Odd Sands

Well, it’s been a bit over two years, so I’d say an update (and a new description while I’m at it) is in order. Version 1.1 features a bevy of visual fixes, retry prompt instead of instant retry, and adjustments for some misleading setups. It also includes a BRAND NEW BONUS LEVEL entitled “Endless Eight”, which you can access via a secret entrance in Holiday Home. Said level is fully compatible with V1.0 save files and beating it does not count towards your exit count.

Aside from these additions, rest assured the hack is still exactly as soul-crushing as ever. And of course, the oft-maligned palettes in the last level remain unchanged - for now that we live in a disentranced post-Effortworld dystopia, it’s plain to see they’re the only palettes in the hack that aren’t boring as hell.

I should probably also write a few words for the benefit of those who have no clue what Odd Sands is. This hack was made in 2021 and initially submitted to the Kaizo: Intermediate category, back when Intermediate just meant “not quite as hard as Casio” instead of being this whole separate design archetype that it is now. Eventually, it was moved over to Kaizo: Expert, and although I was skeptical of this change at first, I can now tell you with confidence that this hack is as Kaizo: Expert as they come. To wit, Odd Sands is known for cryptic setups that you have to figure out for yourself, jagged level pacing that is sometimes more reminiscent of Standard hacks, and inputs that will have you keenly aware of how weird they are - the whole gamut, really. To somewhat lessen the challenge, it features plenty of short levels and generally does not require you to know any glitches or overly specialized tech. It doesn’t even have any shelljumps! (except for the ones on 1f0 but shush)

That is about as much as I can say about this game whilst beholden to the sacred impartial realm of Hack Descriptions - for more subjective accounts, you’ll have to seek out other people’s reviews. Beyond that, I’ll just let the hack speak for itself. Because if you’re confident in a hack, you can always let it speak for itself, and that has the power to override whatever design axioms and best practices might currently be floating around the community. That goes for your hacks, too.

Anyway, have fun!