have missed in your first playthrough.
- (MAYBE) A couple of full-screen animated cutscenes.
(http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/sshot/dtemple_preview_1.png)
(http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/sshot/dtemple_preview_2.png)
(http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/sshot/dtemple_preview_3.png)
(http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/sshot/dtemple_preview_5B.png)
(http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/sshot/dtemple_preview_6.png)
* This level will require egomassive's KS+ mod to play
It's been some time since my last update. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to work on this at all for the past two months, so there's not much new to report. I believe I'll be able to resume work on this shortly, possibly during the holidays or at the start of the new year.
To make up for the lack of updates, here are a couple screenshots from the newest areas. It's up to you if you want to check them out or not, though (in case you want to avoid all possible spoilers... although this level doesn't really have a story, so I don't personally think this matters much):
(http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/sshot/dtemple_preview_5.png)
A completely random screen from the Upper Halls (first part of the second half of the level).
(http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/sshot/dtemple_preview_4.png)
One of the 4 hidden treasure rooms that you can find and unlock. Look at all that shiny gold you can collect. Look at it. Look...