Time for Round 10 grades!
psb123's grades:
Mushroom Hill Zone by Kevandre:
Iconic Status: 5/5
The opening area to Sonic and Knuckles which is, let's be honest, the 2nd half of the real Sonic 3. Plus it made a comeback in the 3DS version of Sonic Generations. Seems recognizable enough to me.
Originality: 9/10
No need to worry about being too much like Green Hill with this one. This level is certainly different enough even though it has "hill" in the name. Fun Fact, did you know that the Apotos level in Sonic Unleashed was originally going to be called "Greek Hill Zone"?
Anyway, this stage is simple but effective. With 2 parts of the stage being obvious call backs to the source material. Those being the Mushrooms and the vines. I do feel like a few platforms to make it easier to get to the top without needing the Mushrooms would have been nice. But that's my only gripe.
Playability: 8/10
Without those platforms I just mentioned it does seem just a tad bit trickier to get around the entire stage then it needs to be. Plus there could be a potential issue with the edges of the mushrooms bouncing you to the sides below the ledges. That really depends on the physics of the game. If the Mushrooms momentum would always carry you to the ledge then there's no problem. Otherwise there is a noticeable issue. Lack of clarity on how that would work forces me to take off points, but to get the best of both worlds, I won't take off too many.
Overall Score: 22/25
Death Egg Zone by GolisoPower:
Iconic Status: 5/5
It's the Death Egg. The Key plot point for most of Sonic's Genesis career. People will know what this is.
Originality: 8/10
I think the Stage Boss here is very creative and utilizes you idea of hijacking a vehicle much more successfully than your Mario Kart Stage. But the stage itself seems pretty bare bones. Just two walk-off floors. One of which is so high up that characters with weaker recovery might not be able to even get up there.
Playability: 7/10
When fighting the boss, I think you finally nailed that reasonable level of damage and knockback. Though I am a tad worried that boss might take up too much space. When piloting the boss, it might take some getting used to to learn how to use it. But I don't see that as a really big deal. But with the higher platform being as high up as it is, it finds itself in a weird situation of both being effective in dodging the Death Egg Robot (at least to a degree) but being hard to get up there in the first place.
Like I said in the Originality section characters with weaker recovery would have a challenge with that. So if you're trying to use it to dodge the boss than RIP Little Mac. Unless you get lucky enough to grab the rocket pack item.
Overall Score: 20/25
Bridge Zone by TheMarioAddict:
Iconic Status: 3/5
Sonic's 8-bit adventures just aren't as well known as his 16-bit and higher ones. 8-bit Sonic 1 wouldn't stick out to as many people. Nor would this zone since it's not a common area with Sonic.
Originality: 10/10
It's a nice, simple layout that is different from other simple layouts at the same time. Smash could use a few more of those. And the weight adds a nice touch as well.
Playability: 9/10
Not a whole lot of issues here. But the weight, while not very threatening, is something I can see people camping with to try and abuse. Kind of like the checkpoints in Green Hill Zone.
Overall Score: 22/25
Press Garden Zone by PeridotGX:
Iconic Status: 5/5
Sonic Mania is a big hit and Press Garden is one of the original levels to the game. Not sure how well it stacks up here compared to the others but I don't see any issues here. Especially since you used the arguably more iconic Act 2.
Originality: 10/10
This stage does so much right here. A nice, simple, uncommon layout. A small little hazard that, instead of detracting from a fight, offers a unique element from other stages with this layout such as Duck Hunt. And the use of an Act 2 is a welcome change of pace since most Sonic ideas stick to Act 1's. Especially in Music. That doesn't affect scores in this contest but the use of primarily Act 2 music here is a nice little detail.
Playability: 10/10
The Ice Bombas are there sure, but they really don't sound like enough of a hassle to be worth taking off any points.
Overall Score: 25/25
White Space by VGamer01:
Iconic Status: 5/5
It combines the levels popular enough to be in Sonic Generations (which in of itself is a popular game) and utilizes them in a way that really speaks to Generations.
Originality: 10/10
It's nice to see another stage that functions like Super Mario Maker since that's the only stage that works like it does so far. Plus the idea of using the hub of Sonic Generations to go through the levels iconic enough to be celebrated for Sonic's 20th Anniversary is inherently really creative. I also like how the text spelling out the names of the levels serves as a platform. That's a neat little touch.
Playability: 5/10
I won't give this a 1 because the idea sounds really good. But without any proper descriptions of the layouts to give a picture of the ideas execution I have to put this score square in the middle.
Overall Score: 20/25
Never Lake by Kirby Dragons:
Iconic Status: 2/5
Sonic CD is certainly a notable one but the area used in the games opening cutscene as opposed to an actual level from the game just isn't as recognizable.
Originality: 1/10
Sorry man. But the location isn't memorable, the layout is too difficult to traverse, there's a substantial lack of footing, and the placement of the spires coupled with the height of the stage make KO's too difficult to achieve. Some of the ideas used here are creative. But in ways that sacrifice functionality. To me, that kind of thing is actually a problem with the originality score because it tries too hard to be unique.
Playability: 3/10
I'll admit I've seen worse. The Swimming mechanic does make the center of the stage possible to fight at even if it's a hassle to do so. And the spires do lessen the issue of getting vertical KO's a little bit. But the lack of any platforms that can hold more than 1 character and walk offs at the edges of the stage being sealed off making it harder to escape them are also pretty big problems.
Overall Score: 6/25
City Escape by AlphaSSB:
Iconic Status: 5/5
There's a reason that this was the level most people just assumed would be in Sonic Generations back when Green Hill was the only known level for that game. It's the opening act to one of Sonic's most memorable titles and has become a fan favorite for all of it's memorable moments.
Originality: 10/10
I am so glad you used the crazier version of this stage found in Sonic Generations. Taking the extremely memorable truck from City Escape and using it as a part of your stage via it's insane overhaul in Generations was genius. Very creative and very faithful to the source material.
Playability: 7/10
Sadly though the saw blades do cause a lot of damage. I very much like the fact that they can't KO until ridiculously high percents. But with that much damage being dealt the other fighters could KO you before you even get to half of some of those percents.
Overall Score: 22/25
Cosmic77's grades:
Man, grading this round was brutal. I honestly think this might have been the toughest round we've ever had.
"Mushroom Hill Zone" by Kevandre:
Iconic Status: 5/5
A lot of people absolutely love the Mushroom Hill Zone. For a Sonic stage, I'd argue that this is pretty iconic.
Originality: 8/10
Your stage has that simple charm to it. Not much going on, but it still seems like it'd be a lot of fun to play on.
I do wish you would've added a little something extra though. Maybe some enemies flying in the background or Knuckles occasionally running by.
Playability: 8/10
Can't give you a perfect score because of those ledges next to the mushrooms. I can see a few early KOs happening due to characters being launched into the ceiling.
Overall Score: 21/25
"Death Egg Zone" by GolisoPower:
Iconic Status: 5/5
If the giant Death Egg Robot and Dr. Robotnik don't make this obvious enough that this is a Sonic stage, then there's really no hope for you.
Originality: 10/10
I think you did an excellent job of representing the Sonic games with this stage boss. Plus, getting to control the robot is bound to make people care about defeating the boss (unlike Yellow Devil).
Playability: 7/10
Even though this is a walk-off stage, I'll give you a pass. Instead, I want to talk about the stage boss.
So you did a much better job with the knockback. I believe 13% was the highest amount of damage this boss could do, and that's pretty reasonable. I also think the implementation of your stage's gimmick was a lot more clear and easy to understand, especially when compared to your Mario Kart stage.
However, I still think you're taking your stage's gimmicks a little too far. Getting to control the robot is cool, but I don't see how a person would be able to learn to fight with it in such short time. Controlling the robot essentially means getting a completely different moveset with a whole new set of attacks to learn, and I'm not so sure if that's a good idea.
Overall Score: 22/25
"Bridge Zone" by TheMarioAddict:
Iconic Status: 5/5
Not the most iconic area you could choose, but it's definitely one of the top picks. Plus, it does its job of looking like a typical Sonic stage.
Originality: 9/10
Basically the same thing I said with Kevandre. I really like the simplicity of this stage, and I'm sure people would enjoy playing on it. However, I'd really like to see a little more flair to the stage. Something small that would pay a little more of a homage to the game it comes from.
The scale platforms were completely unique though. Don't think that's ever been implemented before.
Playability: 9/10
Aside from that weight, I don't really see anything that could be an issue.
Overall Score: 23/25
"Press Garden Zone" by PeridotGX:
Iconic Status: 4/5
I know Sonic Mania was a big hit and all, but I don't think this was the best area you could've pulled a stage from. There are a few others that seem more iconic.
Originality: 10/10
The Ice Bombas provide a unique way to constantly change the layout of this stage. Really love the gimmick you went with.
Playability: 9/10
Naturally, I have to deduct at least one point for the Ice Bombas.
Still, they only appear every 30 seconds, and their attack isn't too unreasonable to begin with.
Overall Score: 23/25
"White Space" by VGamer01:
Iconic Status: 5/5
Generations was met with positive reviews, so a stage from this game seems like a good choice. I think White Space does an excellent job of representing the theme in Generations.
Originality: 10/10
The idea of having a stage that morphs into different eras of Sonic is a pretty crazy yet cool idea that I'd love to see in Smash. Seeing all these games combined into one stage is a Sonic fan's dream come true.
However, I would like to point out that the Mushroom Hill Zone and the bouncy mushrooms have already been done by another contestant. Just be careful with stuff like this. If it had been a bigger part of your stage, I might have deducted points.
Playability: 5/10
The reason why I gave you a low score here is because you didn't really go into enough detail on how the layout of each individual area would look. I'm sure your stage is fine, but unless you actually clarify how the platforms are arranged, I can't give you a high score.
I know that's a lot of work for 12 different areas, so consider doing what Kevandre did with his "SNES Classic" stage and have every single area use the exact same core layout with a few hazards/gimmicks sprinkled here and there.
Overall Score: 20/25
"Never Lake" by Kirby Dragons:
Iconic Status: 3/5
Ehhh... Sonic CD isn't exactly the go-to game for classic Sonic stages.
Originality: 2/10
I'm sorry, but I'm just not seeing any love or creativity in this stage. There's no references to the game, no callbacks, no special gimmicks - there's not much of anything. When compared to the other submissions, this stage is extremely bland.
Playability: 7/10
At the very least, your layout is somewhat decent. I'm not a fan of it being a walk-off though, and the tall spires could make it hard for people to get KOs.
Overall Score: 12/25
"City Escape" by AlphaSSB:
Iconic Status: 5/5
You chose a very memorable part from the Sonic games. Even though there are plenty of "Green Hill Zone" Sonic areas, the series is also known for it's realistic cities and urban areas.
Originality: 10/10
Dude, if I could give you a higher score, I would.
Seriously, the amount of creativity you put into this stage is incredible! Not only did you make a stage that accurately depicts the game of origin, but you also implemented several ideas that have never even been thought of before. Well done!
Playability: 7/10
I'm sorry, but setting my adoration for your creativity aside, I also have to judge this stage from a realistic perspective.
Those robots and sawblades are bound to get in the way of a Smash battle, as they cover a pretty large distance. And those flying vehicles? A whopping 30-40% hit from one of those could decide a battle on the spot.
I only deducted three points from your score, but honestly, I probably should've deducted more.
Overall Score: 22/25
Total Scores:
Kevandre: 43 points
GolisoPower: 42 points
TheMarioAddict: 45 points
PeridotGX: 48 points
VGamer01: 40 points
Kirby Dragons: 18 points
AlphaSSB: 44 points
The Winner is............
Press Garden Zone by
PeridotGX
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!
Well, if it doesn't win, it's fine. I'm still going to finish it up either way.
