Rating Curve

Fairly overhyped entry. I’ll acknowledge the standalone designs have a ton of detail and care put into them, it’s no wonder why it made such a massive name for itself during the contest, it’s a gorgeous looking level that doesn’t come short on its range of clever ideas and techniques. So why then is it so difficult for me to appreciate this level any further? Part of the issue is that I find the level progression to feel very uninspired, I can see some of these ideas making for an amazing aesthetic but ultimately it didnt quite hit for me due to how weirdly everything ties into the story the level tries to set up. It’s also the combination of mediocre poetry and constant vague intentions that makes it impossible for me to immerse in its storyline, it’s fake deep similar to these motivational quotes from YouTube shorts where all its flare tries to hide the lack of substance that’s really being said. I don’t mind a level keeping its philosophy simple if the creator wants to reflect on their own existential wonder, but what’s supposed to be so introspective about these bland impersonal phrases exactly? No matter how I put my mind around it, the visuals seem to be the only thing holding the level up. Which is fine, but with its theming appearing hollow, most my interest fades away with it.

bussin but the humor is targeted towards hopeless degenerates, less consistently terrible than the level it’s imitating however

On the opposite end of in the radiator, bussin is exactly everything wless stood against, it's one big cognitive overload of low quality shitposts and attention-grabbing effects. The flaws of the level shouldnt even need to be mentioned, it's brainrot in its purest form, it's unfunny and exhausting with an insufferable song to top it all off. Tho whats fascinating is that this nonsense had a very clear appeal for the gauntlet contest in mind, the designs are of very high calibre almost antithetical to its unserious nature, it becomes obvious this level was made for content farm whether intentionally so or not. It's a disgraceful addition to the gauntlet and it's completely unapologetic about it, there's something poetic about how well it encapsulates the terrifying state of affairs for the internet itself. I myself live in too much denial to not feel strongly put off by it, but all power to those who can tolerate it I guess.