I've already posted this question in the Helter Skullter thread but wanted to get a wider response so I'm posting it here as well.

What's everyones' thoughts on mazes? The real kind that you need to sit down with a pencil and paper to figure out. I want to add one to Search For Jack but I remember some negativity in regards to mazes. I will say this about the one that will be in SFJ. There will be a map before you actually enter the maze and. it will only be 9 rooms with no critters but other challenges.

Thoughts?????

Joe B

As I said on the other thread:  Go for it!

I don't like it! period!

You're the designer, Joe.  8-)
Those that like will do. Those that don't, won't.

Personally, I like them usually, as long as it's possible to get out fairly easily if I get tired of it. Don't like getting trapped and going around in circles for a long time before I find my way out.

I think they're tricky in MM because Jack moves fairly slowly. With pencil and paper, once you've solved the maze, you're done with it. In MM, you still have to wander around for a long time to actually solve it. That's why I usually prefer when the maze is just incorporated into the design of the mansion.

It is difficult to stay away, since I made MMaM ...  :)

From the very beginning with the testing of parts of MMaM by several players, I knew that there are people who like mazes and people who hate them. If you like to make one, I should advise to do it for those who like it!

But Psychotronic, as always, has a point. In mazes, whatever size they have, a lot of "small" backtrackings are inevitable. That means that Jack, at speed 4, has a lot to walk and climb. Therefor, I think it makes a maze less boring when you try to make the paths as atractive as possible. A perfect example of an extremely "dry" maze is the Vine Maze (16 rooms) in the green area of MMaM. So maybe you have to rethink your decision to make a maze without critters.

To finish. Paper and pencil? When the maze has a map, maze-lovers will not need it! 8-)

My 2 cents' worth:

It's strange. I always liked mazes.... those on paper, and especially those in front of old castles, made out of bushes etc. (Think: The Shining).
And when the first maze ever appeared within MM...a credit that must go to Matt & Joe, as far as I remember...I loved that as well.

BUT: Only the first time around. When I replayed that (or any other) mansion (with a maze)....and I came to the maze-entrance I always thaught:  Oh no...not that maze again.

And I even don't know why.

So I can easily understand that some people don't like them at all.  

But as someone above has said:
YOU are the designer...thou what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law !!

Wow, go biblical on me.......

::) ::) ::)

I think I'm going to go with the same option I did in MR. Put a bypass on the maze but in MR I put secrets in there. I think what I'll do is  just put a little extra money in there. If you're playing thru the mansion and you are saying is it worth it, there is the extra score you can get but you can still finish with 100% secrets without going thru the maze. But the outer path will have critters to make up for not  going thru the maze and avoiding them. Again, it's not going to be the size of the MR maze.
Hmmmm, just thought of something. Brell has asked me to do an easy version of HS. I think I'll add a small maze there and see what kind of feedback I get.

Thanks to all of you who have responded. I do take all of your comments into account when I build with Matt. He hasn't been helping me with these little projects as his class in school pulled names out of a hat to do reports on. He pulled Einstein so he's been busy researching and has refused to let me help him with it outside of showing him how to use Word and borrowing one of my old lab coats (rolled up as I'm 6'3" and he's about 49") to do his presentation. Still looking for the wild hair though.....

Later all,

Joe B

joeb wrote on 10.03.2007 at 16:55:10:

Hmmmm, just thought of something. Brell has asked me to do an easy version of HS. I think I'll add a small maze there and see what kind of feedback I get.

Not an easy version, just an easier version with one saving point  :)