Burning Churches by 7ak is one of those levels that if you showed any sane person it, they'd be like "what the actual hell is this", but that's what I'm here for! This level is an experience to say the least, definitely brought up by the use of one of my favorite Cacola songs ever. Speaking of that, the song representation in this level is on POINT.

The ship part in the beginning of this level goes through three phases I would say. The first part is completely open, which you would think would be boring, but surprisingly it helps the atmosphere IMMENSELY. It makes it feel more like journey than a level. Then you enter the actual gameplay part, this is where you enter the actual church. I love the structuring in this part, the connecting blocks makes it feel like a maze to get through, while also being sightreadable at that. It's SUPER cool gameplay wise. During it you also have these white glow bars that flash on screen to the synths in the music, which I personally really like. The blocks turn red later on and flash to the electronic noises in the music. It's overall a super cool part. However, about two minutes in, the gameplay ceases and the glow overpowers the screen. The ship part then seems to break apart, even though you're still in the church, there is now a rotating kaleidoscopic effect with tons of rainbow decoration which only serves to mesmerize you. The gameplay also breaks down, instead of the blocks from before it, it simply transforms into bushes that you must fly around. Already from here you can tell that the level is only going to break down further, and I love that.

Then the windows flash a bright white, and you are taken to the beginning. Not the beginning of the level, but the beginning. You are taken to a platform made out of 1.0 slabs with differing gravity portals above you, where you must sit and wait. However, if you take notice, the portals are actually synced to each word of the song. It's one of my favorite parts about the level personally. But then, as it's nearing its end-

Flames.

The entire level gets surrounded in a moving flaming abyss, covering everything you can see. You can barely even make out your icon in the mask of flames. Even though this part simply is moving 2.0 fire, I can't help but love this part with all my heart. The level genuinely feels like it's burning to the ground, both your icon and the gameplay is barely visible at points, and you have to try and save yourself. It's extremely good. You slowly go deeper and deeper into the fiery pit until a bright sun like glow appears right behind you, and then the level completely breaks for good. Any semblance of gameplay and visuals is thrown out the window and you are put face-first into this abstract mess of objects. It doesn't even feel like it should be functional, and yet, you make your way through it. You make your way through the burning mess, and eventually, you escape.

You end up back in the church, slowly burning, and you pass by two burning flags which have moderator badges and the creator points logo on them, and then, the level ends.

Now, I'm pretty sure 7ak doesn't exactly like this level as much anymore, or at least they don't agree with the message as much (I think), but I still like the message the level gives off. Even if it's an extreme way of saying "fuck you" to rate standards, I think it's something that should be said. Nobody should feel trapped by creator points, or feel that they're a bad creator simply because their level isn't rated, because that's the exact opposite of what makes creating fun! You can definitely build for creator points (ex. Split and YunHaSeu", but if you feel that you can't create simply because a single developer won't give your level a rate? That's a fundamentally flawed way of thinking and I'm glad that people have started to realize that creating can just be for fun. Lots of levels are getting recognition nowadays, not because they look good, but because they have really cool ideas! Take Mandel's RLIF series for example, that has a whole community of people who love random levels with extremely cool ideas, even if the level isn't polished. There will always be someone that will like what you create, and even if it isn't the best thing in the world, even if there's flaws, even if you don't like it yourself. Creating is a medium and everyone has different tastes. So create, for yourself, and inspire other people to make what they like as well.

Thank you for reading.