Courtesy of Fandom

“Geometry Dash” relies on a single input — the player’s tap or click — for all of its controls.

At first glance, few would consider “Geometry Dash,” a video game built upon geometric shapes of triangles and cubes, to pose a difficult challenge. But having played since elementary school, I’ve seen the game transcend its deceivingly simple foundation to become a near-impossible game at its highest level.

Created in 2013 by Swedish developer Robert Topala or “Robtop,” the game offers players the chance to navigate a jumping cube icon through spikes and obstacles. With no checkpoints, players must complete each attempt without any mistakes. Beyond the 22 built-in levels offered by the offline game, the level editor feature opens the game to a revolutionary dimension, where community members themselves create custom levels and inspire new designs.

Several game modes are featured within levels. The most difficult are the “ship” and “wave” modes. In “ship” mode, players must balance a flying ship amidst tight spaces, while in “wave” mode, players can activate a rapid zigzag sequence that sends the icon diagonally up and down. 

For me, these game modes require immense precision and control, especially as levels get harder and gaps between obstacles tighter.

That’s not to say “Geometry Dash” is undoable. Introductory levels are rather beginner friendly; however, those who take the game with more serious dedication typically find themselves in a perpetual, grueling grind.

For one, the fundamental basis of any game — visibility and graphics — can be a disorienting factor that adds a layer of difficulty other games have rarely have. From epileptic flashing lights to extremely dark shades rendering spikes nearly impossible to see — many levels strain my eyes. The yet-to-be beaten hardest level, “Grief,” features dark-themed decorations that blur the line between objects and decoration, intertwining the already difficult timing challenge with a confusing visual burden.

In fact, even the length of the levels can be a challenge. “Flamewall,” the second hardest level in the game, is a staggering seven minutes of constant gameplay with extremely limited room for error. Staying focused for such an extended period of time is a monumental task both physically and mentally. 

With its unprecedented difficulty and unforgiving test of control, “Geometry Dash” is no doubt a game that requires immeasurable amounts of dedication. A player named Jacksonamore represents this ultimate dedication — he took over a million attempts to beat “VSC,” a 15-second long level.

Additionally, Doggie, a game streamer attempting to beat “Grief,” has live streamed 296 streams on YouTube dedicated to beating the level, which typically last 2-3 hours each. Doggie is just one of many players who have poured in years of consistent practice aiming to complete one single level. 

Fittingly, players tend to have abnormally high heart rates upon reaching the final stretch of level. One of the highest known heart rates a player has reached is 215 beats per minute (BPM) — a statistic that supersedes the resting heart rate by around 150 BPM.

On another note, “Geometry Dash” requires  insanely accurate hand-eye coordination. To put into context, the third hardest level in the game “Tidal Wave” has obstacles that must be avoided within a one-frame time window — in one second, there are 60 frames. Sustaining such precise accuracy for three whole minutes while facing the onslaught of bright graphics zooming past the screen is a feat only six people have achieved.

I enjoy the game because it’s the perfect mix of frustration and satisfaction. Messing up isn’t completely discouraging; it also makes finally beating a level feel like a culminating destination. “Geometry Dash” is simple on the surface, but mastering it feels like solving a fast-paced puzzle with music driving everything forward.

While a whole vast world of online games surface on the internet, “Geometry Dash” stands out to me as one of the simplest yet most agonizing games ever created. And yet, the game still continues to evolve. As the community grows and innovates, I’ve watched the impossible become the standard, as players continue to break barriers and push the limits of skill and precision.

Rating: 4/5