New level: GRAND DISCOVERY

Mahaloof · Post by **Mahaloof** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:46 pm

So!
It took me more than 20 minutes (or is it days) to make this one. I thought I'd make it a bit smaller, but in that summer heat things tend to expand. Don't be put off by the size. It actually seems, all things taken into consideration, a LOT SMALLER than it is.

'GRAND DISCOVERY' is the sequel to 'The Boulder and the Beautiful', which is the sequel to 'Trampopoopooolines!'
In this story Loof is having a fab day in which he tries to save the world. Well, his own little world anyway.....

The trailer is almost finished and a Demo is in the works.
GRAND DISCOVERY T-shirts coming soon...!

Lillie · Post by **Lillie** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 6:39 pm

Hi Mahaloof

I see no-one has been able to complete this yet

It is quite a biggie. The design is fantabulous as usual

I have been attempting it but to no avail so far. I'm not even sure which way to go first

A little nudge in the right direction please

Liz Mayhew · Post by **Liz Mayhew** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:00 pm

Hi Mahaloof

I love reading your hilariously funny posts.

I do try to play your levels, but they're way too hard for me!

I haven't been able to come anywhere near completing any of them.

One day, when I have several months to spend on one level, I may reach Nirvana! But until then ... I just have to enjoy your posts.

TASHA · Post by **TASHA** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:10 pm

Have to agree.....got a bit into the level, but either reached a deadend or got shot at when I tried to cover a button. Haven't a clue what needs to be done or where to start. Even by just looking at the level I can't even see where to go or what needs to be done. A spoiler would be appreciated.

Mahaloof · Post by **Mahaloof** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 7:44 pm

I was beginning to think that people were totally put off by the size of the level ("Oh no, I'm not even going to start this #%$%") and oh yes, the trampolines.
Well, good news in 2 ways: the level is actually not that big, concerning the amount of puzzles. I see a trend in this community to create levels that are as compact as they can possibly be. While I admire many of the puzzles (love your beaches, Liz), this turns out not to be my way. I'm enjoying my little story (such as it is) and am trying to incorporate puzzles into a natural environment. Hence the design. So don't be put off, you frantic gamers out there!
Secondly, the trampothingies in this level are mostly used with the objects, not you. So you can keep your lunch on the inside...

Now then: the bridge-like structure in the upper left hand corner you can totally ignore, as nothing will happen. It could be there just for show, but Dutch scientists are still investigating...

The first, and most difficult area is the Tomb of Queen Pecunia. I'm excruciatingly proud of this one, as it's actually 2 puzzles rolled into one and completely intertwined. You need to make use of the ice & trampos in a N-S direction to open the tomb. Read the 1886 diary for a hint on the 2nd puzzle...

You could experiment here until you're blue in the face, but it's not the season for that now, unless you live in Australia or New Zealand.
So: OBSERVE. What needs to be done to open the gates. How do I get something, anything, on that spot. And: which objects go where?
Note there's a plasma cube stuck in the light blue gate, so a little extra is needed there...

First, find ways to move around there without disturbing anything. Most important! I had loads of fun discovering ways I hadn't planned, but they fit like hand-in-glove. The most obvious is the light blue teleporter, of course. But try walking up into the dark blue one and then press right. * Works the other way too. The third ice lane from the top will come in very handy, and then there's the regular lane just below all the destructible floors. From left to right just a simple boink-boink and boink-boink. There's more ways, but it's up to you...

The red boulder is a simple hint for the tomb puzzle, so just put it in the water. Then look at the dark blue button, as that should not be too difficult either. After that......to be continued..... ( maybe.....

)

Oh, and Liz, about those signs: there's more, so don't give up!

* I was wondering why quite a lot of people seem to be discouraged by trampolines. Is it possible that not everyone realises that after the first trampo you can change direction (well, you knew thát) by simply holding down the desired button until you've passed the trampo, and then holding down another desired button? If you didn't, you do now, so no excuses!

Lillie · Post by **Lillie** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:05 pm

...... you crack me up - your answers to questions are almost questions in themselves

So in which direction should we go first please - a one line answer is only allowed

Thanks Mahaloof - you sure are a lot of fun and pretty bonkers too

Mahaloof · Post by **Mahaloof** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:23 pm

Bonkers? Boulders, you mean!

SPOILER!!!!!!!! (Meaning:don't read.. )

Allright then: first wooden box, up one space. Steel box, up two spaces. Second wooden box, up one space. Green boulder, to the right. Red boulder, sink it! That should bring you a bit closer...

I'm not going to tell you everything, as you're an intelligent girl (all of you!) and besides, most custom levels I find here drive ME nuts. For most of Mark's levels I have but 2 words: IM-POSSIBLE.

wonderlandlover · Post by **wonderlandlover** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 12:02 am

Hi, Mahaloof! I have been working on this, and I seem to be at a crossroads: I can cover the light blue and blue button, but not the white button, for I don't appear to have enough items that won't get blown up. I have been unable to find the white gate, so maybe it's a red herring?

I used the green sphere to crash the prism, but I don't know if that is what you intended. Pushing the green sphere right seems to lead nowhere, because it just stops on the breakaway tiles. I had pushed it up, into the blue TP. I have been in the area with the cannons, collected the coins, and jumped into the room with the chompers. I am just wondering if I am on the right track?

Thanks!

Mahaloof · Post by **Mahaloof** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:08 am

I have been unable to find the white gate, so maybe it's a red herring?

..clever you..

I'm getting an idea of what you've been doing. Not bad at all, but: you probably find yourself in the closed room with the chompers, with nowhere to go. Isn't this the case?
And that's the 2nd puzzle, which also takes place in the tomb room. When you look at the leftmost part of the ice, with the leftmost trampo, doesn't it sort of resemble a pointing finger?
'Yes! Yes, Mahaloof, it does!'

I promise: this is the hardest puzzle. After that, things get waaaay easier. You're well on the way with the tomb (well done). Now think which objects to use for it and which ones to save for a rainy day, so to speak.

BtW, what great things happened after you smashed the prism?

wonderlandlover · Post by **wonderlandlover** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:43 pm

I am afraid to say that I have to give up on this one for now. I have spent a lot of time attempting this, and I cannot figure out where I am supposed to go from the tomb room.

I jumped to the room with the grey TP, and was surprised to find the exit. Obviously not the way. I jumped into the chomper room, but as you noted, no way out. I jumped to the pyramid island with the purple TP, and dead end. So, I spent well over an hour trying to jump back to the area with the two generators (which are now working, by the way

). I always seem to come up one jump wrong to get the needed distance.

So, I'm hoping you'll have mercy on me, and give me a more obvious hint!

Mahaloof · Post by **Mahaloof** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 12:02 am

I'm beginning to realise I might have a more 'Legend of Zelda' designing approach than a generally accepted Wonderland style. I apologize...... on second thought: No! I won't apologize.

But, allright, a little more clarification seems to be in order.
Here goes: You were on the right track concerning the room with the 2 chompers, wonderlandlover. However, you won't be able to proceed from there if you haven't solved the 2nd puzzle. I revealed earlier that the opening of the tomb makes use of ice and trampos in a N-S direction. Well, puzzle 2 makes use of same in an E-W direction. That's what I meant earlier with 2 puzzles being intertwined.
See the 2 water patches in the chomper room? They are crucial...

As I said before, you don't have to do that much jumping yourself. Even if you jump out of the tomb room (or into the tomb itself, which is also possible), it won't get you a gold star.

...and the green boulder DOES go to the right. Trust me....

wonderlandlover · Post by **wonderlandlover** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:16 pm

Ok! Believe it or not, I figured out the puzzle. And you were right on all counts! (Of course!

) Nothing short of spectacular, I must say.

I filled the one water hole, and sent the next box over; where I had always been tripped up with was how to get through the red gate. Well, duh! That's what Stinky is for. I did jump to your "high score" island, just to read the sign.

Right now, I am at the "cooperation island", and believe I know how to build the bridge, but will work on it tonight or tomorrow. I just wanted you to know I'm making progress!

Let you know when I'm done!

Mahaloof · Post by **Mahaloof** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 1:53 am

My...my.....my biggest fan! (* sob, sob*)

You are doing just wonderful. And I'm very glad to hear you're enjoying it so much. It seems it takes as much time to solve the level as it took me to make it. Isn't life wonderful?

You've been through the hardest part, but watch the little sting in the end (well, you sort of know something about it already).

As other people can read this too, and I don't want to give away too much, I'll just tell you that He-who-must not-be-named will try to attack you-know-what with several thingies around thát time, you know. So try to avoid hmm-hmm by doing so-so..... Capice?

wonderlandlover · Post by **wonderlandlover** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:07 am

Phew!! I have one of my hardest earned gold stars in the history of Wonderland!! I tried to do a screenshot, but I am clueless with that type of stuff. Oh well!

I really liked the transporter/build bridge/get everyone over to the other side bit. As I said before, an amazing level, that has completely dominated several hours of my weekend. I was dreaming about this level! I just had to finish it.

Thanks for a major brain workout!

Mahaloof · Post by **Mahaloof** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:16 pm

Voice of radio reporter:

". . ..and the crowd is just tremendous! Sidewalks are crammed with people, trying to get a glimpse of our heroic Wondernaut.
The parade is slowly getting closer now. On the side here is a group of cheerleaders, and yes! they're now holding up their signs, spelling out:
W E L C O M E, W O N D E R L A N D L O V R E. Well, I guess the last two have to switch around. They're both blond, but that just might be a coincidence.

The parade is passing by now and Wonderlandlover is looking just great, although a little tired, of course. I guess most of us would be exhausted after such a trying exploration of "Grand Discovery." Our Wondernaut is waving to the crowd, flanked by Loof and Stinky, who are smiling from ear to ear, as usual.

Confetti is raining down like crazy and the crowd is absolutely bonkers now! They're waving with green and red buttons and affectionately tossing tiny little boulders on to the car. What a great day this is!

Well, the parade has passed by now, on their way to the United Nations building, where Wonderlandlover will shake hands with the Secretary-General and receive a signed copy of Patrick's new book: "How to solve one of Mark's levels without annoying the neighbours."

And with that it's back to the studio, but not without reminding you once more of that glorious moment when our Wondernaut took her first careful steps on "Grand Discovery" and spoke the already famous words:
"It's a small step for a Wisconsian, but a giant leap for Wonderkind." "

Liz Mayhew · Post by **Liz Mayhew** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:34 pm

I'm rolling on the floor laughing! You are a scream Mahaloof!

wonderlandlover · Post by **wonderlandlover** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 3:28 pm

You are funny! Thanks so much for that!!

Amnon · Post by **Amnon** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 3:34 pm

Finally!

Took me a week of hard labour + your hints.

Your level is ingenious:

now I've got a golden star and red eyes.

Mahaloof · Post by **Mahaloof** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:11 pm

". ..and in the follow-up car we find our Wondernaut 'Buzz' Amnon. Waving to the crowd and winking with bleary red eyes. Now, there is one exhausted explorer, if ever I saw one. 'Buzz' was the 2nd Wondernaut on "Grand Discovery" and responsible for the scientific exploration, while Wonderlandlover, of course, did all the skiing. Data are still being processed, but 'Buzz' has already revealed that boulders do tend to be quite harmless while in the air. A miracle, that.

We bow down to one of the silent heroes of our age, 'Buzz' Amnon."