Rating Curve

I've always liked this level ever since I first played it. I've always wanted to improve on duals, and this level was seemingly the perfect level to go ahead and improve on that skill. Now whether or not I've actually improved is dependent on how well I can do duals with sightreading in mind, but I definitely think I've gotten a lot better at them. I highly appreciate duals, even asymmetrical ones.

The level that I broke my own skill limit with...

I had sights in this ever since Viprin started uploading previews of this level. Not only did I think it looked cool, but it was something that I thought I could possibly do as a new hardest (this was at 2022, back when it was released, and back when my hardest was still Acu). So I went for it, I tried it, I dropped it many times, I picked it back up many times. Hence and repeat for a whole year, with some long breaks in between. I did managed to beat a 2nd extreme demon though at the end of March (that being Zettabyte), but beating Quaoar was still fresh in my mind. And on September 16, 2023... I managed to pull it off.

Alright, I apologize for making this intro a bit dramatic, but truthfully, this was quite the moment for me. I've kept trying to go for it many times and dropping it many times, often thinking that I couldn't possibly pull this off. When I actually beat it, that opened quite the skill boost for me, and marked a rather important landmark to my time playing GD. Me beating this level is proof that I can actually beat extreme demons.

Ok... now for the level itself. I really like the choice of making the level follow the rainbow dynamic. Admittingly, all the parts just did their own thing and they stand out from one another, but they transition rather nicely (I mean... Floppy did had a helping hand with this level. The man knows how to transition parts pretty well). As for the gameplay, the main cryptoknight that was holding me back from beating this level... Flash. Yeah, all the parts of the gameplay are pretty well done, but holy fuck, a majority of my deaths were at Flash. It's incredibly awkward to pass that specific point at the ship, and even if I did managed to adjust myself getting to that point, I still find myself dying there a lot. It's not a bad part tbh, in fact all the parts are incredibly well done, but god damn... that ship part is honestly a bit too specific for me. Alas, it's only my own nitpick. You can even say that was a skill issue on my end.

Well... with the level past me, I've managed to prove to myself that I can indeed get better at the game. Hell, I even showed that I am indeed more than capable of exceeding what I am used to (Managing to beat 5 easy extremes in a month, beating another new hardest within 2 months, etc). All it takes is time and effort to do so. It's not gonna be done quick, so do expect some struggles.

Nowadays, I try to beat an extreme that could theoretically be within my reach. I don't have that time and effort to beating extremes as much as I used to back in 2023, but whenever I do have the time, I'll try to see how much I am able to pull it off until I beat it.

"I'll probably die a lot since it's an extreme demon." - Mizu (2022)

Right, closing thoughts... uh. Quaoar by Viprin and co. The level is incredibly cool, and I highly would recommend playing it if you want to try and improve your skill for the game (that is if you're willing to put up with Flash's part... lol). Should also get some more attention imo. Apparently this level isn't as talked about as much.

I wasn't even around during the 1.9 days, and I can very much agree with the fact that this level is definitely one of the better aged 1.9 levels. Solid core designs that honestly is seemingly difficult to replicate, very fun gameplay parts with a smear bit of inconsistencies (I still hate that 43 ship part), and quite a fair and difficult challenge. I'd recommend going for this if you wanna get better at the wave (most especially).

Learning about the lore behind the level from Audieo's stream was also really interesting. The further we're progressing in the level, the more we're approaching the Hell-star, but the more we approach it, the more we see hallucinations (represented in the colors yellow, pink and orange), and the more we see them, we're just dead. And then we end up like the Echo Delta, the first three that approached the Hell-star, with the Echo of our icon just left in the deep void of space.

Alright well, this level is not known for the lore. Talking about the level itself, it's pretty easy to spot which part is made by who. The beginning made by deffie, the industrial factory like part made by speg, and the buildup to the drop to the near end made by Audieo. The parts themselves add up to the progression of the level, and they blend well together even if they stand out from one another. I can also definitely tell Serponge needed to step up his game after some of the levels he uploaded, especially after Noel Electra. Even then, the stuff he's been pulling off recently, either by himself or with others, have been pretty good, and this just adds to that.

Anyway, this being a level with an insane lineup is crazy to have. Really wish this made Top 10 and not 18th, but oh well.

Playtesting bias aside, I really do like how Erou plays. The gameplay is just your typical JonathanGD sync based level, but it's to a degree in which it's not alienating and complicated to something like Biru. The visuals are appealing and the effects are very solid. A given, admittingly, but it's one that I personally like.

This level still holds up incredibly well. Obviously, considering this is a JonathanGD level, it's pretty long, and the gameplay is rather difficult, especially at the 2nd drop. But despite the length and the difficulty, the gameplay was honestly very fun to learn and get it all down in one run. And the decoration is still pretty solid, especially for its time.

The best in its series, and honestly still one of Jon's best.

Funny spinning toilet level that is for some baffling reason visually really cool.

I very much hold Worse Trip in such a high regard. (And yes, me beating it is part of the reason why) It is VERY much the learny level, and honestly the most learny level that I have played, but being able to pull it off, it was all the more satisfying. In its decoration, it feels like you're on a wild ride of your life going through an absolute trip down... I'm repeating myself again, aren't I? Well case in point, the decoration is very much of a roller coaster. Like it's all static, static, then WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON, then static. Color choices here also encapsulates the chaotic feel of the level. Top it off with a song from the Creo - Octane trilogy, and bam, somewhat accurate song rep. I highly recommend you going for this one. Try to get out of your comfort zone for once.

I honestly really like how insanely obscure and stupid this level gets when you continue progressing through it. "Oh, your objective is to feed this random creature that just appeared at your front yard called grungaus. That's pretty normal, hopefully nothing bad will happen." and then it becomes more like a godly being the more you continue to feed it the random and obscure things it's asking you.

Amongst the three Joris and MoistenedEgg collabs, this one is definitely my favorite.