Deadlocked is probably my 3rd favourite official level behind Blast Processing and Clubstep. While the other 2 excel in their simplicity, Deadlocked is a very complex level. It uses many of the 2.0 features in very unique ways while not feeling cluttered or inconsistent in quality. Deadlocked very much feels like the ultimate challenge in terms of official levels, and lives up to that hype. Compared to Clubstep and ToE 2, Deadlocked is much more wild in its gameplay and visual design, and is much more difficult in comparison. The beginning starts in an almost lifeless setting, with very static gameplay. As the beat loudens and you pass the green orbs, the level significantly changes. The gameplay suddenly becomes very fast-paced with more complex designs and movements. Deadlocked excels in progression compared to most other official levels, something which is pretty clear when playing them side-by-side. The gameplay generally gets harder as the level goes on, with short breaks after fast-moving sections of the level. One issue I have gameplay-wise is the balancing. If you have beaten Deadlocked or played it for a time you’ll understand that it’s the LEAST balanced Robtop demon, far worse than the ToE 2 ship section or Clubstep’s last third. The wave sections as well as the memory ship feel much harder than other parts of the level, and not in a good way. I do commend Robtop on creatively using new features (The bossfight, the “cannon” part at 30ish%, first and last ships) much better than how a lot of early custom levels did. Visually this is one of my favourite Robtop levels despite its inconsistency. It rapidly switches between dungeon-like, industrial and lava-filled sections for most of the level. However, I think the uniqueness makes it more memorable, and no part by itself is inconsistent in quality, only design. Easily one of my favourite 2.0 levels and just like Clubstep, this gets a 10/10.

Deadlocked was my hardest for a very long time

Second level of 2.0 , the gameplay as a few flaws :

The transition into the first 3x speed wave is horrible , the first ball part's green orb is buggy sometimes and the last ufo is impossible to read even after constant practice

The rest of the gameplay is pretty fun tho

As for the deco , it's a really good example of how to decorate in 2.0 which is what this level and Geometrical Dominator were supposed to be about , so the level does its job

Finally , the level is constantly difficult meaning it's always a good challenge every time you play it

ok icl rob COOKED on this one. best and easiest robtop demon