Race, by 
Cat Maze
Despite the claim in the level that the gameplay concept was by Pyromanus (editor’s note: this is the trigger concept), I had difficulties figuring out what was novel with this level. It seems to be a fairly standard, although high-quality race work. The various mazes in this level have all been seen before. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there just ain’t much creativity in this level I’m sad to say. The level starts in a cave-like structure, as many levels with this tileset do (Blacky has previously used this tileset in a battle level.) It goes on through a somewhat predictable repertoire of Psych level clichés. In-between, there are many different sorts of obstacles, but none of them unique. Gameplay is good, although there are a few bugs (such as at the end of the spike area) in the masks that make movement more difficult than it should be. Still, it’s just more of the same race stuff.
PROS: Gameplay is solid.
CONS: A few bugs make movement difficult, and there isn’t any innovation.
RATING: 7.2
As usual with a Blackraptor level, eyecandy is excellent. In this case, I was somewhat disappointed though that there is also not much in the way of innovation here. The tileset used is not exactly the most flexible in the world, but there are a number of ways in which tiles could have been used that they simply weren’t. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the eyecandy here, but I just don’t find it interesting enough to warrant a higher rating than this.
PROS: No tile bugs or anything of the sort.
CONS: At least tile bugs would have been more exciting.
RATING: 7.2
Race levels have traditionally been one of the more enjoyable gametypes. They allow for silly puzzles and don’t conform to the strict standards of gameplay that constrict other gametypes. In this case, however, I feel as if this potential wasn’t used to its fullest. Although the level is fun enough, the puzzles are occasionally more like obstacles than games. They are also not new, and not even done in an interesting way. The entire thing is about as different asDiet Pepsi – it isn’t even Diet Pepsi with Lemon.
PROS: As with all race levels, it is fun to play.
CONS: Not as fun as I expected.
RATING: 7.0
To summarize this level in one word, it is solid. Unfortunately, that’s not saying much: It is little more than solid. There is nothing new about the concept or the execution. However, as negative as this may sound, the level in question is still quite good. Not a breakthrough, but certainly a welcome addition to a gametype that could use a boost these days.
PROS: Fun, well done, and solid.
CONS: Nothing new.
RATING: 7.2
DOWNLOAD RECOMMENDATION: Not different enough to highly recommend to those who don’t like race.
GAMEPLAY: B+
Flow: B+
Layout: A -
Creativity: C+
Bugs: A -
EYECANDY: A -
Tileset use: A -
Eyecandy Look: A -
Creativity: B
Bugs: A
~ Traft
some race level
This level has a bell curve of quality, so to speak. At the beginning, there is an annoying wind/block maze. Hitting the edges of the blocks is a jarring experience that, despite all of my playing, I have never gained an immunity against. The middle section is the best by far. The entire thing feels smooth and works well. At the end, things begin to deteriorate slightly again – not as bad as in the beginning, but still it’s a falling down in quality. Gameplay in this level is interesting and definitely more creative than the last. However, it is still nothing all that new.
PROS: Solid and interesting gameplay, especially toward the middle of the level.
CONS: The beginning and the end aren’t so hot, and there’s still nothing that new here.
RATING: 7.5
The Diamondus modification used here is fine enough, but it’s still Diamondus. The backgrounds, such as in the annoying block part of the level, are interesting, but still this does not make up for the fact that we’re talking Diamondus here. The tileset is used well here, and this is probably the best one can expect from Diamondus. Because of this, I am upping the rating to a 7.2, which is very nice of me considering…well…if I say Diamondus again, someone will kill me.
PROS: Outstanding eyecandy considering the tileset that has been used.
CONS: It’s still that tileset.
RATING: 7.2
This is definitely improved over the last level. The more I play it, in fact, the more the first part does not bother me as much. It still could use some editing, but it is a decent puzzle. I feel that those who play this level probably will like it, and it does grow on you. As replay is important in a race level, especially a circuiting one where nothing changes from circuit to circuit, this is a plus.
PROS: Enjoyable, and it grows on you.
CONS: Nothing dramatically creative.
RATING: 7.5
Although the start (and to a lesser extent, the end) of this level could take some improvement, it is overall well done. This is more what I expect from a talented level maker like Blackraptor, although I paradoxically consider this level more flawed than the previous one. It takes some chances, and fails in a few of those. However, the chances make it more worth it, and despite the fallout from the bad ones, this level’s rating is higher than the last. Imagine that!
PROS: An enjoyable play and more creative than the last.
CONS: I would prefer different play each circuit like in some of the greatest race levels, and perhaps some more creativity would be nice, but I suppose I’m being a tad picky.
RATING: 7.2
DOWNLOAD RECOMMENDATION: At first it may seem vexing, but the level becomes better as you keep playing it. Overall a good level, although those new to race might want to concentrate on a better-flowing level.
GAMEPLAY: B+
Flow: B
Layout: A -
Creativity: B+
Bugs: B+
EYECANDY: A -
Tileset use: A+
Eyecandy Look: B
Creativity: B+
Bugs: A -
OVERALL PACK RATING: 7.2
~ Traft
[Annoying/broken HTML removed. ~cooba]
