'but everything heaven-sent must burn out in the end'

"01 Turn To Dust" is the first episode out of five within BrainETR's "Somewhere Else" series. "Somewhere Else" is a rather unique project for BrainETR to undertake, being a foray into more experimental level-making centred more strongly on creating an atmosphere than adhering to conventions. Each of the five levels comes together to create an overarching narrative centred on grief and loss.

"Turn To Dust" is a level that can't be described as anything but morosely sad, focusing heavily on the immediacy of one's death as they relive a few moments from their life like an old film reel flickering upon a screen. It's a deeply depressing level that perfectly embodies its song's misery and general gloominess as images of a swing and a skyline at night glitch and gradually deteriorate over the course of the level (perhaps as the dying person's brain gives out?). The final, beautifully-composed animation of a photograph alongside its frame being destroyed and 'turning to dust' is a haunting and impactful image that really sends chills. It's a daunting ending that truly sets the mood for the rest of the series onwards.

I love how "Turn To Dust" doesn't sacrifice gameplay for its own story. It's only a mere fragment of the whole tale (being the first act to "Somewhere Else") but it's still impactful when viewed as its own entity without the added context of the rest of "Somewhere Else". My only real complaint could be that it’s certainly on the nose with its whole 'Please remember your life' introduction; it certainly isn't the most subtle with regard to conveying the level's general theme and maybe the level could have been more impactful without the text? Regardless, it's a great introduction with an excellent final visual.