Rating Curve

Normally a level really has to strike a profound chord with me to feel like a 10, but there's a gentle joy to this. It's like you've entered the world brimming with the emotion and nostalgia of a complete life, but you are untainted by the inescapable imprint of existence's ills. You could say such a life is incomplete, and you'd be right, but to step into it for a moment leaves you quite charmed.

Until this BOZO makes another real level, we have but this. A sketchbook indeed, my friend. Strewn with memories and glaggles alike.

My fellow quirky creators may not appreciate this take but I think this level is masterful and unlike many levels some would deem similar, it is not oversaturated with detail and flare. Both the room left to appreciate the atmosphere and the variety of literal physical directions taken make for the creation of an alluring space in, well, space. Beyond impressed and I hope the judges for the contest see how this one stands out from its competitors

I refuse to give anything but a 10 to something that made me gasp the way this did. I already wanna see this for the first time again. I don't know what it was that I felt but I want more.

Begins with a rare (in GD, at least) form of suspense, a dark nightlit landscape promising a foreboding tale ahead. As it continues, however, each little misstep strays it further from the path of a powerful allegory and towards ineffectively communicated frustration. The source of it is understandable of course; even in a world as small as ours, there is rage to be had towards those who hold power and the bureaucracy inescapably nestled within their system. And while I share that frustration, each new moment and direction change in this level creates its own. Its power is directed more towards its chaos than its channeling of its message, and as such, I found its grip on me to weaken throughout. Now, all of this wasn't so egregious, merely a tradeoff for less-than-ideal execution in favor of its bold inspiration and purpose. But to have it spelled out at the end was the worst note it could've ended on, for what good is a metaphor like "burning churches" if you have to tell me what it is. All that said, I appreciate its intent, but I walk away disappointed for something with such promise. All love though.

Takes me somewhere like how few levels can. Dull landscapes and skylines become inviting and empty hillsides and cities become enticing. To redefine the meaning of these things in such a short-lived world demands nothing short of mastery.

Creatively colored atmosphere from which a evocative blend of heavenly affect and surreal human perspective seeps out. Strongest and most effective instance yet of Ladaschi's characteristic texture use and incredibly well-crafted song representation through atmosphere.

Leaves a lot to be desired in terms of capturing the energy of the level (though my standard for that energy is very much determined by Deprivation by Split) but absolute gorgeous style that creates immersive atmosphere with the (largely) floral theme but also pops visually.

Get it? Anyways it's only small things/preferences that separate this from a 10/10 but this is the only level I can think of that has really recreated the long-sought but never-obtained "magic" of older levels. I think newer styles, honed with care, will succeed at this better than at best uncanny and at worst out-of-touch rehashing of old deco/styles. Hopefully others follow this example.