In hindsight I kind of regret leaving such a concise review on this the first time around, because while I still stand by my rating, I’m unhappy with my claim that it “lacks artistic value.” Despite the level being kind of flashy and all over the place, there definitely is a world and narrative behind this level that I don’t think should be so quickly disregarded. It’s definitely not a masterclass in quality design, but there’s still a lot of charm and unique design that elevates this level pretty significantly.
Looking directly at the gameplay, I feel like it’s pretty obvious that this level doesn’t play the best. A lot of parts tend to be blind or hard to see, and when they’re not, typically they’re abundant in indicators. As a result, the level does suffer in the gameplay department, but I’d be lying if I said it was all bad. Some of the slower sections, notably the first part, are actually decently fun, especially since they use slopes, making it a little less hand-hold-y. On top of that, this is one of those levels that kind of has that hype factor since it’s certainly fast-paced and exciting. It is hindered a bit by the somewhat jerky and confined nature of the level’s design, but as far as song rep goes, it does an okay job. It’s definitely not the worst gameplay ever, but I do think it could have been much better, especially in the final part, as it’s a pretty weak conclusion to the level as a whole.
All that said, I can’t help but respect the cute style of this level. While that may take an unfortunate backseat to flashy effects at times, there’s still plenty of adorable details that give the level soul. It should go without saying that the little monsters are really cute and definitely act as the true “life” of this level, but I think there’s more to it than that. Often times the level will use a lot of bright colors and stronger light effects to coincide with the more climactic notes of the song, so the level certainly does a lot more to create a wholesome, yet adventurous environment. The progression is definitely great, and even if it isn’t a visual masterpiece, I think there’s more merit here than I initially gave it.
As a whole I like Sky Tower, but it’s a level I very rarely return to just because I can’t get behind the gameplay. Even if I don’t hate it, it’s too awkward and difficult to see, and really sours the experience as a whole. That said, I’ll always appreciate the creativity in this level, despite its flaws.
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sorry about this gang