[WIP] Saved by the cake

[Helix_Snake]

http://forums.thinkingwithportals.com/dload.php?action=file&file_id=85

There it is, my first map. I tried to get everything as perfect as possible. If you find any ways to "cheat", or textures that don't line up, glitches, ways to screw yourself etc. Please post them here. Unless you end up killing yourself with a cube (hard to do unless you mean to), the only time you will die is at the very beginning if you don't understand that red-hot glowing bar = death (but it's not easy to get killed that way on accident)
It's just my opinion, but I think I was very creative with the puzzles in this map.

Constructive criticism is welcome, but please don't overdo it. Saying "textures do not line up" doesn't help; you need to tell me WHERE. Asking me to overhaul an entire section of my map isn't helpful either.

Update: Beta 2

Fixed keep-upright wierdness about the L-block
Improved some of the lighting
Changed the glass "chair" to metal
Made the fire force field more conspicuous
Lowered the top panel so it is more evident you have to duck
Made it so you can't bring the L-block into the tunnel (you automatically drop it)
Changed some of the dialogue so it's more obvious what you're supposed to do
Brought the L-block up a little bit so that it's easier to figure out you can pick it up
Made the first "companion" cube into a regular cube
A bunch of stuff that's too small to mention

[Lorithad]

I really didn't like this map all that much. In fact, I didn't even beat it.

These are the things that I did notice before I decided I didn't like the map:
I'm just going to put my entire review of the map in a spoiler tag, cause in explaining why I dislike the map, I have to go into details about the puzzles. So if you haven't played yet, give it a shot before reading what I've wrote. That way, your opionion won't be biased by my views.

At the start of the map, we're presented with our beloved companion cube.
Then you expect us to position the cube from one portal to another so that it falls in a small hole and lands on a button. This is easy enough I suppose, except you can't actually see the button in question when you are positioning the cube. You just need to hope you've got it in the right spot before letting it go. Also, if you do it wrong, it is possible to have the cube stuck on the glass above the button, but in a spot that you are unable to grab it to move it. So you need to restart the map.

Once the button is pressed, the metal wall preventing you from going through the portal you put the cube in moves up a bit. Thus, allowing you to go through the portal, and follow the cube. Easier said than done. My first attempt at this, it took about 40-80 tries to get myself onto the hole. The second attempt(you'll understand in a sec), maybe 15-20.

Once you do manage to get to the cube, you can drop down and walk through an emancipation field. Seeing as how you gave us a companion cube, you'd think you could take it through the field. Nope. Companion cube gone. Cue flashbacks of the Aperture Science Emergency Intelligence Incinerator, and the tears that were shed the first time I was forced to kill my friend for the sake of the project.

At that point, I realised that there were no autosaves. Autosaves are very important, but since we haven't REALLY had anything that would warrant them yet, I'll let you off the hook. I did however, load anyway to see if I could prevent my friend from dying. Nope. You're a monster.

In the next chamber, you need to go up a flight of stairs, and somehow get past a hole on a walkway. Again, easier said than done. I tried several times, all combinations of jumps, air crouching, side strafing, etc.
This is where I gave up.

In short, this map isn't about portals at all. It's about fitting through tiny holes and jumping places. If you want people to play it, at least make the jumps feasible.

[Helix_Snake]

Lorithad, you are doing the second room completely wrong. If there are parts of the room that seem completely useless, maybe you should rethink your strategy. I made the clues to what you're supposed to do in the second room painfully obvious, and yet you still didn't get it. See that gigantic freaking arrow? There's a reason that's there. I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but geez, I was afraid the maps would be too obvious and I am totally shocked by your inability to finish it.

Also, in the first room, the only reason you're finding it hard is you're trying it the same way over and over. That puzzle was designed to show that it matters which way you make the ceiling portal; you have to make the portal so that the "gap" that the moving panel creates is next to the hole. When the panels move, you're supposed to go around and make the ceiling portal in the opposite direction. You really should think about what would make putting the cube/yourself in the hole easier, instead of trying the same thing over and over when it doesn't work.

[Lorithad]

I have no problem being called an idiot with regard to that second room. I can't figure it out. The only thing that I could see obviously wasn't right.

I'm curious to see what other people think though. Usually I can figure out a room within a reasonable ammount of time.

[Helix_Snake]

Everything in that second room is there for a reason, including the fact that there's a lighthole in the ceiling shining a red L on the floor.

That should be a big enough hint. Also:

You don't have to kill the WCC, you can just leave her resting on the button. :p

[Lorithad]

Its actually not enough of a hint helix. I've got the map loaded right now. Trying anything I can think of. I have a feeling you're trying to get the player to do something that the player doesn't know how to do.

That L thing on the floor/ceiling? How is that supposed to do anything? When I shoot the L on the floor, it looks as though the portal projectile is being redirected. But where can you redirect it to that would make any difference? Shooting into the L has no result, as it doesn't have a portalable surface.

[Helix_Snake]

........

Go up to the L, look at it, and press the use key.

[Lorithad]

I'm sorry, but WHAT!?


In the game, there was never anything like that. You gave no hints at all that would imply there was an item there.

Once the L-block was in my possession, then yeah, the room was easy. Your point in failure lies in the fact that the block isn't something that you would think to pick up.



I also forgot to point out that when you take the cube off the button, the metal plate doesn't return to its previous position. Not important, but doesn't follow standard game practices.

[Helix_Snake]

[espen180]

Lohitrad: Don't be roo rude. It's a work in progress, after all.

Helix_Snake: Learn to accept critisism.

[Helix_Snake]

Sorry Lohitrad, I'm just confused and a little scared about whether or not this is going to be a common issue. I don't want to have to make it too obvious; I have an idea though.

[taco]

There are a number of problems with this map in it's current state:

Misaligned textures.

The 1st puzzle can be screwed up to the point of needing to restart the game.

The glowing red bar is not a known convention and needs to be taught - also, it looks bad.

All the glass you have need to have plastic brackets as in the official game - right now it looks bad.

The point of a WCC is that it is a companion and should not be killed to easily - I would let the player keep the WCC and use it as a solution to your 2nd puzzle (which by the way NEEDS to be changed).

The whole 'L-block' thing doesn't follow any sort of convention that even remotely resembles anything from the game and therefore needs to be taught or removed from the game.

There are probably some other things too. It's a decent start but needs a lot of refinement.

P.S. You should watch your tone when responding to peoples posts - they don't have to test your map and give feedback.

[Yekyaa]

Do we need a mediator for criticism now? ^^

[espen180]

From what I've read so far you have an L-shaped object that can be interacted with in some way. Remember how in Portal you would find these little white squares which showed you stuff relevant to nearby game elements? For example, by a ball launcher you would find a white square with a man getting hit by the orb, an a warning. These were also used as instructions. I suggest creating a similar sign and placing it near you L-shaped object, as those little white squares are a knows Portal element and would effectivly convey the message to players.

[Helix_Snake]

You know what? Map making is obviously not my strong suit. I have no idea how I'm supposed to "teach" the player anything, so I'm going to have to give up on this map. I'll keep everything you guys said in mind if I make a new one. Thank you all.