A Severed Freedom - Level Packs (Pack 2 Available!) - Summer 2013

Howdy.

For the past several years, I've been developing a SMW hack entitled A Severed Freedom. The goal with ASF was to create a hack with completely original graphics, a compelling story, and plenty of unique and fun levels. While nearly 40 of the 50 levels were completed, numerous ROM issues (including space and other bugs) as well as increasing involvement with college made it difficult to keep working on it. At this point, I'm unsure of what to do with the hack, as I haven't worked on it in months, but also know that many have been looking forward to it for some time.

As a result, for each day of C3, I'll be uploading a "level pack." Each will contain a few levels from the hack that are in a playable state. Note that these levels are very outdated, meaning they may not work on some emulators, and have some visual issues. Many are a bit too difficult. At this point, I'm likely not going to continue working on the hack, so while various glitches and other suggestions may be valuable, the hack may not be developed further to consider them. Additionally, due to space problems and ROM corruption, I've had to include each level on a separate patch. Still, I wanted to include something special.

NOTE: a message displays upon choosing a file, allowing you to bypass the intro sequence, which was not complete.

NOTE 2: The Vesica Common level contains a very small amount of blood. Just a small warning, but it's nothing past PG-13.

ASF Level Pack 1 DOWNLOAD

ASF Level Pack 2 DOWNLOAD

Enjoy!

Those are some gorgeous graphics, Supertails. I didn't realize how far along your skills had come. I'm not normally a huge fan of the "grainy" style, but these are lovely. I do remember you working on this; I'm glad it will see the light of day in some fashion.

[?] Miscellaneous Helpful Hints
If I moderated your hack, there was apparently a 90 percent chance it was rejected.

I'm sorry to hear you're quitting this hack, Supertails, it's sad to see another good project go...damn and I really hoped you would finish the hack this time or make another cool trailer.

Well, I can understand your studies got in the way, since I'm also a student myself, and it's hard to keep up with something when you have a lot of university/college work to do. At least we can get to play some levels, so it's already something.

Well, that's a shame. I was really looking forward to trying the finished version :/

Looking at this first batch of levels, I can see why the hack's release has been so eagerly anticipated. With ideas like a top-down boat section and a train murder investigation, the seeds are definitely there for a unique experience the likes of which SMWC hasn't seen before. I also like the graphical style, and in general I'm pretty impressed by how much effort you've put into this project over the years to realize your vision, even if it sounds like you're making the decision not to continue. And with irritating issues like ROM space and incompatibilities / corruption, I really can't blame you, because I have no patience for that kind of stuff.

At the same time, I'm forced to agree that the levels feel like they're only in an early playable state. With a lot of dark-ish graphics blending together, sometimes it's hard to make out obstacles; there are spots which require a fair amount of precision but don't give you much time to anticipate the danger. Some hitboxes in the top-down boat section are too large. I felt like I had barely enough time to finish Crystal Crevice, and it wasn't easy to decide which path was best, as I was constantly falling and the camera doesn't work well with downward levels. The train investigation, while well-done, isn't really the kind of experience I'm expecting from a Mario platformer- I think it would fit better in, say, an RPG or visual novel, but that's just me.

Still, what you've managed to achieve so far is noteworthy itself. If you're indeed going to stop working on this, thanks for the experience anyway, and good luck with future projects (:

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Originally posted by AxemJinx

The train investigation, while well-done, isn't really the kind of experience I'm expecting from a Mario platformer- I think it would fit better in, say, an RPG or visual novel, but that's just me.

Agreed, and that's a big problem I had with the hack in retrospect. A lot of what I wanted to do was make it very separate from Mario - an original character, completely different universe, new story, different gameplay experiences, that sort of thing. Doing that within the confines of a SMW hack makes it hard to find an audience and can strain the engine, as well as not being what people expect or want. I'm a fan of variation in things and mixing genres, but it can be hard to work into a hack. In fact, there may just be a better place to do those sorts of things... hee hee.

I was disappointed when I heard that this hack wasn't going to be finished (obviously, because I still stand by my comments at previous C3s calling it one of the best ever). ST's skills are definitely going to be seen in the future outside of SMW, that much I can say without giving too much away. I would definitely encourage you guys to give these packs a try. Although the levels may not be 100% perfect, they are much more interesting and unique than most of your typical SMW levels.

The cancellation of this hack is disappointing. These levels are unique and I will offer my comments on them.

Crystal Crevice

Although the concept here I loved, I could not finish the level in under two minutes and this is annoying. I found out I could just keep digging but that did not help. The screenshot above is as far as I got. The time could have been longer.

Moonlight Harbor

Nice level you got here. The graphics are great and it offers a decent challenge. My only problem here is that the blocks that hold the lines and Ball 'n Chain (Anchor in this case) seems to be solid when I could jump through them. The dark palette in this hack can lead to a lot of confusion on which objects are solid and which are not. The second part of the level is well-executed; it kept me on my toes with the whirlpools $#ab{^_^}$ . Nice reference with the S.S.N.N 2 to the Tales of Elementia.

Vesica Common

I have not finished this level exactly but I like the scrolling cutscenes. It seems better than the fade-outs in the Tales of Elementia.

I am disappointed that the hack was cancelled but the ideas and grpahics here are unique. The levels themselves seem nice but have some flaws that are annoying. All I can say now is good work Supertails!

Also what is with the six-digit coin counter? What was it intended for?

Originally posted by Everest

Also what is with the six-digit coin counter? What was it intended for?

Thanks. The six-digit coin counter was originally meant for shops in NPC towns. You would use coins to purchase hearts, yellow hearts, (which would restore three health rather than one, and blue hearts, (which permanently increase health by one) as well as paying for minigames, inns (which recover all health) and other features.

Extras

I should have something witty to put here (even if it's just to update dated info), shouldn't I?

Advertising Space

I was looking forward for the longest of time to get my hands on this one and I finally get to... just not in the way I was hoping. It's a shame that this hack metaphorically came so close to the finish line, but since it's being it be released out to the public in a respectable fashion makes it not a total bummer.

Another one for my queue. I'm goddamn drowning myself right now!

This is simply great... It looks like a completely new game!

C3 stuff: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=viewthread&t=67626 HDMA-Codes and Custom Music included!

1 Island Of Vanilla Feeling: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=5988

MaSeHiHa World 1: http://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=6055

DINGS Demo: https://www.smwcentral.net/?p=section&a=details&id=12147

Originally posted by Supertails

At this point, I'm unsure of what to do with the hack, as I haven't worked on it in months, but also know that many have been looking forward to it for some time.

I'm glad you worked on it for as long as you did. I looked forward to this every C3 for the last couple of years and I'm proud of you for keeping up the project to varying degrees despite how busy you are. I notice you never said "cancelled" so I honestly believe that the hack can go on. It'd be wise to set it aside until your schedule opens up.

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At this point, I'm likely not going to continue working on the hack, so while various glitches and other suggestions may be valuable, the hack may not be developed further to consider them. Additionally, due to space problems and ROM corruption, I've had to include each level on a separate patch. Still, I wanted to include something special.

I haven't played it yet, but I do have some suggestions to work around the ROM space problem. Maybe kind of like how you're releasing the hack in level packs, you can release the hack with two parts or however many it takes. Have a base ROM with resources that are common to all parts of the hack, and insert custom sprites and the like into the halves of the hack that utilize them. I understand that a "single-cartridge" hack seems more polished, but beggars can't be choosers.

As for ROM corruption, do you know what went wrong? It's a long time of work, but I think it'd be wise to insert things individually until you find out what's corrupting your ROM, making backups as "checkpoints" so you don't have to start all over.

It's really close to being finished. If that really is the end of the hack though... I'll be sure to play the level packs next week or so. Sorry I won't be able to provide feedback based on game design this C3, and all I can say about the screenshots is exactly what I said in previous years.

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A lot of what I wanted to do was make it very separate from Mario - an original character, completely different universe, new story, different gameplay experiences, that sort of thing. Doing that within the confines of a SMW hack makes it hard to find an audience and can strain the engine, as well as not being what people expect or want. I'm a fan of variation in things and mixing genres, but it can be hard to work into a hack. In fact, there may just be a better place to do those sorts of things... hee hee.

I'm someone who loves hacks that overhaul Super Mario World and make it feel like an entirely new experience, and I'm sure there are more who are like me in the community. Anyways, I think I might have an idea where this is going (as far as where you're taking your ideas) and I can't wait to see how that turns out.

Just look above you...
If it's something that can be stopped, then just try to stop it!

I would have to agree with Counterfeit on this one...I do hope you don't have to cancel the hack entirely (the same already happened with The Tale of Elementia...). If you need to take a long break from it, do so. I'm sure people would be willing to help you work out bugs and the like. Perhaps the space issue could be solved with 8 MB SA-1 mapping and/or some custom objects?

As far as the current state goes, well, I haven't decided how I'll play it, but at least the screenshots look very nice. Your skill with drawing graphics has really come a long way, and it shows. Did you compose all the music for it as well? It's also interesting when people turn SMW into something completely new, which you've pulled off with flying colors.

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I'm working on a hack! Check it out here. Progress: 63/95 levels.

I'm sad to hear this is hack is experiencing a similar fate to Tale of Elementia, but happy that we are at least getting some playable content. If you do have the motivation to finish the hack, I hope you are able to find the time and work out your ROM issues, as this was one of the most promising hacks I've seen here.

So far, I've played the Moonlight Harbor level and enjoyed it quite a bit. Seems like your levels are really meaty in content and there's never a dull moment as there are always new challenges to take on. Started the train level as well, was particularly impressed by the takeoff sequence at the beginning.

I do hope that if you feel it's right, you can somehow complete this hack. I'm sure many people would love to see how it ends.

Level Pack 2 is here!

ASF Level Pack 2 DOWNLOAD

Plenty more creative ideas, but with those same problems of hard-to-anticipate spots, dark graphics obfuscating danger, and slightly-too-hard difficulty. Still, with some testing, fine-tuning, and a bit of trimming, these could be truly standout stages. Overall these also felt more like platforming segments (as opposed to some areas in the last batch), which is a plus.

I have to say, you did a fantastic job manipulating that door to access different floors. I hate to say it, but it's pretty rare to see someone around here who has a real grasp of how to make fun puzzles.

Originally posted by Supertails

hee hee.

Oho.

Well, do keep me informed :b

Youtube (Main) | Youtube (Alt) | Bandcamp | DeviantART

Originally posted by Supertails

At this point, I'm likely not going to continue working on the hack

Thanks for sharing the level packs, I've always wanted to get my hands on this piece, one of the most unique hacks out there.

It's a shame you are calling it quits, I was really looking forward to this one. I'm glad you at least releasing some of the levels.

Layout by LDA during C3.