This week's picture has another fairy tale theme. It is Rapunzel's tower - incredibly high, and with her golden hair trailing out of the window.
Level 1 (Clear 30 red pegs from 74 total - Pro target 500k)
Lots of curves and not many blue pegs to get in the way. This looks like a pretty easy starter.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 531,490
It wasn't quite as easy as I had expected, althougth it probably should have been. Well, whatever, I made the pro score and that's what's important.
It took a couple of attempts to get it a second time for a video. I did much better with the sweeps and scored 598,920.
Level 2 (Clear 20 red pegs from 88 total - Pro target 425k)
Again, quite a few curves, but these follow the outlines of the clouds, rather than the tower and are convex rather than concave, so they are more tricky to sweep along.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 310,240
I was struggling to accumulate a big enough score, mainly because of the lack of red pegs available. I only had one peg left at the end, but I was still trying to use the purple pegs to accumulate points.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 285,750
Very similar story as before. One peg left at the end as I was trying to build a pro score. One more go before the laser ball comes out.
Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 64,970
A dismal failure. Just one catch and only 25k in skill points. Absolutely nothing seemed to work.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 537,630
The laser ball made it much easier. It took a few balls to break through to the yellow peg, but once I'd activated the laser, it took my score up to 350k or so, and left me with 8 red pegs and 8 balls to get them with.
It took two further attempts to get a video. I scored much better, getting a total clearance and 909,990 points.
Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 100 total - Pro target 600k)
A design featuring 8 wavy lines, four on each side of the screen. It ought to be possible to shoot balls between them for sweep bonuses.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 780,240
That turned out to be a very easy level. The first 4 balls all went between adjacent pairs of untouched wavy lines, all were easy catches, and all earned sweep bonuses. After that, catches and other bonuses were still easy to come by.
I did even better the second time for the video. I got a total clearance for 950,190
Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 93 total - Pro target 400k)
Another design based around the picture. This one is mostly straight lines and individual round pegs.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 472,070
I don't know if I'd go so far as to call this level easy. Certainly not as easy as the last one, anyway. I think I just got some lucky bounces. The low pro target was helpful.
It took two more attempts to get a video, and then I only scraped past the pro target with 405,420.
Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 115 total - Pro target 575k)
This design is based around a plait of hair, with a couple of other wavy lines and a few odd pegs. Quite a lot of pegs in total. The laser ball would probably deal with this quite effectively, but I'll try without first.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 638,510
Well I put the first shot as far to the right as I could, and it went into the plait and rolled all the way down, taking out the entire centre of the plait. It took out a whopping 51 pegs, scored an impressive 462k, and earned two extra balls. Unfortunately, it then made what was left really quite awkward, and I needed a few fortunate catches to help me finish off.
I used the same strategy to get another pro score for the video, only this time I found further catches much easier. I finished accidentally with half a dozen balls still in hand and a score of 1,024,900.
Level 6 (Clear 40 red pegs from 88 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)
The same design as level 2, which was probably the hardest of the first 5. I needed a laser ball to get it last time, so I might as well start with one this time.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 738,430
The laser ball made level 2 quite straightforward, and it had much the same effect here. I was going for the total clearance, while I had more balls left than red pegs, but I wasn't taking any chances and abandoned that after I missed a catch.
I got the total clearance on the next attempt for the video, with a score of 824,100.
Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 93 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 550k)
The same design as level 4. This wasn't the easiest of layouts last time, but I did manage it in a single attempt, so I'll try it without any power ups to start with.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 365,250
I think I'll go for a laser ball next. 40 red pegs is a lot to get rid of, and the laser ball should be able to take out a lot in one go.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 655,540
I didn't do the best of jobs with the laser ball. I rushed it a bit and didn't get a proper deflection of the bucket. I only caught the rim and took out a few low pegs. I managed to keep it going just enough though to earn a pro score anyway. Well it'll be interesting to see what they do with the last three levels, as by my reckoning, the other three layout were all fairly straightforward.
It took four more attempts to beat it again for the video. I eventually got 655,120.
Level 8 (Score 650k with 35 red pegs and 80 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 850k)
The same plait design as level 5. I'll have a go without the laser first, and see if I can match the first ball score I got last time.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 977,660
There must have been a few more red pegs in the plait this time, as the first ball scored 519k that time. I found the later deflections easier this time, and made the pro target without too much difficulty.
I did even better on the next attempt for the video. I didn't quite make a total clearance, leaving just two pegs, but I scored 1,202,530.
Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 44 blue - Pro target 725k)
The same design as level 1, but all pegs are needed.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 476,110
Three pegs left, but nowhere near the pro target anyway. It's probably doable without the laser ball, but I'm not sure I can be bothered to try. Laser ball it is.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 742,980
Just about got there. The laser ball didn't give me much of a boost, but it was just enough.
I did much better at the next attempt for the video. I copied the first couple of shots from level 1, and then did particularly well with my catches. I took a total clearance for 1,031,780.
Level 10 (Clear 30 red pegs from 100 total, with only 6 balls and a 5s shot-clock - Pro target 800k)
The same design as level 3 which was the easiest of the first levels. But this time there's a five second shot clock and only 6 balls.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 543,330
I think the time pressure got to me as I found myself rushing, probably more than I needed to. I still had about 4 or 5 red pegs left and got nowhere near the pro target.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 300,000
I think this is going to need a power up. The first four balls are easy enough, but it gets tricky after that, particularly with the time constraint.
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 633,340
Cleared the red pegs that time, with the help of the laser ball, but couldn't get near to the pro target. Well, there are no other levels to go back to, so I may as well keep trying to get the pro score on this one.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 961,690
That was better. I took the four standard starting balls, then activated the laser ball, and took out a good chunk of what was left. I got an extra deflection off the rim as an added bonus as well. Then I took most of what was left with bounces off the side wall, as they're quite easy to judge on this level.
It took another four attempts to pro it again for a video. When I did get it, I took a total clearance for a score of 1,113,410.
The picture this week is of a road winding between a mountain and the ocean. There is a covered wagon being drawn by an ox in the foreground.
Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 99 total - Pro target 525k)
The design looks like the rear of a covered wagon with some straight lines at the bottom and some curves at the top.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 369,480
The loose pegs all seemed to get in the way of the catches I tried to make, and the red pegs all seemed awkwardly placed for scoring off. I'll try again.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 530,780
Just about managed to scrape together the points required for the pro target, but this was actually quite a tricky layout to work with.
I found it a bit easier to navigate my way through it on the next attempt for the video. I reached the pro target quite comfortably, scoring 695,290.
Level 2 (Clear 30 red pegs from 104 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 450k)
This design follows the lines of the road where it's visible between the mountain peaks, with some extra lines on the sea, and individual round pegs where the mountains are. Similar to the previous level, these look like awkward angles to judge.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 446,900
One red peg left. I just misjudged the last ball. Annoying, because if I'd gone a different way I probably could have taken both pegs at once.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 262,950
The distribution of the red pegs seemed more awkward that time. There were fewer easy starters. This is starting to look like it could be a tough board.
Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 256,810
Two red pegs left and I had a clear shot at neither of them. Time for a laser ball.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 517,440
Got it with the laser ball, but only just. The points weren't to bad to get, but the red pegs were still awkward to clear. It didn't help that the yellow peg was right down the bottom in the middle, so it took about 3 or 4 balls to get to it.
On the next attempt for the video, it took a few attempts to get to the yellow peg again. And when I did get to the laser ball, it wasn't the greatest. I had some lucky ricochets though and some decent catches, so I got to the pro target nevertheless.
Level 3 (Clear 30 red pegs from 91 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 575k)
This design is of an ox's head, such as the one pulling the wagon in the picture. The horns give interesting curves, and it looks a little easier than the previous two layouts.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 754,450
I was looking in trouble towards the end, but I picked up a couple of extra balls with catches to raise my balls remaining from 1 to 3 and suddenly it all looked rosy again. I got the total clearance just to make sure.
It took me another four attempts to get another pro for the video without using power ups, so I guess I did get lucky the first time. This time I scored 601,750.
Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 142 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 475k)
This design is based around the wagon wheels that line the road in the foreground. We have most of three half-wheels sticking up from a horizontal lines, with a mass of individual round pegs scattered below. There are an awful lot of pegs here, so picking out the red ones could be tricky.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 175,840
As I suspected, this is tricky. Battling through all those blue pegs to get to the red ones is very tough and judging catches is nigh on impossible. I still had half a dozen or so red pegs left, and I was nowhere near the pro target. Only 3 catches were made, and they were just through luck. There's no point trying this again without a power up so I'll go straight for the laser ball.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 696,220
The laser ball certainly helped clear the decks a bit. There was still some work to do afterwards, but straightforward in the end.
Again, not too much difficulty with the laser ball. An even better score on the next attempt for the video with 752,370.
Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 124 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 575k)
The design features two wagon wheels above three wavy sea-like lines. Quite a lot of pegs here, but I feel there could be some potential sweeps.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 545,240
Two red pegs left. Not far off, so it's worth another go.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 712,640
A bit more comfortable this time. Completed it with 4 balls to spare and 130k over target. Even though there are a lot of pegs, they are condensed into small areas, with lots of empty space between them. This makes rebounds easier to judge and bonuses easier to come by.
It took another two attempts to get it again for the video. I got lucky at the end with a 100k final bucket for a score of 632,690.
Level 6 (Clear 45 red pegs from 104 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)
The same design as level 2. I'll go straight for the laser ball as most of these levels were quite tough.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 709,720
Two red pegs left. Should have had that - I had 6 pegs left with 6 shots to go, but carelessness prevailed.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 613,670
I was hoping to catch an angle off the last peg into the 100k bucket, but I just missed it and it ended up in the 50k instead. Hadn't expected to clear the reds at all from the position I was in, so a good result nonetheless.
Level 7 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 74 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)
The same design as level 1 but all pegs required now. I'll start with the laser as this could be tricky.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 517,860
94% clearance, which was more than I expected early on. It took about 4 or 5 balls to get through to the yellow peg, so the win never looked likely.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 614,530
Only 2 pegs left, so pretty close. Just missed a catch on the last ball. It was one I should have got as well. But again, it took an age to get through to the yellow peg and there were hardly any pegs left to aim the laser at by the time I did. If I can get a clear shot at the laser early on, this will probably be quite straightforward.
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 613,410
Only 1 peg left that time. I'd been juggling the last ball for quite a long time and dropped it one shot too early. And that was after an easy yellow peg pick up on the first shot as well.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 747,410
Got it at last. The last few were all so close, it was only a matter of time before this one went. It took about three balls to get to the yellow peg and most of the balls on the left hand side, so I concentrated the laser on the right hand side.
It took a couple of attempts to get it a second time for the video. I scored 844,900.
Level 8 (Score 650k with 30 red pegs and 94 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 875k)
The same design as level 5. I'll stick with the laser ball as the pro target is pretty high.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 862,090
It took way to many balls to get through to the yellow peg which was second from the left in the middle wavy line. Despite that I was irritatingly close to the pro target, finishing less than 15k short. If I could only have got to the last couple of red pegs which were buried inside to left hand wheel then the final bucket bonus would probably have been enough.
Level 9 (Clear 45 red pegs from 142 total, with only 6 balls - Pro target 800k)
The same design as level 4. The laser ball will definitely be needed here as there are a vast number of pegs here.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 500,610
The yellow peg was nicely on top, but even so there were just too many blule pegs in the way to get to all the red ones.
Just about got there this time. The grenade ball helped. Neither trigger peg was particularly accessible this time, so both power ups were definitely needed to reach the pro target.
It took another to attempts to get it again for the video, but on the second go, I took a total clearance for 1,056,490.
Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 56 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 825k)
The same design as level 3. I'll start with just the laser and see how it goes.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 658,600
Got the clearance, although the last dozen pegs or so had to be picked off one at a time with the final ball. Quite a long way short of the pro target, though. I got 60k with the final bonus, but even a maximum 200k would have left me over 25k short.
Level 6 (Clear 45 red pegs from 104 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 650k)
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 561,780
Two red pegs left. I'll have one more go before I add a second power up.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 754,100
Got a bit lucky with a few balls as they ricoched around taking out quite a few red pegs. It made life a bit easier towards the end. I got down to one red peg required per ball with still about 6 balls to go, so it left me a certain amount of freedom to build a bigger score.
I got it again at the next attempt for the video, and quite easily as well. I scored well over the target at 907,200.
Level 8 (Score 650k with 30 red pegs and 94 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 875k)
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 961,450
It took ages to get through to the yellow peg, but there are so many pegs in this level that there were always going to be plenty left for the laser ball. In the end I got the target score with balls to spare.
It took another couple of attempts to get it again for the video. But when I did get it, I took a total clearance with lots of bonuses for a whopping 1,356,800.
Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 35 red and 56 blue, with only 7 balls - Pro target 825k)
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 848,450
I tried to take the last peg off the side wall to make sure of the final few points, but missed the peg and the catch. Very careless.
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 628,990
Only 90% clearance. I'll give it another go, but I suspect I'll need to add a grenade ball before I reach the pro target.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 553,330
Only 86% clearance that time. I'll try adding the grenade ball and see how that goes.
Only 85% clearance. The grenade ball didn't really seem to help at all.
Attempt #6 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 702,170
96% clearance which equates to 4 pegs left. A better effort, and indeed the trampoline seems to work better than the grenade on this level.
Attempt #7 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 584,970
Got the clearance that time, but got nowhere near the pro target. Didn't get much for the trampoline as the ball got itself stuck in a corner.
Attempt #8 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 584,860
81% clearance, so lots of pegs left at the end. I did quite well with the trampoline, but the laser ball was poor. But the real problem was a failure to make catches. Only 9 shots in total.
Attempt #9 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 364,780
81% clearance again. It was the trampoline that didn't work well this time. The ball got trapped under the skull and hardly took out any pegs. 10 shots taken this time, one better than last time, but still nowhere near enough catches.
Attempt #10 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 685,510
A much better effort. Only three pegs left although reaching the pro target might have been touch and go.
Attempt #11 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 854,990
Got it at last. But, by golly, I rode my luck a lot on the way. There were a lot of misjudged catches that caught the rim only to deflect off another peg and back into the bucket for an extra bonus. I stumbled my way to the point where I had five pegs left and five balls to hit them with so I could stop worrying about making catches and take them all off the side wall first. It got me to the pro target despite only hitting a minimum 20k final bucket bonus.
I got it again for the video at the fourth attempt. I needed a reasonable final bonus, and one of the balls found its way to the 100k bucket which was perfect. I scored 842,700.
The picture is of a steam train flying through the clouds.
Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 72 total - Pro target 500k)
This design features a number of concentric circles - two solid ones made of curved pegs, and two others made of inidividual round pegs, interspersed with teleport portals. These portals all link to a single target in the centre near the top. Clearly if I can find a way of breaking into the main circle without breaking it, then there could be a big sweep bonus available.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 681,620
I concentrated on the left hand side until I had a hole big enough to get into the main circle and managed to get a decent sized sweep bonus. Then I just picked off what was left as best I could. I got a total clearance, so not too difficult a layout.
Returning for the video, I found it even easier. I took another total clearance for the bigger score of 772,850 with half a dozen or more balls to spare.
Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 102 total - Pro target 450k)
A design based around the cow-catcher grill on the front of the engine. Lots of straight lines which could be good for catches, although the bottom diagonal might mean I'll lose quite a few balls in the middle where catches are harder.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 572,250
Because of the enclosed nature of the top, the first few balls took out quite a few pegs each, which helped clear the way for the later ones. Catches, on the whole, were not too tricky to engineer, so another fairly straightforward design.
It took a couple more goes to repeat the pro score for the video. The first time, I cleared the last red peg by accident, leaving myself short of points. The second time, I managed to score enough - 530,630.
Level 3 (Clear 35 red pegs from 75 total - Pro target 450k)
I'm not sure what aspect of the picture this is supposed to represent, but we have three parallell lines which are level at each end, and sloping in the centre, then some loose pegs at the bottom. It's quite reminiscent of level 3 of Mill Valley only a few boards ago.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 626,670
I was in trouble towards the end with only one ball left and still six pegs remaining. But the pegs were close together, so I fired a ball in the middle of them in the hope that I could catch it, and it took out five of the six and earned an extra ball. I was already over the pro target anyway, so that effectively won me the level. That's three goes and three pro scores so far - a pretty good start.
No such problems when I came back for the video. A comfortable total clearance with balls to spare for a score of 688,260.
Level 4 (Clear 30 red pegs from 109 total - Pro target 400k)
A design based on the picture with pegs for the moon, the train, the clouds and the headlight beams. The pro score is quite low which implies that bonuses might be harder to earn.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 501,890
This one seemed a little tougher than the previous levels, and I thought I was going to run out of balls before I'd taken all the red pegs, but a couple a good shots and a couple of lucky deflections got me home. And that's 4 pro targets out of 4 this morning.
A bit more of a struggle second time around - it took three more attempts to get the video. When I did get it, it was due to a sudden burst of bonuses in a couple of shots towards the end.
Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 475k)
a big cross like an old-fashioned railway crossing sign. Doesn't look too hard, but we shall see.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 435,680
I could have completed this, but I was holding off taking the last peg, trying to build a pro score. Not far off, although I rode my luck at times.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 486,730
I managed to hand on long enough at the end that time to build a pro score. I didn't think I was going to be anywhere near it at one stage, but a couple of fortuitous late bonuses put me close enough to make it worthwhile trying for it. Catches are tricky to engineer early on, but they get easier towards the end.
Coming back for the video, I got it again first time, but it was touch and go. I needed a total clearance.
Level 6 (Clear 35 red pegs from 102 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 550k)
The same design as level 2. I had no great problems with it last time, so I'll try it without power ups, at least to start with.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 302,600
Still had four red pegs left at the end. But the catches could have gone better, so it's worth another try.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 259,180
Eight pegs left that time. These attempts are getting worse. I'll have one more go before I take a power up.
Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 271,440
Five left that time. Time for the laser ball, I think.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 797,200
Quite easy with the laser ball. I could have finished some time before I did with balls in hand, but I went for a big score instead.
It took me two more attempts with the laser ball to get it again for the video. I finished a little prematurely on the second attempt, but I had enough balls in hand at the end to push my score over the pro target.
Level 7 (Clear 40 red pegs from 109 total, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)
The same design as level 4, but with more red pegs, less balls and a considerably higher pro target. This seemed quite tough before, so I'll jump straight in with the laser ball.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 423,240
Too many clumsy shots in that effort. 17 shots means the catches weren't bad, but too many badly judged angles was the main problem.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 337,200
That one was much worse. Only 11 shots that time.
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 512,490
That was better, and I could have finished, but tried to earn some more points at the end and missed a catch due to an unexpected deflection.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 538,070
I tried adding a trampoline which worked OK. My best score yet, and only 4 pegs left at the end. I felt I needed the total clearance to get to the pro target so that's what I was attempting. I was nearly there, but missed a catch too many.
Attempt #5 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 605,540
Similar to the previous attempt. I was going for the total clearance but ran out of balls before I could quite finish. Again, I only had a handful of pegs left - 95% clearance.
Got it that time. Didn't think I was going to as it took ages to get through to the trigger peg for the laser. I got lucky with it, though, as a lucky deflection off the rim managed to take out a lot more pegs than I was expecting. I was aiming at a total clearance again, but I didn't need it in the end and left a couple of blue pegs.
Two more attempts were needed to get it again for the video. The last shot was intended as a catch off the purple peg to gain the extra points I still needed, but it took out the last red by mistake. I earned a few bonuses though - enough for pro anyway, so it didn't matter.
Level 8 (Score 450k with 40 red pegs and 35 blue, with only 8 balls - Pro target 675k)
The same design as level 3. I think I'll try it without power ups first as it wasn't that hard a level last time.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 247,360
Terrible effort. Maybe I'll use the laser ball after all.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 711,940
Got it with the laser ball. I caught a couple of good rim deflections with the laser ball, so it earned a lot of points. I missed the total clearance by a single peg, but by then it didn't matter as I'd already surpassed the pro target.
Coming back for the video, a total clearance at the first attempt was enough.
Level 9 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 42 blue - Pro target 650k)
The same design as level 1. Last time I got a total clearance even though I didn't need one, so I'll try it without any power ups to start with.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 824,560
I actually got the total clearance easier that time than I got on level 1. I had four or five balls in hand at the end. Certainly one of the most straightforward level 9s that I can remember.
And another comfortable total clearance with the next attempt for the video. The score wasn't quite as good, only 719,620, but it was enough.
Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 84 blue - Pro target 650k)
The same design as level 5. It took a couple of attempts last time, so I'll start with a laser ball.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 746,170
Got it on the first attempt without too much difficulty. I needed the laser ball, I think though. And that's the Ace as well, as, unusually, I managed to hit the pro target for every level as I went through.
It took two more attempts to get the video for this one. I was struggling for points, but I started picking the pegs off one at a time quite early on. I stretched the game out to 54 shots, but I just about got to the end without running out of balls.
This picture is of the inside of a cave, apparently made of honeycomb. There are some vine-like plants and three bees flying around. I do remember that the final level of this board gave me quite a few problems.
Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 100 total - Pro target 450k)
A bunch of interlocking, partial hexagons. Controlled catches might be tricky, particularly early on, although once the pegs start to thin out it may get easier.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 568,630
This didn't look at all promising early on, but I came good with some big bonuses towards the end.
Coming back to do the video, I cleared the red pegs easily enough, and had a few balls in hand to boost my score up to the pro target and a little beyond.
Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 90 total - Pro target 450k)
This design consists of several short straight lines and individual pegs that follow the honeycomb pattern in the picture. There may be problems here in getting to some of the lower pegs as there are a lot of barriers to break through first.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 464,420
Almost identical to the previous go. It looked highly dubious after a few balls, but then one or two big unexpected bonuses were earned, and suddenly it was within sight.
It took five more attempts to get another pro score for the video, although the second attempt missed out by less than 2k! When I did eventually get it, I did it with a ball or two to spare, so I got a score of 523,950.
Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 115 total - Pro target 550k)
A design consisting of some six sided shapes, although they're a bit curvy to be hexagons. They look more like spider webs.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 326,450
Three red pegs left at the end, all in a cluster in the bottom right. Quite a long way short of the pro target, too.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 581,770
Another one that was looking pretty doubtful until the last few balls. I was down to 2 balls with several red pegs left, when two balls on the trot both earned me an extra ball, and then fell into the bucket. Suddenly, now with four balls left, it all looked a lot more rosy.
I got it again at the next attempt for the video. I was looking a little doubtful towards the end. I was running out of balls, and although the red pegs were disappearing, I wasn't sure they were going quickly enough, and I was wondering where the points were going to come from. But a couple of useful bonuses at the end, and avoiding the 10k bucket at the end got me there for a score of 557,410.
Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 86 total - Pro target 400k)
This design is composed of lots of hexagons. Some are empty, with borders made of pegs, others are solid and impenetrable. With so many solid wall to bounce off, there are lots of rebound bonuses available, but it's going to be tricky to get some of lower pegs.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 366,770
One red peg left which I probably could have got if I hadn't wasted four balls right at the end which hit nothing, just trying to get a rebound. Silly, because I was close enough to the target to get there if I'd still had those balls left at the end.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 415,210
One red peg left again, and I was struggling to find an angle to get it with.
Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 574,680
Got it that time. I got lucky with quite a few catches. I finished in 12 shots, but I still had about half a dozen balls in hand at the end. Plus the ball dropped into the 100k bonus, hence the high score.
On the next attempt for the video, I got even luckier with the catches. Everything was going in the bucket! I still had nine balls left when I got down to the last red peg, and that was right at the top in plain view. I could use my spare balls to pick off the remaining blue pegs and take a total clearance with balls to spare, scoring 709,340.
Level 5 (Clear 25 red pegs from 116 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 575k)
This design is of a couple of drooping flowers. There are quite a few pegs here, and I suspect catches might be tricky as balls may well have a tendency to be funnelled down the middle.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 382,970
Finished off the left hand flower completely, but still had most of the other intact. Not very close really.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 782,680
Used the laser ball this time, and had it won with several balls to go. I kept going to the last ball just for the hell of it, but, yes, the laser ball made it quite straightforward.
Even with the laser ball, it took a couple more attempts to get it again for the video. When I did get it, it was only just. I scored 670,570, but an unexpected 100k final bonus boosted it a bit.
Level 6 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 75 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 675k)
The same design as level 1, but this time everything needs clearing.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 447,400
Four pegs left at the end. Not enough catches early on, I would say. Probably could have done better with the laser as well.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 542,800
A better score due to some big scoring early balls, but only 87% clearance, so lots of pegs left at the end.
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 231,860
The trampoline was of no real help. 12 shots so only 3 catches, which is nowhere near enough, and only 85% clearance this time. Dreadful.
A much better effort. The balls I shot just seemed to ricochet around that little bit more, taking out more pegs each. There weren't that many pegs left by the time I got to the grenade ball, and afterwards I still had 9 balls left, and only about 20 pegs. Plain sailing from there.
I got a complete clearance with the next attempt for the video, using the same power ups. I scored 843,130.
Level 7 (Score 500k with 35 red pegs and 80 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 775k)
The same design as level 3. A bigger pro target and one less ball. I'll start with the laser which ought to be enough.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 396,090
It took way too long to get to the laser ball, and I amde only 3 catches all the way through which just isn't enough.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 383,820
Again, it took most of my balls to get through to the yellow peg. I need to catch a break and get the yellow peg easily accessible.
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 956,950
The yellow peg wasn't in clear view, but I managed to find a route through to it on the first ball. I could then get a proper score (350k+) with the laser ball, and thereafter it was never in doubt. I was trying for the total clearance, just for the hell of it, but finished one peg short.
It took me another six attempts to get it again for the video. I eventually scored 818,520 but I couldn't even clear the red pegs, let alone the blues as well.
Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 60 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k)
The same design as level 2, but all pegs now required.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 306,750
Eight pegs left. I thought I had a chance at the clearance by picking off one peg at a time, but not really at the pro target. It wasn't to be anyway. Again, it tooktoo many balls to get to the yellow peg.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 502,980
A very similar go to the previous one. I lost about 5 balls trying to get through to the yellow peg, therefore didn't score enough with it when I got it, due to the shortage of available pegs. Then it was just a matter of picking off the remaining pegs one at a time and hoping for a big bonus at the end. Realistically, I would have needed a maximum 200k to make the target, and I only got 60k.
Level 9 (Score 650k with 35 red pegs and 81 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 850k)
The same design as level 5, but a score target this time. I did hit this target on the second attempt last time, but I got nowhere near the pro target so I'll use the laser ball from the off.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 570,720
Quite a way short. It took too long to get through to the yellow peg really. I didn't earn enough from it, and clearly in this level I'll need all the points I can get.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 800,940
Rather stupidly took the last red peg still with half a dozen blue pegs left, forgetting that that would end the game. The ball dropped automatically into the 50k bucket and left me 50k short. Annoying.
Level 10 (Clear 25 red pegs from 86 total, with only 5 balls and with a 3s shot-clock - Pro target 575k)
The same design as level 4, but a very short shot clock and hardly any balls make this a very difficult level to beat, let alone hit the pro target. I remember this first time around and it took me a lot of attempts to beat it. Power ups aren't as helpful as they usually are, because of all the solid areas, but there's no point even attempting it without them.
I should have at least completed it that time - I had a clear shot at the last two red pegs, but still managed to miss one of them. Not that I was anywhere near the pro target of course. I'm yet to find a reliable path for the laser ball.
Well I cleared the red pegs at least. My best score yet, but still nearly 150k short of the pro target. It completes the board and allows me to go back and finish off the pro scores I missed, which was just the last three levels.
Level 8 (Clear ALL pegs - 30 red and 60 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 625k) - continued
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 429,760
One red peg left, but well short of the target. I think I'll add a grenade.
Only 86% clearance, and a dreadful score. The yellow peg was right down the bottom and it took far too long to get to it, and that always makes for a low score.
Only a 79% clearance that time. There are just too many pegs all in each others way, and none of them are aligned the same way making deflections impossible to second guess.
Just two pegs left that time. But with still nearly 200k still to score, even if I'd cleared them, I would have needed a lot of luck with the final bonuses.
The same clearance as the previous go, but the points just didn't come this time. The laser ball seemed to take out an average number of pegs, but scored hardly anything.
Finally. I got that bit of luck that I'd been missing. The laser ball worked excellently - I got a good first bounce, then got a perfect second bounce off the bucket rim to send it back across the screen taking out a bunch of low pegs. It earned me about 350k and cleared a lot of pegs. I took out another cluster with the grenade, and then it was just a matter of mopping up with the remaing balls.
Much to my surprise, I got it again at the next attempt for the video. It looked as if I was going to fall short, but I managed to pick up enough catches and bonuses in the endgame to edge home with 629,220.
Level 9 (Score 650k with 35 red pegs and 81 blue, with only 9 balls - Pro target 850k) - continued
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 587,520
There are a lot of blue pegs that rather get in the way here, plus I had to clear quite a lot of pegs before I could activate the laser ball which had a detrimental effect on the score I then got for it.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,112,390
Much better that time. The laser ball took out more pegs, and better pegs as well. What was left afterwards was much easier to work with in terms of picking up bonuses.
It took me another seven attempts to reach the pro target again for the video, just missing out by less than 50k several times, but when I got it - I obliterated it completely. I took a total clearance for a colossal 1,299,330.
Level 10 (Clear 25 red pegs from 86 total, with only 5 balls and with a 3s shot-clock - Pro target 575k) - continued
That one actually looked quite promising for a bit. The last peg was awkwardly placed, unfortunately, and I couldn't find a route through to it. If I'd hit it, it was low and central, so I had a chance at the 100k bucket which would have been just enough. Certainly the closest yet.
Ooooh! That was close. I caught practically every ball. I only took 5 shots to clear the reds and still had 7 balls left at the end. I didn't actually want to take the last red peg at the end, as I could probably have earned enough bonuses with all those balls in hand to make the pro score. As it was the final ball looked like it was going to drop in the 100k bucket, but managed to find it's way all the way out to the 10k one.
I need to try and find a good high-scoring path for the laser ball. There must be one somewhere. It means I might get a few goes like this one where I don't score many points due to experimentation. I never managed to trigger the gravity ball which didn't help the score none.
I triggered the gravity ball that time, but only with the very last ball, so I never got the chance to fire it. Wasted the laser ball as the clock ran out while I was still thinking about where to send it.
2 red pegs left that time, and a 91% clearance. It was a decent effort, and I found a pretty good route for the laser that took out a good chunk of the right hand side.
A rare success as I cleared all the red pegs, but I was well short on the score. I was still 135k short, and that was despite picking up the maximum 100k bonus at the end.
But to normal again. Two red pegs left which I probably could have got with the last ball, but with the score as low as it was there didn't seem much point.
I need to find a good path for the laser ball. Every path I try seems to ricochet around hitting lots of walls and not many pegs. If I can find a reliably high-scoring route for it then it would boost my score considerably.
Cleared all the red pegs and nearly all the blue ones. Hit the 100k bonus bucket at the end and still finished over 90k short. This is by far and away the hardest of all the levels I've blogged so far, and possibly the hardest of all 860 that I've played in total.
Attempt #33 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 234,810
Got a better route for the laser ball that time, but the rest of it was a bit of a mess. I've tried switching to the Big Bounce in an attempt to try something different.
Attempt #34 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 139,550
Still six red pegs left at the end. I caught one ball, but didn't earn enough bonuses.
Attempt #35 - Laser Ball & Big Bounce. Score: 302,260
Made a lot more catches, but it did me no good as half of them hadn't actually hit any pegs anyway. I'm getting closer to the best line for the laser ball, but I'm not quite there yet.
A much better attempt. I stretched it out to 12 balls, so 7 catches in total. Plus a 95% clearance meant I only had about 3 pegs left at the end, including just one red. I messed up the laser ball though which is probably why my score was still nearly 150k short of the target. I switched back to the Gravity Ball, which I definitely think is better suited to this level.
Finally! Nailed the laser ball that time. Made 8 catches, and generally got very lucky! I thought I was in trouble when the last peg looked in an ungettable position, but I managed to find an angle from somewhere. I was one peg short of a total clearance, but I'm not bothered about that.
The picture is of a ship sailing in the middle of an armada. It has a unicorn figurehead. There is also an enormous bell in the background hanging between two towers on adjacent mountain tops.
Level 1 (Clear 25 red pegs from 91 total - Pro target 525k)
Lots of curves. The follow the edges of the sails, with some more at the bottom like a rough sea. Plus a load of indivudual round pegs.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 328,140
Still had one red peg left at the end. But I was still about 200k short of the pro target so there was quite a bit of work left to do.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 565,120
Managed to scrape together enough points from rebounds and slides to achieve the pro target. There have been easier first levels, but there have been harder ones too.
Level 2 (Clear 25 red pegs from 114 total - Pro target 450k)
We have a big thick cross filled with individual pegs both round and diamond. There should be some good opportunities for rebounds here, as long as I can clear the pegs near the firing point.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 456,510
I tried to leave a red peg untouched until I'd accumulated enough points, but I caught an unexpected rebound. Luckily, I picked up a decent bonus and had just enough balls left to give me the points I needed to scrape in.
Level 3 (Clear 25 red pegs from 96 total - Pro target 475k)
A design based on the picture. There are lots of straight lines, curves, individual pegs, a bit of everything. It's hard to know how these levels are going to pan out.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 294,160
Only 14 shots, so not enough catches made. Ran out of balls before I finished clearing the reds.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 438,170
Only took one more shot than last time, but got much closer. Just one red peg left which I couldn't quite get through to. The score was on target too.
Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 582,280
Got it that time. Up to 21 shots, and those extra catches made all the difference.
Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 119 total - Pro target 450k)
This design is based on the bell in the distance, suspended between the two towers. There's quite a few vertical and near vertical pegs near the side walls which are good for deflections, so there could be some promise here.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 431,060
I had most of the design cleared apart from the two curves that made up the very bottom of the bell. But I ran out of balls before I could decide how to tackle it.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 347,120
Catches seemed much harder to come by that time, so I failed with only 65% of the level cleared after 13 shots. Not a very good attempt. I'll have another go before I resort to a power up.
Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 421,310
I really should have had that one, but I blew it with a careless final shot. With one red peg left and only about 35k needed, I thought I'd take it off the side wall for a guaranteed pro finish, but I missed it.
Attempt #4 - No power ups. Score: 403,770
I felt I had a chance at the pro score there, but an unexpected deflection took out the last three reds all at once, when I could possibly have gone on to pick up a couple more bonuses first.
Level 5 (Score 400k with 35 red pegs and 56 blue - Pro target 675k)
The same design as level 1, although it's unusual for a design to be repeated so soon. The target score shouldn't be a problem, but the pro score might be.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 560,940
As I thought, the basic target was easy to reach, but the pro score a lot harder. I still had quite a few red pegs left at the end, so some more catches and I might have got there.
Level 6 (Clear 25 red pegs from 118 total - Pro target 525k)
A crow's nest design with a lot of pegs meshed very closely together. I'll try it without a power up first, but both the laser and the grenade would probably work well here.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 237,240
Not a very good attempt, that one. Far too many careless shots and not enough catches.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 305,250
An even worse attempt than the last one. The yellow peg took a long time to get to, then I didn't do much with it, managing to avoid the biggest concentration of pegs. I tried to bide my time to pick off purple rebounds, but kept misjudging them.
Took no chances that time, and opted for both the laser and grenade balls, both of which work well on levels like this where lots of pegs are condensed into a small area. I did much better with the laser this time, and it never really looked in doubt from then on.
Level 7 (Clear 35 red pegs from 114 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 575k)
The same design as level 2. It didn't prove too tricky then, so I'll try without power ups first.
Attempt #1 - No power ups. Score: 477,490
I was short on score and trying to build it up with rebounds and catches when I ran out of balls. I think it's worth one more try without power ups.
Attempt #2 - No power ups. Score: 495,720
Close again, but not quite there. Again I ran out of balls while trying to add a few more points. Only two red pegs left which I probably could have taken with a single ball, but I couldn't guarantee where the ball would fall afterwards.
Attempt #3 - No power ups. Score: 331,400
Not very close that time. It's time to give up and try the laser ball.
Attempt #4 - Laser Ball. Score: 853,800
No problems with the laser ball. Although I'm not sure that it actually made that much difference. By and large I just got lucky. I picked up a lot more fortunate catches. I got the split ball off the white peg and both balls fell in the bucket for the 100k bonus. That sort of thing. I got a total clearance which I probably wouldn't have got without the laser, but I suspect I would have done enough to get the pro score.
Level 8 (Clear 35 red pegs from 119 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 700k)
The same design as level 4, but a few more red pegs and one less ball. The pro target is quite a lot higher though, so I'll start with the laser ball.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 811,690
It took a while to get through to the yellow peg, but once I had, it didn't really look in doubt. It was just a matter of building my score high enough. I always seemed to have plenty of balls in hand.
Level 9 (Clear 35 red pegs from 118 total, with only 9 balls - Pro target 650k)
The same design as level 6, but just like the last level, this one has a few more red pegs, one less ball, and a higher pro target. For level 6 I ended up using double power ups to through it, so I think I'll do the same here.
One red peg left at the end, but it never felt a very satisfactory attempt. The power ups could both have worked better, and indeed their trigger pegs could both have been positioned better.
The yellow peg was completely unaccessible right down the bottom, and was still there at the end. Even when I finally broke through to the grenade ball trigger, I still couldn't trigger the laser.
Managed it that time, but only just. It took a while to break through to the yellow peg. But when I had, a lot of the left hand side had gone, so I concentrated the laser ball on the right hand side. Then I made a complete mess of the grenade, but still managed to pick off enough bonuses towards the end to scrape a pro target. It needed a total clearance though.
Level 10 (Clear ALL pegs - 25 red and 71 blue - Pro target 750k)
The same design as level 3, but all pegs are needed.
Attempt #1 - Laser Ball. Score: 335,060
Only 83% clearance. I struggled to get through to the yellow peg, didn't do very well with the laser once I'd got it, and hardly made any catches. Generally dreadful effort all round.
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 1,058,420
The yellow peg was available straight away, and I did much better with the laser ball. Lots of catches later, I had reached and passed the pro target. In fact, everything that went wrong on the last go went right this time.
Level 4 (Clear 25 red pegs from 119 total - Pro target 450k)
Attempt #5 - Laser Ball. Score: 423,590
Still 5 red pegs left at the end. It took too many balls to get through to the yellow peg.
Attempt #6 - Laser Ball. Score: 697,400
Again, it took a long time to get through to the yellow peg, but I made a lot more catches so was able to fire a lot more balls. I finished with an enormous bonus of about 230k which I'm still not sure I how got.
Level 5 (Score 400k with 35 red pegs and 56 blue - Pro target 675k)
Attempt #2 - Laser Ball. Score: 462,070
I was trying for the total clearance to boost my score, but missed by two pegs.
Attempt #3 - Laser Ball. Score: 771,290
Triggered the laser ball at the first attempt. Luck was generally with me as I seemed to pick up quite a lot of unexpected bonuses and bucket catches. Hit the pro target quite easily and finished with balls to spare.
