This level is a 10/10 in my eyes, is what i would've said if this level existed in a world without Sunset Sandstorm. Nonetheless im not one to shame others for taking inspirations as this is builds on the ideas Sunset Sandstorm put forward in a very neat manner. I must admit that this is the first level that came out of 2.2 that made me have some hope in the update not dooming the community to years of trash levels being pumped as creators all collectively forget how to put objects together in any meaningful manner.

The predrop is a very nice start to the level, the cube part is very simple and the "geometric" approach to the decoration represents each notes very well. It's simple, nothing outstanding sure, but it does the job. It's a pleasing asset to look at. The ball part has a nice use of the gradient trigger introducing some color in the level which is a nice segue into the drop section.

The release of energy that the song delivers is matched with de level opening up to a bright and colorful section. The floating orb gameplay reminiscent of Sunward by neigefeu fits in perfectly in my opinion. The background and pretty much every other asset in this part help make it feel so grand and powerful, the way the level makes the cube come back to ground level and ascend again is just so nice. This trend continues in into the last section of the drop where the gameplay shifts again to something more pattern based, as well as the decoration, again, very similar to Sunset Sandstorm in that way.

The level ends off pretty much how it started, a neat way of ending a level in my opinion.

Facsimile of meaning whose only statement is to say that Renn can only imitate and not meaningfully depict much of anything.

The Sun Came Forth demonstrates a notable departure from the qualities that defines Renn241’s skillset in the editor, but said departure is substituted with such a riveting atmosphere that, dare I say, it makes for one of the most memorable levels by the creator.

At first, I wasn't fully captivated by The Sun Came Forth's pitch darkness and sparse greyscale decoration in the initial part. The empty spaces left a lot to be desired. However, as the level progressed, with added details and colorful gradients in the ball part as the song ramps up, it became evident that the level may be conveying a message or experience transcending geometrical details alone. This message would become even clearer upon reaching the first dash orb in what might be the most cathartic drop sequence I have seen since Lit Fuse. The burst of energy and vibrant colors upon hitting the dash orb was truly beautiful. It felt like a release of pent-up emotions, resonating deeply with the melancholic tone of the Cacola song. This emotional journey continued as the player descended, with the vibrant, rainbow-colored background distorting increasingly, reflecting a sense of anguish and emotion. This distortion intensified through subsequent wave and ship parts, leading to a return to darkness. By the end, I was left speechless.

This level was a very beautiful emulation of Renn241's emotional turmoil, with the drop expressing the creator in his most distressed state despite being the most vibrant part (an irony to the title name), with the emotions being even stronger until the end. I absolutely love levels that provide this kind of personal and emotional connection, and The Sun Came Forth might be the best level I've played in a long time to do that. I recognize the level may not be to the tastes of everyone, especially when considering some of the gameplay is completely blind, and the parts may feel dragged. In my opinion, levels that best capture the creator’s emotions in the way they intended are some form of masterpiece in their own right.

The powerful experience ties to the creator's struggles with creating. As mentioned in his YouTube description, Renn241 finds immense dissatisfaction and hatred in what he builds, viewing his levels as soulless and meaningless. The Sun Came Forth is supposed to be a step towards being a more impactful experience, by reflecting on the emotions that Renn241 has for oneself through the representation of intense emotions with respect to the song. One commenter of the video sums it up perfectly: "perfectionism of a creative form is a terrible thing." This is true, and it's a very institutionalized concern that several creators experience. My only wish for these creators, and Renn241 especially, is to find solace and satisfaction with their creative endeavors. It saddens me when such talented creators, like Renn241, struggle to realize the value and beauty in their work and end up getting consumed by the darkness that is self-doubt and perfectionism. I guess the main takeaway is that it’s important to embrace one’s imperfections and creativity; allowing our creative minds to flow more freely without an internal or external voice hindering us can truly help lead to more fruitful and satisfying outcomes. Though The Sun Came Forth may still remain unrated, regardless of any future outcomes, I sincerely hope that Renn241 (and others for the matter) can find peace in their creative journeys, knowing that their levels have inspired several others and spark joy among those experiencing them.

Beautiful work, Renn, please keep being the amazing creator and person that you are. <3

• Review sourced from Viprin + Paste