Скачать или смотреть Geometry Dash - Acheron (Extreme Demon) by Riot

Completed 12/28/2024

I'm absolutely stunned that I pulled this off. For such a massive experience, I don't really know what to write.

I don't know what I was thinking when I started this. I was kind of thinking that I'm not getting any younger and I (extremely obviously) don't have the time or skill to grind for #1 again, but I still wasn't happy with my portfolio in this game. It was difficult to say "fuck it" and start grinding this out, but once I was able to separate this level from its intimidating reputation, it didn't feel so impossible. Slowly building consistency and watching my hard work pay off was an extremely satisfying process; I just had to keep my mindset in check and make sure I was positive everytime I played, no matter how the session went. This level undeniably has some problems (nobody could EVER defend the first 3% or 72%) but I just made sure I was READY to have trouble with them, and it made everything more tolerable. Obviously, keeping a good headspace when doing something this difficult is easier said than done, but I also think it's very important to keep moving forward and making progress.

Generally, the experience was great. I enjoy the level itself, and most days I was able to make progress or at least meet the goals I set (which were usually quite humble tbf). Of course there were days where I couldn't seem to do anything right, but I just had to accept that as a possibility everytime I logged on due to how difficult the level is. More than anything I enjoyed the general experience of grinding away at something so difficult, and connecting with others as a result of it.

I gotta address the elephant in the room: I fluked this from 72. I really don't know what the hell happened. I mean, I did do a good job keeping my composure when I got far, but it's undeniable that somebody above was looking out for me that day. Obviously that shortened the experience quite a bit - I don't really know how long this would've taken me otherwise, I was doing QUITE well for myself every session I had from 0 but this level is known for being volatile, so I cant say for sure...

When I beat this, it was the hardest achievement done on vanilla physics in 2.2. Recently, Anathema has been moved above this on Pointercrate, so congratulations to Whizkid for holding that trophy now! Obviously still incredibly proud of this achievement either way, I do hope it's still one of the hardest things done in this game (this level is quite a bit harder on 2.2 w/o CBF)

That being said, I DONT want this to be the end of my playing career. Obviously it is something very on the side due to schoolwork, being an adult, and also prioritizing other hobbies, BUT I do know Id like to at least beat Spectre, Slaughterhouse, and Anathema, as well as an assortment of other difficult levels.

Thanks to hstorm to inspiring me to play this. It would be incredible if I could do the same for others. Don't be scared of trying something new just because it's intimidating! I never really got anything of this caliber done before for that reason. Really glad I have now, better late than never.

Additionally, a huge thank you to everybody who showed up to my streams :) I hope I was able to make them entertaining and worthwhile. Thank you to all my friends as well, and another shout to Finley, Shorty and Scoff, who were/are also working on this concurrently. It was fun having people to share this ludicrous experience with.

83,757 attempts

Thank you to Blank, Racer and Zink for helping me write the intro. It's easily my proudest work to date, in that department (It's also why the video took so long to come out; balancing it with school was not easy). I thought I could never one-up the Saul intro again but everyone whose seen the Acheron intro so far has said I did, so...

Credit to Zoink, Luqualizer, Zeronium, DiamondSplash, Bigthunder556, Cobrablitz, BrianTheBurger, Doggie and Seiun for their help with the intro as well

Enjoyment: 10/10? This enjoyment rating is less about the level specifically (which I did still enjoy) and more about the whole experience. This is one of my favorite levels in the game now, not because of its quality but because of personal significance.