I've always thought 2 player was an underutilized gimmick in the game, especially 2 player levels designed to be played solo, but I think First Time is the perfect application of 2 player in a solo scenario.

Considering this level is a layout (I think it goes well beyond a layout into a minimalist decorated level) I'm gonna talk about the gameplay first, since it's obviously the most important aspect. Noobypro always manages to be extremely creative with his gameplay, whether is be the addition of unique gimmicks, or general gameplay structuring, and he nails both absolutely beautifully in this level. The start of the level is a simple ship part, introducing you to the types of things that are going to come later in the level, and does a great job introducing you to what the level is going to be like. Every part syncs incredibly well, especially with clicksync, which just from watching a video is a bit difficult to see due to there being 2 players doing different things in the duals, but the click patterns are extremely fun and intuitive. After a couple attemptgs, any given click pattern is easy to get down. Obviously being a 2 player level, this is extremely learny, but that's to be expected of any level like this, and I don't think a 2 player level of this difficulty could be much more intuitive than this. The gameplay's representation of the song is also UNBELIEVABLY good, probably the best I have ever seen in the game. All the way down to the amount of clicks required for each section matches the song perfectly, with probably the best execution of intensity I have ever seen. I haven't fully beaten the level, so I don't know how fun or difficulty it is from 0, but I'll leave this part off with this: this is probably one of the most unexpectedly fun levels I've ever played, and the gameplay is extremely intense and heart rushing. The only possible issue I had with this level is that there were a few bugs that were slightly annoying, but that's not even NoobyPro's fault considering they were caused by 2.2.

The visuals of this level are obviously meant to be minimal, since it is branded as a layout, however I think this works far in the level's favor. Firstly, having the level be minimalist allows for gameplay clarity and sightreadability, which is vital in a level with this much going on gameplay-wise. Also, though, the use of minimalism creates an incredibly unique atmosphere that I don't think I've ever seen done this well. From the start the level feels super desolate, matching perfectly with the song, and the slow addition of small decoration elements (new colors, trees, moving lines, etc.) serves as a shockingly amazing buildup to the drop of the song. NoobyPro managed to absolutely nail the song rep in the visuals of this, even without using pulses in the start of the level. All of the decoration elements in this level are used extremely sparingly, but when they are used, it feels like they serve a purpose and add to the level rather than just filling up space or making it feel more overstimulating. I mentioned earlier how the gameplay matches the intensity of the song perfectly, and the visuals are no different. The usage of colors, pulses, and small pieces of decoration make the level feel incredibly intense, and to me, ultimately the level feels like it climaxes at the final dual part. The desolate, otherworldly atmosphere continually builds throughout the level, and as the song gets more and more intense and suspenseful, it feels like the final dual with the 2 cubes is the ultimate destination the level was taking you to. The usage of having multiple of your own icon spawning around you is an incredibly cool gimmick, and matches with them in the background at low opacity at the end of the part, this final part feels almost like you've reached the edge of reality. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I just can't express enough how incredibly the atmosphere in this level is executed.

I don't know if there will ever be another layout like this. This level is a masterpiece from start to finish, and I am blown away by every single aspect of this level.