Rating Curve

holy shit they made a level about adachi. but where are the cabbages? 6/10 i'm disappointed.

Split72's "SLUDGE" is a surreal, experimental magnum opus that wholly deserves a sludgillion/10.

I find it really funny how despite the fact "SLUDGE" is an absolute shitpost it's still more interesting than a large majority of Split72's output. It's certainly a rather unique experience and it definitely secures its spot as one of the rated levels of all time. My main complaint about it is that it's a level that tries too hard to be weird and quirky. I'm sorry, but just because it's highly random and unexpected, that doesn't automatically make it funny. I don't even think it's too original because lobotomy levels already existed by the time "SLUDGE" came out and several other similar shitpost levels (like "MarkiplierCORE") have already been rated before it. Hey, at the very least it's more memorable than a large majority of Split's levels!

It's nice to see a GD World inspired level that actually feels like it could have been a GD World level and doesn't just feel like some rushed, unfinished, mediocre remnant of another project. It's definitely rather derivative of RobTop's style (the level that it most reminds me most of is "Nock Em" for some reason), and I'm not too sure about the constantly switching spikes that appear in the spider part (they look a bit messy although in retrospect, they do fit in with the 'glitch' section of the title), but I think it's a nice, modernized take on the GD World style! I'll admit that it's quite surreal to see the 1.9 ground spikes moving and acting almost like a conveyor belt within the first section, and I like how the level smoothly closes with a pixelization shader (further hammering in the whole 'glitch city' theme of its song's name).

In spite of its namesake and appearance in the Crystal Gauntlet, "Crystal Essence" hardly sticks to the 'crystal' theme, instead opting to pose as a glow level extremely typical of its era. I'll admit that it actually does look pretty nice, but it's ludicrously difficult to make a rainbow-colored level look anywhere close to terrible (unless you happen to be sweetdude or something). The gameplay of "Crystal Essence" is pretty 'meh' for the most part except for its rather infamous dual section where aligning the waves can sometimes be a bit inconsistent. I don't think it's abhorrent but it's noticeable enough that I understand why it would be annoying for many people (it would probably be more accepted if the level was bumped up to an 8 star rating). Its relatively 'grounded' style makes it quite forgettable in contrast to some of the other more striking levels encased within the Crystal Gauntlet, such as the sleek "Lustre", the highly-literal "Sanctuary of Light", and even an excessively glowy disaster like "Crystal Fusion". Nevertheless, it's just alright I suppose… Nothing to write home about except for the fact it appears in a gauntlet.

"Alpha Scarlet" is rather decent for an unrated 1.9 level. I'm surprised it went so under the radar and never got noticed because I think it's actually pretty worthy of a rate! It's definitely a little repetitive and the copy-and-paste can get somewhat noticeable at times, but I like the pulses and the color work in this level is good. It manages the successfully pull off the 'flashy 1.9' style without placing too much strain upon the eyes (even if the visuals do slightly deteriorate towards the end of the wave part). The gameplay might be a little inconsistent with regard to its difficulty but it's surprisingly playable. It's a shame this level isn't rated, especially because it's just so much better than the dismally dull disaster known as "With You Tonight" by sweetdude. It's completely tragic that "With You Tonight" is the level with this song that got rated when "Alpha Scarlet" is clearly a much better level.

I mostly remember "Abandoned Future" for appearing in a 'Worst Featured Levels in GD' video (alongside the likes of "Ectoplasm"). The video has since been deleted despite garnering a decent amount of views and while I don't think that "Abandoned Future" is one of the worst featured (actually, epic-rated) levels in existence, it's certainly one of the emptiest. "Abandoned Future" is a level so desolate I wouldn't blame you for thinking that it was an 'abandoned' level (Hell, even Serponge of all people joked about this on ViPriN's upload of the level!). I get that it's an effect level and the effects are supposed to be its crown jewel, but it's almost distracting how much of the level is an abyssal vacuum deprived of any substance. The obscene amount of void and blank space that there is within "Abandoned Future" just scream that it is a rushed product, which is bit disappointing because I think it could have been a much better level had Pipenachho put more time and effort into it. The final few seconds of the level is literally an empty mini-wave section with no gameplay whatsoever that exists just to extend the level to a 'Long' length. That's how lazy this level really is! There's no flashy background effects here. There's not even a grand endscreen. It's literally just a lifeless, black void. It ends on this note that pretty much declares 'I ran out of ideas', which is a fine statement on its own. But still, it's not a great excuse for how obviously rushed "Abandoned Future" was.

I understand that this level was made for a good cause and that it raised a lot of money for charity but that still won't stop me from thinking it looks pretty ugly. I'm sorry to admit this. :/

(The gameplay was alright tho)

The song representation on display here was truly exquisite…

"do you hear that" has a really neat concept. It can only be beaten if you set the 'Music' setting to 0. Unfortunately, aside from its novel gimmick, it leaves much more to be desired. In trying to be as opaque and abstract as possible (as evident by the equivocal text which episodically appears from time to time), it feels more so alienating than actually atmospheric. It's essentially a tech demo which, while it is cool, it felt too nebulous to really leave an impact other than 'Oh, that was cool, what next?'.

GD is meant to be a music-based platforming game, so a level that completely removes music from the equation feels almost alien to the basic principles of the game. The clicks, taps, and inputs feel rather aimless and directionless without the aid of a song to guide them.

"do you hear that" is pretty interesting, but aside from that, I didn't think it was the most resonant, especially as AudieoVisual is strongest when given an excellent song to work with and embody (levels like "LIMEADE" and "CUT DEEP" are examples of this).

"seeker of demon" was the first demon I ever beat, so I'll always hold it close to my heart, even if it is pretty ugly and discordant compared to many of its contemporaries. It's an undeniably messy level and definitely not the best, shining example of what 1.7 was really capable of. Strangely enough, it's pretty charming for what it is.

It's a highly recommendable beginner demon that isn't a secret way demon like "Ruined Planet" or "ABCD…", and it's also not "The Nightmare" or "The Lightning Road" (levels which pretty much everyone has already played and beaten). It might not be the go-to beginner demon now, especially with more accessible and palatable levels like "Shiver" existing and pushing older beginner demons out of the spotlight (in 2018, you didn't have many options for extremely easy demons). However, I still think "seeker of demon" is a good demon to 'seek' out for your first demon completion. The adrenaline that I felt when I beat it for the first time was simply incredible.

"GoldenClub" is a level that's only really remembered for its addition to a map pack. Out of all of Jeyzor's 1.7 releases, "GoldenClub" is probably one of the weakest. It somehow manages to be uninteresting and boring in spite of the fact the entire level is pretty fast-paced (with the only speeds being utilized being 2x and eventually 3x speed). Not to mention, the copy-and-paste is extremely blatant. It's not as visually unique or eye-catching as something like "Candyland" or "Mystical Island" which Jeyzor also released in 1.7. I can't help but feel extremely ambivalent towards its existence.