Level 2is an “interactive concept album” from Last Chance to Reason. The music-alone release by same name dropped two weeks ago along with the demo you can see being played above. The album is described in the press release as follows:
Set in a Tron-like virtual world, the album’s concept revolves around the relationship between man and technology, our move from physical reality to virtual spaces and what these changes mean to our lives and our art.
That’s great, if you’re into that sort of thing. If you’re into having an audiovisual experience that manages to make you feel empowered despite there being no consequence for your involvement in it,Level 2is quite competent at that too.
I’ve played the demo twice now and the level design and art direction mesh wonderfully with the metal soundtrack. Basically, you shoot anything you think you can destroy in a forced scrolling while the enemies and environment change and accompany the background music. Death is inconsequential, a quick explosion and then back to killing, so you’re free to just let the whole thing wash over you without any pressure unless you decide that you want to complete it with a high score and no deaths.
The full release will likely feature twelve stages, corresponding with the number of tracks on the album, though the development blog does at one point make reference to the idea of some areas of track looping that might add some other content.
No word yet on a release date for the final game, which the designer says has been in the works for three years. Thedevelopment blogis a rather interesting read, particularly after you have had a chance to play the demo a bit. Updated seemingly in spurts over the last year, it suggests possible directions the game could have gone and ideas for what else could be in store for the final game. Go check it out.
LEVEL 2 FULL ALBUM AND VIDEOGAME DEMO NOW AVAILABLE[Last Chance to Reason] [Video]
