This level can be brutal. There’s so many 98 paths and the final 96 takes a just a tiny bit from each one for a really hard to spot 2 cut. Had me stumped for 4 solid days.
This level can blind you really well. Like several people have said the path makes perfect sense once you finally see it, but the varying routes and differences in stepcount at each lock makes this level extremely difficult to isolate exactly where the steps should be cut from and what exactly the return is out of setting up the varying shortcuts. Even after finally getting the major trick down there are still ways to be off. Really a fantastic level. Would rate 6 stars if I could!
Last two was tough to cut. I kinda figured what I needed to do would involve doing a section differently, but not actually sure what I did that cut it. Will need to stare at this for a bit.
This is such a hard level and has many of the qualities that I attribute with "Grandmaster" style levels. Several of the sections "compete" with each other for path superiority and they all boast several somewhat tough to find 2 or 4 step cuts that will leave you at completely optimal 297 or 299 paths. The final 295 is just a great mix of many of the competing paths brought together with the correct timing.
293 tries for my first solve ages ago and 75 on my second. Still a monster of a level.
Insights