Hello kilicool64
AntiMicroX actually looks a lot like JoytoKey, the program I used before Yknytt. I'm going to try it for the curiosity, to see if it slows down KS+ or not. Have you tried Yknytt ? if so, what do you think of it ? I would be interested by your feedback ;-)

I haven't tried YKnytt, no. All I know is that it's a rather flawed clone of the game that was based on KSDS, a horrendously bad DS homebrew port that I did try and would NEVER recommend under any circumstances. Not only is it a sloppy port made with almost no examination of the source code (which TBF, was only accidentally leaked by Nifflas late into its development), which resulted in the developers getting lots of things wrong, but it's extremely unstable. It crashes all the time, sometimes with nasty audio glitches.

Very enjoyable level, and I'm glad to see all the "big ticket" issues I pointed out fixed from the beta version.

From what I understand, the term "Metroidvania" is an ad-hoc name for a subgenre of (typically 2D) adventure platformer where you explore a large area that gradually opens up more and more as you obtain new abilities or otherwise unlock new zones, and also typically involves a lot of backtracking through old areas. As the name implies, this style was pioneered by games like Metroid and Castlevania (specifically Symphony of the Night). Technically, the original Nifflas levels The Machine and A Strange Dream are also Metroidvania levels. By contrast, Knytt Underground isn't so much a Metroidvania because as soon as you hit the main "open world", you already have your full kit and can go basically anywhere.

Anyhow, before I digress further, I'll say again that this is a well-done level, and the challenge for the most part isn't too distracting from traversing the various areas. The music choices are very nice. I particularly like the use of SineRider's tracks from the Music for Sleeping - Volume 1 album. I also appreciate the reference to Last of the salad days (however unintentional it may have been).

This is a sequel to the level Shalev, which I made in 2017. It's got the traits of the first one: peaceful nighttime atmosphere, ambient music, gameplay-focused design, and a "metroidvania open world" (allegedly, cause I still don't really know what that word means). I think the main difference is that this one's a lot more melancholy. There's also a lot less text, because I want to move away from making story-heavy levels for a while.

Important! This level uses several early access tilesets by Purple Ink that will appear in her forthcoming level, Tree of Life. I've beta tested it and it's really really good, you are all in for a wonderful surprise when it comes out before long.

I watched about 40 movies while making this level. I think my overall favorite was the 2011 film Margaret.

Version 2 features almost imperceptible bug/graphical/void fixes, and I've decided that the level is Medium, not Large.
https://knyttlevels.com/levels/Lucinda%20-%20Shamira%20v2.knytt.bin

I did a bit of running around in the level, got through the very long KG maze, and explored a bit. I have to say, though. I found a lot of technical issues with the level, including several wallswims and a void access. I feel like this level could use a lot of refinement.

I'll probably head back in at a later time, when I am in a more agreeable mood to play something experimental like this. The size of the level is impressive, though, no doubt, and there were some parts that I found intriguing.

0.6.3 only fixed some sound effects, there's still many bugs and inaccuracies (maybe even regressions?), and it's unfinished anyway.
Kili seems to play KS+ with a gamepad, so maybe she can help you with that.

Also, this forum has an Edit button