Pushin Them Around

[Zu]

Designer:		Zu
Level Set:	6Ho/Ho	Area 6 "Honey I Shrunk The Gruntz" Level 21
Est. Completion:		12:00-20:00
Est. Solve:		??:??
Date Released:		August 24, 2011
Status:		Released
Notes:		Difficulty=Medium to Hard (Normal) ... to Very Hard (Timed) Size=Small (40 X 40) Density=Normal (but mostly Dense)
NORMAL version TIMER version		Forum's web host Forum's web host
		Not yet
Statz Page image		Forum's web host
Statz info.
Survivorz:		1
Deathz:		0
Toolz:		2
Toyz:		0
Powerupz:		0
Coinz:		20
Secretz:		2
		Cluez to the Switchez!
View The Map		688,328 bytez - Forum's web host

This is a little side-effect of my failed attempt to create a totally different level in a specific theme - I decided to separate this puzzle and turn it into its own level. It's a small and nice one, based solely on thinking rather than clicking (not like He Cannot Escape, which was actually requiring great amounts of both). It's all about using a sponge gun to push enemies all around the area, hence the name.

There is (or should be, at least) an in-game map of all connections between the switchez and arrowz, but here's the image version in case you need it:

img546.imageshack.us/img546/6362/pushinthemaroundswitche.png

[GooRoo]

Excellent job with creating the announcement! (But you really should change your signature line ... your English is better than many of the American teenagerz who leave e-messagez!

[GooRoo]

Gruntz Fanz, check your e-mail in-boxez! I sent this one out a few minutez ago. Due to the updating problem at GoDaddy, none of the linkz (Download, Statz Page, View the Map) are available.

The changez GoDaddy made have crippled my ability to properly maintain the Forum.

I will be spending much of the day trying to resolve the issue.

[GooRoo]

Hooray! I am once again able to update the Forum's web host, and it is now possible to download the puzzle from this thread, view the Statz Page image (showing that a "PERFECT!" result is possible), and view the game time map of the entire puzzle!

So those of you who are not Gruntz Fanz (or have changed your e-mail address without notifying me ... shame, shame!) may now download the puzzle. I will add in a link for downloading the TIMER version of the puzzle a little later.

[Zu]

Has anyone tried this level so far?

[GooRoo]

Sept 1, 2011 14:45:54 GMT -8 Zu said:

Has anyone tried this level so far?

I completed it to a "PERFECT!" score ... but with a horribly slow time ... in my verification process. If I had been attempting the TIMER version, I would have failed miserably.

One clue I would give to would-be solverz is to lob a Sponge at the GunHat Grunt furthest southeast only once ... until you are certain that it safe to "push 'im around" again ... when almost everything has been done successfully. In my verification, he was the very last Grunt to be hit a second time. Every time I hit him early, I found it impossible to reach a Switch (somewhere) that HAD to be stood upon.

The biggest difficulty for me (and consequently what I believe is the biggest drawback) is being unable to play in 1024X768 screen resolution, and not being able to see (easily) what a Grunt on a Hold Switch caused to happen. Of course, I did NOT view the provided image showing what the Switchez did, so handicapped myself considerably. I would recommend viewing that help image, and preferably printing it out, to have it handy when you (that is, anyone reading this post) work on solving this CL.

[Zu]

The biggest difficulty for me (and consequently what I believe is the biggest drawback) is being unable to play in 1024X768 screen resolution, and not being able to see (easily) what a Grunt on a Hold Switch caused to happen.

But of course you did find the in-game map, which is available under the buttons on the left side of the area? I hoped that it will allow solvers to see more or less which switchez are connected to which arrowz without printing anything or endlessly returning to desktop (to see the map in the image version).

[GooRoo]

Sept 1, 2011 16:19:52 GMT -8 Zu said:

The biggest difficulty for me (and consequently what I believe is the biggest drawback) is being unable to play in 1024X768 screen resolution, and not being able to see (easily) what a Grunt on a Hold Switch caused to happen.

But of course you did find the in-game map, which is available under the buttons on the left side of the area? I hoped that it will allow solvers to see more or less which switchez are connected to which arrowz without printing anything or endlessly returning to desktop (to see the map in the image version).

Even then it was necessary to scroll the map to see the entire section. And at 69 yearz of age, my CRS (Can't Remember Stuff) is getting progressively worse. Since there are so many Yellow Hold Switchez controlling Two-Way Arrowz besidez the four leading to the Green Hold Switch (and the YHS is generally so far away from the TWA(z) controlled), it took several triez before I realized that some enemy GunHat Gruntz needed to remain in place for quite a while, while pushing otherz around. Two Gruntz are stuck, once they reach a certain point, so the solver must do thingz at the correct time, or all is lost.

The most valuable YHS the solver can reach is the one that allowz him to send a Grunt back to a place where he may reach the GHS. (I usually sent that Grunt around and around early in my solving attempt, and that GHS was the only thing that allowed me to finish the CL.)

[Zu]

The most valuable YHS the solver can reach is the one that allowz him to send a Grunt back to a place where he may reach the GHS. (I usually sent that Grunt around and around early in my solving attempt, and that GHS was the only thing that allowed me to finish the CL.)

Funny thing about this grunt is that you need to push him only once - after dealing with TWAz that lead to the GHS. In other words, you don't need to move him anywhere to get those four TWAz done.

[oldone]

I usually enjoy your levels Zu, but alas, this had me stumped ( map or no). Two years ago I took some medication for Shingles that really screwed with my brain and ever since then, I get confused very easily. On top of that, I (like GooRoo) have CRS (I am 66 now) and it gets worse by the day, so unless you plan to write a walkthrough, I probably won't be doing this one. So sad.

[Rik]

Yes Zu write a walkthrough I get confused to

[GooRoo]

This Custom Level is puzzling enough, but wait until you try the TIMER version! (The limit is so tight, ou would have to approach the Designer's own time!)

[Zu]

Okay, I made a video walktrough for this level. Let me know if you will prefer a more traditional one.

(You may want to click on that icon in bottom-right corner to get a better view.)

[GooRoo]

Interesting! I see that even the Designer made several mistakez, going to the wrong place at first, then having to make extra divez into Green Wormholez in order to get to the proper place. Even without those little mistakez, it would be difficult to complete the puzzle in the allotted time, in the TIMER version! (I was impressed by your path through the northwest corner, acquiring all of those Coinz! Very efficient!)

[Gaby]

Sept 4, 2011 9:05:01 GMT -8 Zu said:

Okay, I made a video walktrough for this level. Let me know if you will prefer a more traditional one.

(You may want to click on that icon in bottom-right corner to get a better view.)

it's a nice video and thanks for the effort.... still you work too fast and the solver cannot follow the moves... IMHO a more traditional WT will do better...

[twiggy]

Is there going to be a traditional walkthrough for this level? It sure has me stumped.

[Zu]

Well, most of the walkthrough would look like this: "Go to top-right area and shoot at the guy on south-west, go to the center area and shoot at the guy on south, etc." And since it requires a whole lot of moves, I don't think I'm going to make this anytime soon.

Hopefully, my upcoming sequel to this level will be much less confusing in terms of connections between switchez.

[GooRoo]

Nov 5, 2011 14:38:06 GMT -8 Zu said:

Well, most of the walkthrough would look like this: "Go to top-right area and shoot at the guy on south-west, go to the center area and shoot at the guy on south, etc." And since it requires a whole lot of moves, I don't think I'm going to make this anytime soon.

Hopefully, my upcoming sequel to this level will be much less confusing in terms of connections between switchez.

Regarding PushinThemAround2:

Actually, the connectionz are still difficult ... bad enough in 32X24 (1024X768) screen resolution, worse with my 25X16 (800X600) screen resolution ... Two-Way Arrowz well out of sight of the Yellow Hold Switch operating them. The only thing that helpz, is when the Switchez have been arranged to be operated in the same sequence as the Two-Way Arrowz required to move the Shovel/Gauntletz/Shovel Grunt around. My first attempt, I avoided the SuperSpeed Powerup ... I shouldn't have done that ... it really helped on my second try. I appreciate the fact that both PowerUpz have infinite durationz ... that reduced the adrenaline rush that is normal with those thingz.

It is also a puzzle that pretty much requirez several SAVE slotz; I discovered a few placez where it is easy to go wrong (go wrong, go wrong ... shadez of "WestWorld"). With all of the maneuvering to get 'cooperation' from the enemy GunHat Gruntz, and the digging/breaking in pursuit of a "PERFECT!" score, I doubt anyone will manage it faster than the Designer's example Statz Page.