Town level, please rate

[GoZelda]

Okay, i made a town level based on the way how i learned how medieval towns are made. Most towns were made around a marketplace. The most important houses were near the marketplace. Because the most important houses are near the center, i made what's gonna be most important for players here. Also, because the Graal population is small refering to the medieval population, there aren't much houses, but note that this isn't the whole town. If Graal's population was huge, you would get blacksmith's street etc.

[protagonist]

3/10


Here's why:


The black surrounding thing doesn't work. That's only an inside thing.
The ground detail needs to be clumped, not only clumped but also there needs to be more of it.
There should be a dirt road or something to show that people travel the streets. Maybe a puddle here and there.

[Spark910]

Well I told you on AIM but will repeat again. First of all, you havent changed anything from what ive said, or that I can see.
The black around the edge is bad, it limits you to space, it will then waste the space you have, which is limited sometimes as it is.

Houses:
You have tried to use alot of house styles here, nice idea as your not limiting yourself to premade objects. But the bad thing you have done is put too many houses in one level, really you shouldn't have more than maybe 4? Well there isnt a limit or rule, but too many starts to wreck the level.

The houses need to be more interesting, the bottom left ones tiles are all messed up, and dont work. You shouldn't, or atleast just yet, mix tiles that dont look too much the same at your standard, keep to the same sort of tiles, so just caslte or just house for now, then when you can make some sweet things from them, start to mix them.

So get some houses, sort of like the top right one, with different shapes, layers etc etc..

Path/Whatever you called it on AIM:
Personally I dislike these. They look awful however you do it. If you used that as paths, so it had gaps and not just one big chunk it would work better and look better too.

Also look how you can see a line where it meets the grass, use a few odd tiles so its not just an obvious stop. Maybe use some dirt path.

Detail on Grass:
Well first of all, that cut back swamp bit you have, the dark like grass bit, there are 4 tiles, use them all.

But from what I can see, grass wise, you have all the tiles in there, the only problem is how you have used them. Combine them together more, and into groups not odd patches, else it looks blank and awful. I forgot to send you a look of deatiled combined grass, look at attachment

Things to think about:
Dirt paths
water
trees
bushes
rocks
cliffs
etc etc etc... Use more and it will look more. But make sure it looks good.

Overall not bad, wait for some more advise, ignoring the fully negative without explination posts, and make changes and learn from your mistakes, and keep on making levels.

[GoZelda]

Originally posted by Spark910

Overall not bad, wait for some more advise, ignoring the fully negative without explination posts, and make changes and learn from your mistakes, and keep on making levels.

That, my friend, was maybe the best advice you could give.

[protagonist]

Originally posted by Spark910
*attachment*

<3 for the small tree.

[Spark910]

Originally posted by GoZelda

That, my friend, was maybe the best advice you could give.

Well its true . A lot of people will probably come along or may have and totally insult you, without giving reasons why, or not giving constructive criticism.

And a lot of the time I read level ratings and I feel sorry for the person who posted it. Level making doesn't just come to you over night, it like everything takes time, people when posting here forget that and just insult and don’t take into account that you may be new to level making. I know people may think well that level compared to what I see is not good and may not deserve a high mark out of 10. Which is why I no longer really give /10 scores for begginer level makers, as it just makes it sound/look worse than it is, and advise is better than a few numbers.

Originally posted by protagonist
<3 for the small tree.

lol

[draygin]

Your problem is- No theme, almost any where you go you see towns with themes. When I say theme I mean some basis for which everything is built off of. A town of log cabins, Thatched roofs, etc.. In older times this was especially true. (not as much now days) Back then people made houses out of what was availabe. So in general appereance buildings has similarities. Your buildings are all completely different with nothing tying them together. It looks like you just plopped a bunch of different styles down and called it a town. When making a town you should think of at least two things. What will I do that will make the entire town come together to actually feel like a town. What color theme will I use for tiles so that the town doesnt clash. You dont want to have one house bright gold then another house be really dark brown tiles. You want all of the tiles to have at least similar colors. example sticking to dark tiles, or bright tiles, etc.. Here is an example. Now you cant see any details in the level because its a map. But you can see how the colors all tie in together and the buildings are all various (realisticly) shaped. Some two stories some L shaped etc..

[GoZelda]

You're right about that, but a lot of times when you do this, people say your houses are all the same =\

[draygin]

Originally posted by GoZelda
You're right about that, but a lot of times when you do this, people say your houses are all the same =\

Thats why you should go with themes. Not necessarily exact tiles. But the colors, if you look at the tile sets some colors sort of blend together others clash horribly. Example your blue roof-top and your brown roof-top. That would be a no no. Also if you use the same type of tiles you just have to add in some images like barrels or something to spruce it up a bit. Just need to find the happy medium between to much sameness and theme. It's not necessarily the easiest thing to do but its certainly well worth the effort. Try different types of window desigs. Here let me make a couple of examples which are fairly obvious. Then I will allow you to think of other good possibilities. It's all about seeing the tiles for what they could be not what they are.

Note: These are very basic, but a way to make it so all buildings dont look the same.

edit: when I put roof and top together it bleeps it *** x.x

[GoZelda]

I know of these window tiles, lol. I also know if your houses are a bit higher you can use the darkness tiles with some image as windows.

[draygin]

Originally posted by GoZelda
I know of these window tiles, lol. I also know if your houses are a bit higher you can use the darkness tiles with some image as windows.

I figured you did I was explaining how you could use that knowledge to keep all buildings from looking the same. When you use those in compenation of different building shapes, heights and chimeny's they can all look fairly unique. Also you would want to be sure and not put the door in the same place for all the buildings. Some people even make entrances on the back side or sides of buildings. It's all the little things combined that make buildings look similar but not the same.

[Spark910]

Originally posted by GoZelda
You're right about that, but a lot of times when you do this, people say your houses are all the same =\

Yeah because im not that good at levels my self. I really only like inside levels, and my outside levels really suck.

[draygin]

Here is an example. All of these buildings are basically the same in theme. But yet there is enough differentiation that no one would complain about them all being the same.

(Note if you recognize these its because I'm just using material from old projects. Why make all new when slightly used will do. )

[TripleE]

I like the houses. But follow what Mad. said. Must be themed and stuff.

[GoZelda]

Mh, think of the fact that in a town people walk a lot, so grass is sort of rare at some places.

[Amagius]

Originally posted by draygin
(Note if you recognize these its because I'm just using material from old projects. Why make all new when slightly used will do. )

Oh, how I miss ye.

[draygin]

Originally posted by GoZelda
Mh, think of the fact that in a town people walk a lot, so grass is sort of rare at some places.

Yes but thats a completely different topic all together. Right now I'm explaining how you can make a very nice looking town with out all the buildings looking the same. Maybe I'll make a tutorial over the weekend or something using some of these as examples.

[GoZelda]

Well, i tried to follow your advice as much as possible, Draygin. As you can see, i use the two same roofs. I used almost one type of wall, and i tried to keep the color a bit the same.

Also, as i mentioned the grass thing, near the houses and at certain places, the level is less detailed.

[draygin]

Well you're definatly heading in the right direction. Since I'm focusing on buildings I'm not going to mention the grass or other details.

Try to stick with the same type of roof with the same house. If you're going to have one roof arched make them all arched. (its a theme remember) You're getting the colors to at least match. Your main problem right now is they appear dull. Try to add things that would give the buildings variety such as chimeny's on some etc..

Don't be afraid to expirement. The key to good buildings is simple. Don't look at the tiles for what they are, look at what they could be. Part of a lamp can make a bar stool. A staircase tile can make a floor, Heck even a bar table can make a roof. You have to look beyond what the tiles where originally intended for. I would suggest perhaps trying to find a nice theme using tiles that are actually intended for something else. Some times if you get stuck its better to sketch the level in how you want it to look. Then examine the tile set and find what tiles would best match your sketch. That's what I do when expirementing often times.

[GoZelda]

Thanks for not mention the grass i suck at it XD
Well, i know you can use lamp as barstool
But you just gave me an idea.

EDIT

But the idea didn't work out

EDIT

[draygin]

Originally posted by GoZelda
Thanks for not mention the grass i suck at it XD
Well, i know you can use lamp as barstool
But you just gave me an idea.

EDIT

But the idea didn't work out

EDIT

Some times that happens, if it didnt work maybe there is some other tile that would work with your idea. It's all about looking at what the tiles could be and not what they are.

[Judge_S]

Originally posted by GoZelda
Okay, i made a town level based on the way how i learned how medieval towns are made. Most towns were made around a marketplace. The most important houses were near the marketplace. Because the most important houses are near the center, i made what's gonna be most important for players here. Also, because the Graal population is small refering to the medieval population, there aren't much houses, but note that this isn't the whole town. If Graal's population was huge, you would get blacksmith's street etc.

I would assume that a marketplace would have more than one stall. Not only that, but people wouldn't always sell their goods on a stand - some would sell in baskets, etc.

[protagonist]

It's a bit better. Just practice.

[TripleE]

Originally posted by Judge_S


I would assume that a marketplace would have more than one stall. Not only that, but people wouldn't always sell their goods on a stand - some would sell in baskets, etc.

Not exactly. In newyork any street vendors have carts,shops,and stands. Ive never seen a basket type selling.

[GoZelda]

1: This isn't newyork
2: This is the past

[GoZelda]

Okay, i updated the level, i now added the some more stands, also they're a bit different, and i follow draygin's advice of looking further with the tiles.