Good 2D Level Design?

I'm going to start to build a platformer in the week I have off soon. What do you like about 2D Levels? I've started with quick mockup:

Would you consider playing with this style graphics? What could be improved?

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

Another Mario clone?
In my opinion outline on bricks is too glossy, and you could also throw in some nice looking grass instead of flat ground. I like background and clouds though .

 

Somewhat better.

 

slightly.

 

no, just no.

 

From a lighting perspective, the second picture doesn't make sense. The light source would have to be emanating from below the player to cast upwards shadows like that.

 

Just saw that, thanks

 

Have a level that varies. Hilly sections large jumps etc...

 

it's too "aseptic" clean like an hospital for saying so

 

Nice !!

but its look a lot Mario on the Wii !!

 

Dropping shadows everywhere just screams amateur hour

 

Which language or engine will do you use for this project? Flash? C++?

 

C++ probably

 

If you're going to make a 2D game, make it 2D. You could easily design a pseudo sprite system which takes plain bitmaps and renders them to your surface.

 

You should remove the heavy bevel and drop shadow, or at least heavily reduce their intensity. Are you writing your own engine?