Rating Curve

This level resonates with me a lot about my experience with 1.9, Twenty One Pilots (21p) included, it feels like a whole ode to the mid-2010s. This is a sort of level I could appreciate if it wasn't well executed, but it is also just really good on its own. It's part of the 21p theme obviously, but the washed out gray and red coloring of levels that used to be more colorful helps connect the level and the time past, realizing some of these, I don't even recall the original color palettes immediately anymore. All memories have this melancholic feeling that's well captured in the sort of drab desaturated atmosphere throughout the level. That color pulse progression from a deep red, followed by a grayer desaturated red, to plain gray that follows the entire level, reversing in the more upbeat parts where Tyler's mood seems less miserable, is so subtle, but I love it so much. The 21p references littered throughout are nice to see as a big fan of the duo. I'm pretty sure this was rated the day the Blurryface tribute album and Breach were announced, which is sort of insane timing, too.

This level is absolutely stunning to me. Some of the effects used in this have been used in other places (that grainy effect especially), but it is utilized so well here I can forgive it completely, and it works so well with the insanely good song. I hope this can get rated despite its unique gameplay choices (there are in-level checkpoints that are really impressively implemented, but I honestly wish they didn't have them). I will say that the first time I respawned at a checkpoint, a massive chill entered my spine. I was NOT expecting that

If you want to watch a video instead of playing it for whatever reason (YOU SHOULD REALLY PLAY IT YOURSELF THOUGH), I have an upload in 2k that's hopefully less grainy than the other ones since this level is a bitrate killer

Every end is one of those levels that is visually simple but effective. That being said, in some parts, it can be very cluttered, which can have a nice effect in a few areas but with lots of outline blocks can be a mess. However, the variety in structuring and how that structuring translates with the unique background effect more than accommodates a high rank visually despite the one or two lackluster transitions and cluttered sections. Some more could have been done with the background I feel but It doesn't detract from my score because there is a good chance the simple path would be better.

The gameplay is absolutely brutal, but incredibly forgiving at the same time. There are some rough chains of difficult jumps but in terms of the whole level, it feels rather consistent throughout (not like my slew of 5% runs say much about enjoyment from zero but I judge how I can).

Overall, while not a perfect level (no such thing) and while there isn't much past what you see at the surface, it is quite enjoyable to play and the visual effect (singular) prevents some eye strain and boredom from looking at stagnant parts. The gameplay is exactly how it looks but feels satisfying to pull off and is never totally unfair.
9/10