If I wasn't worried about being too un-family friendly on this site I would be using many mean words to describe my internets sudden decrease in speed right now -_-
But here are the Round 27 grades anyway. YOU WILL NOT DEFEAT ME PRECURSOR OF SKYNET!!!!!!!!!
*ahem
psb123's grades:
The Hoenn Sea by
Kevandre
Iconic Status: 5/5
If we were talking any generation other than 3 there's no way this would have gotten a 5. But unlike those so-called professionals, I'm not IGNorant enough to be unaware of how big a deal the sea is to Hoenn. And this covers a handful of locations that make perfect sense for a boat to drop you off at. Including Ever Grande City. A place I think many people very much wish you could have gotten to via boat.
Originality: 8/10
Considering the locations that every Pokemon Region has to make a stage out of, sailing on a boat across water isn't the most exciting idea you could have. At least this is from the generation where it actually makes sense to do that. Something I can't say for the SS Anne stage from the previous contest. I'm still salty that stage won it's round by the way -_-
Playability: 10/10
Apart from the rocks falling down the Ever Grande Waterfall there's not really anything here that could be considered a hazard. And even then those rocks are just extra platforms.
Overall Score: 23/25
Lake Tess by
GolisoPower
Iconic Status: 4/5
I understood what you were trying to say about as well as I am versed in Earthbound knowledge, which is hardly anything at all. But after washing the racism from my mind with soap I figured out what I needed to know. In this case, that this is apparently an area where Ness and Paula meet Jeff. Based on that, I'm going to roll with a 4.
Originality: 8/10
There's not a whole lot that happens off of Tessie in this stage. But I do like how you're fighting on top of a sea creature. Honestly the Mario series could make a stage like this with Dorrie or Plessie and I'd be all for it. So I like this stage in the same way. I also find it pretty cool how you can bounce off of tents by crouching on them.
Playability: 8/10
It does seem kind of limited in space to fight on. And that's really all there is to say.
Overall Score: 20/25
Ultra Space by
TKOWL
Iconic Status: 5/5
You know Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon don't get enough credit. Yeah most of the story stays the same until near the end. But sister games in Pokemon have been doing that since Gen 3. Possibly even Gen 2. When USUM does give new stuff though, this is what it gives. An expansion on the interesting, but under-utilized, idea of Ultra Space from Sun & Moon. Considering how people wanted that and are happy with what we got, I'd say this sticks out.
Originality: 9/10
I think each location of Ultra Space should only be around for 30 seconds at a time instead of 50. The reason I say that is because I'd want to see more of the cool locations of Ultra Space in shorter matches. And there are two things in particular that I like about the Ultra Beasts. One of them is that the attacks they do for the most part aren't super devastating, and the ones that are can be easily telegraphed. The second thing is that, assuming we do get a Gen 7 stage, I think using the Ultra Beasts as hazards is the best way to incorporate them.
Having Pokemon function as hazards in a stage isn't new and some people are more fed up with it than others. But in the source game Ultra Beasts have to be captured with Beast Balls and can't be caught with anything else. We have not seen a Beast Ball item yet, so I honestly think having the UB's as stage hazards works out better.
Playability: 7/10
Most of it's alright. But I don't like the layouts of the Ultra Plant and Ultra Jungle. The Ultra Plant doesn't have any ground to stand on in the middle, deciding to go for walk-offs instead. And the Ultra Jungle suffers from both too much difficulty in recovering and a pit that gives too many opportunities for caves of life.
Overall Score: 21/25
Ultra Warp Ride by
PeridotGX
Iconic Status: 5/5
Same reasons as TKOWL's stage. Though I do like your name for the idea better.
Originality: 9/10
Same pros as TKOWL's idea. And the same con as well. The time spent on one particular area is just a tad bit too long. I also can't say I'm a fan of Ultra Megaopolis being rarer than the others. There's no reason they shouldn't all be as possible to appear as each other so it's a little disappointing that you won't encounter Megaopolis as much. Especially since it's easily your most creative area here.
Playability: 10/10
Once again the Ultra Beasts don't do anything too hazardous. I was at first concerned about the Ultra Jungle and it's possible Caves of Life. But since Buzzwole can alter the angle it's not as big of a problem.
Overall Score: 24/25
Cosmic77's grades:
"The Hoenn Sea" by Kevandre:
Iconic Status: 5/5
A stage from a Pokemon game? Who in the world would recognize this?
But seriously, this should be easy to remember. I was considering deducting a point for not adding many Pokemon elements, but Peeko saved your bacon.
Originality: 7/10
Despite already having many stages that feature a boat (Pirate Ship, Wuhu Island, Paper Mario), you did come up with some pretty interesting layouts that differ greatly from the Pokemon and traveling stages we already have. Dewford Town is probably my favorite part of your stage.
My only complaint is that I would've liked to have seen more areas in your stage.
Playability: 9/10
Walk-offs aside, your stage really does have a lot of water. Maybe even too much water...
Overall Score: 21/25
"Lake Tess" by GolisoPower:
Iconic Status: 3/5
This is an iconic moment in EarthBound, and I never really thought of it as being a stage. I give it 5/5.
...Or at least I'd like to. The theme is traveling stages, and while this stage works perfectly for EarthBound, it's not quite as iconic as your other options.
Originality: 8/10
The winter theme is rarely explored in Smash, so I like this concept. Traveling on Tessie while you explore Winters is also a great idea for a traveling stage.
The areas you stop at aren't very memorable, but I think the implementation of Tessie makes up for it.
Playability: 9/10
The water and Tessie's long neck are my only issues. Aside from that, everything looks peachy.
Overall Score: 20/25
"Ultra Space" by TKOWL:
Iconic Status: 5/5
You've filled your stage with plenty of popular Pokemon from the latest set of Pokemon games. A wonderful Sun/Moon stage that's guaranteed to be recognized by fans.
Originality: 10/10
I'm captivated by not only the amount of effort you put into your stage, but also the drawings you used to illustrate your ideas.
The layouts are very unique and feature backgrounds that are quite different from what we normally see in Smash. The Ultra Beasts themselves are also extremely original and tie in with the stage in a way that doesn't feel forced. Fantastic job all around.
Playability: 4/10
Every rose has its thorn, and this one is sharp, sharp, sharp. The implementation of the Ultra Beasts was unique, but I am absolutely terrified of each one. Water down those hazards.
Overall Score: 19/25
"Ultra Warp Ride" by PeridotGX:
Iconic Status: 5/5
Another Sun and Moon stage, eh? I doubt I need to explain my reasoning behind your score.
Originality: 7/10
Bit of a hit-and-miss with me. Some of the layouts didn't impress me much, while others (particularly Celesteela) were extremely creative and original.
The Necrozma gimmick was a nice addition, though. Really like that part of your stage.
Playability: 7/10
I know I just said your Necrozma gimmick was unique, but making the entire stage pitch black can be very problematic, especially with characters with poor recoveries.
The layout of the tree platform is also a bit of an issue, but I didn't think it was as big of a deal as the latter.
Overall Score: 19/25
TheMarioAddict's grades:
"The Hoenn Sea" by Kevandre:
Iconic Status: 5/5
A perfect score in iconicness from me! Memorable games, a lot of pokemon references both big and small, and based on the most notable part of all of the game - the huge amount of water. If I could give you 7.8/5, you know I would, but sadly there are limits. Still, great choice!
Originality: 7/10
You fool! Have you forgotten that I, too, was a part of the OG stage contest, and thus would see the glaring similarities between your stage and ViolenceMan’s?? DISQUALIFIED, STAGE-MAKING LICENSE REVOKED, GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!
...I kid, of course (and don’t worry, I won’t factor in the similarities to a contest that has long since ended). In seriousness, this is a perfect way to represent the Hoenn games. The only real problems I have are with the uniqueness of the setting (or rather, the lack thereof). Yes, it is
super appropriate for representing the games (more so than possibly any other stage), but at the same time, we’ve seen stages based ocean and island areas before (Delphino and Pirate Ship). Still, it
is new for Pokemon, so I’ll cut you some slack for that. In any event, this is a really awesome stage!
Playability: 9/10
Only point I’m taking off here is for the combination of water and walk-offs. The water itself isn’t too bad, but the spike off the front of the ship sounds just as bad here as it is on Pirate Ship. And walk-offs are… walk-offs. I just don’t like ‘em. :/ The rest seems perfectly fine.
Overall Score: 21/25
"Lake Tess" by GolisoPower:
Iconic Status: 4/5
Ah’m only takin’ off a point because ah honestly thought tha’ was Dorrie (Mario 64) at first, and ah probably would nae be th’ only person tae make tha’ mistake. Other than tha’, ’s a good choice for an Earthbound stage (not the one ah’d’ve gone with, but still good).
Originality: 7/10
T’is a pretty original stage, most things considered. Icy an’ snowy stages are nae explored much outside of Ice Climber, an’ even then this one feels pretty different from them (well… maybe a
wee bit like phase 2 of Summit). Ye don’ really go crazy on th’ stage gimmicks, which is nae bad by any means, but the semi-spring platforms jus’ feel a wee bit tacked-on tae me. Still, very different from other Earthbound stages, so ah’d say ’s a nice and original stage!
Playability: 8/10
Tessie’s head seems like a spot where one could feasibly camp, but aside from tha’ ah see few problems with this stage. Water is o’ course an issue like in Kevandre’s stage, but th’ lack o’ a ship-spike makes it a wee bit more manageable.
Overall Score: 19/25
Don't ever let me speak in fake Scottish again.
"Ultra Space" by TKOWL:
Iconic Status: 5/5
This is a perfect place for a Sun/Moon stage. A very standout, memorable location from the Alola region (er… I guess it’s not actually
in the Alola region, is it?), and one that has a ton of little references for Pokemon fans! A beautiful stage choice, really!
Originality: 10/10
This stage is nutso. And I mean that in a good way! Weird, unique settings, crazy hazards like Kartana, interesting platform layouts… this stage is golden for originality. I love it all!
Playability: 5/10
Ok, so… on the whole, the stage is pretty ok. However, it seems like every single stop has some huge, glaring problem that cuts down its playability. Going down the list: The venom drench isn’t too big an issue, but chip damage and slowdown are always a bit annoying; Ultra Jungle has one of the the most frustrating layouts I’ve ever seen. Not only did you explicitly mention you can get stuck in the pit if your recovery isn’t good, but you can
also be camped by someone on the upper branches, and with no way to get to them. I’m sorry, but it’s just bad; I wish you’d specified how harsh the lightning is, because it sounds pretty devastating, which isn’t great; I’m not sure I fully grasp how Kartana works, but it sounds like it would get in the way of battle a lot; and Ultra Ruins is actually pretty ok, so no complaints there.
Also, 50 seconds is a
really long time to stay in one area. Like… to put it in perspective, a stage like Delphino Plaza stays in an area for around 15 seconds - you’ve more than tripled that, and in the process hindered the traveling theme that this round is all about.
Overall Score: 20/25
"Ultra Warp Ride" by PeridotGX:
Iconic Status: 5/5
[See Iconic comments for TKOWL]
Originality: 9/10
Dropping a point for the platform layouts being kinda bland, but other than that, everything is great! Like with TKOWL, it’s a ton of unique locations with interesting stuff to differentiate it from other Pokemon stages. Nicely done!
Playability: 7/10
I said this for TKOWL, I’ll say it here too: 45 seconds is way too long to stick around one area. That said, you did better at making a functioning stage, for the most part. The jungle is still problematic, but it seems like you made a bigger fighting area and made the branches more accessible. Beyond that, the only hazard that concerns me is Necrozma’s pitch black… thing. Seems like it would make fighting in that area very frustrating. Other than that, things seemed alright. Not perfect, but alright.
Overall Score: 21/25
Total Scores:
Kevandre: 65 points
GolisoPower: 59 points
TKOWL: 60 points
PeridotGX: 64 points
The Winner is............
The Hoenn Sea by Kevandre
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!