Announcement: Why not try our official idea generator for inspiration when making puzzles?


Caravel Forum : DROD Boards : Architecture : Aurora's Palace (So old school, the school's not yet been built)
New Topic New Poll Post Reply
Poster Message
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged

File: Auroras Palace.hold (21.8 KB)
Downloaded 63 times.
License: Public Domain
icon Aurora's Palace (+4)  
So here's a new 4 level [edit: now 5 + secret level], medium difficulty hold. The big difference is that it's designed in DROD:AE (therefore playable in AE, JtRH or TCB).

It's possibly not as exciting as my previous holds, but was born out of the fact that my girlfriend's starting to get into DROD but her computer is a notebook which does not allow you to play TCB demo (since it does not fit the screen - any solutions to this please contact me!)
She therefore uses DROD:AE which works fine but limits the numbers of holds she can play. There are a lot of great AE holds, but a lot are too hard, too basic or too frustrating.

So I've made this hold with her in mind. Most rooms have optional hints, don't involve complex manipulation and are fairly lynchpin based - so should not be toooo hard for someone who has only played a couple of holds before.

I also found it was a good challenge to make interesting rooms with a more limited pallette than what I've gotten used to. (It's cool to see that Penwielder and Calamarain have made AE holds in the post-AE era too).

Also, if anyone's interested (e.g. they're also stuck with just DROD:AE) I found the original AE version of The Domain of the Grinfidel and stuck it on its Holds page for download (not on caravelnet though)

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text


[Last edited by Jacob at 07-22-2011 08:45 PM]
05-25-2011 at 08:25 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
Zorglub
Level: Delver
Rank Points: 74
Registered: 10-08-2007
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Interesting and fun to play.
I found 2 possible US, or intended lynchpins.
TWO 1W: I killed the far one with the mimic, the other came to B. I did not bother with the green doors
TR 2E: Killed the goblin right away, then the mother. The snakes killed themselves when I opened the doors.

05-26-2011 at 02:17 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Oops, that's because I removed a yellow door in the first room and arrows in the second, having forgotten why I'd put them there in the first place.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

05-26-2011 at 03:22 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
Penwielder
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 628
Registered: 09-12-2009
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
I gave this a run and had a good deal of fun doing so. Here are the remarks I wrote up while playing it. I notice, however, that Zorglub mentioned at least one of the same things, so what I played may not have been the latest version (if there was more than one so far).

The Outer Walls:
Click here to view the secret text

Inside the Palace:
Click here to view the secret text

Underground Lake:
Click here to view the secret text

Treasure Rooms:
Click here to view the secret text


____________________________
Penwielder's Palace, Detention Complex, Archipelago, Cube of Memories

[Last edited by Penwielder at 05-26-2011 10:58 PM]
05-26-2011 at 10:55 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
Tim
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 1979
Registered: 08-07-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+2)  
I'll skip the easier ones and go directly to the more problematic rooms. (Obviously the hold is really good, as I can't remember the last time I've finished a hold in one breath.)

Underground Lake:
Click here to view the secret text

Treasure Rooms:
Click here to view the secret text


____________________________
The best way to lose customers is to let little kids running loose on a forum with too many mod points.

[Last edited by Tim at 05-27-2011 12:53 AM]
05-27-2011 at 12:51 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts This architect's holds Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Good points all.

The two USes stated in the first post should be fixed, as should the bridges of Konigsberg puzzle (now fewer solutions).

The two rooms Tim mentions are indeed similar to his rooms from Advanced Concepts (and were inspired by them). Have added attributions in the latest version.

Also added a mention of room in Nightmare Dungeon too.

Not sure I can see the backtracking issue Tim's referring to.
His solution to 3E is correct.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

05-27-2011 at 01:20 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
TripleM
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 1379
Registered: 02-05-2003
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Inside the Palace: 2S1W
Click here to view the secret text

Inside the Palace: 3S1W
Click here to view the secret text


[Last edited by TripleM at 05-27-2011 10:41 AM]
05-27-2011 at 10:20 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Someone Else
Level: Smitemaster
Avatar
Rank Points: 2398
Registered: 06-14-2005
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Underground Lake 1S and 2S don't match up correctly - there's an extra floor tile in 1S.

I loved this hold! I wish people would do things like this more/my skills were up to building something like this.
05-28-2011 at 12:10 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
Yur-Val
Level: Delver
Rank Points: 66
Registered: 12-21-2009
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Best puzzles in this hold (my opinion)

The Outer Walls: 1E
Inside the Palase: 3S, 2S1E, 2S1W
Underground Lake: 1S, 2S
Treasure Rooms: 1S1E, 1N1E, 3E

Excellent Hold! :thumbsup
05-28-2011 at 10:12 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Found another US in Outer Walls 1W.
And Treasure Rooms 1N1E!
Will correct for the next release.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text


[Last edited by Jacob at 05-31-2011 08:58 PM]
05-28-2011 at 12:48 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
New version up (6/7/11)
Changes:
- Treasure Rooms 1N1E altered
- New 4th level
- Access to a secret level (to be done)
- Warp stairs to new level to aid testing

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-06-2011 at 03:36 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
CuriousShyRabbit
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3171
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+2)  
I've played through everything I could find in this hold. It's a very nice, not too difficult hold.

Since others have already commented on most of this, I'll just briefly mention a couple things about Treasure Rooms. The end of level stairs warp back to the beginning of the level. In 1S1E, there's a much easier way to position the tar baby than the one hinted at by the force arrows. Because you have the door and the toggle orb, you don't need the 1x1 obstacle.

Subterranean Sewer System
This is an a-maze-ing level! As far as I can tell, the rooms work as intended, where you have to conquer them first, so that you can come back later and drop all the trapdoors.

Comments in the order I conquered the rooms:
Click here to view the secret text

07-09-2011 at 10:40 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (0)  
Thanks as usual, CSR.
One thing I'm not clear on from your comments
1N1W... The scroll says, "to drop the green door, you need to come in by the bottom right entrance." I don't think this is helpful at all; if the player can get to the scroll, she's used an entrance by which she can conquer the room.

I can't see how this is right. If you enter from the right you can just walk up to the scroll, whether or not you've completed the room. And I don't think you can conquer the room from the right side entrance - or is this where I'm wrong?

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-09-2011 at 02:29 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
CuriousShyRabbit
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3171
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Jacob wrote:
And I don't think you can conquer the room from the right side entrance - or is this where I'm wrong?
Yes, that's what I did. I conquered 1N1W from the entrance at (37,25), on the right side. I played your hold in TCB. Would a demo be helpful?
07-09-2011 at 03:08 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (0)  
No, thanks - I've just seen what I've done wrong.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-09-2011 at 03:58 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+2)  
Here's a new (and probably final) version with 5 levels including the secret ones, and corrections of the rooms CSR points out.

This is currently Anyone Edit - but will be changed for the final version.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-17-2011 at 07:04 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
CuriousShyRabbit
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3171
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
I've checked that I have to use your moves to solve Treasure Rooms 1S1E, and that Subterranean Sewer System 1N1W must be solved from the entrance specified in the scroll.

I'm working on the new level, The Forgotten Catacombs. Stuck in 2S1E.
Click here to view the secret text

07-20-2011 at 06:17 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Thanks for testing.

All your solutions appear intended.
Think I will remove the green doors actually in the secret level - that works better.

2S1E - you can't (or shouldn't be able to) survive if more than one roach gets into that final area. That should be a sufficient clue, but perhaps this is too hard a room for this hold.

I'll probably add in hint scrolls for these rooms, like on the other levels anyway.

I've added one final room in the secret level, which I'll post later, and then I really will call it a day.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-20-2011 at 11:18 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
CuriousShyRabbit
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3171
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Re 2S1E:

Well, yes, I was hoping the solution would be
Click here to view the secret text
But that doesn't work in the room I'm playing, because the goblin needs to be blocked for 2 turns, not 1 turn, as described above.

Is there some weird difference between AE and TCB that I'm not aware of?
07-20-2011 at 11:41 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+2)  
Blocking it with a well timed roach works for me in AE.
I'll test the same solution in TCB tonight, but I suspect you're right and there is a difference between AE and TCB.

If so, I'll see if I can come up with a solution that works in both engines.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-20-2011 at 12:29 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+2)  
My apologies, looks like the real issue here is that I must have changed the distance from the orb to the north corridor.

I don't remember doing that, but I can't see any other way this would have worked.

This is now completable and the newest version has the final secret room.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-20-2011 at 06:55 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
CuriousShyRabbit
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3171
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Thanks, I've completed the level now. I think removing the green doors was a good idea, as it allows the puzzles themselves to give their own hints. And it's been interesting comparing my solutions to your hints on the scrolls.

In 1S, the scroll at (14,2) is blank. I assume it is just there for symmetry... but I also remember some bug involving blank scrolls in AE, so I mention it just in case.

In 2S, I need the mimic for 2 blobs, not 3. The other central blob can be cleared by either Beethro or the mimic. I assume that's not a big deal.

I like the new puzzle in 1N, which is full of fish (herrings).
Click here to view the secret text
This room doesn't have a scroll. Intentional?
07-20-2011 at 10:17 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (+1)  
Thanks for the help everyone.
I've submitted the hold to the HAs now.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-22-2011 at 11:55 PM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
CuriousShyRabbit
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3171
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (0)  
The force arrows you added changed my solution to The Forgotten Catacombs 2S.
Click here to view the secret text


Edit: And in Treasure Rooms 1S1E, one of Jacob's demos is included with the hold. (The player goes screaming to his death and takes some monsters with him.)

[Last edited by CuriousShyRabbit at 07-23-2011 01:29 AM]
07-23-2011 at 01:23 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
Jacob
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3759
Registered: 10-01-2004
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (0)  
Forgotten Catacombs 2S
Click here to view the secret text


Dying in the demo was actually intentional as I didn't want to give the whole solution away.

____________________________
New to DROD? You may want to read this.
My Holds and Levels:
Click here to view the secret text

07-23-2011 at 01:46 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Send Email to User Show all user's posts High Scores This architect's holds Quote Reply
CuriousShyRabbit
Level: Smitemaster
Rank Points: 3171
Registered: 10-14-2006
IP: Logged
icon Re: Aurora's Palace (0)  
Oh yes, you're right, sorry. :blush Although it is more efficient to do it with the mimic.
07-23-2011 at 01:57 AM
View Profile Send Private Message to User Show all user's posts Quote Reply
New Topic New Poll Post Reply
Caravel Forum : DROD Boards : Architecture : Aurora's Palace (So old school, the school's not yet been built)
Surf To:


Forum Rules:
Can I post a new topic? No
Can I reply? No
Can I read? Yes
HTML Enabled? No
UBBC Enabled? Yes
Words Filter Enable? No

Contact Us | CaravelGames.com

Powered by: tForum tForumHacks Edition b0.98.9
Originally created by Toan Huynh (Copyright © 2000)
Enhanced by the tForumHacks team and the Caravel team.