I've played the level 3 times and here is my review:
The Good
Ambition and dedication:
Its obvious, that the devloper is serious about creating a game. Writing plots, building maps, producing screenshots - all that has zero value, if there is nothing playable at the end. But here is a playable level, that has no technical errors and a steady framerate. I features a custom menu, loading screen and scripts (which all work) and a trick that was new to me. As small as the demo might be, it seems tested and polished. And that counts.
Custom scripts:
Yes, I am a sucker for text display, I know - but they DO add to atmosphere and immersion in this demo.
The mirror trick:
You can can actually look into the mirrors in the gents toilet in the lobby. The execution of the trick could have been better but I found that impressing.
The Bad:
Level design:
A hotel lobby with no windows, rooms with no bathroom (and also no windows of course) and doors that close automatically. The lobby toilets are as large as in a train station and a WW2 radio is prominently displayed. On top of it, the 4 segment-wide "pillar" in the middle is architectural nonsense. This is a nightmare level, but unfortunately not gamewise.
Use of media:
This is stock at its worst. The chateau and library segments could have been use a lot better and adding Metro Theater elements just made it worse. AND there is a ton of free media by Cosmic Prophet available, that is actually MADE to create a (grand)hotel. Why not use that?
Lights:
It is SO obvious, that the developer wanted dark corners. But it doesn't look like the place is run down or derelict - rather like someone replaced all the regular light bulbs with 15 watt ones on purpose. It would look a lot more realistic to have all the lightsources be as bright as they should be, while simply have 2 out of 3 not working.
The Ugly:
Spooky sound trigger zones:
No. Please. Don't.
Test displays:
I like those generally but as Wolf pointed out in the WIP thread, some make no sense at all or seem out of place.
PS: I learned to HATE that sitting skeleton. Personally I call it "the late Mr. Obvious" and I
beg everybody to stop using it.
On my personal demo scale it's a straight 2 out of 5 and I'd call it "a serious attempt to create a game but unfortunately it suffers severly from basic flaws".
For the devoloper:
This is a game I WANT to like and I hope you continue developing it. If I can be of any assistance providing scripts or do playtesting, send me an email.
In case you find my grammar and spelling weird ---> native German speaker ^^