Deep Within the Jungle

3rd: Deep Within the Jungle Make a Good 48 Hour Mega Man Level

Should've applied some insect repellant first.

Overview Creator(s): RhythmParasite Composer(s): Bulby Statistics Scores: 77 84 90 86 Total: 84.25 / 100 Rank: 3rd Elements: 1 Box Items: Bounder Palm Hopper Yambow Fork Block Wanaan Enemies: Bounder Palm Hopper Yambow Gimmicks: Fork Block Wanaan Sub-Bosses: Gorilla Tank Other Information: Freems' Favorite

Theme Music Razor Vines Stage Order Location: Tier 11 Previous: Warehouse of Conveyors Next: Lime and Lame

Deep Within the Jungle is the 3rd place entry in Make a Good 48 Hour Mega Man Level. A jungle-themed level (obviously), it is considerably short, easy, and "rompy" despite its high placement. Notably, it focuses more on enemies rather than gimmicks (especially when compared to other entries), and uses said gimmicks sparingly without devoting entire sections to them.

Strategy

The first half of the level is very straightforward, and primarily throws Yambows, Palm Hoppers, and the occasional Wanaan at Mega Man. Of the two, the Yambows can be more dangerous due to their ambush potential, but the Flame Mixer will instantly kill any that fly into it. A battle against a Gorilla Tank marks the level's midpoint, and from here platforming becomes more prominent as Fork Blocks are introduced, and mostly used over dangerous/lethal terrain. However, the gaps to cross are relatively short. By using a utility to jump over a wall to the right of a drop down, Mega Man can find a secret area containing an E-Tank and a creator message. The area below has a slide passage with two Fork Blocks in the ground, and a Bounder that tries to attack from below; either the Homing Sniper or Beat can be used to kill the latter while waiting for the forks to switch positions. The last part of the level is notable for having almost the entire floor being composed of Wanaan vents, encouraging one not to stay in one place for too long, even as a pair of Bounders guard the boss door. However, there is no boss; the Energy Element instead rests by itself in an empty room.

Judge Comments

Judge Comments
ParmaJon  : 77 / 100
Design Creativity Function Fun Aesthetic 28 / 35 8 / 15 10 / 10 19 / 25 12 / 15 This level is REALLY solid. It has a really smooth difficulty curve that others could look at as an example of how to do it right. The level also looks and sounds really freaking good without being something not Mega Man feeling. Where the level falls flat is near the end. I have no real issue with what you have here, but my issue is in what isn't there. Most levels usually have an end section where they push what you can do with the gimmicks. You effectively used the gimmicks, but you did not do anything that made the level truly stand out. Take these assets and go a step further, I wouldn't even change what you have earlier in the level. A last section where you use the assets in a new way would turn this from an "effective level" to something really good.
PKWeegee  : 84 / 100
Design Creativity Function Fun Aesthetic 29 / 35 10 / 15 10 / 10 21 / 25 14 / 15 Great theming, great usage of gimmicks, well-rounded enemy challenges...this is a fun level. I don't really have much to say here; it sorta speaks for itself. But you can bet your sweet bippy that I had fun here.
M-Jacq  : 90 / 100
Design Creativity Function Fun Aesthetic 33 / 35 9 / 15 9 / 10 25 / 25 14 / 15 This level's a blast. The enemies are all introduced very well; the difficulty curve slowly ratchets up but the level is so zippy you barely notice (in a good way). There's nice attention to detail with the Fork Blocks, which are ever-so-slightly desynced to make your jump easier; the Wanaans are used first as a cute alternative to spikes and then to goad the player towards the boss doors. And there's no denying that this stage is gorgeous in the aesthetics department. Not only is the tileset gorgeous, but the level's geometry all makes logical sense while still providing a fun challenge. I think the only real problems with the level are that the spikes kind of blend in with the background, and that the lack of a boss is a serious disappointment (especially because Wood Man and Plant Man are both in the devkit and would have been right at home here). Other judges might take umbrage with the level's shortness, but as for me, I find this level's conciseness to be part of its charm. Loved it.
Freems  : 86 / 100
Design Creativity Function Fun Aesthetic 31 / 35 8 / 15 10 / 10 24 / 25 13 / 15 It's hard for me to describe why this level fills my heart with happiness. It doesn't really go for anything new and exciting, it doesn't break any boundaries, but goddamn it plays like a fun Mega Man level. Almost everything is introduced smoothly and never feels unfair, there's a simple yet still present difficulty curve, it's like the perfect length for a stage. I don't know, it just hits a lot of sweet spots with me. I will say that the very first Bounder is introduced in such a way where it feels like if you aren't moving right away you're going to get hit by him, and the lack of boss fight in that boss room tore my heart into a million pieces because it just ends up making this level feel incomplete at the very end. But I love how the gimmicks were introduced, I love how it flows, and I loved that ONE YANBOW NEAR THE END WHEN YOU'RE SLIDING SO YOU KNOW HE'S COMING AND YOU GOTTA ACT FAST WHEN YOU GET OUT MMMM. Not every stage has to break boundaries to be a fun Mega Man level, and I think this proves it.

Notes

• Deep Within the Jungle is the highest-ranking level in MaG48HMML to not feature a boss fight, despite having a boss corridor.