heartbeat VS OpenFrameworks

C++ (this is the one I'm the most familiar with since it's much older but has all the fundamental components): https://github.com/prouast/heartbeat

Not exactly VJ, but could be used for it. https://openframeworks.cc

Since you have C# experience, take this time to learn more about C++ while you continue to look. While yes, it is very easy to write bad code, it's not a huge deal since you just graduated and are just hacking around. Plus there are a lot of helpers these days to make writing bad code a little less likely.A former mentor of mine gifted me "C++ Without Fear" by Brian Overland which I can recommend. It's not too expensive, I think it was $25 or something like that, likely less used. Also comes in E-book form.If you'd like a gentler introduction to C++, may I recommend openFrameworks?

Have you come across openFrameworks (https://openframeworks.cc/) or Cinder (https://libcinder.org/)?

Not sure it checks all your boxes, but check openFrameworks?

I recently heard of openFrameworks which should make it pretty easy to make your game. It handles putting together a bunch of other libraries and window management so you can focus on drawing some shapes on the screen and handling user input. Sounds like love2d but all C++.

let me know if I can help out - also checkout the forum at openframeworks.cc - the people there are very friendly and helpful - especially with people that are completely new to oF...

I mean, https://www.libcinder.org and https://openframeworks.cc have been mainstays of the creative coding industry for a long time now. A Rust take on the problem shouldn't be too surprising.