Adjust Number of Spike Balls in Levels...

[datahead8888]

I verified this in version 1.9 of the game. Quintus said it probably isn't changed in version 2.0 either. Someone will need to check version 2.0.

In World 3, wn_06 there are too many spike balls. It is especially bad in some later parts of the level when you need to make large jumps and have trouble seeing where a spike ball on the other side is.

Some of the levels before and/or after this level have similar distributions of spike balls.

Spike balls:

• Cannot be destroyed without a star
• Cannot be stunned or slowed down
• Sometimes stop and then charge at a faster speed

I can see using spike balls for challenges in some places, but they shouldn't be the predominant challenge in a lot of levels.

Granted, I was playing on a keyboard as opposed to a controller (which is how I normally play Mario games), but inexperienced players may find this really frustrating.

[justinrissler]

I might be more of a hardcore gamer, but I never really saw a problem with the amount.
As far I as I know, they don't change their maximum speed, ever. They just check if Maryo's within their range, and if not, they just roll to a stop after a bit.
But, it may seem like they change speed if they roll back into range after just rolling out of range... 🌴

I think some of the smaller ones can be destroyed with fire/ice.

[datahead8888]

No, I think you're referring to Spikas.
I'm talking about the Spike Ball as introduced at the top of this page - http://www.secretmaryo.org/index.php?page=new_1_9&sid=?sid=2f2fd45c24adbe42b2d318873673af58

These guys are not phased at all by ice, fire, or shells. They keep moving with no hindrance.

The main reason I rose a concern about difficulty is that this was in world 3, before the 1st boss, and I'm assuming the game will have 8-20 worlds (or more) in the long term. It's a bit early in the game to have as much of a challenge. I seem to remember this level being a bit easier some years back. Granted, I was using a keyboard to play rather than a controller and hadn't played the level in a long time.

The names are a little misleading I think - I was confused talking to Quintus earlier, too. We might want to discuss naming.

[Quintus]

Cannot be destroyed without a star

This is not entirely true. In version 2.0.0, if a larry explodes, the detonation will kill all enemies in range, including spikeballs. Also, they can fall into abysses.

And yes, naming should probably be discussed.

Vale,
Quinuts

[Quintus]

Oh, and to clarify. This is the spikeball:

And this is the spika:

Vale,
Quintus

[datahead8888]

That really depends on how many levels have Larries to use to attack the spike balls, and since you can't phase them, you can't knock them into pits normally. If there were a way to stun them and move them a distance, this would be possible, though.

[justinrissler]

Oh, yeah, I did have those two mixed up. They certainly fit backwards more, lol.
But yeah, I think Spike Balls are certainly jinxed a little bit too much.
The forum thread might be worth having a look at: http://secretmaryo.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2020

[datahead8888]

Reducing the number of spike balls in the affected levels would work for now, but I wouldn't have a problem with changing the rules for spike balls. Yoshi's island has an enemy like this that almost never can be killed but who can be knocked backwards. Being able to knock them into pits (or lava :) ) is an interesting idea.

[Quintus]

but I wouldn't have a problem with changing the rules for spike balls

I think having an invincible enemy that requests absolute concentration to properly get around benefits the game. I however agree that spikeballs are overused in the official levels and their amount should be reduced. Adding a new enemy that can be knocked back is a nice idea. The more different enemies SMC has, the better it is.

Vale,
Quintus

[datahead8888]

When someone gets a chance this needs to be marked with the new "Levels" category.

[datahead8888]

To my knowledge, @sauer2 implemented a change for this ticket a while back.

There is some related discussion about whether or not we made one of the levels too easy with these changes in: http://forum.secretchronicles.de/topics/256

We need to decide whether to add back any spike balls or whether to remove spike balls from some more levels. Once any such changes are done (probably in devel if we change this), we can finally get this ticket closed.

@ardvark71 - this is the ticket on the spike balls you asked about.