[quote name='A Happy Panda']I'm not having problems with the levels like getting lost or anything. I just want to explore the whole thing. But this whole guessing where to go, and depending on blind falls is annoying. I just wish I could pause the game and look at a map is all. They can hide the little secret areas even a la Metroid.
I just looked at the Area 2 map, and I missed the entire bottom left half of the level. That's stupid. And looking at it, I can see why. I would've had to rely on a blind fall to get there.[/quote]
That's a funny thing about a game like this, and Megaman 9, looking at it's achievements. The secrets and difficult areas of this game are made as a response to the crazy, pointless actions that fans of the old games used to do. Having a blind jump lead to something is like a reward to all the people who want to truly do all they can in the stages. You run into things at points that you previously imagined "there should be something THERE!". Well, now, there is!
I dunno if I'd like to see an actual map added to the game, not initially, anyway. The ridiculous feel of "Man, this place is stupid big!" is one of those feelings I loved in the NES game. I always found it impressive. I wouldn't mind if the developers met the idea half way, though. Maybe giving a stage preview at the start of the stage, or letting you look over the maps in a viewer, after completing them.
Let me take that time to mention that I love the games Database. Every game needs these! It's fun, like the developers notes they used to have in the back of Working Designs games; Extra info that helps one get that much more into the game, and lets you see the true depth behind the work that went into it.