I’ve always been a fan of non-linearity in game design.
Some time ago, I read Justin Alexander’s series on Jacquaying, and immediately decided I wanted to use those principles — loops, elevation changes, and meaningful choice — in the maps I designed.
Using the tools wrong
Everything loops around eventually, but the paths are never short.
Recently, I got to run my first full-size dungeon (built, of course, on my understanding of these principles).
It didn’t quite work.