Planet Descent
Community => Descent Levels/ Mods => Topic started by: TechPro on August 15, 2009, 10:44:40 PM
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Newly accounced on DescentBB.net by DarkFlameWolf ...
DarkFlameWolf has released a new level series for Descent 1 (27 levels, 25 plus 2 secret). Go here (http://www.descentbb.net/viewtopic.php?t=15746) for the DescentBB.net thread and poll about it. Go over here (http://www.enspiar.com/dmdb/viewMission.php?id=207) to download it from DarkFlameWolf's web site. ENJOY! (and let her know how much fun you have) 8)
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Yes! I still think this was my best work. More so than what I've done on Bahagad, Lost Levels, or Enemy Within!
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My apologies Darkflamewolf, I called you a 'him' (again). My apologies. :-[ I have no excuse for making that mistake again. I'll try harder to remember.
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Doesn't matter, I don't bother correcting people anymore. It serves no point. I am just glad people enjoy what I have created. That is all.
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I liked what you did in TEW...
I've got a bit better (beaten D1 and D2 on Rookie) and I'm trying to play through again (on Trainee).
So far I'm on level 5, but that's just because I've had so much work to do.
I like the texturing because it's so different from other missions (likely because it was made for the D2X-XL hires textures).
I'm using my own soundtrack b/c I don't particularly like the one that's there (it gets too monotonous from level to level, the melody changes a bit but the instruments are all the same, I think it's all in the same key too), also my souncard has virtually no midi support for games.
So I'm using songs from my Splintered Sanity Ultra EP instead.
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Yeah, looking back, I wish I could have picked a better soundtrack, but I was in a hurry to get it released at the time due to real life circumstances. So I needed it done, so I hastily picked out 8 songs total to complete the soundtrack. Oh well.
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I finally figured out why TEW feels more like Sonic than Descent.
In the most memorable levels (level 2 and level 4 particularly), the red area feels like a journey to the reactor and the exit. I suppose the feel of those two levels colours the entire set after it.
The Sonic-like-ness was my favourite part of the set.
I now agree that the songs I sent in were pretty bad. My new stuff is way better (and I remixed Deus Ex Machina for another project (and it got accepted) :D).
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and this deals with Vignettes how? O_o
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I think Alter mixed up TEW with Vignettes unintentionally.
This happened also to me some time ago, as I used to remember that TEW was going to be the original Vignettes project ;D ::)
Doesn't happens to me anymore, though.
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Speaking of Vignettes now: What was your favorite level(s) in the set? Your least favorite? Did it feel like a Descent 1 mission? OR was it something more to you?
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Actually DFW mentioned TEW (to say how she liked Vignettes better) and I seized the opportunity.
As for a Vignettes level... 19 was my fav, but mostly for the music. In terms of level design, I think level 11 or level 15 would be my fav (but they didn't have very good music). I want to build something like level 13 (The Black Rock). The music on that level reminded me of the little jingles on CBC (and it was about the length of one too :o).
I remember seeing LordScalgon's vid of level 23, and the video icon looked like Egg Emperor from Sonic Heroes.
I got utterly slaughtered on level 22, so I haven't completed the set yet (I'm honestly surprised I got that far on Rookie).
Not as hard as The Apocalyptic Factor though (game over on level 2).
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Speaking of Vignettes now: What was your favorite level(s) in the set? Your least favorite? Did it feel like a Descent 1 mission? OR was it something more to you?
I actually found some of the levels quite fun. The first secret level and that one gigantic tower thing with lava flowing through it (I can't remember the number) were probably my favorites. I think there may have been more, but those stick out.
On the subject of "Did it feel like a Descent 1 mission?", That's hard to say. The themes were quite new, but during the entire playthrough it felt like a D1 mission. I think the general style was still somewhat compatible with what D1 did with its main mission.
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...and that one gigantic tower thing with lava flowing through it...
Level 16? Pumo's level?
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yeah, the first secret level was fun. For the sheer joy of destroying dozens of weak robots as they were trying to horde you. It was great fun, esp. if you had the Fusion already, then it was a blast to destroy them all and rack up the points!
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Is that the one that looked like a big underground fortress? That was hilarious to go an smash with the fusion! But It'd be nice if the persistant debris wouldn't get in the way*cough coughZico, we've been waiting for that updatecoughcough*, so I have to turn it off for that level.
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The more I monitor this conversation, the more I begin to realize that I don't think I ever got all the way through Vignettes... ::)
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No, you didn't. ;)
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Me neither! :P
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I got to about level 22 and lost all my lives. But it was a really fun set! I should play it again sometime.. :D
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Last time I played that set, I started on 'Ace' and just rushed through.
Needless to say, that kind of heedless style only got me to level 15 or so. :P
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its not a set you can breeze through. You have to work to earn your victory. :)
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Ah, but I'm not a patient Descenter.
I'm a dogfighter who loves to rush-'n-gun. More fun that way! :D
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Aha!
Now I know how I can beat you in D3!
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Sure, it's a weakness... but you still wouldn't beat me in multiplayer. 8)
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well I suggest trying the set on a lower skill level, you'll probably have more luck with your fighting style.
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Oh please Foil... I killed you at least once or twice in all the times I've played you :P
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Speaking of Vignettes now: What was your favorite level(s) in the set? Your least favorite? Did it feel like a Descent 1 mission? OR was it something more to you?
Man, those are hard questions...
I would say levels 6 (the submarine level, 'Submerged'), 10 (the one with the sweet exit sequence, feeling like a rollercoaster ride, 'Great Escape'), Secret Level 2 (the Kruel inspired cental reactor core level), and 25 ('Claustraphobia', the level that has a background looking like outdoors but it's acutally a giant massive cave with a Mothership docked within the cave and you can't go outside the grated tube nor the ship) are my faves.
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its not a set you can breeze through. You have to work to earn your victory.
Ah, that's probably why I didn't finish it. Probably got to a certain point and either got stuck, or got frustrated at how battered I was getting towards the end of each level.
Probably should check my save games, probably still have the file lying around somewhere...
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well I suggest trying the set on a lower skill level, you'll probably have more luck with your fighting style.
Nope. It's always Ace or Insane for me. I'll be more patient next time I try that set.
Oh please Foil... I killed you at least once or twice in all the times I've played you :P
8)
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Oh please Foil... I killed you at least once or twice in all the times I've played you :P
Yes, but Foil sometimes plays under aliases, so you might have killed him a third time and notta knowed it!
I think he plays as Mega-Thong or something.
Matt, sorry, did not mean to edit you post, I hit the edit button instead of quote... again... :( ::)
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Yes, but Foil sometimes plays under aliases, so you might have killed him a third time and notta knowed it!
WillyP, I never play under alias, unless you count "Phoil" (my Phoenix pilot) and "FoilTanker" (my Tank pilot), both of which I think are close enough to clearly identify me.
I think he plays as Mega-Thong or something.
You mean "Megathron"? That's not me... although it is someone here at PlanetDescent. I'll let him identify himself if he wants. 8)
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I know who it is...
It is a good idea to have different pilots for different ships, as you might need different autoselects. Of course my pilot list is longer than that, I must have over 100 pilots in there... and most of them use only the Phoenix (I am the Phoenix freak). Half of them are their own characters with their own stories (represented by macros, audio taunts, ship logos...) The other half are named Pyrax.
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We should get back on topic.
DFW, I have to give you credit for a GREAT level set. I can rush-'n-gun most of my way through the D1 levels, but that got me blown away in the Vignettes. I'll have to manage it more carefully next time. Great work. 8)
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How do you "rush'n gun" on any difficulty above Trainee? When I try that on rookie (in any levelset) it gets me killed on the first mine. In D1 I was using hit and run tactics by level 9 (on rookie). I found some interesting uses for smart missiles on that run though (and they would work in Vignettes too).
In Vignettes I was using hit and run by level 2.
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Darn! Hit the edit button instead of quote again... Sorry! >:( :o :( Anyway:
Yes, but Foil sometimes plays under aliases, so you might have killed him a third time and notta knowed it!
WillyP, I never play under alias, unless you count "Phoil" (my Phoenix pilot) and "FoilTanker" (my Tank pilot), both of which I think are close enough to clearly identify me.
I think he plays as Mega-Thong or something.
You mean "Megathron"? That's not me... although it is someone here at PlanetDescent. I'll let him identify himself if he wants. 8)
Ok, Sorry, yes Phoil and FoilTanker are pretty obvious and don't count perhaps I was thinking of Hunter?
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How do you "rush'n gun" on any difficulty above Trainee?
You essentially have to keep moving, and change directions constantly. Perhaps I'll post a video sometime.
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Ok, Sorry, yes Phoil and FoilTanker are pretty obvious and don't count perhaps I was thinking of Hunter?
Yes you were.
Now back on topic...
I've made some room designs for XL based on a few of these levels... Especially level 11 (I think it was 11). I remember one of the levels reminded me of Rail Canyon from Sonic Heroes, but I can't think which one.
The inverted volcano was cool.
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Megathron will gladly tell you who he is if you ask.
Here's a hint: It's someone rather famous for making heavily modded level sets that never get played.
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Yes, and I have asked him, but I get him and Foil mixed up.
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I'll take that as a compliment.
Hunter is a GREAT pilot, and a GREAT designer. :)
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Thought you were talking about Deathwinger. He makes heavily modded missions that no one ever plays. (Plutonium Outbreak anyone?)
As for Vignettes, my goal was to indeed make it slightly harder than the normal Descent 1 campaign. To give you new situations to find yourself in, fighting the same familiar robots. So yes, you know these robots inside and out and how to combat them. So my goal was to take these familiar faces and put them in situations where you would have to work for your victory.
I prefer to compare Descent Vignettes to Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Where the designers already know you've probably played the first game (first strike) and are well versed in the ways of the game and its enemies. So now its time to start off rough and keep going from there!
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Hunter plays even less than you, Foil. ::)
Will if Vignettes is as epic as it sounds like I may just have to dust off the INTERPLAY sector of my hard drive and try it out.
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Thought you were talking about Deathwinger. He makes heavily modded missions that no one ever plays. (Plutonium Outbreak anyone?)
Well... due to some oddness of OpenGL + intersecting segments that made Plutonian Outbreak 2 slightly unplayable with the intersecting segments.
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...make it slightly harder than the normal Descent 1 campaign...
Slightly... yeeeah.
I actually completed the normal Descent 1 campaign. On rookie. With no deaths.
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I completed all of Vignettes...on Ace...with no deaths. :P
But then again, I know where everything is.
Matthew, if you haven't tried out Vignettes yet, you might want to. Its a great set.
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I completed all of Vignettes...on Ace...with no deaths. :P
But then again, I know where everything is.
Matthew, if you haven't tried out Vignettes yet, you might want to. Its a great set.
Keeping in mind that I haven't even finished the campaign yet...
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I've been keeping all of this in mind too. In fact, I went to play Vignettes just yesterday...only to discover that it wasn't on my laptop (dunno how that happened) and as I was too lazy to go hunting it down, I instead played classic D1 First Strike, with the goal of seeing if I can get all the way to the end this time, seeing I haven't actually managed it yet. It's kind of funny it's like that, too. Such a big Descent fan, but haven't actually finished the official game. The same is true with D2. I did finally finish D3 a couple weeks ago, though, so I've done that. :)
Anyway, getting back on subject... ;)
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Did you ever get around to Vignettes Scyphi?
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Actually...no, I didn't...it's...not even on my laptop still. *facepalm*
But I DID beat D1 all the way through during this time, so it's not like I've been totally unproductive. :P
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There you go:
http://www.enspiar.com/dmdb/viewMission.php?id=207
Now it'll be on your hard drive. :P
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When zico patched the bug that caused Vignettes to crash on the last level, I was finally able to complete it. It's a very hard boss room, but it works nicely. An epic end to a very good level set, DFW. ;)
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Downloaded. Next time I'm playing D1 I'll make a note to play it. :)
Too bad I can't get D2X-XL (too processor heavy) to run on my laptop, those colored lighting pics look brilliant. 8)
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I only completed First Strike this year...
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thanks Kaizer Wolf. Good thing there are cloaks and invuls nearby, eh?
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An epic end to a very good level set, DFW. ;)
QFT
DFW, is the Mistress of Descent Level Building. :)
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I've started Vignettes, got up to the start of lvl 15 before calling it quits for the day. From what I've seen so far, It's very nice. Very creative, wonderful architechure, thinks a bit outside the box in terms of your run-of-the-mill Descent level, with strong D1 vibes, but also with hints of D2 at times, but are also very short, quick, and doesn't really take that much brain power to work out. It's really just fight your way out, and go with the flow of the level.
The exits are always fun, too, always leading your ship back along past some part of the level, giving you a quick glance at it again before it all blows.
I think the level, "The Great Escape" (I forget which number it was) is my current favorite. :)
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Let me know what you think once you complete the whole set. :) You're over halfway there apparently!
Also hope you found the first secret level, the second secret level is coming soon!
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Secret level? :o
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Secret level? :o
As in ... "Ah, I think I might have missed it. What level would it be found at (assuming I manage to find it.)"
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level 11 and level 19 are the secret level entrances. They ONLY open after the reactor blows. So my suggestion is: save at the reactor, blow it up, then go back through the level and search for the entrance. Neither one is TOO far away from the reactor, but both are NOT in the reactor room, so go outside and look around.
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Just checking in to see if he's beaten it....or something. :P
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I don't know if he's beaten it yet ... but I know I found the first of the two secret levels... Dang bots in bots is making me have to use up my energy. :'(
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nice screenshot! How is that for an entry room?! As for the multitude of bots horde, Fusion is your friend if you haven't found it yet! Each secret level in Vignettes is a unique experience and well worth the effort in finding them.
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No, I haven't finished it yet, got busy trying to beat D2 now.
Dang it, I have too many Descent games I need to beat. :P
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nice screenshot! How is that for an entry room?! As for the multitude of bots horde, Fusion is your friend if you haven't found it yet! Each secret level in Vignettes is a unique experience and well worth the effort in finding them.
Oh I've got the Fusion. ;D That is a pretty nice entry room. While most of my computers choke on D2X-XL (unless I retro it way, way back, and a couple of them still choke for some reason) and necessitate DXX-Rebirth ... I really, really like the map options in D2X-XL and the start of this level demonstrates that well.
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You can't just tone down all the bells and whistles on XL?
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Yes you can, but it's not always the "bells and whistles" that bite you. ;)
I'd probably get bit by that a lot less if I wasn't such a cheapskate and would actually buy a decent video card for once.
The work invested into D2X-XL is immense and it really pays off, especially if you've got halfway decent hardware. DXX-Rebirth has also had an immense amount of work invested into it and that also really pays off. Both efforts deserve loads of credit and support from the Descent community. Both efforts are significantly different in the end results.
DXX-Rebirth typically is measurably less demanding of your hardware and system while being very committed to offering good game play, preserving the original retro feel of Descent. A lot of work has also been invested to correct and improve the programming code of Descent.
D2X-XL gives you the option to preserve that original retro feel while also giving you many graphical and gameplay improvements and (for lack of a better term) numerous modernizations. Again, a lot of work has also been invested to correct and improve the programming code of Descent.
I'm pretty sure (I don't know, I'm just hypothesizing) that the reason D2X-XL struggles on some of my systems (and refuses to run on one of them) has a lot to do with the improved features and modernizations. I suspect (again, don't know for sure) that because DXX-Rebirth has not invested in a lot of those modernizations (instead concentrating on the original look and feel), it is still more (shall we say) "agreeable" with my lower end systems.
I like and enjoy both products and I have nothing but praise for the work that has been put into both. Currently both have their places, and I like that.
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I appreciate both as well. Although for my youtube videos of my mission sets, I utilize d2x-xl for effect. :)
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I'd probably get bit by that a lot less if I wasn't such a cheapskate and would actually buy a decent video card for once.
How about a GeForce 8400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150461&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL090910&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL090910-_-EMC-090910-Index-_-DesktopGraphicsVideoCards-_-14150461-L0D) for 30 bucks, free shipping?
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I should buy that, put it in our other computer and use it to get my dad into computer games. :P
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For the first time ever, I'm replaying my set, but on Insane difficulty! I'm currently on level 8 right now and I'm feeling the hurt! I've yet to die, but I'm really close at this point. Those Drillers are evil! Kudos to anyone who can beat this set on Insane. This is far more difficult than the original First Strike, that is for sure!
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I think that's because the levels are so much smaller than usual, therefore, all the robots are more packed into one area, and you have to fight more than one lots more times than in usual Descent levels.
Not that this is a bad thing, of course. :)
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I prefer playing on Ace, just because I can still rush'n'gun my way through. Insane forces you to play slow'n'cautious.
Good luck, though! It's definitely an accomplishment if you can get through on Insane. :D
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more cramped? I thought I put in at least one good dogfighting room in just about every level. Each level should have 'one' room where you got the space to do one good dogfight with the robots.
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GAH, I'm on level 17 right now on insane. The last few levels have been brutal! And now that I think about it, I should have started a video series on this. Just to prove it can be done! LOL But I'm too far in to start over. Oh well, should have thought of the idea sooner. Working through Observatory Row right now, fearing how bad the levels ahead will be...
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I didn't say more cramped I said more packed together. There's a difference. Yes, there is at least one good dogfight room in every level, but in comparison to other Descent levels, which typically have many of such rooms, that's a bit different. That, and the level is so small, you're forced into action much more often and sooner, because you only have so many places you can go. You can't escape it.
But like I said, none of this is really a bad thing, and it's actually something I like about Vignettes. :)
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Gyaaaah! I am finally on level 25 on insane. And ran into the crashing bug found in rebirth! So until I can find the fixed version of rebirth that ignores this crashing but, I must stop my insane run.
But I must say, after the ice levels, levels 21-24 were true terrors. I had to fight tooth and claw to gain every inch of ground into each level. They were brutal. Levels 21 and 24 ate my extra lives like candy! I'm now on 25 with only 4 lives left and not a lot of hope. So here's hoping I can work through it all and finally say I completed Vignettes on Insane!
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I believe that D1X-Rebirth 0.56 BETA 4 (http://www.dxx-rebirth.com/frm/showthread.php?tid=708) is your friend (regarding the crashing bug).
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more cramped? I thought I put in at least one good dogfighting room in just about every level. Each level should have 'one' room where you got the space to do one good dogfight with the robots.
Getting back to this ... I'd have to say that some of the beginning levels were a bit "cramped" except for their "dogfight rooms". ;) But when you get into the upper levels they are definitely more roomy and some with plenty of room.
I had a lot of fun with Level 16 (four "dogfight rooms" one right after the other) and Observatory Row (Level 17) is pretty cool with it's passages through the middle of it's large main area.
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And I finally beat it on insane! whew! That was a great battle! I was down to one more life, I saw just the edge of the bosses cannon from below in the energy center pits, and utilized the trailing edge of the left quad laser shot to hit from behind the pillar where he couldn't get at me. He finally went down and I proceeded to the exit ignoring the multitude of pissed off bots that he spawned around me! WOOHOO!
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WooHoo!
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Little by little, I've been getting through in my spare time. Got to the second secret level (Core Reactor). That one was ... different. I would have liked very much to see a level similar to it but much larger. This screenshot is only a D2X-XL map view of the starting room.
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any larger and it wouldn't be Vignettes, now would it?
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Got a little further playing, now up to the ice tower level (eighteen I think?). Still fairly nice levels, but they are getting to be brutal at times. :P
Nothing I apparently can't handle, though, haven't died since the first boss (though I came close once or twice). :)
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I found an interesting remix of the music used for level 10 (yes he did use a real electric guitar).
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/142766 (http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/142766)
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wondering how TechPro is doing on the rest of this set. If there was any other level ideas you'd wish to be in here, what would they be?
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Since you're wondering ... Level 23 (The Grand Hall) presents you with an interesting challenge right at the start (see the pic) with at least 4 fusion mini-boss, 4 red homer (Super Hulks), 4 or more Drillers, perhaps 6 "Defense Prototype" (fires laser 4), at least 4 red "Spider", and a number of Advanced Lifters ... all in one large room.
Actually, a lot of fun. ... and it's on to Level 24 (Forgotten Fortress)...
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Aannnndd... Level 25 (Claustrophobia). This is the last level of the set and if your computer can run D2X-XL, I recommend running this level in D2X-XL at least once if only to get the full effect of the textured map feature of D2X-XL. Other than that, it's pretty much the same in either DXX-Rebirth or D2X-XL.
Why view this one with the textured map of D2X-XL? I'll show you (cue attached pics). The first pic shows the mesh like tube you travel down to enter the level. The level is entirely inside this ship like shape. It's obvious the creator of this level intended for this to be viewed in D2X-XL. The second pic shows a place where the exterior allowed the map to show the inside and I added an arrow showing the gray dot that is my pyro inside. The third pic is a view of the central dogfight room (now all cleared of bots).
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I hope you had an enjoyable experience and come back again soon! :D
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Level 23 (The Grand Hall) presents you with an interesting challenge right at the start (see the pic) with at least 4 fusion mini-boss, 4 red homer (Super Hulks), 4 or more Drillers, perhaps 6 "Defense Prototype" (fires laser 4), at least 4 red "Spider", and a number of Advanced Lifters ... all in one large room.
Whew, thanks for the heads-up, I wouldn't have liked to have wandered into that room unaware when I get to that level. :P
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I hope you had an enjoyable experience and come back again soon! :D
I did, and I will. I've done it before using D1X-Rebirth ... but it was the version that kept crashing a lot in the Vignettes so I'm going to grab the latest beta of D1X-Rebirth and roll through it with that.
This particular time I went through with D2X-XL which (among other things) allows me to use the Inventory feature to save cloak and invulnerability powerups (max of 4 each) to use later at a time of my choosing. Very convenient. I am under no misconceptions about how much more difficult some of these levels are (like the Grand Hall) when you don't have those items on hand. :D Seeing the levels in the D2X-XL enhanced visual effects was a treat.
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try it in d2x-xl next time with my quake texture pack and my modified D1 version variant of the Enemy Within robots replacement the normal Descent 1 robots for a widely different experience!
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I was just going through the levels again (this time with the latest D1X-Rebirth beta for crash free fun) and when I blew the Reactor in Level 10 (The Great Escape) I noticed that the fire and explosions just behind my escaping Pyro are like a ball of fire following the ship as evidenced when you reach a point in the escape route that you can actually see portions of the escape route you've already been in ... and there is no longer any fire there. It's also a little funny because you blow the Reactor and supposedly the mine blowing up starts at the Reactor but as the escape route loops back around and goes near (again) the area of the Reactor, and there isn't any fire there.
Of course, there wasn't any need to program fire to remain because logically the escape tunnel wouldn't be routing around and back past the reactor a second time ... so of course only enough fire was programmed to make it seem like the tunnel was full of fire behind you.
Naturally, since levels don't normally route the way many of the Vignettes levels do, I had not seen that effect before.
Yes ... I'm tired and a bit loopy at the moment ...
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Heh, found an easy way to kill the Boss in level 14 (Into The Fire). I've managed to kill him 3 times now without him taking a single shot at me. :D
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care to enlighten us?
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You want me to describe it in public? (and spoil everyone's fun by taking away the challenge) Or give it to you by PM?
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perhaps this would be a good time for the forum to get [spoiler] tags... :P
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anyone ever think to do cold starts on any of the Vignette levels like many people do on the normal First Strike levels?
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Cold starts?
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yes, utilizing the level selection feature of Descent once you've cleared the set. Starting off on levels other than level 1 with nothing but level 1 lasers and some concs. Cold start.
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Speaking of cold starts, has anyone done Vertigo? I'd want to see that on youtube.
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Do you mean like starting vertigo from cold each time on youtube?
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Yes... and at a high difficulty (Ace or Insane)
I tried to cold start level 16 on hotshot, and I wasn't able to do it without dying at least once (and I had to cheat a little with D2X-XL's built in equipment, so it wasn't much of a cold start :P)
In particular I dare anyone to cold start level 16 on ace or insane and complete the level without dying at all (secret level is allowed, but you can't die there either.)
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I'll do it on insane. I'll have to take a demo since unoob has not been letting me upload videos for the past 6 months "due to some unknown error."
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A demo's fine.
In fact it might be even better considering the "repaired" demo recording system new in 0.56 of Rebirth.
And yeah it's funny how the most popular sites (e.g. youtube) have so many flaws.
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Thread revival!!
I just had the easiest time beating the Boss in Level 14 (Into the Fire) ... actually, he killed himself. ;D
I had just entered the final/red room and had approached the grills that allow you to see the area the Boss is in. Just before you enter that area, there is a shield orb just in front of you, and on the left and right are wall textures of the dull yellow diagonal stripes. I had not yet gone past those yellow stripes and was watching through the grills for the Boss to appear where I could fire away at him ... when the Boss appeared/un-cloaked just below where I was and due to the proximity to me he let loose with his weaponry despite me being completely protected by the walls .... and he killed himself, timer started and the exit opened. Woot! Easy Boss kill!
All I heard was the Boss noise suddenly loud (indicating he was near) and midst sudden explosion rumblings the walls around me kind of glowed a bit ... and he died. Kind of anti-climatic really.
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I'd say that's a bug, he is not supposed to commit suicide!
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Bummer! :o
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Techpro,
which Descent program version did you use (XL/Rebirth/Vanilla) please?
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D2X-XL, version 1.15.91
I know you have a newer version available, but I recently found that if I change versions of D2X-XL in the middle of doing a level set ... sometimes power ups (especially dropped power ups) might disappear or not be displayed. That effect has been posted about in the SourceForge bug tracking ... but I haven't posted my recent finding on this yet because I'm not absolutely sure on it yet. I'm re-doing the Vignettes while on just one version of D2X-XL so that I can see if what happened to me before happens again (part way through, dropped power ups stopped being displayed and were only found if my Pyro "ran over" the power up, later on ALL shields and energy sparks stopped being displayed). I found if I started a new game, the power ups were displayed again. After I finish Vignettes again, I'll upgrade D2X-XL versions and use saved positions (saved in the previous D2X-XL version) part way through Vignettes to see if the disappearing power ups effect happens again.
Link to the SourceForge posting about it:
http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3044795&group_id=155890&atid=797586
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I have fixed a bug one or two versions ago that could cause visual artifacts or stuff not being rendered.
I will look into the boss bug.
Edit:
When I enter the tunnel with the gratings at the floor, allowing you to see into the boss room, the boss starts to fire at me, but by no means does it die.
Is there a way to enter the boss cave?
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No means that I've found... but I did find a place where I could sit and wait for him to show in my view and I could fire through the grill until he disappears, then wait for his to show in my view again and I'd fire away some more. After a while of this, he dies, usually without me getting hit at all.
Where's that spot? I'll hint: He hasn't seen me through the grills at all, just don't get too close to the grills or he'll spot you and fire away at you.
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And the thread goes on ... (to the tune of "The Beat Goes On" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Jpo2PpgvE))
Finally finished Vignettes again (this time using D2X-XL ver. 1.15.91) ... and the Boss committed 'bossicide' before I even opened the door to the Boss room. :(
I'll see how it goes with the updated D2X-XL version.
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Hi! I'm new here!
I got Vingnettes some time ago; one of the best campaigns I've ever played.
I also have the same problem with the boss killing itself. Not only that but on the final level it crashes a lot.
I use Rebirth. No special stuff, just high res and the new reticule that Rebirth comes with. However, the boss kills himself with his own missile blasts. Megas do about 350 points of damage a slug, and the End Hulk has 4k hull/shield so he can only take about ten of those, hitting himself with his own missile shokwaves.
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What version of Rebirth are you using? Zico put up a new one a few months ago, it should have fixed the crashing bug in level 25.
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I have D1X 0.55.1.
Just went to the site, yeah its a newer version of what i have currently.
and I just realized that you were talking about level 14, I was talking about the last boss.
The level 14 boss doesn't kill himself when I face him.
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Which reminds me, I still need to finish this level set...but before I do, I think that I, too, still need to upgrade my version of Rebirth (already have it downloaded, I just think I haven't installed it yet...)
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The newest version of Rebirth does not crash so much (in fact, it seems pretty rock steady). I highly recommend the newest version of Rebirth.
Those using D2X-XL ... I recommend the newest version as well. It worked well for me.
I would have posted about this earlier ... but I forgot. Been squeezing in time on Army of Haloon: The Secret Prototype (http://www.planetdescent.net/index.php?topic=534.0) for Descent 3.
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glad people have enjoyed this level set. When I was making it, I wasn't really sure how well it would be received. So I'm just glad people are still discovering this nice little gem of a mission.
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What can I say?
For me, it's your masterpiece Wolfie. Your best ever created levels are on Vignettes :)
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Level 15 is my favourite now (though there are some other close contenders, and I may have had a different favourite until recently).
I'm planning a boss level called "the multipurpose room" which is meant to be a mishmash of completely differently themed areas (each of the "colourless", blue, yellow and red areas will have an overarching theme which all the room themes in the areas would be parts of, sort of a "super-vignette" level I guess), and I'm planning on building something like the Stalactite Volcano in the blue area (though the level as a whole will be alien 2/Puuma Sphere themed so I'll have to modify it a bit).
I wonder if anyone could come up with a story for Vignettes. It would have to be pretty wacky to fit with the level themes...
I was actually planning a singleplayer mission that had to do with saving planets that were involved in an "interplanetary all-terrain skiing championship" from the robots... the entire story would have just been an excuse to give the levels "colour difficulty" ratings like ski runs. The idea came from TrackMania United/Nations Forever, where all the tracks have the same difficulty colour codes as ski trails.
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I keep wanting to add two more levels + 1 more secret level in there somewhere to make it a full 30 levels. But I'm really not sure if I should. The set is awesome as it is and not sure if the extra 3 levels will harm the set or not.
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Sounds like you've got enough material to make a new level set (howbeit fewer # levels in the set) separate from Vignettes.
I don't think you need to add anything to Vignettes. What is your motivation to get to 30 levels in a set? Getting over 5 levels in a fan-made level set is extremely rare.
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30 levels, 27 normal and 3 secret would make it on par with the count found in Descent: First Strike.
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But in terms of overall level completion time (and thus length of time for a skilled player to complete the mission) for Vignettes would still be much shorter than for D1 First Strike even with 3 more levels. Because the 3 new levels would also be so small, it wouldn't add much value for people who have already played through the set, I think.
That's one way I'm judging the length of Army of Haloon as well, the levels in there are generally much longer than what you'd find in D3 Retribution or Mercenary (Mercenary level 3 aside). Although [the whole] Army of Haloon is also bigger than D3 Retribution in terms of number of levels (but it wasn't always like that. I think we just had 6 levels to start. Right now we have 18 to 20, depending on how you want to count them).
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Wait a minute...Flamewolf is a chick? :D
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Wait a minute...Flamewolf is a chick? :D
Yes