This is how I know Game Maker's random() function isn't very random:

I put in the Kid Pix "Draw Me" prompt into my game, and the phrase "I am Commander Salamander with a magic cookie jar, and I live in your bathtub" is consistently the first thing I see.

If you're flying over the ocean, it doesn't leave you much choice in what kind of bad guys you fight. They have to fly, too.

Apparently, there are only three time zones between Brazil and the UK.

So, I might as well add some clouds and rain.

Why does this robot get twin six-shooters? Because these robots can only keep so many missiles, but you never run out of energy blasts from six-shooters.

That, and symmetry, and they look cool.

I don't normally do mockups, but since the mockup is in-engine, I'll make an exception. It helps me figure out whether or not drop-shadows (and enemies that move in the background) would be effective in this level.

...I think the answer is "yes".

My only goal with this bot design was "something with missile launchers". Yeah, they're there. Just not in the hands.

I feel like I combined a Patlabor with Briareos.

What? Did you think all robot maids had jet skis? Of course not. This one takes rides on top of a flying car.

I'm gonna have to draw scene-specific sprites for Pinafore, though. One doesn't simply stand on top of a car and not have that hair flap.

I know it isn't a very lady-like pose, but it keeps her stable on a speeding vehicle.

Also, I don't need to animate walking in this section.

I figure it would be a bit cooler if we started flying at night, then as we cross time zones across the Atlantic, it would be daytime by the time the player reaches their destination in the UK.

...but it doesn't look like "night" yet.

To quote George Lucas, "I might have gone a bit too far in a few places."