It's a serviceable level, and I think it is a good step above most Audieo CC entries for the sheer fact that the sample usage isn't there for the "wow this is from this other level" value. Like its trying to use its samples in a thematic way which is cool. I kind of feel like sample use in GD is at its infancy cuz right now most people are just making levels with samples but not putting much thought into said samples.

With that said I'm not really sold on the whole concept that Vegtam goes for here. The level paints light strokes on the subject matter of AI but I feel like at most its just a sugarcoated theme rather than a deeper exploration. I know this certainly was not Vegtam's intent, but by making the AI an appealing cat-girl robot and not really doing much beyond that characterization, it's almost doing the opposite of being an indictment of AI. I can respect that this level takes sample-usage a step further, but I think it can improve beyond this.

Wasn't so sure about what rating I would give this level. Kind of a bit of a tossup, but I think a 7 fits best. Gameplay is pretty good, usage of samples we're interesting, and I do like the idea behind the theme, but aside from that though, there's not much I can say about it.

Great level! I agree that sampling wasn't utilized amazingly here but it does well enough with forming its own idea that it gets somewhat of a pass when reviewing.

It's alright. I think the shaders are a biiit much for me (4.5-5)

Eventually I want to do a rant on sampling in GD and why it doesn't work or at least why I think no level has used it in an effective way so far. (EDIT: I took another look at Radio by 7ak and I think that level actually uses samples pretty effectively. No other level that I've seen uses sampling in an interesting way though) Maybe I'll be proven wrong when I see the results of Audieo's CC. For now I'll talk about why this level sucks.

Vegtam seems to have a lot of talent as a creator being able to pull off many different styles, but I think that's part of the reason why his creations tend to fall flat. They have no identity. They are all heavily inspired by something better and make very weak strides to do something different. I'm mainly talking about his gauntlet levels as I'm not familiar with his other work. This level is no different and the issue is actually compounded by the heavy use of sampling. To put it simply, this level feels like a mechanical blob. Nothing sticks out to me apart from the occasional structure that I may recognize from another level. The theme is barely developed beyond another cutesy character to draw thumbnail attention. The gameplay is so watered down and stupid that I want to fall asleep while playing. The song is really not my thing at all.

Just a disaster that I'm surprised is getting praise.

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I'm splitting up my thoughts here after I read what the theme is actually supposed to be from another review. It's a good idea in all honesty but it's just so poorly communicated and doesn't change much about what I said earlier. It's enough to raise my score a point tho.

Vegtam usually makes peak or at least very worthwhile experiences, which is something Copycat is not, poor use of sampling in terms of the deco quality and hard to read and unfun gameplay