grizzled quest
What are the biggest 2-3 issues with this level (given the creator’s goal)?
- The level doesnt have much movement in it, and the lack of that much movement in the bg makes it feels "static". This gives the atmosphere as if the level has lost most of its soul. Ultimately making it feel boring to play, especially if the level wasnt intended to have a soulless atmosphere.
- The deco doesnt really have anything that resembles a city theme in it. Rather, looks more like a monochrome styled generic level or a 1.9 GDPS style level (yes, i am aware of the particles). This makes other playtesters, players, or anyone else that sees this level have the wrong idea on what this level is supposed to be themed at. Ultimately it makes the level feel underwhelming, as it could be seen as a generic level that uses an overrated theme, rather than a unique level that uses a rather underrated theme
How would you theoretically solve these issues? - I would give some of the structures movement. It doesnt have to be all of them, just a few and it doesnt need to have large movements, just small ones like the moving white blocks seen in the level. Alternatively, i could add direction indicators that uses the arrow particles (just like the ones in the level). It helps with readability as well as giving movement. As for the bg, instead of all the blocks moving in the same direction, i would make them move in diffrent directions and speed, this will make it feel less "static" bc now more various movements.
- I would start by improving the structures decoration. The structure and its details actually could be interpreted as building, but it needs a bit more details. I would start by adding more half blocks on emptier parts with the same existing pattern as they look like bricks, and add a window outline (+) to the 3d blocks so it looks like, well, windows. Alternatively, i would add building like structures to the bg to fit the theme even more.
ran out of characters so 3rd one will be seperate
