Bionicle: The Game test2 (92-02) strat code (PS2)

With the power of the I-Ninja demo, a dev build of PCSX2, and some bytecode fixes, we can finally get a proper look at the strats from the unused Lewa Mata level (92-02). Most of what's here appear to be test strats, which basically confirms this was just a hastily made copy of the level used for testing random things. This actually makes sense, since this appears to be an old version of the level (Compared to what we see in screenshots and trailers), despite having a wad version that's much newer than expected (0x6F).
As for the strats, there are tons of plants and shrubs that are generated on the fly. I've shown these before, but now we can get a good look at the them without graphical issues getting in the way. Aside from those, the most noticeable strat is probably the ring of particles that follow Gali Mata around. Not sure if this lives in Gali Mata's wad waiting to be triggered by 92-02, or if the code is in 92-02.pss itself. Regardless, the particles are similar to the energy ones shown in my last vid. Next, we have these weird spotlight things at the start of the level. I assume these were used for some kind of lighting test, but they're more than a bit eye-destroying. You can also see a billow of smoke, and a geyser of blue dots, which are likely old particle tests. After that, I showed the canister strat, which turned out to be interactable. The behavior is similar to the finalized strat, except it has no sfx, and fires an unused item (MaskPickup). I've shown this item before, but here it actually increments the mask counter! Following that, you'll see a collision particle sprayer, which uses the same trigger as the jump cheat (R2). Lastly, there are various water effects around the water features that we couldn't see before, which add a bit more life to the area.

[@DragonClaw-eg6nj]

I love that we got any form of this level. Honestly, I don't see how the matoran escort idea failing is any excuse to so badly shrink the areas. I hate how constricted and linear they made it in the final game, as someone who actually played this removed level, I can honestly say that the sheer feeling of freedom of being able to climb all over everything in such a vast area in this game felt absolutely amazing! Such a horrible loss that the general structures of the levels didn't stay like this.

[@asherzerbib3461]

Gali on the dance floor? How could I refuse? Really appreciate the work you do on this under appreciated game.

[@PowerUpT]

1:51
Unappreciative Lego Star Wars fan: "Erm, I never liked Bionicle because it took itself too seriously."
Bionicle forest disco: