Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Online

Something seems to be annoying me lately….why is it when some unpopular level maker makes a decent level, no one reviews it. It seems like you actually have to ASK others to review your level. Then some beginner makes some crap SP level, everyone goes at it. Come on guys, start reviewing some lesser known decent levels. Then some popular level maker makes some rather average level…and quick ratings of 7 to 8 are generally given. I’ll admit I’m maybe kind of guilty of it too. But I do have a few suggestions, some flaws I found no one pointed out and some of my own personal opinions.

Out of some other custom SP levels I have played, I’ve played even worse.

Eyecandy:
I’ll agree with Minmay here, layer 4 was good, but you should’ve tried working on the rest. I mean, the BG is really boring to look at. As Sonicnathan said, it’s just one tile repeated over again.
4/10

Gameplay:

Pretty bland. Really easy to dodge the majority of enemies just by jumping over them. Only a very few enemy placements seemed alright, such as some of the bat/dragon placements. Lots of running. Sonicnathan pretty much said everything else I was going to say. Oh and you can actually reach the coin warp without coins. Just use Spaz, golden-jump, then shoot RF at the climax of your jump. I’d think I’d rather do that over collecting coins really, at least gives some kind of challenge. Err…
3/10

Layout:

It’s rather linear, you can pretty much jump over the hurt spikes easily without even going to have to go on the vine thing. And that one unecessary alternate path which leads you back to one part. What do I need this for? (I’m talking about where you buttstomp to choose your path).
3/10

Music:
It may fit, but it’s default like I hear in the other 1000 generic castle levels out there. Nothing special. One of the fewer people who isn’t so keen on the tune really. Because it’s so overused I’ll just rate this a…
4/10

Storyline:
There isnt any.
N/A/10

Anyway, I think the standard SP levels are okay, but there are probably, I mean is better examples of SP levels out there now. That to be said I’m not really a big SP person though.

Overall
3/10

This level implies an author who has had experience with level design, but not experience with Jazz Jackrabbit 2. Eyecandy in layer 4 is actually quite good, though it could be a bit more interesting; it’s a shame the other layers were ignored.
Event placement, while aesthetically nice and balanced, does nothing for gameplay. It feels like an attempt to emulate the default levels; for most games this is good, but since the standard levels for JJ2 are crap, it falls short completely.
Basically, forget everything you learned from the standard levels, and re-learn it from some popular, current user levels. I recommend EvilMike’s enormous single player campaign.

Been a while since I’ve made a review, mainly because I’m only decent at reviewing single player levels.

Anyhow, this level is simple, basic, and there was no need to upload really. But whatever I“ll give you some feedback.

Story
non given so i won’t rate.

Eyecandey
Eyecandey is very basic. Background is about as boring and generic as you can get. No layer 7 or 6. Just one tile repeated over again. Layer 4 is basic. Not much verity in the ground or floor. Not much was used to make the level look alive or anything. In fact, the level looks dead and empty. Little to no layer 3 was used and overall, it’s just basic stuff. Some tilebugs here and there and i found that one point with spikes looked weird. (third screenshot) Overall I can give more then a 2. Were in 2010 and this doesn’t even meet the basics of eyecandey.
2/10

Gameplay
Gameplay was very boring. The level can be done in like 3 minutes if you wanted. The coins were to easy to find and even so, the warp wasn’t anything special. Challenge was non existent. About 3 different types of ammo are given which are uneeded. not enough enemies, which will be talked about. There’s no challenge at all if you die you should uninstall JJ2. I’m sorry no other way I could think of putting it. No replay. No puzzles, and very linear. Only thing that could be considered a puzzle was the spring thing, but all you need to do it fallow a path to find freezers which was again no challenge. Overall, short, boring, no replay and no challenge. Still at least it’s something so I’ll give a 2.
2/10

Enemy Placement
Very bad. Not enough to kill me at all. Put in easy locations for the most part. Not much else to say
1/10

Pickup Placement
Average. There was uneeded ammo, but still at least something was there. As stated coins were too easy to find and more should have been in I think. nothing special about carrots other then they weren’t needed. Checkpoints at some areas also seem uneeded. overall, the placement wasn’t that good.
3/10

Final Score:8/40
Rating: 1.7
Rank: F
DR? It’s been a while but no. While the basic are down and maybe 4 years ago this would net a 3, but by todays standards this just isn’t that good. Basics are there, now it just needs to be expanded . No DR but keep trying. Gain some more skill, play some episodes and get people to test you pack so you can improve it. Good luck in the future!

For a first level it isn’t that bad at all, though it certainly is too easy. There were hardly any pickups, some layers were left empty, some parts were sort of boring and the rope part towards the end was too long. On the other side there were secrets (some were placed quite well), you could use the tiles as they were supposed to (which is quite a problem for certain level creators), some enemies were placed well, and it reminded me of the original levels.

There certainly would be a lot to improve on this level but as a first level it isn’t terrible. I’ve seen far worse levels that got similar ratings.
I can’t recommend this though, since I know others wouldn’t like it and you probably won’t even read this since you haven’t logged in for 2 years so what difference would it make anyway.

Well… for the first lvl i didn’t expect for a very very good lvl, but for the first lvl i’ve seen you done a good job.

Eyecandy:
Not bad at all, reminds me the classic EPIC Megagames’ castle lvls.
8/10

Gameplay and enemies
Playing the lvl was kinda fun, especially in the “big vine” near the end. Also, there was a lot of suprises using the hidden bats that atack you if you came too close to them.
The main problem with this lvl that is… too short. :(
(Narsist: the lizards could be good for any lvl, even for Beach lvls… what, reptiles can’t appear in castles? :D )
8/10

Pickups
Not bad, i noticed some hidden coins and pickups that i havn’t noticed on the first gameplay. It take me about 3 times to get all of the 20 coins… but the main problems: no food; the ammo with generators should not be appear in SP lvls. Carrots also placed well so I didn’t stay with 1 HP for a long time…
7.5/10

Music
Quite boring using the EPIC’s music, but it doesn’t matter for the first lvl.
6/10

Story
No story… but who cares? it’s your first lvl…
?/10

Overall: (8+8+7.5+6)/4 = 7.3(I added 0.2 more points but it’s doesn’t mater…)
D.R. : Yes, why not?

Summary: For first lvl you’ve been done quite good job. but if u want to continue making lvls, i recommend you use those tips:

• Get some SP downloads from this site, play it and try to learn how they created them
• Download some new tileset, i suggest you use “Disguise’s tileset resource” (http://www.jazz2online.com/tilesets)
• Don’t make ur lvls so easy, but don’t make them too hard.

Good luck!

(Sorry if my english was too bad- I’m not a native english speaker :D)

Hmm, a new SP level and I will review anymore.

Story

You didn’t use any story. Doesn’t matter. :)

Eyecandy

Not bad. If it’s your first SP level, it’s very good.
You will able to make better levels of course, I believe you ;)
And your first level will include some tile bugs, bad things of course but doesn’t matter.

6/10

Gameplay

Level is too short. I’m sorry but you can finish this level in a very short time.But I know, my first level was really short. I understand you :P
Choosing way:
I wanted two different exit but you didn’t. -0.5

4.5/10

Enemy Placement

Bats are good. Dragons can be good. Tuf and Normal Turts not bad. But, why Flying Lizards? :) They are looking good but you can be creative don’t forget ;)

5/10

Pickup Placement

Bonus placerment is REALLY bad. You shold use warp. ;)
Pickups… Didn’t use any food? but I’m hungry :) Ammo placement not bad but you shouldn’t use generator for ammo ;) (If needn’t it)
Bonus pickups is good. Some powerups and some ammo.

4/10

Music

Classical Castle music… I like this music but you should be more creatvie :)

6/10

Ending
Why didn’t you use the exit tile in the tileset? You used exit sign event :/ And why demon?
Whatever, you ending is good.

7/10

Finally: 4.7
DR? Yes for this first level.

Take Care!
I hope you will make better levels, and stories :)

Oooppsss!
I forgot something.

It’s SP and I just played with Spaz.
+2(for Jazz and Lori)

Really Finally: 6.7

(Sorry for my bad English, I’m Turkish.)