Beneath Sand and Rock

I'll beam you out after I finish my soap opera.

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6th: Beneath Sand and Rock Make a Good Mega Man Level 2

Overview Creator(s): The Stove Guy Programmer(s): The Stove Guy Artist(s): The Stove Guy Composer(s): Bulby Statistics Scores: 46 38 40 46 47 Total: 43.4 / 50 Rank: 6th Elements: 1 Collectables: 2 Nickels Enemies: Jet Buton Jumbig Pickelman Bull Ratton Sasoreena Skull Walker Tatebo Totem Pole Up n' Down Bosses: 8 Centipeder Tower

Theme Music Donkey Kong Country - Fear Factory, Go K.K. Rider Stage Order Location: Tier 10 Previous: Cyber Man (stage) Next: Quarantine Woman (stage)

"These ruins have slept for thousands of years under sand and rock. However, one day, they were reawakened by a man named Dr. Wily. Remodified into a super secret hideout, these ruins have lost their original purpose, which will remain a mystery for eternity. But there are still a lot of questions surrounding this place: Who built them? Why were they built here? Why were they abandoned? And what emits those screams that can be heard in the distance? "

―Hidden sign, giving this level the deepest lore

Overview

This level has Mega Man explore an ancient temple. Like most ancient temples, it is filled with puzzles involving keys, deadly spikes and pests. It also has a Wave Bike section at the end, which is rather unique for an ancient temple.

Strategy

The first Noble Nickel requires collecting all the keys. After unlocking the doors containing the Tatebo, make sure you have one extra key before jumping down the pit. A door containing the Noble Nickel appears shortly after that pit, which the final key will be needed to unlock.

To get the last Noble Nickel, go to the top right in the room with the Tatebo, Up N' Down, and Skull Walker. It will take you to the room with the Noble Nickel.

Reception

Judge Comments
snoruntpyro  : 46 / 50
Design Fun Creativity Aesthetics Functionality Skip Teleporter? 15 / 15 9 / 10 12 / 15 5 / 5 5 / 5 No I really love the whole design of the stage here - the placement of enemies is really good, and probably the only enemies I don't really like how they were used are the Jet Butons, just solely because they just tend to surprise you. The rest is really, really good, and the scorpion generators provide for a serious challenge. The Jumbig generator is really cute, too. And oh my GOD. THE UP N DOWNS. THEY'RE ACTUALLY USED WELL I LOVE HOW THEY'RE USED?????? I also really like the design of the middle section, too - the rooms with the Cossack spike blocks use them really well, and I like how you can just collect what keys you want and the extra can go towards a Noble Nickel. My fav part of the level, tho, is the Wave Bike section. It's just so perfect just romping through the whole level backwards and it's reeally clever how the whole level is built to still be threatening in the section. The boss is really fun, too - it feels like a real Mega Man fortress boss. Atmosphere of the level is really good, too. The level is overall just excellent. I love it <3
JupiHornet  : 38 / 50
Design Fun Creativity Aesthetics Functionality 11 / 15 6 / 10 15 / 15 3 / 5 3 / 5 I really liked the graphics here, and you used the keys really well and gave a clear sense of where the player should go, but there were some issues. Aesthetically, it was a bit difficult to tell the spikes apart from the background, and the music doesn't loop properly. The wave bike section towards the end felt out of place and it was hard to react to the enemies popping out of the sand. The Up N Downs were really annoying as well.
Enjl  : 40 / 50
Design Fun Creativity Aesthetics Functionality Skip Teleporter? 10 / 15 8 / 10 12 / 15 5 / 5 5 / 5 No Oh man, I really like how you move back through the level at the end (though it makes little sense since why did Mega Man not just go left to begin with?)! Really cool level with a well-executed underground desert theme. I like the little key challenges that let the player advance through the stage. The enemy placement is mostly fine, though I think the level could've done without Up n' Downs surprising the player while he's moving up and down (ha) the structure near the end. The boss fight is also a lot of fun and a great conclusion to this level.
Garirry  : 46 / 50
Design Fun Creativity Aesthetics Functionality 14 / 15 9 / 10 13 / 15 5 / 5 5 / 5 It's really, really well done. The way the stage layout was constructed was nearly perfect, and although in some cases the enemies are too hard to predict (especially the wave bike section), the level design is great. I loved it! The atmosphere was good. The level felt so "adventurous". Some sections are a bit tedious though. Nothing too special, but it's amazing! The design is really interesting and I loved how this stage was done. Excellent. Works just fine. I'm impressed by the effort put into this level. It is extremely well done, the level design is very solid, the atmosphere of this stage was fantastic. My only real complaints are the Wave Bike section, which is tedious and frustrating, and some parts of the level where enemies are frustrating to deal with. However, the positive aspects of this stage make up for the problems it has, and that is something I appreciate.
ACESpark  : 47 / 50
Design Fun Creativity Aesthetics Functionality Skip Teleporter? 14 / 15 9 / 10 14 / 15 5 / 5 5 / 5 No The opening made me smile. And then I entered the temple, and I knew I was in for something good. I'm almost wondering if this stage was made by two people. Mostly due to how the stage ends, which seems to be very different in programming to the first half. But I digress. This both does and doesn't feel like a Mega Man stage. It's clearly set up in a fashion that's alien to Mega Man, but at the same time you get the feeling this could actually fit in an Capcom title. You managed to take Devkit assets and turn them on their head. The maze-like system in this level really makes you feel like you're exploring the depths of an ancient ruin, finding the secrets within. A particular aspect I really liked, and I'm not sure how intentional this was, the fact that the player's primary cause of death is their own incompetence and damage. Sure, you put in Instant-Death, but it's not usually the cause of the player's demise. (Barring the Noble Nickel route jump. You know which one.) Of course, the coolest bit of the level has to be the ending. Both bits. I'm not spoiling this, but it was sooo fun, and really made me go ""Ok, wow. That is awesome"". Also you threw in a boss. That blindsided me. I found the secret that implies there was going to be a boss, but considering most of the stage is devkit assets, colour me surprised. It's.... pretty unique. It's one of the coolest looking bosses in the contest, I'll say that much, and he is as creative as the level: Really solid use of devkit assets involved. There are issues with the stage, but they are very minor: I feel the enemies could do with modified graphics, they seem to clash with each other (a simple recolouring would have been in order), but that is a serious nitpick, and obviously, I'm not penalising for that minor thing. The boss itself has one attack that gave me pause: I feel he fires entirely too many missiles, and they're awkward to deal with. Other than that, this stage was brilliant. Stunning tileset too.

Easter Eggs

That answers one question

After the room with the first Noble Nickel, there is a quicksand pit with two spikes. There is a small area between the spikes. Fall in between the two spikes to access a secret room which answers what's emitting those screams.

Trivia

• Beneath Sand and Rock is the only Tier 10 level to not have a boss whose name ends in "man".