[430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z

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Offline pacifishi

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[430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« on: May 16, 2024, 17:42:10 »

 The majority of these were filled out over the years but I don't see myself making it to the end of the alphabet (sorry ZAPAZOIDS!).



23 months and 2800+ levels later, the above statement is no longer true.

If playing every level on knyttlevels.com is a marathon, I am currently about 10 steps away from the finish line. My legs feel like jelly, I've had a rock in my left shoe for the last 12km, but there's a smile on my face. About 60 levels have been released after their respective posts, so those ratings will come in the final wrap-up post when I can officially say that I've played every level on knyttlevels.com. Until then...

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The usual disclaimer: I don't consider myself an authority on what makes a "good" level. It's a lot easier for me to fill in a single letter on a spreadsheet than spend hours making these levels so if a particular grade seems unfair I am more than happy to give more in-depth thoughts on any particular level.

As always, these ratings aren't meant to discourage anyone or be harsh. Making a level always beats not making a level.


What each grade corresponds to:   

OUTDATED   Obsolete versions of levels (see newer version for review)     
N/A  Tileset showcases, demos, etc. that can't be judged for gameplay     
---   ---     
F   Broken / flawed to the point of unplayable     
D   Severe issues (see criteria below) that makes completing the level unenjoyable / will not replay     
C   Average levels / no strong feelings one way or the other / good aspects counteracted by flaws     
B   Great levels that are replayable, or great level concepts       
A   Must-play levels     


Things that may negatively impact grade (-):               
Broken levels           
Random tile or enemy spam           
Excessive "hallway screens" that pad-out level with no challenge or noteworthy visuals           
Unnessesarily long walking period before recieving run powerup (unrelated to challenge)           
Arbitrary hidden spikes / invisible death tiles           
Wall clipping on screen transitions / void pits           
Poor distinction between foreground / background tiles           
Poor save point placement (e.g. save point > multple hallway screens > challenge)           
Surprise death by environment/enemy immediately on screen transition           


While playing each level, I've considered its gameplay (challenge, platforming, puzzle) , art (quality of assets/tileset), worldbuilding (unique lore, worlds that feel "alive"), atmosphere (mood), music, and storytelling. My ratings are gameplay-forward, meaning, for example, that a "fun to play" level with average graphics typically will be rated higher than a tedious level with great graphics.


I'm biased in favor of (+):
difficulty:   hard / very hard
genre:   puzzles
art style:   simple and stylized (e.g. Hostile Landscape) can score just as well as 'realistic / heavily detailed' art
mechanic:   use of minimap
   
I'm biased against (-):
genre: mazes   
genre: massive exploration levels   


Without further to do...

SPREADSHEET:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1v-uHb33VGBn20NcF-JZE0YhRgCWnN_aptWlVVhLk9Aw/edit?usp=sharing


If you are unable to sort/edit due to the permission settings, feel free to make a copy of the sheet.

Stats (Imgur): https://imgur.com/a/f7Q62KA

Sorted by grade (Imgur): https://imgur.com/a/flxfke1

Sorted by author (Imgur): https://imgur.com/a/ECfbBHs

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Offline pacifishi

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Re: [430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2024, 17:57:26 »
I'm seeking recommendations / links to websites that host levels not on the archive.

I have:
- http://levels.egomassive.com/
- https://mitorun.github.io/knytt.world/en/
- https://juniverse.spriteclad.com/
- Lucinda's Under the Umbrella (name change or new link?)
- https://knyttstories.hoelzl.fr
- plus going through the forum to find level releases that weren't uploaded

What else am I missing?

Looking forward:

Originally, I planned to make a separate post for these non-archive levels, but I think it's most fitting for this series to focus on levels on the archive - so these ratings will probably just be included as part of the final post.

Part IV - the Final Wrap-up will feature the 'master ratings spreadsheet', including all of the levels released in the time since, a stat pack, more in-depth reviews of my favorite levels, and more.


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Offline kilicool64

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Re: [430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2024, 18:56:05 »
Azure Serenity: Tranquil Dreams isn't hosted on the archive due to exceeding the file size limit. Though you did play some of it.

Also, you apparently skipped Forgotten Realms by Vegetal Gibber. Also not in the archive.

Worth noting that Next Gen Knytt has a DLC pack that's not in the archive, so you may have missed that as well.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2024, 18:58:52 by kilicool64 »

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Offline Lucinda

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Re: [430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2024, 19:13:36 »
I LOVE THIS. Please tell me why "The World" by Toudou got a C+? Have you seen DonDoli's playthrough? He is suffering. Also, so happy to see Above the Clouds get an A, I love love love that level.

Here's some non-archive levels you could play (and may have already played)

Deep Freeze
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=6814

Reditus
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=7208

Azure Serenity
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=6215

Azure Serenity massive expansion (most current version is called "The Salty Seas")
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=7179

Cosmic Meltdown
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=5855

Island of Mimir
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=7250

Through the Swamp
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=6703

Harlow (and the Tarandus Queen)
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=6882

Forgotten Realms
https://nifflas.lp1.nl/index.php?topic=7203

Someone else will have to link the Next Gen Knytt DLC
« Last Edit: May 16, 2024, 19:24:25 by Lucinda »
Rome wasn't built in a day.

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Offline kilicool64

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Re: [430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2024, 20:05:23 »
Someone else will have to link the Next Gen Knytt DLC
http://vegetal.eb-creativos.com/ksstuff/levels/Vegetal%20Gibber%20-%20Next%20Gen%20Knytt%20DLC1.knytt.bin

Also, they played some of Azure Serenity: Tranquil Dreams. IIRC, they did some of the pre-Salty Seas stuff. And also most of The Salty Seas. The level has large amounts of content beyond that, though.
« Last Edit: May 16, 2024, 20:07:25 by kilicool64 »

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Offline Talps

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Re: [430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2024, 20:08:13 »
Been waiting for this! Glad you like my poem. <3

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Offline pacifishi

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Re: [430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2024, 23:05:30 »
Thanks for the recommendations, everyone!

Please tell me why "The World" by Toudou got a C+? Have you seen DonDoli's playthrough? He is suffering.

I just played that a few days ago. There were multiple points that had me questioning "Was this an intentional choice or not great level design?" which is unfortunately common with these really old levels. Multiple near perfect jumps over deadly cactii near the beginning, a vase that teleports you to a void screen, fake ground that drops you into a spike pit, random unclimbable walls over water, etc.

I'm assuming that it was going for a IWBTG vibe and maybe I'm a masochist? I normally enjoy the extra challenge but I think I was out-trolled by the end. Will need to revisit when I'm in a zen state (or learn to understand French).
« Last Edit: May 16, 2024, 23:14:02 by pacifishi »

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Offline Lucinda

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Re: [430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2024, 18:36:03 »
I request in depth thoughts on these levels:

Devil's Triangle
Choice
Do Not Pick Up The Key
Eurydice
Above the Clouds
My Friend Jerry
Rome wasn't built in a day.

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Offline bulbapuck

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Re: [430+ level reviews] - Grading levels by Authors T-Z
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2024, 23:32:53 »
What an insane effort, awesome work!  :D
Looking forward to the wrap-up :)
Emma fell down a well - Enviromental KS level inspired by Salmoneous/Elder
Level in the works: Whitebow Island