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If you haven't guessed from the title, I'm going to be talking about those dreaded water levels in videogames. Those slow and boring ones which usually end up draining your excitement and turning it into boredom, as you play them reluctantly to be able to get to the next level.
So what is it about them everyone dislikes?
Well there are different variations of water levels, most of them in platform games, so I'll start off by talking about the 2D platform game.
Not all water levels on platform games are a problem. Some are quite enjoyable like on Super Mario Land on the GameBoy, where you took control of a submarine and could shoot your way through most the level. However, the problem levels are those in which you slowly swim, having to avoid the odd fish, whilst you float left, right, up and down (like Donkey Kong Land).
Some of these games have a good enough balance though. Super Mario Bros managed to keep the water levels to a similar style to the dry-land levels, thus not slowing down too much, and still making it fun and challenging instead of a long bore.
The trouble is, that's exactly what the water levels are like, slow and tedious. If your character had some kind of propellor to speed up the swimming, they might not be so bad, but they don't.
Sonic Advance managed to get the balance perfectly though. There were only two levels involving water, and each one had a land route in most places which allowed you to avoid going underwater. And when you do manage to get submerged, you can use Sonic's super speed to get back out again.
In 3D games, they aren't so much a problem, other than they can get frustratingly annoying when you run out of air.
In Super Mario 64, it wasn't too bad because you could easily swim up for air, but in it's sister-game by Rare, Banjo Kazooie, it wasn't so easy and made the game seem very slow indeed. I expect most people playing Banjo Kazzoie used the "givethebearlotsofair" cheat to get past the water levels, I know I did.
Some FPS games managed to include water too, like Turok: Dinosaur Hunter on the N64 and PC, but these mainly involved allowing you to have a soft landing when you fall off a high ledge, or to access secret areas containing weapons. Another FPS managed to get the balance right though, Halflife. You only needed to go underwater for short amounts of time, although these water areas could still be a wee bit tricky.
So why is it that some developers insist we have the boring water levels in the games? Why can't they follow suit of other developers and keep them short and sweet, instead of long and tedious? I don't really know the answer to that, but if I get really frustrated with these levels I'll just use a level skip code from an Action Replay cart. Yeah, I'll try them, over and over again, but if they're that annoying, then I'll take desperate measures.
Anyone else got opinions on water levels in games?
So what is it about them everyone dislikes?
Well there are different variations of water levels, most of them in platform games, so I'll start off by talking about the 2D platform game.
Not all water levels on platform games are a problem. Some are quite enjoyable like on Super Mario Land on the GameBoy, where you took control of a submarine and could shoot your way through most the level. However, the problem levels are those in which you slowly swim, having to avoid the odd fish, whilst you float left, right, up and down (like Donkey Kong Land).
Some of these games have a good enough balance though. Super Mario Bros managed to keep the water levels to a similar style to the dry-land levels, thus not slowing down too much, and still making it fun and challenging instead of a long bore.
The trouble is, that's exactly what the water levels are like, slow and tedious. If your character had some kind of propellor to speed up the swimming, they might not be so bad, but they don't.
Sonic Advance managed to get the balance perfectly though. There were only two levels involving water, and each one had a land route in most places which allowed you to avoid going underwater. And when you do manage to get submerged, you can use Sonic's super speed to get back out again.
In 3D games, they aren't so much a problem, other than they can get frustratingly annoying when you run out of air.
In Super Mario 64, it wasn't too bad because you could easily swim up for air, but in it's sister-game by Rare, Banjo Kazooie, it wasn't so easy and made the game seem very slow indeed. I expect most people playing Banjo Kazzoie used the "givethebearlotsofair" cheat to get past the water levels, I know I did.
Some FPS games managed to include water too, like Turok: Dinosaur Hunter on the N64 and PC, but these mainly involved allowing you to have a soft landing when you fall off a high ledge, or to access secret areas containing weapons. Another FPS managed to get the balance right though, Halflife. You only needed to go underwater for short amounts of time, although these water areas could still be a wee bit tricky.
So why is it that some developers insist we have the boring water levels in the games? Why can't they follow suit of other developers and keep them short and sweet, instead of long and tedious? I don't really know the answer to that, but if I get really frustrated with these levels I'll just use a level skip code from an Action Replay cart. Yeah, I'll try them, over and over again, but if they're that annoying, then I'll take desperate measures.
Anyone else got opinions on water levels in games?
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You've given me a reason to play The Last Revelation on my Dreamcast now.....
Edgy wrote:
> The only part of the original Tomb Raider I liked was that level with the
> Waterfall at the beginning, where I'd make Lara run, dive off the cliff, and
> narrowly miss the water splitting her head on the rocks below.
Brilliant!
* * * * *
You've started me off now.....
*Killing Miss Croft*
-Method 1: SUICIDE DRIVE
Take Lara to the highest ledge you can find and walk her slowly to the edge.
Look down so she can see and comprehend the certain death that awaits her.
Now perform a stylish drive.
The sound of her long pathetic scream and the bone-crunching thud of her body hitting the hard earth is like sweet music to the ears.
*Enjoyment Rating: 90%*
-Method 2: DROWNING
Plunge Lara into an expanse of water - the deeper the better.
Swim her down to the very bottom.
Simply let go of the controller and let her hover underwater.
Watch with delight as her breath bar slowly reaches zero, then coldly observe her wriggle and panic until her lifeless body floats to the surface.
*Enjoyment Rating: 95%*
-Method 3: BITTEN TO DEATH
Take Lara to a cavenous area where a number of creep-crawlies hang out - scorpions are the most common. A claustrophobic tunnel is ideal.
When you spot the creepy-crawlies heading towards Lara, light a flair and position her on all fours.
Sit back and watch the 'orrible little beasties slowly nimble on her sweet flesh until her energy bar reaches zero.
Revel in Lara's pathetic squeaks of displeasure.
*Enjoyment Rating: 80%*
-Method 4: BURN BABY BURN
Scattered throughout the Tomb Raider games are several campfires.
Seek out one of these said fires and slowly walk Lara towards the flames.
As her curvaceous frame enters the fire, stop, and you will witness Lara quickly burn like a Roman Candle.
*Enjoyment Rating: 70%*
-Method 5: WRECKLESS DRIVING
You'll need a copy of The Last Revelation to execute this one.
When Lara has the opportunity to drive the jeep, jump her in a speed off.
Seek out one of the extremely deep pits that are scattered throughout the jeep level.
On finding a suitable pit, simply drive the jeep off the edge at high speed.
Listen to Lara scream as the jeep plunges down and down until it smashes into the hard earth at the bottom and explores into a ball of fire.
*Enjoyment Rating: 85%*
> The only part of the original Tomb Raider I liked was that level with the
> Waterfall at the beginning, where I'd make Lara run, dive off the cliff, and
> narrowly miss the water splitting her head on the rocks below.
Brilliant!
* * * * *
You've started me off now.....
*Killing Miss Croft*
-Method 1: SUICIDE DRIVE
Take Lara to the highest ledge you can find and walk her slowly to the edge.
Look down so she can see and comprehend the certain death that awaits her.
Now perform a stylish drive.
The sound of her long pathetic scream and the bone-crunching thud of her body hitting the hard earth is like sweet music to the ears.
*Enjoyment Rating: 90%*
-Method 2: DROWNING
Plunge Lara into an expanse of water - the deeper the better.
Swim her down to the very bottom.
Simply let go of the controller and let her hover underwater.
Watch with delight as her breath bar slowly reaches zero, then coldly observe her wriggle and panic until her lifeless body floats to the surface.
*Enjoyment Rating: 95%*
-Method 3: BITTEN TO DEATH
Take Lara to a cavenous area where a number of creep-crawlies hang out - scorpions are the most common. A claustrophobic tunnel is ideal.
When you spot the creepy-crawlies heading towards Lara, light a flair and position her on all fours.
Sit back and watch the 'orrible little beasties slowly nimble on her sweet flesh until her energy bar reaches zero.
Revel in Lara's pathetic squeaks of displeasure.
*Enjoyment Rating: 80%*
-Method 4: BURN BABY BURN
Scattered throughout the Tomb Raider games are several campfires.
Seek out one of these said fires and slowly walk Lara towards the flames.
As her curvaceous frame enters the fire, stop, and you will witness Lara quickly burn like a Roman Candle.
*Enjoyment Rating: 70%*
-Method 5: WRECKLESS DRIVING
You'll need a copy of The Last Revelation to execute this one.
When Lara has the opportunity to drive the jeep, jump her in a speed off.
Seek out one of the extremely deep pits that are scattered throughout the jeep level.
On finding a suitable pit, simply drive the jeep off the edge at high speed.
Listen to Lara scream as the jeep plunges down and down until it smashes into the hard earth at the bottom and explores into a ball of fire.
*Enjoyment Rating: 85%*
The only part of the original Tomb Raider I liked was that level with the Waterfall at the beginning, where I'd make Lara run, dive off the cliff, and narrowly miss the water splitting her head on the rocks below.
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
Swimming underwater in games would be cool if it wasn't usually so fiddley.
Having said that, Lara swims well underwater - although I prefer to leave her motionless and submerged then sit back and watch her wriggle frantically as her breath runs out.
Having said that, Lara swims well underwater - although I prefer to leave her motionless and submerged then sit back and watch her wriggle frantically as her breath runs out.
And pigs might fly! lol.
Tis true that water levels are 'evolving' at a steady speed into becomming semi-decent in videogames. Just hope they do come to a point where they're just as enjoyable as the rest of the game.
Tis true that water levels are 'evolving' at a steady speed into becomming semi-decent in videogames. Just hope they do come to a point where they're just as enjoyable as the rest of the game.
I hate underwater levels too!
I have also suffered on the older Sonic games, but I did EVENTUALLY get through them! And with pure luck, I managed to do the ones in Mario 64.
They always seem to come at the wrong time!
Juts when you seem to be flying through a game, and you think you'll comoplete it in record time, next comes a water level!! :(
But they are good in some games, like Mario 64. And i'm sure they'll impove in the next-generation!
Maybe we'll even LIKE them!!??
I have also suffered on the older Sonic games, but I did EVENTUALLY get through them! And with pure luck, I managed to do the ones in Mario 64.
They always seem to come at the wrong time!
Juts when you seem to be flying through a game, and you think you'll comoplete it in record time, next comes a water level!! :(
But they are good in some games, like Mario 64. And i'm sure they'll impove in the next-generation!
Maybe we'll even LIKE them!!??
lol yeah, if you tried inhaling an underwater bubble in real life, chances are you'd choke and drown!
The 'hold your breath' meters are always too short - they usually only last about 10 seconds. They should last about 2 minutes or something so you can relax and explore a bit.
The worst thing is when you've got to seek out those damn air bubbles to keep your breath - I truly detest that kind of thing.
The worst thing is when you've got to seek out those damn air bubbles to keep your breath - I truly detest that kind of thing.
pb wrote:
> Damn water levels always make me want to rush off to the loo.
But seriously,
> I did like the Need for Speed waterfalls in the background of the game, stopped
> the car a couple of times to admire them. Perhaps they could have a car game
> that had you actually going through the waterfalls instead, getting really wet
> windscreens.
That or a wet t-shirt contest....
The second idea would be me fine.
These next generation graphics rule....
> Damn water levels always make me want to rush off to the loo.
But seriously,
> I did like the Need for Speed waterfalls in the background of the game, stopped
> the car a couple of times to admire them. Perhaps they could have a car game
> that had you actually going through the waterfalls instead, getting really wet
> windscreens.
That or a wet t-shirt contest....
The second idea would be me fine.
These next generation graphics rule....
Talkie Toaster wrote:
> i hated the water levels on super mario.
but the one which i really really hate
> is the level where you spend 10 minutes traveling at around 2 miles an hour from
> start to finish underwater while these jelly fish attack you and go about 100
> times faster than you!
it was soooooooooo boring!
lol, if you hate that, you'll really hate Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land games...
> i hated the water levels on super mario.
but the one which i really really hate
> is the level where you spend 10 minutes traveling at around 2 miles an hour from
> start to finish underwater while these jelly fish attack you and go about 100
> times faster than you!
it was soooooooooo boring!
lol, if you hate that, you'll really hate Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong Land games...
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