This level marks the start of a transitional period for Jayuff, starting to incorporate more general design sensibilities rather than the more flat/modern approach that they were taking in levels like Odd or Amarillo that predominated early 2.1. And I think this experimentation is really cool because unlike those other levels, the individual parts here feel much more cohesive and whole compared to parts in their older work, where there's a very stark disconnect between the background and foreground that brings down the vibe.

This level also experiments with a lot of different styles, and you can see some shades of older creators in some parts (kind of like how the first part feels very nasgubb inspired), but then you see Jayuff blazing a new trail for level design, and a motif that'll probably catch your eye- these multicolored glow structures. You can tell they were feeling themselves with this idea because not only is this iterated on in later parts, but also in future levels, and I think these designs are decently innovative for the time- a lot of Jayuff's work in this period and later on is very reminiscent of the much playful and colorful designs we would be seeing in the late 2.1 era- where a new generation of creators would take these types of elements and sentiments towards level design to usher in what I would consider to be GD's renaissance.

Sadly, this level itself is not something I find too interesting nowadays, as I think it hasn't aged perfectly, as well as having a few hit-or-miss parts, but I think it serves as a pretty important springboard to Jayuff's creating journey and what would lead them succeeding so much more in the future.

Dazzlingly stylish and excitingly experimental, "Messier 45" is a phenomenal level that's almost as spectacular and sparkling as the cluster of stars from which it derives its name. Blissfully bathed in neon and sublimely showered in starlight, I personally think it might barely be able to claim the title as Jayuff's best level. It's a wonderfully vibrant and varied audiovisual odyssey, dragging you from glowing palm trees, to crashing, colorful waves, to a dual segment vaguely reminiscent of the retro TV aesthetic briefly touched upon in Jayuff's later "Special FX", as well as the sprawling megalopolis (either at day or at night depending on if you're daring enough to attempt one of the level's diabolical coin routes). The diverse and lively manner by which it is structured almost makes "Messier" feel like a sort-of prequel to "Special FX".

"Messier 45" is an exceptionally clean and well-made level that's heavily supplemented by an incredibly groovy song ('Mountain Light' is an amazing song regardless of the fact that it's technically a WIP); I don't know how he does it, but Jayuff's always been able to curate the best songs for his levels. It's really fun to play and the coin routes in "Messier 45" are as devilishly evil and convoluted as they are creative.