A solemn, soul-crushing and stunning finale to BrainETR's ambitious "Somewhere Else" project, "05 Somewhere Else" is a profound level that can't be described as anything but absolutely devastating. I can't recall another series of levels that took me on such a wild and turbulent rollercoaster of emotions, but "Somewhere Else" (both as an individual level and overall project) is an emotional tour-de-force that just operates on a whole other level.

As a level, "05 Somewhere Else" is a cathartic tearjerker that only serves to rub salt into the deep emotional wounds already created by the equally dazzling "In Retrospect". The use of blurry visuals much like its predecessor makes the whole level seem as if it is constructed using the fabric of distant, fading memories embedded within a person's consciousness. It even creates this almost dreamlike ambience within "Somewhere Else" as the player drifts effortlessly between unclear, foggy visions a of starry night sky, a beautiful rainbow, a bright pink heart, and a serene field glowing in the radiance of the Sun. I doubt that a more apt song for "Somewhere Else" could have been chosen. 'Pictures' is a deftly fitting song which I think perfectly aligns with the level's (as well as the overarching series') general themes as well as emotions of grief, loss, and yearning to see your lost loved one once more. The level's absolutely masterful ending in which the screen slowly fades to white, the text 'See you one last time' appears in accordance with the song, the same photo that appears at the end of "Turn To Dust" returns, before the credits finally appear on screen couldn't have been a more satisfying, emotional, and heartrending sequence to bring the project to a close. I hate to admit this, but I kind of cried as the level came to a close. It couldn't have been a more perfect way to end "Somewhere Else".

As an entire series, I absolutely loved "Somewhere Else"! I thought I wouldn't enjoy it as creators typically get pretty clunky the second they try to venture into more artsy and experimental territory (such as that one experimental Neigefeu level that I don't think anybody remembers), but BrainETR was truly able to succeed at crafting an emotionally dense, resonant and compelling narrative with the "Somewhere Else" series. It's a very unique and smooth fusion between typical BrainETR conventions and more 'arthouse' elements that I think works excellently without losing what makes BrainETR's usual levels so special. While there is a backbone for a definable narrative, it's vague enough to invite multiple interpretations and takes on what the meaning of "Somewhere Else" really is. The whole 'stream of consciousness' manner by which each level is constructed is pretty unique and I think it adds an extra level of complexity with each level acting as a dissection of the inner psyche at different stages during the process of grieving. Each level in the project has an extremely distinct visual and atmospheric identity, yet they all come together to form a cohesive final product that has a meaningful storyline.

All in all, I was incredibly moved by "Somewhere Else". It's the kind of project that pushes the boundaries of Geometry Dash, not in the technical sense, but more so in terms of getting to the player's emotions and storytelling. It's powerful, unique, sincere, engaging, and the kind of daring creative project that I think GD needs more of. I think I'll be excited for the next time BrainETR decides to take on a similarly evocative and atmospheric project.