Bad Dream: Series

Bad Dream: Series is a collection of four point & click games with minimalist graphics and disturbing themes. In Butcher, explore a haunted town and confront a madman. Graveyard takes you to a dark beehive populated by unusual creatures. In Hospital, navigate a psychiatric ward or hospital as the purpose of your stay remains unclear. Cyclops follows a lost protagonist in a forgotten part of the city. Each game features creative puzzles and unsettling ambiance.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game offers a nostalgic experience with its minimalist art style and eerie atmosphere, reminiscent of classic point-and-click horror games.
Each story is engaging and provides multiple paths and endings, enhancing replayability and keeping players interested.
The remastered graphics and improved UI make the game visually appealing while maintaining the original's charm.

The game is very short, with a typical playtime of under two hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Puzzle mechanics can feel overly simplistic, as inventory items are automatically selected, reducing the challenge and agency for players.
Some players may find the narrative lacking depth, with a barebones story that doesn't provide a coherent experience.

graphics
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as simple yet effective, creating an unsettling atmosphere reminiscent of Rusty Lake, with a unique and original art style that enhances the narrative's horror elements. While not overtly scary, the visuals contribute to a bittersweet and melancholic experience, complemented by smooth gameplay and cleaner, sharper graphics. Overall, the art style is appreciated for its effectiveness in conveying the game's themes, despite the lack of complex plots or dialogue.
- “Simple yet effective graphics that weren't scary as much as they were unsettling (think Rusty Lake-esque).”
- “The art style and narrative elements are original and brilliantly horrific, and the puzzles are logical and satisfying.”
- “Wonderful art style and smooth gameplay.”
- “It's graphically quite simple; there really isn't any writing/dialogue to speak of, and the plots aren't very plot-like. However, I still enjoyed myself despite some frustrating moments of random clicking to try to progress the game.”
- “The art style is simplistic but effective. While not outright scary, it is unsettling and weird nonetheless, with the last chapter adding a bittersweet spin to the formula, which was a nice way to end the collection.”
- “Graphics are cleaner and sharper, but overall, the visual presentation feels lacking.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as nostalgic and eerie, with a dense and claustrophobic feel that effectively evokes unease. Despite its basic art style, it contributes to a twisted ambiance that enhances the overall experience, making it a strong recommendation for fans of point-and-click games.
- “It's still nostalgic to play these with an eerie atmosphere.”
- “All in all a really nice remaster, and I can easily recommend this to anyone who likes a point and click game with a very twisted atmosphere.”
- “Atmosphere is dense and claustrophobic.”
- “And the art, though basic, is still decent and works to evoke an uneasy atmosphere.”
- “All in all, a really nice remaster, and I can easily recommend this to anyone who likes a point-and-click game with a very twisted atmosphere.”
story
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The story is generally considered straightforward and lacking in depth, with multiple paths or endings that do not significantly alter the experience. Reviewers express a desire for more narrative structure and clarity, suggesting that the games would benefit from better story presentation to enhance player understanding and engagement.
- “I'm interested to see where the story is going from here.”
- “Note that this is not a terribly satisfying way to proceed through a game, and I think that narratively speaking, the games would have been better off with more sign-posting and/or actual story presentation, so you have a fuller idea about what and why you're trying to do things other than just sheer nightmare logic.”
- “They usually have multiple paths or endings per game, but they're not significantly different and the story is fairly barebones.”
- “Don't expect a complex story or anything, though.”
- “Note that this is not a terribly satisfying way to proceed through a game, and I think that (narratively speaking) the games would have been better off with more sign-posting and/or actual story presentation, so you have a fuller idea about what and why you're trying to do things other than just sheer nightmare logic.”
gameplay
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as nostalgic and straightforward, retaining its original simplicity while featuring updated visuals. Players appreciate the familiar mechanics that evoke childhood memories, making it accessible and easy to engage with.
- “This game is really nostalgic for me; I remember watching the gameplay of these games on YouTube and playing them when I was a little kid.”
- “Just a little retouched with the drawings and visual looks, and the rest is the same gameplay.”
- “Extremely simple presentation and gameplay.”
replayability
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, noting that while a single playthrough is brief—taking under two hours—there are multiple endings and engaging Steam achievements that encourage players to return for additional runs.
- “A single playthrough of Bad Dream: Stories can be completed in under two hours; however, there is a heap of replayability in terms of multiple endings and fun Steam achievements.”
- “But since there is some variety and replayability, you'll stay for a little longer.”
- “The game lacks significant replayability, making it hard to stay engaged after the first playthrough.”
- “Once you complete the game, there’s little incentive to return, as the replayability is quite limited.”
- “While there are some variations, the overall replayability feels shallow and doesn't encourage multiple playthroughs.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and absurdity, featuring comically grotesque enemies and scenarios that juxtapose a scary atmosphere with humorous elements, creating a unique and entertaining experience.
- “The game perfectly balances scary ambience with hilarious, quirky characters that keep you on your toes.”
- “I love how the humor shines through even in the most intense moments, making the experience both thrilling and laugh-out-loud funny.”
- “The absurdity of the situations and the funny-looking enemies add a unique charm that makes the game unforgettable.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its melancholic and heartfelt memories, which stand out despite the overall simplicity of the graphics and lack of dialogue or strong plot. Players find enjoyment in the experience, even amidst moments of frustration.
- “The game is graphically simple, and there isn't much writing or dialogue, but the memories stand out as a melancholic and heartfelt narrative that truly resonated with me.”
- “Despite the lack of traditional plot elements, the emotional depth of the memories made my experience enjoyable and memorable.”
- “The heartfelt moments in the game, especially those tied to memories, created a unique emotional connection that I didn't expect.”
music
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise, with users rating the soundtrack as exceptional.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing.”
- “The music perfectly complements the gameplay and enhances the overall experience.”
- “I love how the soundtrack evolves with the game's story, making each moment feel more impactful.”