I can’t quite remember how far I got into building of level 4-2 when I wrote my last Dev Log entry. Based on how I described it, I think I was still working on the bones of it: a level with little more than the tile-map. I got a fair bit of the level built since then. It now features three major zones, each with a different camera lock. The central mechanic of a tile layer that can be raised by hitting switches has been built, along with it’s variations within each zone. Pickups and enemies have now been placed. And decoration. A lot of decoration.

I wish I had a screenshot of how it looked when I wrote that last entry, but here’s a shot of how it looks now:

Auto-generated description: A pixelated platform game scene features a character navigating underground, with obstacles and items scattered around.

I’m quite happy with how the mid-layer tiles add some interest to the aesthetics. But while thinking of the actual background to set the scene, I now feel that simply adding sky-coloured tiles is not enough. I may need to make a proper landscape backdrop, for no other reason than to give the level some place. Not entirely sure how I’m going to do that.

Anyway, that’s for later. For now, I had another go at working on world 2. Level 2-1 is still barely started: I haven’t returned to it yet, and probably won’t until I have an idea of how to put that level together. I do have some ideas for level 2-2 and 2-3 and to ease myself in working on them, I started the week by simply building game elements, like a thirst mechanic (world 2 is a desert, as pre-ordained by Yahtzee Croshaw). More on those in the future I’m sure, but it was enough to get me to start work on level 2-3, which I’m thinking might be set in an underground pyramid with some windy maze elements (original, I know). Not too many windy maze elements, mind you: I generally don’t like playing maze levels. But I think a little would add some variety to what I’d imagine would be simply jumping puzzles until then. So far this has meant reverting to “playing the hits” as it were, by starting off with adding a simple lock-and-key hunt, albeit with gems (shout-out to my fellow Keen 4-6 fans). I do have a twist in mind which I hope to slowly introduce to the play as they progress through the level.

I’ll just finish this update off with some screenshots of how level 2-3 looks now in it’s super early state.

Auto-generated description: A pixelated platformer video game features a character navigating through stone and brick structures with a goal indicator at the top left. Auto-generated description: A pixelated video game scene features a knight in a maze-like structure with brick walls and wooden crates, aiming to collect a purple gem. Auto-generated description: A pixel art video game scene shows a knight character on a platform surrounded by brick-like structures and a red arrow above.

So that’s where things currently stand.