Very awesome

(You are so cool, Kris~ <3 )

Very nice. Look into normal-mapping textures and lighting. If I had 3ds Max installed again on my system, I'd be probably doing the same stuff.
The only 'problem' with making the world enter/exit on a Z-Axis coupled with the X/Y's, means redesigning the entire world layout, to prevent rooms from sitting in each other.
[I was thinking of doing the same thing with Symphony of the Night... but that would be nightmarish in terms of design.]
wow. That game art design degree came in handy after all.

Normal mapping will not cut it for making these bubbles bubbly, I have to model them (they have a mere bump map now but it's only a screenshot) to get the glassy, layered look I want
Looking into rendering is a waste for me at the moment because my computer can't do anything, so I just have fun modelling. I know how to do some light but not spooky indoors lava light.

Z-axis etc: yeah. To solve this I spend some time thinking over each room and what it is supposed to do. One could make a 3D sidescroller but I don't want to do that, I want to make full 3D. So it's basically making a new room layout with the same functions and look, I try to break it up a little so it isn't as linear, and think about what you see from the entry point.

Look at what this guy is doing: http://mithosk-games.blogspot.com/ it doesn't really add much 3D to the game (but it's a fun project nonetheless)

Why have you studied games if you are not using it for anything? You should be!

I dunno.. Had a job.. lost it.. Stuff isn't good enough to get me a job yet, nor have I been feeling very creative beyond my 40K stuff. It's frustrating, to say the least. But the good thing is, all the teaching is in the skull.

One thing to consider, is learning a game engine. Unreal or Source, are two of the best choices. All the lighting can be done in there. As for textures, I'd see the lava bubbles as normal mapped beneath, then physical 'orbs' with a diffusion reflective quality.

Yes, I am referring to the green orbs

oh, and.. I don't think rooms colliding is going to happen with some planning. And at that, the Super Metroid map is not very dense, and I'm keeping to the overall map layout so far (with only 3 rooms sketched up hahhaha)

I'm more worried about shinespark and space jump functionality translation buuuut it'll be okay.

dem bubbles ,it's coming out pretty freakin awesome so far.i hope those bubbles dont rack your brain too much he he :o

makes me think o the access caverns under NOVAK in the game Descent 3