(5/29/2025: Pardon me, I just changed this review)

I didn't think I'd be at a point where a level would peak my interest to the maximum. Not even Well Rested or CastleMania (Mind you, two of my favorite levels in the game) has managed to do that. This level... this had succeeded in doing so. Like, I could watch/play this level for days, weeks, months even, and every single one of those times, I would never get tired of it. Admittingly, I had to give it some more time before fully articulating my thoughts, and after some time had passed... yeah, safe to say that this is my new favorite level in the game, and one that I personally consider to be the best level in the game bar none.

I'm probably going a bit overboard with this. I should probably explain as to why I love this level so much.

It's a lot of things really, but mainly the overall execution of it is what sells it for me. The ideas in this level are interesting and unique, and the execution of it all is done incredibly well. From the many instances of parallaxes in some parts, to the orbiting spider part, to the camera film (that people we're reminded of Lonely Travel) in the UFO/Ship, to the 3D Rotating Observatory at the Robot, and of course the main highlight of the level: The 3D Z-Axis part at the drop and the wave. Each and every part on it's own stand out, but combined together make a very unique experience that, at least in my opinion, stands out from any other GD level. And the fact that the gameplay is functional, and fun to play. I thought it'd be rough at first considering the 3D Z-Axis part, but after playing it, it was incredibly readable and honestly... easy to tell where you're supposed to click. It's not gonna be that easy in the first playthrough, but trust me, you'd be surprised as to how functional it actually is.

It's narrative is also what interests me as well, despite it being vauge due to how unclear it is (deadlines for cc's be damned). But from my own interpretation and analysis from other people, I think I have a good idea as to what it's about. Sorami, the girl that you see in the level, seeks out to study astronomy, but ultimately struggles in doing so. Not entirely sure as to what, but it could be the complications of it all, or a lack of interest. You may have seen in the cube after the film part the words: "When was the last moment that sparked your interest towards astronomy?" I'd like to imagine she started taking interest in it because she has a fascination towards photographing the stars. It's show through the many drawings, pictures, and a video (the film part) she took herself. Someone in Reunomi's video mentioned that those represent her most cherished memories, and now that I look at it... the level itself is a look back to those moments... the reasons as to why she took the approach to study astronomy. Again, pretty vauge due to how unclear it is, but it's rather a nice and interesting story to see, view, and interact with.

I could yap about this forever, but I don't wanna take up too much of your reading time, so to give you a tl;dr... I love this level. I love the ideas, the attempt in story, the visuals, the gameplay, all of it really. It's one of the best experiences that I've ever had in the 9 years of me playing this game, and that is an incredibly high compliment.