Favortie kind of Level?

[MrYesterday]

Infernal maps

Paired with something like this as the soundtrack

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

For the fifth and seventh generation of consoles I also liked that trend of making "organic/inside a body" type of levels (as scary it may have been) such as OoT's Jabu Jabu's belly:

I also like sixth gen beach/sea levels as said above but I also love "sky high" or flying type of levels in a non shmup game (like said by OP):

City levels at night (like Speed Highway)

 

[Neb Lleb]

I don't know why, but I really love shady government complexes. Be it in horror, action or even platformer games, complexes that house dark secrets often create a sense of unease and mystery as you're digging in to see what dirty stuff is in there. Such as Dr. Eggman, the world's greatest genius, raiding a G.U.N. complex housing the ultimate lifeform Shadow in the first level of Sonic Adventure 2's Dark campaign or Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield discovering the giant laboratory beneath the Spencer Mansion in Resident Evil (specifically the REmake). But my favourite examples have to be F.E.A.R. and F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, which are full of dark, grimy military compounds from the Armacham Technology Corporation's sinister dealings.

 

[polter99]

I love poison swamp with unavoidable poison damage, with an elevator straight to lava area. Without saying much, I'm sure you know what kind of game this is.

On a more serious note, I love level/area with hybrid vibe to it. Can only think of one example since I feel like this is very rare, but Coral Highland from Monster Hunter World is one of the more prettier level that mixed between underwater plus wind level. It's like something out of Spongebob. I'd say wind because this is natural habitat of Paolumu, Flying Meduso (that jellyfish on the background), and one whole mechanic where you use Gliding Mantle to easily reach the top.

And no, I'm not going to count Guiding Land.

 

[rugal]

ice and caves and buildings that are underwater
mt celcius in tales of eternia
fenrir cavern tales of destiny

 

[Adachi_08]

I like horror themed levels in non-horror games. I also like surreal looking levels, ones that kinda make sence, but no really. Maybe autumn levels too, the color pallete of different shades of orange feels good to look at.

 

[Neb Lleb]

I like horror themed levels in non-horror games. I also like surreal looking levels, ones that kinda make sence, but no really. Maybe autumn levels too, the color pallete of different shades of orange feels good to look at.

My favourites are definitely the Asylum and Orphanage from Painkiller and the Battle out of Hell expansion.

 

[BiriCross]

- Ruins Themed Levels
- Space Themed Levels
- Futuristic Themed Levels
- Casino Themed Levels
- Desert Themed Levels

 

[Mordovah]

Archipelagos and islands in general.
Whether in the sea or floating in the air, I like isolated landmasses and sailing.
Which pretty much makes games like Megaman Legends, Chrono Cross, Skies of Arcadia, and Wind Waker some of my favorite games.

 

[Muftie2809]

In general, I like few kinds of levels, which kind of levels that's quite open and technically not too difficult for replayability, and also one with gameplay gimmicks, with the setting on the outer space.

The example of the first one is Iridia from WipEout Pure. I know it's a racing game, but I like it because it's pretty open on the first half, but also offering a bit of technical turns that not too hard on the other half of the track.

The second one, however, I'll put the Aero Blasters/Air Buster here, because of the ice physics-like mechanics which makes the ship just glides as soon as you stops moving the ship itself. It starts on the Phase 4 up to about ¾ of Phase 5, and it's actually fun as soon as you get used to it. It's unique, and I really like it.