utilizing invisible gameplay to support the narrative of the level is probably one of the most wild and novel concepts ever done for a level; on top of that the level is so fun to figure out

there will never be a level like this ever again

One of the most thematically well made levels I have ever beaten, the song is unlike any other I've heard before it's a very well made piece.

Both the level and song have made me cry a little bit before in the past, it's just that

not one level in the game that works with its song better than this one. the gameplay elements being completely invisible is such an ambitious choice but i really can't imagine the level being any different; the bare icon above the backdrop of animations and visual cues that tie into the gameplay is incredibly striking. all the parts despite being themed completely differently with individual gameplay gimmicks come together as a whole super well, as well as individually being a treat to play. the way the last part in particular plays out, deconstructing before reverting back to simple shapes, is gorgeous and a really fitting ending to the sort of melancholy i interpret the level as trying to convey, which comes through pretty clearly, even if hard to identify with words, despite it being really cute on the surface. that cute factor shouldn't be ignored though!! there's a lot to take in from how those two emotions play with each other here, it's a rewardingly complex experience. beautiful level, beautiful ending. one of my all time favorites

Rate I would give: Star rate
I'm all for experimental levels but I don't get why this one in particular is one of the most popular. It's alright...?

Crossroads by mbed is an extremely unique, and dare I say, revolutionary level. This level takes the daring idea of making every single bit of gameplay invisible and makes you play entirely based on sync or repetition. Yet, somehow, it is one of the most fun experiences you could have playing a level. The aesthetic this level gives off is absolutely unheard of, even with levels that try to mimic this style, none I've seen have come anywhere close to what crossroads is able to do.

The decoration is extremely unique and interesting, which it has to be since the gameplay is completely invisible. It uses super pretty colors, frame-by-frame animation, this certain art style which I couldn't name for my life, but it uses it! The first part is quite simple, involving essentially no moving objects/animation at all. You simply go up and up, passing by lamps which look like optical illusions next to broken down roads on a background which resembles The Game of Life. Despite literally being the same thing over and over again for about 50 seconds, it somehow keeps your attention and keeps you interested.

The next part uses a really nice blue and red color scheme, with grid spaces popping out of a white abyss with red points. There's also these animated balloons that pop and reverse, pop and reverse, pop and reverse. This part is completely auto, and yet it still interests me. This level is an enigma.... The next part is one of my favorites by far. It is a yellow faucet which slowly drips down water and slowly fills up the area. The water moves at a low fps and makes it feel like you're in some stop motion animation, I love the style of this part SO MUCH. You also click to the sync here, and it is super fun. Not many levels require you to click to the music this literally.

The dual ship and ufo up next are absolutely reminiscent of Lit Fuse by KrmaL, but with it's wn take! It incorporates it into it's style and keeps it simple, yet endearing. I really like it even if it's quite simple. The next cube part is a simple black background with pencil drawn styled road signs. I know I say it a lot, but the aesthetic of this part is other-worldly. I don't know what it is about the way things are drawn in this level, but it's like literally no other level I've seen in this game.

The next part uses probably my favorite colors in the whole level. The animation is simply entering doors over and over again, as doors fill the background. It's very repetitive, in a good way! And at the end, all the doors close and you leave them all once more. The colors in this part are SO good and they fit so well with each other.

The next robot part is themed around a railroad, with a train coming closer and farther away syncing with the song, and you click at the end of every measure. It's a really simply decorated part, a completely blue background with one animation and the occasional railroad crossing sign. It's barebones, but it WORKS. As I've said before, simple ideas can make for an extremely memorable execution.

The final dual of the level comes up next and almost feels like a final climax and a look on all the parts you've went through. You are shrouded in these rapidly color changing and moving pulsing stars that just sweep around your screen. You're completely invisible apart from your trail, and you have to fly as you watch every memorable object from your journey build up. It's cathartic to say the least.

The final cube is the last part of the level, with a rapidly moving and color changing background covered by these rainbow stripes which you must navigate through. Every orb here is invisible and you must KNOW what you're doing. This part genuinely feels like a dream, and I don't mean that lightly. I could see myself genuinely dreaming this!

Then you hit the final dash orb.

The song goes higher pitched, and slowly starts to fade out as a random assortment of lines and art seems to mash together near the end. You keep holding. The background starts to flash red and orange, and it slowly starts to get darker. It looks like you escaped wherever you were. Just blocks of white surround you, you don't know what's there, you don't want to know what's there. The song performs its last notes, and the level ends.

The song representation in this level might be the best I've seen in any level ever. Apricot Special by rkz is a surreal masterpiece of a song, and every note feels like it became a detail in this level. You went on a journey and this song accompanied you the entire way through. It almost feels like the song is a stop motion animation in itself, if that makes sense. (Probably not LOL) Anyways.

One of the most surreal levels of all time. My biggest recommendation by far.