Hey!
I did plan on bringing this update to you all a lot sooner, but some unforeseen issues arose surrounding save files etc. which ended up delaying my progress on new levels. I'll spare you the details of the issue, but combined with me going away for a week (and then coming home ill for another week), you guys get this update a month later than planned. I'm sorry for this! <3
New Levels:
This update brings a number of new levels, as well as some improvements to some of the older levels. The update includes 3 new time trials, 1 new gem arena and 2 new remix levels to unlock. You will be introduced to a new hazard type, as well as a new powerup.
space Race - Time Trial
Space race is an easy difficulty level that has you racing a linear path across uneven terrain and moving bridges. The level has no gems to collect, so feel free to cut as many corners as you can find to get that platinum medal!
Flight of Passage - Time Trial
Flight of passage is an intermediate difficulty level that involves a lot of off-ground action, dodging lasers and space mines while you collect the levels three gems. The level introduces the Jetpack powerup, which allows you to float around like a true space marble! Additionally, this is the first level to include 'gated' gems, which have a much larger collection area than traditional gems.
Rise and Shine - Time Trial
Rise and shine is a very difficulty level that involves a lot of raw platforming with tricky pathfinding, and also includes several powerups. Navigating this level is intentionally tricky, and I don't mean just technically, so if you find your self struggling, don't forget that you can check out replays from the level leaderboards. Do you have what it takes to rise to the occasion?
Sprawling - Gem Arena
Most of you are probably aware that the biggest inspiration for this game is Marble Blast Ultra. Sprawling is a recreation of the multiplayer map 'Sprawl' from this game. I was a big multiplayer guy back in my days of MBU, and so I spent many many hours playing this map, so I am very pleased to bring this recreation to Lost Marbles for you guys to enjoy!
Backtrack Blast - Time Trial Remix
This level is a reverse version of 'Space Race', with the inclusion of a gem to keep things interesting and prevent the entire level from being skippable. It can be unlocked by finding the hidden gem on 'Space Race'
Mobile Sprawl Unit - Time Trial Remix
Ok, so this level isn't technically new, but up until now this level was only playable if you managed to catch it on spotlight, and since there is only 1 player besides me on the leaderboards, its safe to say that most of you probably didn't... The level is now available to unlock by earning a platinum medal on 'Sprawling'. The level is actually a remake of 'Sprawl' from the 2009 Marble Blast Mobile game, which used the original MBU Sprawl map as a time trial level.
New Elements:
With these new levels comes a few new gameplay elements:
Space Mines
Space mines are the newest hazard added to the game. Avoid these at all cost! Get too close and you will trigger the a countdown, so be sure to steer clear of the blast... And I don't think I need to tell you what happens if you make a direct collision... Sometimes, they might even track you down, so stay on your toes!
Space mines are still a work in progress, but functionally they work. They are missing an explosion sfx, as well as some proper sound effects. These will be updated in due time; I have a LOT of sfx work to get done in the very near future!
I have also started adding these mines around existing game levels as additional background decoration. You most likely wont find any in your path, but they are still deadly, if for some reason you choose to aim for one...
Area Gems
Similar to gems, these are required to complete a level. The difference this these is that they have a much larger collection range, and this area is indicated with a special effect; you cant miss it!
Jetpack Powerup
The Jetpack is the newest powerup to play with, and its a lot of fun. You can use the jetpack to navigate the skies, until you run out of fuel of course... Not to worry though, you can top up the fuel by collecting another Jetpack. Unlike the other powerups, the Jetpack will respawn even if you are already holding one.
Arcade Makeover
Over the past months, I have noticed a lot of players loading up the game for the first time and shooting straight into 'Arcade' mode, thinking that the name implies it is the main mode for the game. I assumed that most people would realise that the options read from left to right as an indication of the importance, but I was wrong.
I have done a few things to help prevent this going forward, with the main one being a sort of 'rebranding' for the mode. Going forward, it will now be referred to as 'Level Rush', which I feel fits the nature of the mode far better than 'Arcade', and gives a clear indication as to what you can expect from the mode. Shout out to Neon White for inspiring my use of the term 'Rush', though I doubt they were the first game to use it.
Additionally, you are now required to complete all beginner levels in order to unlock the mode (this was in an older small update).
Finishing Thoughts
So I did intent to release a couple more levels that I have fairly close to completion, but with everything that has been going on this month and last, mentioned at the top of this post, I figured instead of delaying the update further, I would just release what I have ready now, and drop more levels shortly down the road.
I hope you all enjoy the new content!
Thanks!
<3
Full Patch Notes
- Fixed issue of powerups not showing correctly in recent replays
- Fixed issue where multiple preview marbles would spawn when selecting a marble skin
- Loading screen now shows the correct level image when continuing from the end of a level
- Loading screen hint text now correctly scales to fit the screen
- Remix levels now correctly show the obtained medal beside the level name
- Removed camera blocking issues on several levels
- Added additional background decoration to several levels