Zhan's Hard Light Bridge test chambers

[Zhan]

A Portal 2 work in progress map focusing on hard light bridges and the different ways they can be used. Finished it up for the Summer Mapping Initiative contest from ThinkingWithPortals.com.

I currently have all four test chambers more or less complete and detailed! Go download it now and enjoy 20-30 minutes of fun portalling.

DOWNLOAD at ThinkingWithPortals.com: http://forums.thinkingwithportals.com/downloads.php?view=detail&df_id=706

Some updated screens of the map after detailing:

 

[LeSwordfish]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13673854/Portal2/Demos/demoforzhan.rar

Ignore the accidental reportal.

This was a comment in the demo, but i felt that aiming the laser the way i did was too fiddly, mostly because i had to not have the box fall off the bridge. Another platform there would make it much less temperamental.

Also, i didnt like blue metal beams over grey metal.

 

[Zhan]

A platform by the light bridge source is great idea, thanks for that!

And you're right that the blue metal beams look a little weird over that wall texture... that was me trying to do sp_a4-style detailing, but that's pretty all incomplete at this point.

 

[Freyja]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2347130/portal/demos/demos_for_zhan.zip

I second the platform by the source.

 

[Zhan]

New release with a rather large new test chamber!

Your demos are greatly appreciated.

 

[Zhan]

New release, version 05: removed a shortcut in the last chamber.

 

[LeSwordfish]

I couldnt do the last chamber. I just fiddled around a bit, but i never did anything. I got to the paint. I tried to fling to the buttons. I couldnt do anything. I was completely stuck.

Also, the jump in the second chamber is annoyingly temperamental- i JUST hit the edge twice.

 

[Zhan]

Thanks, that's really useful feedback even though you weren't able to get too far. I think it means I either need to give more hints to the player with the puzzle element icon overlays, or add in another test chamber to train the player. The trick to getting started on the third chamber is the realization that you can paint the light bridge with the propulsion gel, then run the length of the light bridge to build up speed for various flinging puzzles.

Swordfish and others: do we think that adding a couple signs around the chamber would be enough to hint that the player needs to paint the bridge (EDIT: something like the image below), even if the player has never played a map where that technique was necessary before, or should I add a small test chamber before this one to train the player in that technique?

 

[Freyja]

I could not do the last chamber, even with the bridge painted. I could not get enough speed to fling onto the platform from anywhere.

 

[Zhan]

Okay, new training chamber it is, then. I think I'll make the new one centered around repulsion gel + light bridges, since the existing third chamber is centered around propulsion gel + light bridges. Thanks for giving it a shot, Aly.

 

[LeSwordfish]

Okay, new training chamber it is, then. I think I'll make the new one centered around repulsion gel + light bridges, since the existing third chamber is centered around propulsion gel + light bridges. Thanks for giving it a shot, Aly.

Nonono, the repulsion gel is what the training is needed in.

And wasnt aly complaining of overly difficult jumps?

 

[Zhan]

I think Aly was trying to fling herself through the checkered floor out of the pushed-out panel in the last chamber to get to the ledge with the buttons, which, as far as I know, is an impossible jump and was designed to be such. The correct solution to that bit involves trickery with the gels and the light bridge.

Anyway, I think the new 3rd chamber should work fine in teaching the player a few techniques needed to solve the last one. Would love it if you two and others could give it a shot!

DOWNLOAD version 06 as 7zip, or zip

 

[Zhan]

Bumping for the final release I submitted to the Summer Mapping Initiative contest, version 08. Download link is http://forums.thinkingwithportals.com/downloads.php?view=detail&df_id=706, more screenshots are in the OP. Have fun!

 

[ricardojvc6]

the map looks good, but one thing makes me rage, is that you tile the metal >_> plz tile it correctly

 

[LeSwordfish]

I still havent figured out how to get the box. Once i noclipped to the box, it was easy enough.

 

[Zhan]

the map looks good, but one thing makes me rage, is that you tile the metal >_> plz tile it correctly

Pardon? If you have useful criticism I would like it if you were specific about what needs fixing, thanks.

I still havent figured out how to get the box. Once i noclipped to the box, it was easy enough.

To get to the cube you need to coat the top ledge (where the buttons are) with the orange gel. Then, you can run on the gel and jump at the very end and you'll fly right over to the light bridge.

It's a little bit unfair of me because the running + jumping technique with the orange gel is never actually taught in the official game or in my test chamber. My apologies!