Jumping Puzzle Feedback [Merged]
I’ll say it again: platform mechanics do not belong in an MMO unless they develop controls and cameras and geometry to accommodate it, and they have simply not.
I’ll say it again: platform mechanics do not belong in an MMO unless they develop controls and cameras and geometry to accommodate it, and they have simply not.
There’s nothing wrong with jumping puzzles, but the majority of the playerbase despises timed jumping puzzles. The majority of gamers despise them. That’s why you don’t see them often, and when you do (Alice) games get REAMED for it in reviews.
I’ll say it again: platform mechanics do not belong in an MMO unless they develop controls and cameras and geometry to accommodate it, and they have simply not.
There’s nothing wrong with jumping puzzles, but the majority of the playerbase despises timed jumping puzzles. The majority of gamers despise them. That’s why you don’t see them often, and when you do (Alice) games get REAMED for it in reviews.
I’m sure part of the reason is for their tech… they can’t handle many players in the same area, so they have to “queue” them on a snowball platform, then released them, then kill any players who didn’t make the first jump. This keeps that zone uncluttered.
And it makes players take an artificially long time to complete, just what they want, so the content “feels” substantial.
It’s sad that such a potentially great and well-designed MMO world is going to waste away and become a “platform” game as the reason people come back to play, when it can’t hold a candle to real platform games.
This puzzle is a lot easier than the clock tower, but what I don’t understand is why there needs to be a timer. This is supposed to be a FUN event you can enjoy for a few weeks of winter right? If the timer is there to make it a ‘challenge’, why does there only have to be only ONE level? Why can’t the timer or difficulty scale so some of us more challenged individuals can actually complete the thing, at least on a lower level.
Let there be jumping puzzle ranks that the talented people can achieve without excluding us clowns. I spent close to three hours last night and never made the peppermints. If the timer was maybe 5 seconds slower, I probably could have completed it, but instead I just feel I wasted my time. Jumping puzzles are fun, timers are NOT.
Was good, Mad King jump puzzle was better. I like both overall.
The Warrior turns to the guardian and says, “Did you hear something?”
Guardian replies, “No, but how’d the elementalist die?”
This time around it’s a lot better than the Clocktower … that one was just brutal and not a lot of fun IMHO. I still wish for a more ‘segregated’ experience – even though it’s a lot better with the multiple paths, I still find the crowding a bit uncomfortable, especially with large norn and charr characters around.
I logged in very early this morning, and managed to complete the JP with only myself in it most of the time, which was much more enjoyable.
It would be really cool to jump into the action faster after a fail. The wait becomes … boring!
Also, the rolling snowballs towards the end are very unkind to people having 200+ ms latency, especially if you’re in overflow. The lag spikes give you a false impression of where you are – you think you’re out of the snowball’s path, only to be knocked off from what you thought was a a position of safety. Not cool.
Perhaps ArenaNet should tweak these events, the timers etc. in such a way that it takes into account the latency issues on the overflow server(s).
On a positive note – it’s been a really fun Wintersday overall so far. So a big thank you to the holiday team. Love your work.
(edited by Makovorn.1706)
I like it but I think its way too easy – I was a fan of the Halloween one for its difficulty tbh.
Anet, next time please don’t listen to whiners who complain that it’s too hard because that’s what made it so fun!
The puzzle is so easy! I finished it in my 2nd try… Way easier then the tower of the Mad King :/
I was having a lot of trouble with this puzzle too. Then I decided to change my resolution from 1920×1080 to 1024×768.
The difference this made was insane. Sure the game looks crap but for some reason (FPS I think) the JP became a kitten ton easier and I was able to finish it within 10mins after doing that,
Conceptually, I like jumping puzzles, a lot, actually. I don’t like it when they have a ‘time’ component to them. I don’t particularly care when they have monsters and such either. I like the two WvW puzzles? I mean, when they aren’t being camped. The puzzles themselves are fun.
So I tried clock tower maybe 5 times, I gave up rather quickly, because I knew what would happen if I kept trying. I don’t have a good personality for things like that. So when I heard this puzzle had a timed component, I tried 3 times, and that was it.
So for me, jumping puzzles that have any sort of timed or other mechanic that makes me have to make any jump at a pace that isn’t my own, will just become like dungeons to me (which I don’t care for after years and years of the same sort of experiences, drama, stress, bullying, etc).
But…that is just a comment on the mechanic and how I feel about it. I’m sure the puzzle is awesome and people are enjoying it. I don’t think the thing shouldn’t exist because “I” don’t like it, that’s crazy. I think it’s unfortunate for the people that wanted something harder, as to me, it’s no different than when I want something in the game (like a Velvet Hose skirt without the hose…hint hint), and don’t get it. I sympathize.
Maybe next time they’ll design the puzzles with about 3 levels of difficulty with 3 different achievements related to them? The super-tough Mad King style puzzle, something in between (like, I’m guessing, Wintersday is, based on comments), and then a whimpy puzzle with no time factor (I’m ok with obstacles like fire, wind, light, that sort of thing…maybe the occassional monster), and have a “Really, that’s all the better you can do?” achievement associated with it.
I absolutely, utterly ADORE this jumping puzzle. Like, a lot. The Clocktower was a bit too hard for my tastes, but this was juuuuuust right. Instead of ten hours, it took me an hour and a half, and it was a blast the whole time.
More like this, please!
Bizzarre, I was farming the clocktower … but this one I’ve been trying an hour and half and still haven’t done it. life is a mystery sometimes!
I liked it. It was by far easier than the clock tower, but I am not sure that is a bad thing. I liked how it had a bunch of elements in it and not just jumping crazy, dodging the snowballs at the end is fun. I thought it was fun and it looks really nice.
Here is a video for you guys who hasnt made the puzzle!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n96acAetIiQ
I like the jumping puzzles, there should be really hard ones and really ez ones throughout the lands…
I really wish that it didn’t remove traited health, I went from 25k Hp to 17k HP. So when I first got to the final box I had 600 hp left and died inches from completing it. But I did manage to complete it 10 tries later.
That being said, it is a god send that the pack gets split up into 3? possible jump routes. It would have been HORRID if everyone followed one path!
Actualy rather annoyed by this puzzle, even more so than the Clock Tower, yet again, I get paired with giant characters so I can’t see myself or where I’m positioned, time after time, It’s always with a few giant characters or many little characters which adds to the difficulty because I still can’t see myself, the melting snowflakes, don’t give me enough time to time my jumps so i end up panicing and jumping too soon, and on the rare occasion of jumping through a perfectly solid untouched snowflake, I haven’t made it to the presents yet, because I can’t get past the candy sticks that stick out of those towers.
If they were instants in which you could invite a party to do it with then it would be much more “controlled”
(edited by RubberNinja.6470)
Maybe a gauntlet style jump puzzle.
You could handle that any better than timed jump puzzles, Munson?
I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets teleported back to the start for no obvious reason? That added with the wait is what is putting me off this puzzle.
I love this jumping puzzle, I find it fun even when I fail. I think it’s at a perfect difficulty level.
50/50 GWAMM x3
I quit how I want
Maybe a gauntlet style jump puzzle.
You could handle that any better than timed jump puzzles, Munson?
You’re operating under the assumption that those of us with complaints haven’t completed the content we’re complaining about.
This one was actually easier the halloween
I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets teleported back to the start for no obvious reason? That added with the wait is what is putting me off this puzzle.
That happened to me once. I had reached the first present jump bit and was making my way up when … bam! back to the start for no obvious reason.
All i can think is what that it was down to latency and the server having me placed in its mind where I was not (on my screen.)
Hey! I’m from ReverzedEchoes and we have uploaded a guide on how to complete the new jumping puzzle, The Winter Wonderland with commentary.
I’m from norway so my english voice may not be that good, but I hope you understand.
This will hopefully help you guys who are stuggling on completing it.
Please give it a view anyways to give us feedbacks on what we should do better
Thanks for your time Guild Wars players!
Merry Christmas everyone!
(edited by Leet.2608)
I only have 3 issues.
First. Have a slightly longer timer after loading the actual puzzle. Now I often finish loading when people are already jumping. I still make it, but other people with the same problem might run into issues. To be honest one time I finished loading after the first snowflake had already disappeared making it impossible to even start.
Secondly 2 times I got hit by the rolling snowball even though I was standing on the safe spot. Both times it was after the turn on the big lollipop thingee.
Thirdly the one time I jumped into the big gift box, but instead of being ported into the chest area I was ported back to the start.
Other than that it’s a nice jumping puzzle, I wouldn’t mind it being a bit more difficult personally.
Logged in, as soon as I landed in the puzzle zone to see a bunch of norn and charr (big avatars obscuring landing areas etc) and a timer put me off immediately. Had one half hearted go then logged off. Another timed fiasco like MKCT, be it easier or not, is a big no. Way to throw a spanner in the works at the first stop Anet..
Ok update: I made it to the end, finally, but I died before I could jump into the present box because I start with just over 10k health, so getting to the end is gunna be nie on impossible.
…Thanks Anet, you really know how to make me ragequit.
(edited by RubberNinja.6470)
Way too easy & no reward at the end? Thanks for listening to the whiners, Arenanet.
Yeah they need to change the start time. I have entered it about 15 times this morning and every time as soon as I load I see the second or third snowflake melting away and I immediately get booted. Not even a chance to start.
This jumping puzzle is threatening to destroy the game for me. I have pretty much all the JP’s in the game, which I managed due to being able to just sit back and enjoy myself, stop somewhere and have a cup of tea, sort my kids out, whatever. Timed puzzles just suck so hard. I’ve tried this winter one ten times (my max before I get seriously hacked off) and have just given up in a ragequit – too short on snowflake time and stupid waiting times for the next run have made this the least fun event in the game so far. >:(
Edit: there will always be pros who get things right first time. We’re not all as wonderful as you are, so stop pointing and laughing at us who aren’t as quick as you. Would be nice if the devs realised this too.
(edited by Blitzkrieg.8436)
I would like to have different difficulties for future EVENT puzzles. Rewards should be the same (since it’s just event items anyway) but I’d be happy to allow for different achievements, and the hardest version could even have a snazzy title going with it. I don’t want to have to stress through a puzzle, scrabbling to keep up with the pace someone else decided for me, which will ultimately have me fail. (Not to mention when one of the kids demands my attention. RL happens, and for some it happens more regularly then others). So I would like a version where I can take my time and smell the roses. And then the ones good at jumping are welcome to their hard as hell, run-as-fast-as-you-can-and-then-some version.
Lol the puzzle was really easy, took me about 4 tries then I had it mastered.
I’ll say it again: platform mechanics do not belong in an MMO unless they develop controls and cameras and geometry to accommodate it, and they have simply not.
The controls are fluid enough for me. Better than WOW and SWTOR I’d say. I was also brought up with platform games, so probably why the puzzle wasn’t really that hard for me.
If you’re having issues jumping to the next platform. Just face down and focus on the next platform, it makes it pretty easily to judge where to land.
Can use this video as an example if you like:
Where is the Jumping puzzle located?
The entire of GW2 should not be designed around a minority of players who have trouble. Pretty silly thing to say.
Wow. Way to support someone with a disability. A solution is easy-make 2 or 3 levels of difficulty. Easy=slow melting snowflakes. Hard=fast melting. You get the same achievement but better rewards for the harder one. Simple.
Completely agree and some races are harder to jump with. I just skip this timed garbage.
I think this JP was easier than Mad King too, though I can see how people have trouble, it gets more stressful with a timer. Also I don’t think those holiday event JPs and other stuff should be too hard, I think everyone should be able to enjoy them. Maybe two versions, one timed and one “slower”?
I thought of checking it, my fps were at 35 +/-. I’d also tried it with higher graphics, in case I wasn’t seeing an effect that could’ve killed me/made me fail.. All that changed is my screen loaded too late and the flakes were already melting…
I managed to do the puzzle 4 times, still getting some random fails :1
Heh. Kinda feels like the game is pre-emptively figuring out that i’m not gonna make it, so it kicks me off lol
The puzzle can be accessed by speaking to a NPC named Festive Youth on the Northwest side of the Mystic Forge in Lion’s Arch.
I like this jumping puzzle. I like how it gives you random paths to go unlike the Clock Tower. I think it’s waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay easier than the Clock Tower though.
My only real complaint about this jumping puzzle is……….no epic music like in the Clock Tower! ANET, add some epic music to this jp please.
There needs to be different difficulties. For some reason, I cannot do timed jumping events like this well. I can only imagine how many people can’t do this content because they’re in the same boat, and don’t want to put time into something this frustrating to them.
If people want harder jumping events, give it to them. But also give medium and difficulties levels because I wont even go to the next jumping event if it stays this way.
And also, Char make these events stupid. 1) you can’t do them as well on a char because you character blocks those little platforms and 2) when there’s a char on your path, YOU can’t do it because they’re wide and large bodies block your view of the platforms.
Little bit let down because how easy it was, I did it after 3 times, about 8 – 10 minutes.
Oh well, I guess you have to be nice on Winter’s Day.
When I enter the JP for wintersday, I get an overflow window and I have to close it to continue. This is an issue because by the time I close it, the snowflake you have to jump on is already disintegrating.
HeroQuest, Talisman, Heroscape, Munchkin Quest
DungeonQuest, Dungeon Run etc…
Did this jumping puzzle on the first try, my gf and several other friends completed it within the first 5 tries. Much too easy, the mad kings clock tower was incredible, we were really looking forward to something like that
ah well, thanks for trying anet.
LOL! I forgot to put in the link to the video xD
The video has been put in now
(edited by Leet.2608)
1. Takes too long to start.
2. Timed puzzles aren’t fun. (But puzzles with timing ARE fun.)
3. We need difficulty levels for these jumping puzzles.
THIS
I don’t mind puzzles that you have to time your jumps just right, but forcing players to progress forward at a rate some (if not many) can move? Bad form
My thoughts exactly. Add difficulty levels for the next event and make the easiest mode so that you don’t have a timer or at least don’t link one’s success to other people’s runspeed. falling down just because you’re slower than someone else is a very poor choice, imo.
Renth/Eirik
[DP] Diamond Pirates
Well after mastering clocktower, the winter puzzle is WAY TOO EASY, And dont really see other ways to make it harder than make a longer one, dunno is it really so much easier or did i just get too good farming clocktower
Sir Elron Noki – Warrior lv80
Server: Gunnar’s Hold
Ok update: I made it to the end, finally, but I died before I could jump into the present box because I start with just over 10k health, so getting to the end is gunna be nie on impossible.
…Thanks Anet, you really know how to make me ragequit.
The status effect takes a % of your health every second.
It does twice as much damage a tick to someone who has 20k health than 10k.
So in the end, it doesnt matter what your maximum health is.
Overall feedback: This was too easy.
Apathy Inc [Ai]
Just thought we should start a feedback thread so we can tell ANet what we liked/didn’t like about the new jumping puzzle and suggestions for future jumping puzzles because I have seen multiple threads about this for very specific parts of them.
First off, I like the timed jumping puzzles.
It makes them more intense to get them right as fast as possible.
I also like constant freeze damage so you cant just take it nice and slow so you have to run it literally for your life.
I will say that it wasn’t as hard as the Mad King Clock Tower so ANet, MAKE THEM HARDER!!!!
Something I can complete in 5mins is not hard enough
Don’t listen to the people who say they are too hard. They are just not putting in the time or effort and solely want the rewards for it so they can get their weapon/armor skins.
For me, the challenge is a big part of the reward.So in short from me, Harder Jumping Puzzle = Better Jumping Puzzle.
I think its difficult enough,not everyone is this good at jumping puzzles,remember this.It already can be quite hard for some people,you have to think about these people aswell.Not only the people that want everything on insane mode.Clocktower people complained it was to difficult,now they complain its to easy ? Come one…
My only complaint is that the wait time is too long. Rest of the puzzle is great.