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7 Shocking Secrets Behind 'Close To Me': The JSAB Level That Broke The Community

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The rhythm game phenomenon *Just Shapes & Beats* (JSAB) is defined by its incredible soundtrack and punishing difficulty, and no level embodies this duality more than "Close to Me." As of December 20, 2025, this iconic boss fight remains one of the most talked-about and challenging tracks in the entire Story Mode, a true test of player skill and emotional endurance. This article dives deep into the secrets, the music, the lore, and the community impact of the level that forces you to fight a friend. The level’s enduring popularity is not just due to its high-energy, chiptune-infused beat, but also the emotional weight of its boss encounter. It forces the Player—the small, heroic Blue Square—to confront one of their closest companions, the once-innocent Square Friend, now twisted into a Corrupted Square by the main antagonist, Blixer. This blend of compelling narrative and intense bullet-hell mechanics has cemented "Close to Me" as a legendary piece of video game history.

The Essential Dossier: Everything About 'Close to Me' (JSAB Level 11)

The "Close to Me" level is a pivotal moment in the *Just Shapes & Beats* Story Mode, marking the point where the corruption’s influence hits closest to home. Understanding its core components is crucial to appreciating its impact.
  • Song Title: Close to Me
  • Artist: Sabrepulse
  • Album: Just Shapes & Beats Official Soundtrack
  • Level Number: Story Mode Level 11 (The Island Chapter Boss)
  • Boss Encounter: The Corrupted Square (Player 2/Square Friend)
  • Key Genre: Chiptune, Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
  • Community Difficulty Ranking: Approximately 6.307/10 (Consistently ranked in the top 5–7 hardest Story Mode levels, just below *Annihilate* and *Termination Shock*).
  • Notable Feature: Features a famous, uncredited vocal sample from a 90s dance hit.
The level is situated just before the final confrontation, a brutal, multi-phase battle that strips away the boss's corrupted layers, reflecting the Player's desperate attempt to save their friend. The music, delivered by the chiptune master Sabrepulse, perfectly matches the frantic, emotional chaos of the fight.

The Seven Secrets That Make 'Close to Me' an Iconic Boss Fight

"Close to Me" is more than just a challenging level; it’s a masterclass in rhythm-game design and emotional storytelling. Its iconic status is built on several layers of hidden details, challenging mechanics, and deep community engagement.

1. The Hidden 90s Dance Sample

One of the most surprising secrets of "Close to Me" is its uncredited vocal sample. The track features the distinctive, ethereal female vocal line "Set you free..." This line is sampled directly from the 1994 Eurodance hit "Set You Free" by N-Trance. This detail adds a layer of nostalgia and complexity to Sabrepulse's chiptune track, giving it a unique, high-energy feel that resonates with a wider audience.

2. The Emotional Core: Fighting Your Closest Friend

Unlike other boss fights against characters like Barracuda or the final boss Blixer (The Boss), "Close to Me" is deeply personal. The enemy is the Square Friend, the shape that accompanies the Player throughout the early stages of the game. The level's narrative is a desperate rescue mission, framed as the Player fighting the corruption to free their companion. This emotional context elevates the stakes far beyond a simple test of reflexes. Community members often refer to this boss as the Corrupted Square or Sad Boy, reflecting the tragedy of his transformation.

3. The Geometry of Pain: Mastering the Spinning Beams

From a pure gameplay perspective, "Close to Me" is notorious for its unique and brutal attack patterns. The level is defined by massive, rotating pink beams that sweep across the screen, forcing players to navigate tight, ever-shifting safe zones. This mechanic requires precise timing and spatial awareness, making the level feel less like a traditional bullet-hell and more like a geometric puzzle played at breakneck speed.

4. The Sabrepulse Signature Sound

The track is a definitive highlight from Sabrepulse, a prominent artist in the chiptune scene. His signature style—a blend of high-octane electronic beats, 8-bit sounds, and heavy bass—is perfectly suited for a boss level. The music dynamically shifts with the boss's phases, intensifying as the Corrupted Square becomes more aggressive, creating a perfect synergy between the audio and visual chaos.

5. A High-Ranking Challenge on Hardcore Mode

"Close to Me" is not only a challenge in its standard Story Mode difficulty but is significantly ramped up in Hardcore Mode. Achieving an S Rank on this difficulty is a badge of honor in the JSAB community. According to a comprehensive community survey, "Close to Me" is often ranked as the 6th hardest level in the story, showcasing its consistent reputation as a major skill check for players before they reach the final stages.

6. The Catalyst for Fan Creations and Lore

The emotional narrative of fighting the Corrupted Square has inspired an enormous amount of fan content, driving the game’s topical authority. This includes detailed fan theories about the corruption's origins, numerous fan animations depicting the rescue, and a wealth of orchestral remixes and covers that reimagine the chiptune track with a cinematic scope. The level's personal conflict is a major cornerstone of the overall JSAB lore.

7. The Bridge to the Final Confrontation

Positioned as the penultimate boss, "Close to Me" serves as a critical bridge. Its successful completion rewards the Player with the final Triangle piece, which is necessary to confront the true antagonist, Blixer, at the Tree of Life. The level is a final, grueling test of the skills acquired throughout the game, preparing the Player for the ultimate showdown.

Mastering the Beat: Tips for an S-Rank Run

To conquer the Corrupted Square and achieve the coveted S Rank on "Close to Me," you need precision and pattern recognition. Here are key strategies to overcome the level's most challenging moments.
  • Phase 1: The Spinning Beams: Focus entirely on the small, triangular safe zones between the rotating beams. The key is to Dash *only* when necessary to get into the next safe zone, not to simply keep moving. Anticipate the spin direction.
  • Phase 2: The Corrupted Spikes: This phase introduces large, corrupted spikes that emerge from the ground. The boss's movement dictates the spike placement. Stay close to the center and use small, controlled movements to dodge the spikes, saving your Dash for the fast, sweeping pink lines that follow.
  • The Final Gauntlet: The last section is a pure rhythm-based bullet hell. The pink projectiles often follow the rhythm of the N-Trance vocal sample. Listen carefully to the beat and use the entire screen. Don't hug the walls, as this limits your escape routes.
  • Co-op Strategy: In multiplayer, coordinate with your teammates (Ship Friend and Helicopter Friend are often present in the story) to cover different sections of the screen, though this level is often a solo endeavor, emphasizing the personal nature of the fight.
"Close to Me" remains a monumental achievement in video game music and level design. Its seamless integration of a high-stakes emotional narrative with relentless rhythm-based gameplay, all set to Sabrepulse's masterful chiptune track, ensures its place in the pantheon of iconic boss battles. Whether you're a veteran player going for that elusive Hardcore S Rank or a newcomer experiencing the tragic fight for the first time, this level truly lives up to its legendary status in the world of Just Shapes & Beats.
7 Shocking Secrets Behind 'Close to Me': The JSAB Level That Broke the Community
close to me jsab
close to me jsab

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