FourthReaper wrote:
@BlumCoLe: Thanks a bunch for creating that walkthrough, just hoping that people aren't going to spoil things for themselves due to the ease of doing just that.

I wouldn't worry about that. I believe most people understand there's not much point to playing a puzzle game once you've seen a walkthrough. People tend to go out of their way to not see spoilers(hence the spoiler tags being highly encouraged) until they've completed the map or feel that they've exhausted all possibilities and are truly stuck on a puzzle.

FourthReaper wrote:
EDIT: Btw, I'd appreciate if no one would make a walkthrough on the Den. That would make looking for it less rewarding for others. If you can't find it, sorry. (See my hint back a page)

Err, that's exactly what my demo file is, a walkthrough on the Den. Do you want me to take it off the site?

@Adair: Ah well, nevermind, you convinced me just there.
You really don't have to take it off. Besides, I didn't even know how to open it. I'm sure others do, but it's no big deal. Forget what I said, and thanks for the offer.

EDIT: And oh yeah, looking back at your post, I seemed to have been okay with it from the start. I forgot, silly me.

Ok, sorry ...now I put my videos in big spoilers always.
The preview picture reveals too much sometimes.

My walkthroughs should be useful ONLY for players who try and try and try and ..., but cannot solve the puzzle.
for example: post44772.html#p44772

Everyone who watch walkthroughs before he plays or after a few minutes of attempts is boring and forgets what makes Portal so unique and interesting!

Made it to the den. One question though... is there anything to do in there? Kinda looks like one needs to try to get to the room with the button in it.

Here's my proof that I've been there and it exists. I got there by normal means without using the no-clip option.

2011-07-23_00001.jpg

• TechOwl -

@BlumCoLe: Thanks for the effort. And I understand why you do this, I was just thinking out loud. No need to appologise. Still, I think the bigspoiler thing is a good idea, not just for my map, but for any video.

@Techowl: I believe you, no need for proof. But yeah, there is something to do there, definitely. Pretty sure that's the easy part,though, if you just wait for a moment and think things through. Sorry, not gonna' give you the full solution just yet.

Also, people, ### Version 1.1 of my map is out. Please vote and report any bugs to me, and blah,blah,blah....

In the first room, there's a destruction prop right near the laser emitter. That keeps you from being able to keep a laser cube completely level with the ground and utterly annihilates any accurate aiming as a result. In the second room, with the way I did it you sort of needed to aim a laser through portals without the laser actually going through the portals while aiming, so some placement helpers would be appreciated.

OK I got the extra thing figured out in the den. Of course it's like "Well DUH" when you get it solved. Could have used more confetti though, and the good stuff, not the usual everyday kind.

• TechOwl -
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Short, entertaining, and visually pleasing. The part where the laser served to enable itself was fantastic.
I felt that some of the portal helpers were a bit blatant (I think there are helpers used in some of the laser-involving Wheatley chambers that correct your aim from a distance but don't prevent you from placing a portal with precision if you want to), but other than that I have no qualms. Except that perhaps the choice of music was a bit plain to go with such detailed graphics.

@BOB74j: I don't really understand what solution you used. Rest assured that any portals you need to place in the first chamber are accompanied by helpers. Could you maybe post a screenshot of your solution? I'd appreciate if -if you do post one- you would tag it as a big spoiler, so no one sees it immediately.

@Techowl: I'll see what I can do. Maybe the robot disassembly machine could wade through some premium quality paper, just for you .

@NuclearDuckie: Yeah, it's pretty hard to determine where people will want placement helpers, and how big the AOE should be. And I guess audio isn't my strongest power. I always forget to add that or do it near completion of a map (like I did now). Oh, and I could not find any good party music though, so I used "Want You Gone". That's a bit too simple, I guess, so I do understand...

Found a bug: Warning: Screenshot contains Spoilers!

@Another Bad Pun: Thanks for reporting that. Guess that is a pretty strange sight. Not game-changing, but still, I'll see what I can do.

Valid puzzler in better than average, personal Decay style: such care for detail leaves no afterthoughts, but the author does pop up here and there. Variety takes a hit due to just 2 chambers both dedicated to lasers, but expect lenght be vastly impacted by your expertise with the specifics.

To its merit, neither of the puzzles descend into multilasers excess: in a way, tieing this one to Discouragement Encouragement in themes and range. Suggested unless you hate lasers, the only mixed impression I had is with the general brightness.

There's part of the solution I tried to use. Basically, the cube would direct the laser through a portal to the right of the entry door when facing back towards the entryway and out through the other portal to strike 3 relays at once with just one cube. I think it would have worked had I been able to keep the cube level.

@xdiesp: Thanks for the positive review. Although I must say that Discouragement Encouragement looks way better in my opinion. And yeah, guess the lighting in the second chamber is kinda' bright and blue-ish.

@BOB74j: I'm still a little confused. Is this the solution you thought was the right one? I think you're overthinking things. The room is supposed to be easy, and I don't think placement helpers would, well... help.

I had no idea what the right solution was. I was just looking for a solution that worked. I consider myself to be pretty good at Portal, but puzzles that involve multiple laser relays always really confuse me for some reason. So yeah, the problem I encountered was most likely exclusive to me, but I thought I would throw it out there just in case anyone else ran into it.

@BOB74j: Guess I can post a screenshot with the solution tomorrow, but for now I'm going to sleep.

EDIT: Here it is: Spoiler Alert

Very beautiful level design. The laser puzzles are great, although a bit easy. But it was clever. Thanks for the entertainment.

FourthReaper wrote:

Really diggin' that floor panel breakage there. Your map has some great attention to detail.

@Both of you: Thanks a bunch. Really happy to see such a positive reply.

Normally I don't like Laser relay based puzzles, if find them boring, arduous and a lazy attempt at a puzzle. And of course this map is no exception. I did how every really like the maps design, layout and ambience.