Based on the popularity of my last ROM hack post, I will be playing more of them. [They are also one of my favorite types of video games, so it works out for me too]. If you have no idea what a ROM hack is, very briefly it is when you learn the "science" of how a game is programmed and then you "hack" [re-program] a game into a unique, fan made creation. [If you are confused, just read on].
A good ROM hacker leaves his mark all over the game. If you just change Mario into Luigi, but the rest of the game is the same, it's not really a ROM hack [in my opinion]. I love this title page and they way they added LDD, which stand for the name of this ROM hack - Lugs Delightful Dioramas.
The one major critique of this ROM hack I have is that some of the map designs are a bit too simple, especially the main map [castle area]. Then again, it's completely different than the original main castle area, which is cool. The area [above] is where you start the game off. There is no outside [the castle] area in this game like the beginning of Super Mario 64.
The first level is an ice world. It's a bit simple, you can tell it's fan made. It's still a pretty "cool" concept though [tee-hee-hee]. It's a very steep level with large frozen towers that you must climb by wall jumping. I've noticed that a lot of these ROM hacks are made for more advanced players. Whoever made this just assumes that you know how to wall jump. It's basically like a sequel to Super Mario 64.
I love how ridiculously tall the first map is. Is there a single map this tall in Super Mario 64? That's why ROM hacked maps are so great. You can make the tallest peak taller, or make a small lake into the deepest ocean. The sky is literally the limit. Unless you can't wall jump ... then you are f$%#ed.
The weirdest part of this game is the constant dry humor in the game text. It makes the game like a weird comedy movie starring Mario. The text is like something from Monty Python or Robinhood: Men In Tights. [I suppose that is what makes this Lugs Delightful Dioramas and not Super Mario 64].
Level 2 is a bit of a mind f$%@.
Remember when I said this game is basically a sequel to Super Mario 64? Level 2 proves this beyond a shadow of a doubt. You have to time your jumps [off poles] perfectly or you will fall off the edge of the map. If Super Mario 64 was a bit too easy for you ... maybe you are a speedrunner .. then this game is perfect for you!
You have to do some pretty advanced moves for this being level 2: Like this backflip into a wall jump. If you don't fully understand the Super Mario 64 game mechanics: You basically cannot complete this ROM hack.
The coolest part of this ROM hack is that every level has a difficult to find warp tube: Which leads to a secret area with 3 stars. This secret area is usually different than the actual level. It's like a separate mini level. Some of these secret areas are very fun and bazaar.
Level 3 is a brick staduim up in the air. I like this map it's well put together and fun to play. Every star is very different but it's the same map. The first star, you have to battle a brick boss from Super Mario 64, but there are tons of tiny bombs in your way this time.
Star 2 on Level 3 is a giant block tower that you must climb by breaking in a correct order. Prepare to rage quit on this star. It's easy to mess up and then the tower is not climbable.
Star 3 of Level 3 is a toss up mini game. You need to get tossed up to the star in the air. It's really difficult and basically random [at least I can't figure out how to line it up]. You just have to try and try until you get it randomly. Another major rage quit moment.
Once you have 8 stars, you can enter a new area in the "castle" with new levels.
Level 4 is a "belly of the beast" type world. It reminds me of Ocarina of Time dungeons where you go inside giant monsters to beat them. At this point of the game, you are basically required to be an elite level player. There is instant kill lava and very difficult jumping type puzzles.
Level 5 is a haunted house world. It has one of the easiest to find secret warp tube [some of the other ones I haven't even found yet]. Just head right into the building area and jump up the boxes. Then do a double jump into the tube.
Overall I would give this game a 7/10. It's a very playable alternative to Super Mario 64. The game is difficult, but not because of glitches or anything like that. The levels have cool designs, although they are a bit simplistic. The game has lots of tall map areas and is focused on parkour. If you are bad a jumping style puzzles and complex moves like a backflip into a wall jump, you will not be able to complete this game.
I have played this game twice so far and the farthest I could get both times was the fifth level. I'm not even clear on how to access the sixth level. There seems to be a puzzle inside the "castle" with an underwater switch and a pink bomb behind bars in the side of the hill. It's all a bit of a mystery really. I'm sure eventually I will figure it out. I'm guessing when you get X amount of stars, the water drains. Then when you hit the switch the bars around the pink bomb come up. Then when you talk to the pink bomb it of course unlocks a cannon, which I assume will launch you into an area with new levels.