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Knuckle Cracker

Creeper World 3 => Custom Map Discussion => Topic started by: Tyler21 on May 19, 2015, 04:36:11 AM

Title: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: Tyler21 on May 19, 2015, 04:36:11 AM
After playing I2edI3aron's latest map 'U283' (#2083 (http://knucklecracker.com/forums/index.php?topic=18583.msg131164#msg131164)) I had the idea to collect the most challenging maps ever made in Colonial Space. The list might be interesting for players who seek extreme challenge but haven't found / played these maps so far.

Although it has some limitations I think the score / download ratio is still the best way to determine the difficulty of a map quantitatively. Below you can find the list of CS maps that have a completion ratio lower than 5.1%* and that have at least 100 downloads. You can see the number of posted scores, downloads and the ratio in the brackets.
(*if you see a higher ratio, it was achieved after 19/05/2015)

Note that these are the raw statistics. Because some scores are obviously achieved by cheating (for example most scores by pajajezek), some maps are actually even more difficult than the list suggests... If someone is willing to do it, it would be nice to remove all suspicious scores from these maps.

Feel free to add your comments and suggestions to this list.


Most challenging maps in CS

Rank / map name / map ID / author (scores / downloads / completion ratio). Click on spoiler to read a short description and my subjective review of difficulty (1= more challenging than 95% of all maps, but can be solved with the regular strategies, 2= extremely challenging and requires a special strategy, 3= insanely difficult and requires combination of multiple strategies, 4= virtually impossible, only a few will ever make it...).

+ 3 maps that have less than 100 downloads but are worth to mention                              

Spin (#955 (http://knucklecracker.com/forums/index.php?topic=16875.msg121244#msg121244)) by Eketek (1 / 89 / 1.1%)
Spoiler
Description: despite being fairly 'old', this is the only map in the whole Colonial Space that is still unbeated (not counting its author). The reason: the terrain is continuously changing, making it impossible to settle a base... Difficulty: 4
[close]

Demon's Candy (#1712 (http://knucklecracker.com/forums/index.php?topic=17988.0)) by ShizuokaJPN (3 / 78 / 3.8%)
Spoiler
Description: one of the most difficult vanilla maps ever designed (not counting the micro map puzzles). Extremely difficult terrain, massive spore waves and sparse resources: a truly evil combination. This will haunt you in your nightmares. Difficulty: 3
[close]
   
AC Assault (#1511 (http://knucklecracker.com/forums/index.php?topic=17676.msg125392#msg125392)) by Dp (6 / 92 / 6.5%)
Spoiler
Description: difficult terrain, incoming spore waves and the lack of energy weapons make this map a very challenging one. Difficulty: 2
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*** Statistics last updated: May 24, 2015 **




Some interesting facts:
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: RrR on May 19, 2015, 04:28:26 PM
I'm not surprised than no-one has finished spin. It is a hard map as the terrain moves, destroying units as it goes. The emitters are fairly weak, but there are threads of digitalis all over the place. If you loose a CN, it takes a minute to get it back from orbit.

There may be a cunning feature that I didn't notice, like a slower rate of terrain movement near the centre which makes the map possible.
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: Asbestos on May 19, 2015, 07:04:12 PM
MirrorImage [easy version] is probably a bit easier than the original, but since most of the good players who can beat it played the hard version and the [easy version] attracts newbies who still can't beat it, it looks harder.
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: J on May 20, 2015, 02:34:33 AM
Simply making a hard map won't get you in that list, you need a way to get a lot of downloads.
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: Tyler21 on May 20, 2015, 03:42:02 AM
Quote from: J on May 20, 2015, 02:34:33 AM
Simply making a hard map won't get you in that list, you need a way to get a lot of downloads.

True, there is a tendency that people download vanilla, small and quick maps more likely compared to crpl, large and time consuming maps, all else being equal (this is purely observational, I don't have any data on this). So it is more likely that you will end up in this list if you design a quick and small but challenging map compared to a long and elaborate crpl fight. Anyways, if you make it extremely difficult, you will end up in this list (large and 1+ hour maps are well represented too).

Quote from: Asbestos on May 19, 2015, 07:04:12 PM
MirrorImage [easy version] is probably a bit easier than the original, but since most of the good players who can beat it played the hard version and the [easy version] attracts newbies who still can't beat it, it looks harder.

I completed the "easy" version in both ways (standard + speedrun), haven't completed the "hard" version but it seems that there is no way to speedrun there (the Forge starts to mirror faster). Apart from that I don't see why it would be more difficult. Maybe it takes more time because of the increased emitter AMTs, but emitters are not the main issue on these maps :) Anyways, both are among the most challenging ones I have ever played and have a very cool concept.
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: D0m0nik on June 20, 2015, 01:51:06 PM
Really loving this list, it is a humbling experience but also great to find some amazing maps I have missed out on.

Just spent a while on 'spin' and nullified quite a lot but eventually the creep just got too much to deal with due to limited resources. Quite a challenge!
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: D0m0nik on June 29, 2015, 04:53:17 PM
Just completed Spin after numerous attempts, what a nightmare but very relieved!

There is a technique but no hidden mechanics, as far as I could see the whole map moved at the same pace and no unit was safe.

Spoiler

I managed to get a forge on the second attempt onto the start of a long horizontal stretch of ground, I kept it for 15 minutes which made the difference.

Also taking out the bottom middle/left emitter early with help form the AOO was crucial. The spores are easy to take out thanks to two CNs.
[close]
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: Tyler21 on June 30, 2015, 04:07:00 AM
Quote from: D0m0nik on June 29, 2015, 04:53:17 PM
Just completed Spin after numerous attempts, what a nightmare but very relieved!

There is a technique but no hidden mechanics, as far as I could see the whole map moved at the same pace and no unit was safe.

Spoiler

I managed to get a forge on the second attempt onto the start of a long horizontal stretch of ground, I kept it for 15 minutes which made the difference.

Also taking out the bottom middle/left emitter early with help form the AOO was crucial. The spores are easy to take out thanks to two CNs.
[close]

Congrats, I didn't have the patience to beat it :)
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: warren on July 03, 2015, 08:47:29 AM
 Aaaand... bookmark. Absolutely great list. I will be working through this. :D
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: D0m0nik on July 03, 2015, 02:46:36 PM
Same here Warren, it's kind of a bucket list for the game! Your maps are especially challenging, really enjoying them as I missed a lot of them. I came incredibly close to a completing a moving target but miss by a whisker each time! Keep me bust for a while!
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: cornucanis on February 09, 2018, 03:34:23 PM
I'm finally getting around to playing through this list now that I have a laptop that can reasonably run most maps. I plan to make videos for many of them too, in case anyone else is still masochistic enough to give these maps a shot after all these years. 

Quote from: D0m0nik on July 03, 2015, 02:46:36 PM
Same here Warren, it's kind of a bucket list for the game! Your maps are especially challenging, really enjoying them as I missed a lot of them. I came incredibly close to a completing a moving target but miss by a whisker each time! Keep me bust for a while!


You may be particularly interested in my next video, d0m0nik.. It may inspire you to give your white whale another shot  ;)
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: Sorrontis on April 25, 2018, 10:25:14 PM
--- Top 30! Least Beaten Maps! ---

Top Map Authors in the top 30! ... *Drum roll*
It's a three way tie!!!
JoaoPistori, warren, and Sorrontis each produced 4 of the top 30 unbeaten maps!

Maps with less than 10 scores that didn't make the cut (Honourable Mentions)


  • #1974 Three Oblivions by Xindaris (6 / 140 = 4.29%)
  • #5120 PrismShip by planetfall (8 / 181 = 4.42%)
  • #4136 desecrated by Tricommander (7 / 154 = 4.54%)
  • #3139 Monster in the Woods by Nottootricky (6 / 132 = 4.55%)
  • #2449 Nanoland5 by J (6 / 124 = 4.84%)
  • #3256 Kanal by kalek (7 / 138 = 5.07%)
  • #1942 Mandelbrot J by warren (7 / 134 = 5.22%)
  • #1130 The bowl by warren (8 / 152 = 5.26%)
  • #5062 DotGalore by Sorrontis (7 / 132 = 5.30%)
  • #5617 Big Vanilla Battle by BilboCGL (7 / 128 = 5.47%)
  • #5503 sleeper5 by baba (6 / 105 = 5.71%)
  • #3128 Q 10.67 GBnn 29.2 by PastorHealer (6 / 102 = 5.88%)
  • #2837 Miniland 6 by J (8 / 132 = 6.06%)
  • #2970 HTqqL2Nbb .21 by PastorHealer (7 / 109 = 6.42%)
  • #4888 S01-20 - Deidrith by LappySheep (7 / 107 = 6.54%)
  • #2521 PZ Blaster Race by planetfall (8 / 122 = 6.56%)
  • #5436 Public Void by planetfall (7 / 106 = 6.60%)
  • #4955 Survive & Thrive by Sorrontis (7 / 105 = 6.66%)
  • #5148 Return from Dark Depths by Sorrontis (7 / 105 = 6.66%)
  • #2599 Wotraw Gambit by Menz (8 / 119 = 6.72%)
  • #2477 Hill street bluez by TB (7 / 103 = 6.80%)

Honorable Mention map authors:
J (x2)
PastorHealer (x2)
planetfall (x3)
Sorrontis (x3)
warren (x2)
[close]

Maps that just didn't make the cut

#1222 Fontane Castle by warren (12 / 290 = 4.14%)
#4193 Helms Deep Reimagined by ThomasBS (11 / 265 = 4.15%)
#238 Normandie-2 by First (13 / 302 = 4.30%)
#1876 4th times a charm by Doogie (12 / 273 = 4.40%)
#478 DeFuse by EddyPro (14 / 303 = 4.62%)

#1933 On Target by Tyler (11 / 233 = 4.72%)
#3885 Air Assault by BermaPost (11 / 228 = 4.82%)
#2094 You won't beat the map V by Tyler (14 / 281 = 4.98%)
#4129 Fortress Building 2 by JoaoPistori (15 / 300 = 5.00%)
#1940 You won't beat the map II by Tyler (14 / 275 = 5.09%)

#2889 Sleeper Collector by Rer24 (11 / 215 = 5.12%)
#3898 Guppy Brigade by BermanPost (11 / 209 = 5.26%)
#5094 Jumbotron by Sorrontis (12 / 221 = 5.43%)
#3873 Mighty Plant by MxGoldo (14 / 254 = 5.51%)
#3508 Unknown by Sorrontis (14 / 242 = 5.79%)

#449 Armies by l2edl3aron (14 / 227 = 6.17%)
#3635 Creeper Invaders by kalek (14 / 226 = 6.19%)
#586 Bombardment by Potato (13 / 209 = 6.22%
#3932 Ring Defense by Berman Post (14 / 225 = 6.22%)
#1511 AC Assault by Dp (12 / 186 = 6.45%)
#5378 Le parcours du mRRritant by leukeuss (13 / 195 = 6.66%)
[close]




More than 100 downloads, and less than 15 completed score.
If it's red, it's a legacy map... Definition? They remained on the list since 2015!


(Edit: In hind sight, I should have asked V to pull out the database, would have been faster...)
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: yum-forum on April 28, 2018, 03:56:58 PM
And what about top from opposite side (maximum %% finished/downloaded, but downloaded more than 200 or 500)?  ;)
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: Sorrontis on April 28, 2018, 09:48:16 PM
you can do it if you want :)
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: Tyler21 on April 29, 2018, 11:00:53 AM
Sorrontis, AWESOME update!

It's refreshing to see that there are so many new challenging maps, which suggests that some mapmakers keep designing maps for hardcore players as well, instead of aiming for 'fame' (i.e., good ratings). This is what I always liked about V's games: customization allows both casual and hardcore players (and mapmakers) to enjoy the game in their own ways. I wish I had the time to test these new maps...

A few comments:
I think #486 (18-560) and #173 (35/919) are missing from the updated list. These are both extremely challenging (#486 is HELL), and were featured in the original list. Also, this is very self-serving, but #1914 is also a 'legacy' map, so a little bit of red wouldn't hurt there :)

Again, thanks for putting your effort into creating this update! I'm sure a lot of players will have a new bucket list!
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: GoodMorning on April 29, 2018, 07:23:49 PM
Quote from: Tyler21 on April 29, 2018, 11:00:53 AM
I'm sure a lot of players will have a new bucket list!

One list at a time, I think.
Title: Re: Top 30 most challenging CS maps
Post by: Sorrontis on April 29, 2018, 08:48:03 PM
Hi Tyler, I've added you to the legacy list! ;)

As for the other two maps, a big thing is I stopped at 15 or less scores. Why? I really wanted to see which maps need more love! Maybe it was a little self serving for me too  8)
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