I started this hold a good while back and shelved it, overwhelmed by the difficulty. I came back to it a little while ago, armed with extra skill, and...well, I didn't finish every last bit of it, but I've played enough to conquer the hold and I wanted to comment some.
This is a truly excellent compilation hold. It shows its age a bit due -- it's an AE hold, and as one of the first compilations it doesn't incorporate some of the tricks that later holds use (such as allowing you to exit from a difficult level and go try something easier). That said, it displays early architecture work from people who have gone on to produce truly excellent holds: Stefan, Doom, Jacob, Rabscuttle, Tim, agaricus5. (OK, in some cases their work was *before* this contest, but still, I like my wording so I'm keeping it.)
Some comments on individual levels:
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#1: The Level, by mikko
My favorite part of this level was the layout, which was not very convenient but really visually pleasing. The puzzles themselves varied, with my favorite one being 8S -- clever use of invisibility and a mimic. I didn't much care for the orb puzzle or the trapdoor/goblin/serpent puzzle.
Other holds by mikko: The Steps
#2: The Dungeon, by cheese obsessive
This was a light, not too complex level. Some interesting puzzles, but nothing particularly inspired.
Other holds by cheese obsessive: Cheeseville
#3: Restricted Resources, by Stefan
OK, I didn't play through this one. As you'd expect from a Stefan hold, it's quite difficult. But construction is excellent and clearly a lot of thought went into it.
Other holds by Stefan: Dusty Dungeon
#4: Limits, by Abyzzmal
Some really high-quality puzzles here, and a pretty nice little theme applied to many of the rooms as well. Not all of the rooms kept to the theme, but most of the puzzles were fairly interesting in any case.
#5: Christmas Dungeon, by techant
A very nice themed dungeon by techant. The puzzles weren't difficult, but the picture reflected in the minimap is the real treat here.
#6: Contest Entry, by bdwing
Tar-heavy and not particularly interesting. On the other hand, it was not interesting in the sense that the puzzles were neither difficult nor tedious, which is a darn sight better than the alternative...
#7: A Total Conversion, by Doom
I didn't play this one, either. I'll probably tackle it at some point, but Beethro's Teacher still gives me nightmares and cold sweats.
Other holds by Doom: Nightmare Dungeon, Simon's Dungeon, Beethro's Teacher, Spider Well, Fortress of Eternity
#8: The First and the Last, by Kunzite
Another middling entry, nothing bad or particularly good.
#9: Snakey Geniuses, by Tim
Thank you thank you thank you Tim for making most of the rooms in this entry unrequired! I will certainly come back and finish them, but a whole hold of nasty snake puzzles was hurting my brain. Some very good stuff in here, including a couple of significant efficiency puzzles.
Other holds by Tim: Penthouse, Simplicity, Tunnel Vision
#10: The Organized Dungeon, by Rabscuttle
A really well-done and thematically pure implementation. Nine rooms, each of which uses one of the types of objects that were made available in limited quantity for this contest. Puzzles are not brutally difficult, but there are several very nicely-designed puzzles in here.
Other holds by Rabscuttle: Desert Plateau, Tar Ballroom
#11: December Contest, by Slug
Haven't played this one yet.
#12: The Level, by agaricus5
Pretty much what you'd expect from the creator of Bavato's Dungeon. Nine rooms, all except the entrance require some serious thought. 1N1W and 1S1W are standout rooms, absolutely excellent.
Other holds by agaricus5: Bavato's Dungeon
#13: 9 Rooms, by Jacob
I'd played all of these before, but still...loved them. Jacob designs some of my favorite holds, and these rooms are, well, not universally excellent, but mostly excellent. 1W had me scratching my head for a while, trying to figure out how to eke one less move out of my opening sequence. 1S is also an excellent room.
Other holds by Jacob: lots. A Generic Quest, Beethro and the Secret Society, Choose Your Own Adventure...
#14: Blueprints, by Stuwy
Some pretty good puzzles in here as well. Not one of my favorites of the group, but a solid middle.
Other holds by Stuwy: Channel One Suite, Crazy Cave, Tar Time
Overall, I give this hold a 9 for fun and 8 brains of difficulty.
Josh
____________________________
"
Rings and knots of joy and grief, all interlaced and locking."
--William Buck
[Last edited by jbluestein at 10-22-2009 05:03 PM]
