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Odd Sands

Super Mario World Hacks → Odd Sands

Submission Details

Name: Odd Sands
Authors: GbreezeSunset, Lazy, MiracleWater
Added:
Version History: View
Demo: No
Hall of Fame: No
Length: 28 exit(s)
Type: Kaizo: Expert
Description: Well, it's been a bit over two years, so I'd say an update (and a new description while I'm at it) is in order. Version 1.1 features a bevy of visual fixes, retry prompt instead of instant retry, and adjustments for some misleading setups. It also includes a BRAND NEW BONUS LEVEL entitled "Endless Eight", which you can access via a secret entrance in Holiday Home. Said level is fully compatible with V1.0 save files and beating it does not count towards your exit count.

Aside from these additions, rest assured the hack is still exactly as soul-crushing as ever. And of course, the oft-maligned palettes in the last level remain unchanged - for now that we live in a disentranced post-Effortworld dystopia, it's plain to see they're the only palettes in the hack that *aren't* boring as hell.

I should probably also write a few words for the benefit of those who have no clue what Odd Sands is. This hack was made in 2021 and initially submitted to the Kaizo: Intermediate category, back when Intermediate just meant "not quite as hard as Casio" instead of being this whole separate design archetype that it is now. Eventually, it was moved over to Kaizo: Expert, and although I was skeptical of this change at first, I can now tell you with confidence that this hack is as Kaizo: Expert as they come. To wit, Odd Sands is known for cryptic setups that you have to figure out for yourself, jagged level pacing that is sometimes more reminiscent of Standard hacks, and inputs that will have you keenly aware of how weird they are - the whole gamut, really. To somewhat lessen the challenge, it features plenty of short levels and generally does not require to know any glitches or overly specialized tech. It doesn't even have any shelljumps! (except for the ones on 1f0 but shush)

That is about as much as I can say about this game whilst beholden to the sacred impartial realm of Hack Descriptions - for more subjective accounts, you'll have to seek out other people's reviews. Beyond that, I'll just let the hack speak for itself. Because if you're confident in a hack, you can always let it speak for itself, and that has the power to override whatever design axioms and best practices might currently be floating around the community. That goes for your hacks, too.

Anyway, have fun!
Tags: asm gimmick less exgfx music
Comments: 21 (jump to comments)
Rating:
5.0 (12 ratings)
No rating
Download 905.53 KiB | 2,239 downloads

Screenshots

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Comments (21)

Morsel Pinned From older version: Odd Sands Link
two shells in repose

my soul wilts

like a leaf in winter

This hack taught me how to throw, and my profit on't is I still don't know how to shell jump. It once was that two shells sitting together in a kaizo hack meant a double shell jump. Then, I could safely stop playing the hack in the same way that I would leave a party at which someone had asked me to perform Yankee Doodle on the piano using only my penis, a pleasant activity when undertaken voluntarily but one which palls on demand. Now, two shells taken together mean that I will find some vague approximation of three possible solutions and no one will tell me which was intended. Lazy probably pioneered the two shells method of psychological torture in his YUMP 2 levels. At that time, the occasional third shell made an appearance. This has since been deprecated by the purists and 'two shells!' is the catchword of to-morrow. Gbreeze and MiracleWater have been infected by the enthusiasm. I predict it will engulf the Earth.
kaitri Link
which of the fine gentlemen working on this hack was in charge of the overworld? mind dm'ing me?
Kimota Link
Played the previous version, thought it was excellent. I assume the new update is even better. For the version I played, some parts were unnecessarily brutal, but every level shows you something you've never seen before and inspires outside-of-the-box thinking to navigate its unique obstacles. Beating a section gives a palpable sense of accomplishment. You not only solved a puzzle, but also platformed perfectly to execute the solution. It makes for a very memorable and rewarding playthrough.
MateusCarvalho590 Link
#w{=D}
 LouisDoucet Link
Truly incredible. The bonus level was a real treat, too.
YouFailMe From older version: Odd Sands Link
One of the greatest kaizo hacks ever made. I'm not sure what to say other than thank you to GbreezeSunset, Lazy, and MiracleWater for giving us this masterpiece. I cannot wait to see what each of you come up with next.
 Koopster From older version: Odd Sands Link
I don't even know how to start writing a review for this. You all know how much I love this hack. It is so good it made me step out of my comfort zone and, for the first time, play a kaizo hack from start to finish. I really wanted to first-hand have the experience of being completely baffled by setups that seem impossible at first, feel the satisfaction to figure them out, and enjoy executing them everytime because they're actually pretty fun to do. Or finally reach a midpoint, dread a second half of a level that was already pretty difficult, but eventually realise it feels so fresh it's almost like I'm in an entirely different level anyway (the dread stops happening once you realise this is always going to happen). In my ideal world, more people would design hacks like this instead of the rather worn out meta. I know this style is not for everyone, but it certainly is for me.
rex_ganymede From older version: Odd Sands Link
Originally posted by Lazy
You can find a list of all the music here (the one you're looking for is the FFCC one). You can use this tool to save them as wav files.


(as usual) you are the best!

it was going to kill me if i didn't find out what that peepo_happy song was!
i never heard "the bridge leading to the tower before"; that was an excellent choice lazy!
rex_ganymede From older version: Odd Sands Link
#tb{>:(}

you guys find some awesome music to use in your hacks!

´just wish i was able to identify 99% of the tracks!

like, that peepo_happy one which barb was a fan of in indulge in contrast

what is that one lazy?



was there a way to snag and burn music from .spcs with a specific music player?
if there is please tell me
i'll try to make the rip myself if so
 Lazy Author From older version: Odd Sands Link
You can find a list of all the music here (the one you're looking for is the FFCC one). You can use this tool to save them as wav files.
foxsouns From older version: Odd Sands Link
wow how do i even do the first level #smrpg{ohno}

(edit: specifically the first pipe; i think i need to doup but i cant get the shell)

(edit 2: oh yeah that coin thing. [collects the coin by habit for 2 hours])
Mirby From older version: Odd Sands Link
Not really a player of hacks like this though I do enjoy watching them and trying to guess what songs were what.

However the song for Indulge in Contrast stumped me (and the rest of chat who were watching it). Anyone know what song that was? Was it original?
lolyoshi From older version: Odd Sands Link
ez game
 Alex From older version: Odd Sands Link
Thank you so much for making such a wonderful hack like this, every individual segment on each level is so clever. I really enjoyed it a lot, and replaying it makes the experience better the more I play.
 Lazy Author From older version: Odd Sands Link
Just dropping by to say there's been a number of small updates to the hack over the last few days. If your copy was downloaded before July 29, you might want to update it. Thanks!
ThirdWall From older version: Odd Sands Link
A wonderful hack made by wonderful creators. It’s incredibly inspiring to see what kinds of fresh ideas are still possible with this engine and in this genre. Outstanding work
idealiter From older version: Odd Sands Link
To put it simply, this trio did a great job. ft and Heraga have already mentioned the most important aspects that make this hack a treat. Seriously, thank you guys for making this hack.
Ezel From older version: Odd Sands Link
Lots of really unique and creative levels in this hack, worth playing if you're into gimmicky stuff. Keep in mind however, I think the hack is harder than it was meant to be, some levels are actually quite challenging and take a bit to figure out, but the execution is usually pretty satisfying to do.

My only personal criticism would be that level 1 is a bit of a strange level to start with, perhaps a bit too puzzly and specific to be a first impression for the player. Apart from that, I think this hack has some amazing ideas and really interesting setups!
ft029 From older version: Odd Sands Link
I had the pleasure to test this hack. Nearly every single level provided me great joy, and presented super fresh gimmicks and design. I'd also say the difficulty is quite reasonable, and nothing overstays its welcome. Great hack!
 Heraga From older version: Odd Sands Link
Excellent. This will probably serve as a new bar for kaizo creativity I'm sure, so many really clever and unique ideas in this. A must play for fans of these particular creators for sure, but also people who want to just play a solid hack. I'm glad these weren't left on the cutting room floor, though be warned that some of these levels aren't easy nor play fairly!

I thoroughly enjoyed the genre-blending that this hack offered too, I hope people take notice of that specifically. In a similar manner to Elephants, this hack meshes together both kaizo and more traditional Standard: Very Hard design throughout each level. Some obstacles can be solved in multiple ways, which I found fairly novel. I hope more genre-blurring hacks can exist, and I hope that this hack serves as an example to trepidatious designers to think outside of the box and their comfort zone and not be afraid to mix together different styles of level design within their hacks.
Zavok From older version: Odd Sands Link
Great Hack! #smrpg{<3}