Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Online

A note before I get started with the review itself: the zip file includes the levels within its own subfolder. I do not recommend doing this, since it makes it inconvenient to unzip.

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This is an interesting level. The layout and theme here is pretty original, and I can see a fair amount of potential in the authour here. The level seems like it was put together with care. A couple of things, such as the usage of trigger zones inthis level, show a level of complexety rarely seen in levels such as this. Unfortunately, a few critical flaws bring the score down.

Most of the level takes place within a series of narrow tunnels underneath the sand. Navigation through them is slow, but safe. Above them on the surface one may move much faster, but will also be open to attack. The bases are out in the open, near entrances to the caverns. The level is asymmetrical, but seemingly balanced.

I like the look of this level. A lot of detail was put into the eyecandy, without allowing it to become distracting or excessive. The background inside the caves is a bit bland, but not ugly.

Despite all this, the level suffers from a number of mistakes. The most striking one is that all of the ammunition is in crates. Ammo crates are problematic, since after a while they tend to create large dumps of ammo which lag players. It is generally recommended that floating ammo pickups are used instead.

Another problem is that this level has no carrots (that I could find, at least). The level has only one powerup, but even then, there should be AT LEAST one carrot in the level, even if it’s a +1. Without health pickups, CTF games are not not very interesting.

Finally, this level uses a large number of hurt events. These events will ONLY hurt the server. Other players will never take damage from them. This is rather awkward and disadvantageous for the person hosting the server.

The mistakes in this level strike me as “newbie mistakes”. Errors that are made from a lack of experience more than anything. If I had to guess, this level is one of the authour’s first CTF levels.

This level tells me that the person who made it is actually quite talented, and knows how to use JCS with some degree of proficiency. My recommendation to the authour is that he remake this level, fixing the errors in it and improving it where he sees fit. Learn the vital elements of a good CTF level by examining what is popular, and have other people play the level and give feedback in a server. Follow their advice if they seem to know what they are talking about, and it’s impossible to go wrong.

I’m giving this a 6 because of the problems I encountered in this level. With fixing, I could easily see this level as being worth a 7, or possibly even an 8 if the improvements are big enough. Don’t let the rating discourage you: beneath all of the problems, there is actually a very good level here!