Uploaded July 2017 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
We used to have this level in PQ, until it was removed towards the end of development. No one could beat it except HiGuy and myself.
There were two versions of this level, with the second one being the harder/newest one as well, which makes more full use of the interior.
The puzzle solves itself regardless based on how the actual Gordian Knot puzzle is solved, so as long as you knew where the Gems are and how the puzzle itself works, it made it pretty easy. The Awesome Time itself is shown at the end of the second video, and it's probably half a second faster than what I would eventually put it, had the level released.
My favorite part in the first run was the forced traplaunch, so I screw around with the camera freely. The second run actually results in a game crash because the End Pad moves into your marble, and you get weirdly stuck inside it and it just bugs out.
Enjoy!
We used to have this level in PQ, until it was removed towards the end of development. No one could beat it except HiGuy and myself.
There were two versions of this level, with the second one being the harder/newest one as well, which makes more full use of the interior.
The puzzle solves itself regardless based on how the actual Gordian Knot puzzle is solved, so as long as you knew where the Gems are and how the puzzle itself works, it made it pretty easy. The Awesome Time itself is shown at the end of the second video, and it's probably half a second faster than what I would eventually put it, had the level released.
My favorite part in the first run was the forced traplaunch, so I screw around with the camera freely. The second run actually results in a game crash because the End Pad moves into your marble, and you get weirdly stuck inside it and it just bugs out.
Enjoy!
![Stratosphere [old version] (1:25.28s)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/X4RIG59aiRg/mqdefault.jpg "Stratosphere [old version] (1:25.28s)
Old version of the level, but the route shows off a loop exit which can be done 2 seconds faster at least (I pulled that on Switch lmao) and a really cool shortcut that saves time even in the current release version.
Compared to the new version, this one has:
- 1 extra gem
- 2 less time travels
- Less super speeds
- Less checkpoints, and in different positions
- Less ice crystals, or in different positions
- Different finish platform
- Other minor differences
Enjoy!")
