Rating Curve

With each subsequent release, bli continues to solidify himself as one of the biggest creating titans of the game in recent times, showing his prowess in both art and optimization to a fervent degree. No doubt has the community been hungry for bli's first 2.2 level, but for many, it might have been a surprise that bli's latest masterpiece is a Stereo Madness remake.

Rage Quit was designed for Waboomania's Stereo Madness contest, where 100 creators were challenged to recreate a limited duration of Stereo Madness, with each qualifying competitors being tasked to build for larger offsets and, eventually, the entire level. bli was one of the finalists, and unsuprisingly, won the competition with their level, which has some of the most jaw-dropping transitions that I have seen since the release of the 2.2 Update. From the punching of the iPad, to the player breaking out of the screen and into the matrix, to the fake error screen, Rage Quit offers a plethora of visually stimulating elements to unpack, to the point it's kind of overwhelming. My jaw dropped when I witnessed every transition and eye-catching effects that succeeded each other in rapid fashion, and that excitement seldom receded as the level continued to throw in effect after effect. By the end of the level, I was stunned with what I had just witnessed, and I'm sure a majority of others have felt that way too.

However, once my first impressions have receded, I found it difficult to achieve a remotely similar level of carharsis after rewatching or replaying Rage Quit. I don't deny that Rage Quit is, without a doubt, a technical masterpiece, but it also doesn't feel like culmination of bli's creative potential, nor did it reach the level of emotional resonance I was expecting from a level (or creator) who would be the fan-favorite to receive the coveted Mythic rating. As such, I found myself teetering towards the lesser value in the Legendary rating. My rationale lies in how the level struggled to establish a lasting, personal connection with me beyond the initial awe that I felt upon my first experience watching the level. As stunning as the level is, and quite frankly being one of bli's most technically impressive works that he released thus far, in many ways, it felt like all that I had to experience from Rage Quit was merely caught that one overwhelming experience I had the first time. For many creators, the art of creating levels have long been about the trial-and-error process of designing and releasing levels that were imperfect yet human, allowing for personal connections on said levels and paving way for growth and evolution. This feeling is one that I felt was lost in Rage Quit, as the level manages to capture a sense of perfectionism that, while leaving me with no real negative criticisms, deprives the authentic, human characteristic of the level. We value art for their abstractness and authenticity of feeling human, but when something is manufactured to look perfect, the personal connction is often lost.

I recognize that I am one of the oddballs for viewing Rage Quit in a mannerism that isn't congruent to what most may think, but I also recognize that first impressions are often the strongest impressions. For many, that first experience was a sensational, unreal, and cathartic experience that was unlike anything previously experienced in a Geometry Dash level, which makes sense as to why it's a fan favorite. No doubt, bli is a sensational creator and he knows his audience well; he is very capable of designing such extraordinary visuals to rightfully capture the spotlight, and that in itself is a talent. For these reasons, it's no surprise that Rage Quit got a Mythic rating. However, if you were to ask me personally, I still yearn for a level that shows bli's true capabilities, a level that is free from gimmicks and public marketing and is instead a true testament to bli's ambitions, artistry and passion for the game that he has achieved great success in.

• Review sourced from Viprin + Paste