The current design challenge, Mini09, has a very simple goal: design a level that can be beaten within two minutes. This time limit puts boundaries on the size of your level, due to the fact that the player must be able to navigate the area within the two minutes that they are given. This does not mean that the level cannot be challenging and unique. Although your options may seem limited by time, they are, in fact, widened. For example, many of the levels have incorporated the limit into their level through the use of moving platforms. When the platform reaches the end of the level, time will also end. Many designers have found various ways to use time as an advantage, not an obstacle.
When you consider the short time that you are given, speed comes to mind. You can cover more space if you can run faster than you could normally. Therefore, there are levels which focus on the speed powerup entirely. Most of these are race levels, in which the player must hurry to the finish before time runs out. A challenging level would leave the player with only a few seconds by the time the level is completed.
Out of all the Mini09 levels that use speed as a key factor, only one of them has truly captured my attention. Changing speed into a puzzle of sorts is an impressive thing to do. Therefore, straight from one of Atmosphir’s pro designers, the Atmosphirian is proud to announce that the next Level Spotlight goes to none other than “Evolution OF Speed – Zone One [Mini09]” by Frodo!
The concept of Evolution OF Speed is a simple one. When you begin, you have close to no running power. You can just barely skip one block. And that’s exactly what you do. Right away, you will jump the smallest gap. There will be a speed powerup waiting for you. Take this, and run back. Jump to the central pillar, and look for the next smallest gap. For this, you will be just barely able to pull yourself up. Once again, there will be a speed powerup. Take this, and return to the central chamber. Fine the third largest gap, jump it, and take the powerup. The fourth and final gap is the most challenging. If you miss this, you will fall onto a bed of spikes. As long as you time your jump correctly, you will safely climb onto the ledge, where there is a speed powerup. If you want to end the level now, you may do so by walking through the door, where you will find the flag.
If you have some spare time and lives, however, you may wish to collect the bonus points scattered throughout the level. If you return to the first and second side chambers that you entered, you may notice that there are two side halls with spikes and crystals. As long as you’ve collect all the speed powerups, these should be no problem. A few of these halls are longer than the others however, so be sure to jump carefully!
The thing that interests me the most about Evolution OF Speed is how simple it is. Most people would consider a level with short time to be a frantic race to the finish. This level is surprisingly laid-back, however. It not too frustrating or hard to understand. You don’t have any directions, yet you somehow know where to go. It’s a great use of the speed powerup in general. Another amazing thing about it is that you finish the level with time to go back through the level to collect bonus points. As I said before, most levels leave you with only a few seconds remaining. It’s rare to see a level so well designed, yet remain so simple.
Once again, congratulations to Frodo for his level, Evolution OF Speed – Zone One [Mini09]!
cool
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