Crystal Caves HD level review: "Camembert Quarry" by Vortale
Channel: timixretroplays
Date: 2022-08-25

Click "show more" to see the level review.
0:00 - scouting begins
8:17 - the final run

I'm trying something a bit different with this series: This is my first playthrough of this level, followed by enough attempts to finish with perfect health at least once. It's not a flawless playthrough, but that's the point - you can practically see my brain grinding to a halt as I'm confronted with puzzle after puzzle. Hopefully it's of interest not just to the original author, but also anyone looking for insight into how another player goes about learning a new level.

Review: Oh boy, this one felt tough. There were definitely a lot of little tricks and traps, and I became pretty determined to get one good run through where I remembered to dodge all of them. It's not a super mean level - maybe except an order-of-operations trap with a fruit pickup - there's just a lot going on, everywhere. It's also probably not the level for people with trypophobia.

I love the design of this one. It's non-linear, surprisingly open, and with terrain that looks and feels super organic. There's even a gaping hole in the ceiling with lava pouring through - not a feature you'd want in your living room, but cool to see in a crystal cave, for sure. It felt like another ammo scarcity level, but that's probably because I chose a bonkers route that just made it harder on myself.

It's cool to see heavily themed levels that really only feature one or two colours, but especially when it's this stark, I feel like it could have done with some more differently-coloured crystals and other enemies. Something to soften the blow of dying in lava over and over and over - but maybe that's just me. That said, I do like all the scenery and item choices, especially the combination here of the yellow disappearing platforms - that was a good little puzzle that made me think and re-think my plan every time, and putting them on a nearly black background is inspired.

This one wouldn't be that hard if all you wanted was the crystals, but if you want perfect health and all the visible items, you're going to have to fight for it - I certainly did. Having watched @Vortale put himself through some of my levels before, I feel this is fair.

Say hi on Twitter if you've made a level and would like to see it reviewed: https://twitter.com/timixretroplays

Come chat about Crystal Caves HD and Secret Agent HD on the Emberheart Games discord: https://discord.gg/pCdc9Wh5kv