Do test levels make you a better player?

[Bobby aka Dizzy]

What are your thoughts on this? Do test levels have any relevance on how good a player is? Is it a direct or indirect correlation or does it make no difference? Are a certain subset of test levels useful?


I'm a huge fan of test levels and don't know of a better way to waste a few minutes. (Thank you for hosting all the test levels TSF!) But I'd say that beyond being able to pass the most basic of tests it's irrelevant to overall playing. The only useful skill from test levels is the occasional RF jump and high jumping tests.

[[GpW]Urbs]

i dunno bobby, i sure hope there isn't too big of a direct corelation, cuz i seem to be very bad at test levels. Sure i think they're dull and I prefer a ctf any day, but the fact remains i stink.

Now we all know you are one of the better jj2 players, depite the fact you've probably become a bit rusty over the years. And the fact that u've finished loads of these levels, or could have finished them if u so wished, does not bode well for me.

What i'm saying is, that I know a lot of good players who are also good test players. And I know from personal experience that having a steady or unsteady hand can make all the difference when u'r nervously running to your base with your opponents flag, and u miss that doublejump or something else.

Steadiness for example, is another fine skill you need in test levels and everywhere else.

[Odin]

While playing through test levels certainly does improve your game by a small amount (people who are regular test players are likely to be more dexterous and able to maneuver more quickly), there are many other facets to online play, including (but not limited to) resource management and domination, using weapons, and basic environment manipulation (using springs, etc).
</science>

[Superjazz]

Tests give a rough information about a player's level imo, but there are still exceptions. Some players just got more interest on either versus-games or tests. One example is NY00123 who used to be in this community for a while. He quite made a bunch of test-levels, but didn't play at the full level in duels/whatever as other good test players.

[FreeFull]

You can dodge bullets like Neo did minus the slow motion.

[Violet CLM]

Test levels give you the determination to keep doing essentially the same thing, over and over again, maybe twenty, fifty times, until it finally pays off.

[KRSplat]

Skill in test levels is a part of a Jazzer's overall ability.
<not really>

[FireSworD]

I never had the patience or interest to finish most tests (though I have finished some pretty hard ones like eagles and mikes). I am going to have to bring up names, one that comes to mind is Defost, a self proclaimed "test master" and then someone who has stated once before that he plain sucks at tests, Blacky (you said it, I didn't come to this conclusion ;P).

During most competitive gametypes it's obvious that Defost would lose most matches to Blacky, simply because playing against other people is not like avoiding static blocks. A good player has to make judgement on the other player(s), and chose a way of attacking and dealing with situations that won't reveal themselves like a test would. Test levels make players more "attuned" but anyone can get that way. It takes like zero talent to beat tests, and no that is not meant to be offensive.

[Odin]

Test levels give you the determination to keep doing essentially the same thing, over and over again, maybe twenty, fifty times, until it finally pays off.

I'd crack a joke about MMORPGs at this point, but I just don't have the heart in it anymore.

[Vegito]

Well, u do need SOME talent, FS. Tests are mostly about patience and dedication though. I believe tests do influence players in some way, yes. Good test players should have very good control over their character. You'd notice that in any team game/duel as well. Easier for them to do certain stuff/be fast/dodge bullets.

[Yasco]

I agree with Vegito; when you have full control over your bunny, it's just way easier to run around smoothly in any level. And I do believe you can train that smoothness by playing test levels.

[Raven aka StL]

Test levels have hardly noticeable influence to anything else, while CTF/battle and even more so duels/team games in general determine a player's level.
I'd consider tests just another, individual, alternate game type.

Of course, character movement skill slowly improves while playing both.
...And both require it.

It's more of a question of opinion really.

[Anakin[CC]]

They may show you some unusual or new posabilities at first, but a very few off them are used in the battle field. I do not really have a real answer to this question though.

[Slaz]

The best way to achieve skill in Jazz2 is like any other multiplayer game, playing serious matches all day long and you will slowly master every aspect of the multiplayer experience. :p

[Eigus]

I dunno (I think I am a sucky player anyway :r), but for sure it improves the rabbit movement skill.

[Grytolle]

Good test players should have very good control over their character. You'd notice that in any team game/duel as well. Easier for them to do certain stuff/be fast/dodge bullets. Good test players have an edge over me... in CTF-levels where you have to jump through passages the size of a needle hole. I'm so glad those don't exist^___^

[Raven aka StL]

I shall prove you wrong :)
Just you wait.

[Vegito]

Haha, I was just thinking the same, Wallace. "hm. You give me baaad ideas" ;P

[Enigma]

I suppose it helps a bit to get the gist of moving around levels smoothly. Personally I have ruined countless opportunities in CTF games, either for myself or for an entire team, because of horrid miscalculations of jumps I had to make. So yes, I'd say test levels can contribute something to a player's skill.

[Grytolle]

Just run arond in the leevbl you wanna learn

[Yasco]

Just run arond in the leevbl you wanna learn

And before that, you should play a test level for some minutes.;)

[Iam Canadian]

The skills required for tests are generally different from the skills needed for battle and CTF. Tests generally require precision movement, slow and cautious progression, and skill with jumping puzzles. I'd say that tests might make you better at a more traditional platformer like Mario, but I don't think they'd help much in the faster-paced and visceral world of battle and CTF.

[R3ptile]

The skills required for tests are generally different from the skills needed for battle and CTF.
.
<op>

[Grytolle]

And before that, you should play a test level for some minutes.;)Yes - For the sake of wasting your time!

[Vegito]

As if 2v2's isn't wasting your time then =\ I mean, its all jj2 after all ;P

[Nonomu198]

Sometimes. Like if you dunno basic things or some (not basic) tricks that you need to use in the test. (that is if you mean good at ctf or battle. "good player" can be someone who sucks at both, and tests, but has some other thing that you think is good.)

[R3ptile]

I am very skilled at playing hotels.

[Superjazz]

Wanna challenge me in Evilmike's Evil Casino?

[Grytolle]

As if 2v2's isn't wasting your time then =\ I mean, its all jj2 after all ;PShape up, Veg! The purpose of the aforementioned actions was to learn the movement of a certain level.

[Ninja]

While playing through test levels certainly does improve your game by a small amount (people who are regular test players are likely to be more dexterous and able to maneuver more quickly), there are many other facets to online play, including (but not limited to) resource management and domination, using weapons, and basic environment manipulation (using springs, etc).


You talk like funny man. :) Me still fudge you up. :D

Only I didn't say "Fudge." I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word.

[Grytolle]

Good revival!

I wouldn't say tests help you much for dodging bullets

[cooba]

Only I didn't say "Fudge." I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word.Were this posted 24 hours later, it would be the quote of the year 2009 <img src="http://www.jazz2online.com/jcf/images/icons/icon14.gif" />

And the queen-mother of cusses is C-dash-dash-dash.

[Unhit]

y i don't think tests help with dodging either. You might get a better feeling for your bunny indeed, but you also do that when playing normal levels. And while doing that, you also train other things at the same time. So keke (!)

[n00b]

And the queen-mother of cusses is C-dash-dash-dash.

Is it sad that my vocabulary is so out of whack, that thats the only word I really consider to be a curse?

[Black Ninja]

The definition of insanity is "doing the same thing multiple times and expecting a different result."

In short, test levels make you insane.

[Troglobite]

The original question was, "Do test levels make you a better player?" In my opinion, everyone just talked about how test levels affect your skill at battles or CTF. If nothing else, tests will make you better at tests. And you could be considered a "better player" than you were before if you become better at tests. So yes, tests do make you a better player.

[Ragnarok!]

All I wanna say is tests do not make you a better player when it comes to the gamemodes that really matter. o_O Unless you're playing assault (>________>)

[Sonyk]

They'll make you better regardless, platforming is still fairly integral to JJ2's meta-gameplay. You'll just benefit more from practicing the more common game modes.

[EvilMike]

haha, "meta-gameplay"

Gameplay isn't enough these days?

[Sonyk]

Absolutely not, we take this stuff in doses now.


Don't mock my buttered grasp on the English language :(

[Troglobite]

All I wanna say is tests do not make you a better player when it comes to the gamemodes that really matter. o_O Unless you're playing assault (>________>)

Who defines which gamemodes matter? Single player doesn't teach you to fight against other players. Does this mean it's useless? Multiplayer doesn't teach you how to avoid baddies. Are the skills any less skillful because of this?

[Grytolle]

You obviously don't live up to the high set standard of this community. You brought the paska, as did you not the timing. CTF is the only thing that matters - it's the undespitable truth. You're (-)(-)(-)(-)ing stymed if you don't realize that playing online in fact does teach you how to dodge baddies.

[CrimiClown]

tests r gud 4 ur reflxes

[Ragnarok!]

I said tests, not single player.

I'm just saying, I think test is pointless. >_>

[CrimiClown]

I said tests, not single player.

I'm just saying, I think test is pointless. >_>

Not pointless. If they were, why would there still be people playing?

[cooba]

Because <em>they</em> don't find them pointless, at a guess.

[Ragnarok!]

They prove you can do those little jumps and stuff, but really, what does that do for you? I mean, they're hardly enjoyable, there's little competetive aspect in it... Oh I shouldn't really be talking, someone made me make a test a few years ago. ;P

[FawFul]

Not pointless. If they were, why would there still be people playing?

There is some group off jj2ers who don't like to play other gamemodes because they're not good at it. sometimes they are not good at jj2 at all, then they keep losing.. I think for them playing tests is a lot more fun since you can't really lose in them.. only win. only some part to get trough.

But, to get trough, you actually need some skills after all to get trough, what i think it's the reason why most tests which are hosted today are pretty easy.
(those people make those tests on their own playerlevel i guess..)

and about the thread question. i think it does a little, a very little job on your skills.. however. that's only one ability: movement. thinks like gameplay wise thinking aren't really included. nor getting trained at tests. which are still 50% ability you need to be "skilled"

[Nonomu198]

CTF: you can prove you can click on buttons when you see another rabbit, and some others when they shot you. Then you just press one button and sometimes the jump button to get to your base and "score a point".


I don't like tests, but I don't go around saying it's pointless. It's just as pointless proving you can pass a test as proving you can beat others in a CTF game.

[Troglobite]

No gamemode of Jazz will make you a better human. All modes are pointless to some extent.

[Ragnarok!]

You guys take what I say too seriously. Sheesh.

Really get over it, I dislike tests, and they dont make you a better player when it comes to the other gamemodes.

[Sonyk]

Depends on the test in question. A few tests that have you dodging projectiles or RF jumping could help you in learning the fundamentals for CTF.

Either way it's not a lot, but it could.

[Raven aka StL]

Furthermore a huge aspect that isn't present in tests, but is present in CTF (and some other) gametypes, is being aware of your opponent's movements. You also need timing when it comes to collecting key items (Cs>PUs>ammo).

When talking about the most 'popular' tests (aka jumping past warps along solid tiles). They do in fact train small, quick movements which might help you in some places, such as coming up from the right warp area in semi with speed.
Either way, tests involving RF climbing can sometimes give finite training for reaching some high places in certain levels of other gametypes (like the bases in semi).

The somewhat rare 'RF jumping' tests might help you train horizontal movement speed in levels where RFs are present. This could also be of help in certain races with open, horizontal parts (and is necessary to use the shortcut in Rag's Mystic Isles -race with Spaz, at least).

Tests where you need to avoid or manipulate springs, require (jazz-> <- spaz) morphs, seek the right path through a maze (especially the ones that aren't visible) or that involve other such typical test 'skills', won't help you become a better CTF player.

The bottomline is that certain tests can make you better at certain elements that are often rarely present (or at least rarely useful) in CTF or other gametypes.

[CrimiClown]

I'd like to present this piece of evidence:
Article (http://www.jazz2online.com/J2Ov2/articles/view.php?articleID=290)

And rather, this quote:
The A1 players are the top performers – they can complete tests in record times, they nearly can dop any extra abilty perfectly – and their tactics are toned up to the maximum.
Playing tests a lot can make you an A1 player.