[NeoLemmix] WillLem's FestiveLems (25 Levels)

[WillLem]

Spoiler

6: I realised I could solve this one without collecting the pick-up skill - so this may not be quite in the spirit of the level!

Apjjm: Edmund Highlemming

WillLem put an icicle trap at the bottom where you come out of the fat mountain. This makes your route look like a second intended solution. But who am I to judge.

Spoiler

Yes, this backroute was made impossible in the original version of this level (from my 2019 Christmas Pack, upon which many of these levels are based). I decided to make it an alternative route in this version; those who want the shortest & most economical route can go this way, whilst those who want the scenic route can take the upper path across the top of the mountain, which is more interesting

Race Against The Race Against Clichés

Either it's a glaring backroute because I don't bash through the one-way pillar and the bashing is intended, or it's exactly the intended solution and the one-way arrows are a lovely red herring.

Race Against The Race Against Cliches

I think I got in the habit of always associating OWA's with the Keep Your Hair On Mr. Lemming solution!

Spoiler

Indeed, the OWW is there to prevent Bashing straight through the pipe rather than being part of the puzzle, so I guess they are a bit herringy

Simon's jumping from the top of the OWW pillar is a nice touch

Really loving these replays guys, keep them coming

[Apjjm]

New post for some more replays - enjoying the daily solves so far, and the last two levels have been quite open ended so I imagine there are probably some interesting challenge solutions to these. Looking forward to starting the next rank

[Silken Healer]

Stage Presents

I struggled with this level quite a bit because I am not used to skill pickups, I think this was a good level to introduce me to it though. Also struggled quite a bit on where I was supposed to use the cloner.

[Silken Healer]

Jingle All The Way

Fun level.

Also level 11 is coming, just struggling with with it. Nearly caught up though so that's good.

[Silken Healer]

Return To CindyLand

This solution was really messy and didn't save all lems, I only saving it so I can be caught up for the bonus level, maybe I'll save all lems again one day

[WillLem]

Feedback on recent replays:

Stage Presents

Both Silken and Simon solved this without using the second Cloner (apart from to meet the save requirement); it seems that the second Cloner is really just there to speed the solution up slightly. I guess I didn't realise that it doesn't actually form a necessary part of the solution. I like that it's there though, since I always reach for it when playing through this level. Apjjm uses it in exactly the same way that I do, incidentally

Return To Cindyland

All very different and inventive solutions, great to see!

Both Apjjm and Silken used a glaring backroute which I'm surprised I didn't spot. This level is a carryover from my Xmas SUPERLEMMINGS pack, originally written for SuperLemmini where the steel blocks are allowed to extend fully below the snow. Of course, in NeoLemmix they become ineffective when partially submerged. Since this level re-appears later in the pack in another version, I probably will release a fix for this...

Jingle All The Way

These have been my favourite replays to watch so far. I had a lot of fun putting this level together and it's great to see the different ways it can be navigated.

@Silken - You definitely seem to have a preference for taking the alternate routes around these levels, some of which I didn't even spot myself. Nice work!

@Simon and Apjjm - You both used the same method to make the Mary Poppins' Land-style drop obstacle safe! I like you're thinking, very cheeky!

Fun fact: Simon was the only player to use the originally intended method of controlling the crowd (in the first version of this level from 2019). The introduction of Laserers into this level makes other methods possible, and preferable.

[WillLem]

Updated levels

Please download the full pack to get the latest version. Thanks



OK. I said I wouldn't do this again, but... well, two levels are affected by the one backroute here (they're alternative versions of the same level), so it seemed both worth it and necessary. Here are the updated versions of the levels.

Santa 11 Return To Cindyland (place into NeoLemmix/levels/WillLem's FestiveLems/Santa)
Satan 11 Escape From Cindyland (place into NeoLemmix/levels/WillLem's FestiveLems/Satan)

If you already have the pack, simply replace these levels. Or, you can always re-download the pack if you prefer.

So, let's hope I don't have to do this again Note that the original replays I provided still solve these levels including any talismans.



Those who have already provided replays prior to the levels being fixed are assured that their solutions will still count for the purposes of the "Advent Challenge," and will still receive the bonus prize level on Christmas Day if all remaining levels are also successfully completed. Of course, if you wish to re-submit a replay for the new version, this will be very welcome.

Anybody submitting replays after this update is asked to please provide replays for the updated versions of the levels. Thanks

[Silken Healer]

All For One

Only was able to save one lemming, but that is probably the max intended due to the level name and skill count. Which is quite a clever concept, nice level!

[Simon]

Thanks for the feedback!

Rebel without a Claus

It looks like the bridge streching is necessary. If I don't stretch, the athlete dies.

But your design idea fundamentally would work without stretching. Can you tweak the distance to avoid the need for stretching? Then you will work with the UI instead of against it: Lemmings gives you ample time to assign to the shrugger, producing unstretched bridges, and NL offers limited queuing that also produces unstretched bridges.

Surprised how nontrivial the level felt, even though the terrain leaves zero choice after counting the required number of bridges to the exit.

Marshmallow Land II

The placement of the flamethrowers allow healthy walking underneath. It feels like you fell prey to the #1 usability sin of NL physics, putting the lemmings' pin in the ground under the foot instead of in the foot.

Given deadly flamethrowers, it looks like crowd control can be identical and trailblazing still very similar, again leading to merely walking over the cat.

-- Simon

[Silken Healer]

Marshmallow Land II

Might be a backroute, probably not. Infact I did the exact same thing as Simon apart from using a builder instead of a platformer and vise-versa at the start and end

(I'm still trying to beat rebel without a claus, but I need a hint.)

[Silken Healer]

Mary Christmas w/ Gold Talisman

This level seemed easier than it should of been... I even managed to get the gold talisman on my normal playthrough. Still need that hint on rebel without a claus btw

[Silken Healer]

A Rebel Without A Claus

I got a hint to beat this level, which was watching a bit of WillLem beating it which pretty much gave it away but I am still glad I beat it otherwise I would've been stuck on this for ageeeeeeeees

[WillLem]

Rebel without a Claus

It looks like the bridge streching is necessary. If I don't stretch, the athlete dies.

But your design idea fundamentally would work without stretching. Can you tweak the distance to avoid the need for stretching? Then you will work with the UI instead of against it: Lemmings gives you ample time to assign to the shrugger, producing unstretched bridges, and NL offers limited queuing that also produces unstretched bridges.

The level can actually be played pause-free by switching between the skills regularly during the setup; the level was designed around this concept really, so admittedly it probably doesn't translate all that well to "text editor"-style playing

Spoiler

That said, I would've thought the fact that it can be completed in real-time means that the more tool-assisted approach should make it easier to bring the timings together. It's not as precise as you think; the placement of the flamethrower offers considerable margin for Builder placement.

Meanwhile, yours and Silken's solutions to Marshmallow Land II are indeed backroutes; I'll get this fixed.

Mary Christmas w/ Gold Talisman

This level seemed easier than it should of been... I even managed to get the gold talisman on my normal playthrough. Still need that hint on rebel without a claus btw

Yes, all three of you backrouted this one! Fix will follow.

Regarding a hint for Rebel:

Spoiler

Shimmiers are the key to this level, and it only takes 5 Builders to get from the crystal to the exit platform.

EDIT: Glad to see you solved it, Silken

[Silken Healer]

Satan 5 looks IMPOSSIBLE . Also do the backroutes solution still count towards the bonus level without re-beating them?

[WillLem]

Updated levels

Please download the full pack to get the latest version. Thanks



Mumbled apology. I really hope these are the last updates!

Satan 03 Marshmallow Land II
Satan 04 Mary Christmas - including new replay
(Place levels into NeoLemmix/levels/WillLem's FestiveLems/Satan)

If you already have the pack, simply replace these levels. Or, you can always re-download the pack if you prefer.

The original replay for Marshmallow Land II still works. Mary Christmas now has a new replay, which solves the talisman.



Those who have already provided replays prior to the levels being fixed are assured that their solutions will still count for the purposes of the "Advent Challenge," and will still receive the bonus prize level on Christmas Day if all remaining levels are also successfully completed. Of course, if you wish to re-submit a replay for the new version, this will be very welcome.

Anybody submitting replays after this update is asked to please provide replays for the updated versions of the levels. Thanks