With my first few levels, I imagined myself to be a person who "just doesn't do preview threads" because "I would rather just put out the level!" But after seeing some other people's recent previews, I've realized that making an announcement about it could be a good way to commit to finishing my current project, especially since I'm starting graduate school soon and might get distracted.
To put it simply, this level is a "desert adventure." It's strongly inspired by my own travels in the southwestern United States, but it's made for everyone to appreciate, even people who live in icy European tundras. No insider knowledge required.
The story takes place in a country called Calexico, which borders another country called Sonora. Like in the southwestern USA, there's some political tensions at the border.
With this level I'm throwing out my entire rule book. Instead of tons of backtracking, this level will mostly be a straight line and have design that makes it impossible to backtrack. Instead of tons of story, there will be a super simple story - Juni has to go to her friend's wedding and so she's going there. Of course, as she crosses the landscape I will be throwing in some micro-stories, because my background is writing and I can't ever resist. (I am at least 4 personal transformations away from going full abstract like Polana.) And there will be lots of enemy and jumping challenges, but I intend to make this my easiest level yet.
Some stuff this level has so far:
-Moving wind turbines
-A casino
-Border patrol cops
-A crystal shop
-An underground crystal cult run by a man who calls himself Father Derek
-A part where you temporarily switch to playing as an NPC
-A deserted wasteland with a "flashback" to when it was not a wasteland
I'll post updates here! If you made it this far, cool!