Once again, I apologize for the delay. I finally got around to typing all of this out.
For the most part, I really enjoyed this hack and most of the changes that were made. I enjoyed it to the point that I could honestly see myself never going back to the original. But there are certain portions that I think can be improved, and at least three major flaws that prevent this hack from feeling complete.
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First, minor complaints/thoughts.
1. - - - - -
Generally, I don't like when people import music from other games into a SMW hack, but since some levels feature tracks from Yoshi's Island, I think I like the changes in this hack. It kind of links the two games in a small way. I also like that "new" tracks are mostly used in bonus or underground levels, and I think it's a cool idea to specify which levels are optional with special music. However, there are two exceptions to this - the one stage where you ride dolphins with the Super Mario Land 2 music and the second "top secret" area with the Delfino Plaza music. I wasn't really a fan of those additions - especially the latter. I feel like that one is out of place. (Not saying these are flaws - just giving my stance.)
2. - - - - -
I was disappointed to find that the colored Yoshis were removed from the Star World levels. I've always liked that those levels were a reliable source of the Yoshi variants. I feel like there should be a place where each Yoshi option is available.
Side note - I found a yellow Yoshi in one of the edited levels, and I'm guessing the other variants are also located in random levels. A very cool idea, but I also think an optional space to acquire all variants wouldn't be a bad thing. Speaking of which...
3. - - - - -
At first, I was really pleased to find that a second "top secret" area had been added to the map. But after going into it, I was disappointed to see it didn't contain much. And honestly, I feel like this area could be given a lot of significance if it happens to be the one place in the game where you can find every Yoshi variant - and maybe Toad could have some dialogue about watching over them.
4. - - - - -
I'm slightly conflicted when it comes to the NPCs that replace the message blocks. They are definitely a great idea and I like seeing characters roam about random levels, but I wish there had been more variety. That said, I can't think of anything else that would make sense. Maybe a Koopa Troopa who decided to defect from Bowser's army in the third "top secret" area? Something like that. (It just felt a bit odd seeing Toad pop up all over the place.)
5. - - - - -
I kind of wish there were a few dinosaurs that inhabited the stages in the Neon Castle. Maybe there were? I didn't go through each numbered room, so I can't say for sure.
6. - - - - -
Two minor remarks concerning additions I would like to see in the hack...
- I really wish wall jumps had been implemented here. Even if they would be mostly useless in the game as it is, I feel like wall jumps would help to give the hack a more modern feel.
- This may be pointless to bring up due to limitations, but is it possible to add additional Yoshi colors? I've always wanted to see the alternate Yoshi colors from Yoshi's Island carried over into SMW, and I think that kind of addition would be perfect for this hack. If that's impossible, how about just recoloring the in-game Yoshi colors to match their equivalents in Yoshi's Island?
(I can't make an additional post for another 4 hours, so I will have to post the section about glitches later in the day)
For the most part, I really enjoyed this hack and most of the changes that were made. I enjoyed it to the point that I could honestly see myself never going back to the original. But there are certain portions that I think can be improved, and at least three major flaws that prevent this hack from feeling complete.
-
-
-
First, minor complaints/thoughts.
1. - - - - -
Generally, I don't like when people import music from other games into a SMW hack, but since some levels feature tracks from Yoshi's Island, I think I like the changes in this hack. It kind of links the two games in a small way. I also like that "new" tracks are mostly used in bonus or underground levels, and I think it's a cool idea to specify which levels are optional with special music. However, there are two exceptions to this - the one stage where you ride dolphins with the Super Mario Land 2 music and the second "top secret" area with the Delfino Plaza music. I wasn't really a fan of those additions - especially the latter. I feel like that one is out of place. (Not saying these are flaws - just giving my stance.)
2. - - - - -
I was disappointed to find that the colored Yoshis were removed from the Star World levels. I've always liked that those levels were a reliable source of the Yoshi variants. I feel like there should be a place where each Yoshi option is available.
Side note - I found a yellow Yoshi in one of the edited levels, and I'm guessing the other variants are also located in random levels. A very cool idea, but I also think an optional space to acquire all variants wouldn't be a bad thing. Speaking of which...
3. - - - - -
At first, I was really pleased to find that a second "top secret" area had been added to the map. But after going into it, I was disappointed to see it didn't contain much. And honestly, I feel like this area could be given a lot of significance if it happens to be the one place in the game where you can find every Yoshi variant - and maybe Toad could have some dialogue about watching over them.
4. - - - - -
I'm slightly conflicted when it comes to the NPCs that replace the message blocks. They are definitely a great idea and I like seeing characters roam about random levels, but I wish there had been more variety. That said, I can't think of anything else that would make sense. Maybe a Koopa Troopa who decided to defect from Bowser's army in the third "top secret" area? Something like that. (It just felt a bit odd seeing Toad pop up all over the place.)
5. - - - - -
I kind of wish there were a few dinosaurs that inhabited the stages in the Neon Castle. Maybe there were? I didn't go through each numbered room, so I can't say for sure.
6. - - - - -
Two minor remarks concerning additions I would like to see in the hack...
- I really wish wall jumps had been implemented here. Even if they would be mostly useless in the game as it is, I feel like wall jumps would help to give the hack a more modern feel.
- This may be pointless to bring up due to limitations, but is it possible to add additional Yoshi colors? I've always wanted to see the alternate Yoshi colors from Yoshi's Island carried over into SMW, and I think that kind of addition would be perfect for this hack. If that's impossible, how about just recoloring the in-game Yoshi colors to match their equivalents in Yoshi's Island?
(I can't make an additional post for another 4 hours, so I will have to post the section about glitches later in the day)
