Rating Curve

Descent Into Exile comes across rather cheesy in an attempt to be dark and edgy, the acronym DIE a prime example of this. The level becomes more funny than it actually is dark because of this poetry which honestly is a shame because the dark dingy atmosphere of the level is actually made suprisingly well. The gameplay is difficult, which is a great symbol of negativity, and the dark objects with shiny spikes and sawblades allow parrallels to be drawn between the level and a castle dungeon. For what it is, it's cool, but it's not something I would describe as good by any means. I'm largely indifferent towards this level.

Cool quirky gameplay and dual gimmicks, but is ultimately a hexagon force remake. The gameplay which is too close to that of Hexagon Force's add up to a point where i'm more inclined to dislike the level, I'm not a fan of the copy someone's level and make it into a joke gimmick personally. Some parts feel disjointed, particularly the dual robot part, and the monochromatic ship at the end of the level feels tremendously out of place. Despite the array of things I dislike about the level, the gameplay is enough for me to give it a 5/10.

An iconic, classic impossible level. Silent Club serves as a museum for this classic style, and is a major part of the games history. Some gimmicks used in the impossible gameplay are interesting, and make for a cool level. The unbalanced nature of the level, the sole difficulty being the spam in the middle make the level a great tension builder, as it is a "dont choke" level. Awesome to watch, but is fundamentally just an impossible level.

Exen's quirky gameplay style carries this level a lot, it gives his levels a certain charm, sense of rawness, and personality. Most parts escape the hell hole that is generic glow deco, however the levels incoherenct detracts from it's quality. The song used is always going to be associated with Ragnarok and its use in Asterios feels like Exen is simply capitalising on Ragnarok's success, but this is a mild offense that doesn't detract from the level's quality all too much. The space theming is sometimes lost in certain parts which amplifies the idea that the level is incoherent at points.

Carried by the song, and is just another difficult wave level among many. The block designs feel rather primitive in places however the gameplay tidal wave makes it a great top 1. Awesome click patterns and click sync make for a great watch. The latter half of Tidal Wave is also rather great in my view, the shift in colour temperature in the ending reflecting the intensity felt at the final stretch is a nice touch, and the levels length combined with this makes for an entertaining viewer experience when watching a completion. I wouldn't call Tidal Wave a "good level" in all honesty, but I don't have a negative opinion of it either.

Menace has one or two parts which are really good, namely the parts in the drop such as the swing duals and the rest of the orange section, but the rest of the level seems disconnected in terms of their quality. The poetry seems so out of place and rammed in just in an attempt to appear somewhat intellectual and philosophical, likely to appeal to those who don't actually understand those philosopical words and just believe their presence to give the level "aura". Menace is widely appreciated by the majority but I personally don't resonate with the appeal.

Unneccessarily edgey for pretty much no reason. This level purely exists for the sake of making something just for shock value which is cheap and childish. It doesn't even succeed with that as it remains cartoonish and isn't really that disgusting if you're above the age of 12 all things considered.

Acheron is a good sequel (yes it is one) to Tartarus in my view, it takes inspiration but is definitley it's own modern take on the gameplay style. Thermodynamix is a great song which is perfect for a sequel to Tartarus, which also used a DJ-Nate song. Acheron is by no means a level I think is good, but it us also not a level I deem to be bad either. The latter half of Acheron in particular is particularly awesome in my view, the click sync and difficult gameplay makes it a charm to watch a completion of. Acheron is evidently made out of difficulty rather than love for the game, but it is a great top 1 and Riot has dont what he sought to quite well.

It does what it tries to well, to look presentable and to play well, however these are fairly meaningless in my eyes. It is just another level not largely different from the majority. It is only popular because it is the best entry extreme to complete first.