Underwater Levels SUCK and you shouldn't like them!!!

Channel:

The Artist Mark Flynn

Subscribers:

27,500

Published on April 19, 2021 4:55:34 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYYjuRnGV9Y

Game:

Super Mario 3D World (2013)

Duration: 14:41

15,225 views

1,093

#waterlevelssuck #waterlevels #theartistmarkflynn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/artistmarkflynn
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theartistmarkflynn

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The ocean is often associated with inner peace, tranquillity and nature's beauty. The sound of the waves, a scenic view… Way back when, humanity stared out at the deep blue abyss and wondered what lay beneath…

Unfortunately, mankind's discoveries influenced our video games.

I’ve never shied away from my love for platforming games. Whether they are 2D side scrollers or 3D collectathons, they have shaped my gaming experiences and feature some of my favourite childhood memories; but even in adulthood there is a nagging gameplay element that always floods into my fun. I HATE underwater levels and I don’t think I’m alone.

This video concept first popped into my head during a playthrough of the recently released Switch port of Super Mario 3D World. I was enjoying the game, steaming through levels and having a blast. However, when it came to collecting the green stars to draw the game to its conclusion, I noticed there were particular levels I’d been avoiding, and there was a definite link between them.

And that’s when it all came back to me and it sent me for a loop. My mind filled with anxiety and flashbacks passed me by….

I was drowning.

The topic of underwater levels in video games is one that has been met with immediate hostility. I’ve asked friends, I’ve asked subscribers and I’ve even asked other YouTubers for their thoughts on them and the reaction has been surprisingly similar across the board. Almost a unanimous sense of hostility, with a hint of: ‘they can be alright.’ I wonder what encourages that?

I asked my girlfriend what she thought of underwater levels too; as she isn’t as game obsessed as me she’ll often offer a unique perspective that I haven’t already anticipated. She answered me with this statement:

“I don’t like them, they are hard to use.”

… We both shared a laugh at the grammar of that sentence, but I do think she’s fundamentally onto something. There is something obtuse in the design of underwater levels that can feel aggravating and unsatisfying. But is it as simple as one issue?
I’m not criticising the quality of any of the platformers shown in this video today, in fact I’d say they're all bonafide classics. I’m simply looking to explore why these levels bring about a negative connotation and whether my prejudice towards them is justified.

As always before we get started, please like the video, drop a comment and hit the notification bell if you’d like to help this channel out.

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