I have this feeling deep inside of me that I really shouldn't like this level, but for some reason I just do. Is it because it uses Mantarave by Creo?... well, largely yes, but I still think the level has a few nice things about it that are good in their own right.

The main draw of this level is famously the fully 3D opening cutscene that depicts the destruction of the spaceship you're (presumably) on. I do think this is a very well crafted opening, because while I am not really huge about the recent influx of levels with theatrical openings, this one does a bit more to actually set the tone of the level and goes beyond being there just for show. It shows a series of pictures hung up on the wall, each one depicting what seems to be some sort of memory. In addition the general atmosphere is pretty quiet at first, which I think sells the atmosphere of space pretty well. It is a neverending expanse of near-nothingness, where sound cannot be made or heard. Of course, that obviously isn't the case on the ship, but having that initial silence really makes you feel alone, and ultimately creates a more sad conclusion. It is the end of your journey, and no one is here with you. All that can be seen is the suffocating emptiness of space as you live through your final moments. It's a very powerful story that makes that opening cutscene and cinematic flair a bit more worth it.

That said, the level still leans a bit too hard into the cinematic design for me to really love it. The actual meat of the level feels a bit undercooked. If I recall bli actually mentioned that the second half of the level was rushed, giving favor to that opening scene, and that really stings. To have a miniature movie at the start is one thing, but for that movie to take full priority over the rest of the level just feels cheap. I don't hate the rest of the level (largely for song choice lol) but I can't help but feel that some more polish would've gone a long way. As is, the gameplay and backgrounds feel a bit too separate from each other. I actually don't even think the gameplay in this level is bad since it's not too difficult to parse and actually has some sort of creative ideas. I only wish there was some more effort invested in this part and not just the initial cutscene. Still, this level is still pretty fun with decent emotional aspects; I just lose a bit of respect due to the design philosophy, favoring the non-level part of the experience.

Honestly I like the opening cinematic more than the actual level. I just think the story of this level is really confusing and the level doesn't really stick to it as much as it could. Feels as though you could replace any of these parts and the story wouldn't really change much. All parts would probably be decent on their own though, and the level is pretty overall since Bli is good at polishing. It definitely leans towards overstimulating the player with lots of flashes and effects which I think is one of the things that made this level a little more confusing to follow.

Gameplay is alright. Expected it to play poorly based on how flowy and overstimulating it kind of is but I was able to sightread it in like 3 attempts.

Looks good and has fun gameplay, and that's about it

You could genuinely tell that there was more work done here in terms of concept, it doesn't seem very deep either but at least here they tried hard to be more consistent, the first half is very well executed (and the intro is fascinating and the drop transition is one of the best of 2.2 in My opinion), but then you can tell that they did it in a hurry (and with good reason, as one of the duo who made the level explains) and that is felt a lot, a somewhat disappointing reiteration that exhausts something quickly, I'm not saying that reiterating is bad but here it is noticeable as a last minute resource, also I'm getting tired of the tendency of levels related to bli to show so much in so little in such a brilliant way in a bad way, one thing is to show a lot very quickly and another is to do it but with a thousand effects in your face and with animations that you can only appreciate if you put it in slow motion, as a last resort, despite this level not having fascinated me, I recognize that it is a good step for what I will deliver in the future.

This level's gp and deco are both very good but I just can't give this level mythic. I wish more interesting things were done with the theme. I know Bli could have done so much more with the level if there was more time. If the actual level had as much effort put into it as the opening cinematic this level would be much better, instead of 4 backgrounds flashing in the background over (admittingly fun) gameplay.