Originally posted by Maxx
Just a little side note here, don't make water levels long at all. They are terrible. They have to be really really well designed to even be somewhat fun to play. I don't know anyone who enjoys water levels on a regular basis. They are a noob trap and worse than that inherently boring.
I've always believed you should do something truly unique. A good philosophy is to work against the grain. Challenge ideas, don't just accept them. I recommend you take up Maxx's dare and
make a fun water level. Because they have been so poorly done in the past, this is your chance to make them interesting, and experiment. Water levels
can be fun (apparently the one I made was) and it's always good to be uncomfortable. Most people scroll to the right? Start scrolling to the left! Most people make vertical levels where you must go up? You make them go down.
My new aim, after the hack I made was complete, was to change hacking. The only way you can change it is to go headlong into hardships and difficulty, though you will come out better, and wiser.
I guess to summarise, explore the virgin ground that no person dares hack, and find new ways to design levels!
One thing I think can work great (but is very draining), is set out to make a 5 minute level, and make each screen unique. See what you come up with, the best ideas can be developed into a full level.
This post was probably quite controversial, on reflection. Some food for thought, I guess?