Level Design Checklist

This is the big check list I go through from time to time when I work on a level, just to make sure I haven't forgotten something important.

Not all the points apply to any map (i.e. What about emotional involvement in a death-match arena ^^) but I'd rather skip it upon reading than not finding it or having to browse through various lists.
Some of them are just there as a reminder that "It can sometimes be fun...just think about it" (i.e. Reuse space and backtracking)

• Check level versus blueprint and initially defined core values?
• Orientation : Where you are, where you go, what are your options
• Strong and Memorable moments : Identify them. Tech + prod feasability.
• Pacing and Game Rythm in line with high level intentions
• Diversity : avoid tasteless, repetitive and monotonous action
• Create motivation, goals, and give back rewards
• Surprise the player, make him wait for the unexpected
• Emotional Involvement : choice for the player, powerful situations
• Don't do everything at the same time (narrative, gameplay, tech show off)
• Define the passive narrative of your locations (Every place has a story to tell)
• Reuse space and backtracking : once a place is learned by player, reuse it with new objectives and challenges
• Layered Gameplay (game on demand) : Deliver the core experience, and think of bonuses and extra / side missions. (Bonus narrative, Bonus difficulty steps)
• Half the player choices should come from the level itself : positioning yourself, choosing your path and challenge, using interactive element to modify the area (close/open access or covers, switch On/Off gameplay modifiers, hinder your opponent and make it your place, etc)
• No dead ends (backtracking with new gameplay can be OK)
• Clear Objective and sub goals. Is pacing OK ?
• Always something animated / moving in the scenery
• Identify choke points, attractors and repulsors
• Learning setups (teaching new stuff to the player)
• Check contrasts : layout and volumes (big / small), action pacing (quiet, frenzy), lonely vs busy nest, player in control or not
• Objective and sub goals accomplishment feel cool (special setup, cut scene, etc)
• Present the rewards, tease the player with it
• Narrative twist, Action twist (things don't go as expected)

As a lead, it can be useful to add your specific project points, remove those irrelevant and build a grid to share with your LD for easy tracking.