(written on 7/7/24)

AMELANCHIER is hhxa23’s first level of 2.2, and it really did not disappoint. I first discovered hhxa23’s works about 2 years ago, when a friend showed me his unrated level “seismic”. While that level was weakly executed, I saw a ton of potential in his creating style. It seems that I was right to have this thought, as AMELANCHIER is a masterfully executed five minute level that takes you on a journey through many unknown factory environments. While a level with this theme sounds like it would be unsettling, the song, Adrift by Cursedsnake, gives the whole experience a very soothing feel. The gameplay is also super well made, and is very relaxing to play. This vibe carries on until around the halfway point, where the level picks up and becomes much more chaotic, with tons of debris flying across the screen. I love the UFO part here with all of the road signs scattered around the screen in particular, as it makes for a great tonal shift while still retaining the style of the previous sections. The level eventually winds down and ends with everything fading away. Due to its length and overall learny nature, I would probably say that this is a low-end Insane Demon. The level also contains a complex coin route that requires you to explore many different areas to destroy assorted fuse boxes. It was a really fun experience finding all of these spots, and I recommend doing so if you have the patience. Overall, AMELANCHIER is a level with fantastic progression, and I would honestly say it’s one of my favorites to release in 2.2 so far. I think this level deserves a Legendary Insane Demon rating. I hope to see hhxa23 soon receive the recognition he deserves for this masterpiece!