Bygone Dreams

About

Bygone Dreams is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Prime Time and was released on June 20, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Bygone Dreams is a high fantasy action-adventure with RPG elements set in the surreal dream world of Lume, threatened by a malevolent Nightmare. Players embody Wa, the spirit protector, and must seek out corrupted Guardians to restore peace. The game features exploration, epic boss battles, and a customizable combat style combining melee, ranged, and magic attacks.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 51 reviews

story8 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game features a stunning atmosphere with beautiful visuals and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
The combat system, while occasionally clunky, offers a variety of mechanics and challenges that can be rewarding for players who enjoy soulslike games.
The world is rich in lore and creativity, with unique character designs and engaging storytelling that resonates emotionally with players.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues, including problems with quest progression and character navigation, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Combat mechanics can feel unrefined and slow, with issues related to stamina management and hit detection that disrupt the flow of battles.
A lack of quality-of-life features, such as a map or clear objectives, makes navigation difficult and can leave players feeling lost and unsure of their next steps.

story
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
52%
13%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and emotionally resonant, while others criticize it for being simplistic and lacking depth. Many appreciate the atmospheric and heartwarming elements, but frustrations arise from navigation issues and a lack of clear quest guidance. Overall, while the narrative has its charm, it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex or structured storytelling experience.
- “I jumped into this game knowing it was a story-rich adventure, but what I didn't expect was how deeply I would connect with each of the characters.”
- “The gameplay is engaging and the story keeps you curious about what’s coming next.”
- “Compared to other action-adventure RPGs, Bygone Dreams offers a distinct experience rooted more in emotional storytelling and cultural atmosphere than in pure mechanical challenge.”
- “Soon as you boot up the story, you're blasted by what is basically a cold open of a fantasy slop plot you're given just enough context to understand the barest amount of stakes for.”
- “The storytelling feels like it was done by a child with almost no substance.”
- “There is absolutely no map or markers that I seemed to have found, as well as there are times there are no quest objectives.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
54%
14%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful and immersive art style that enhances the overall experience, while others criticize certain elements as feeling unfinished or outdated. Despite these inconsistencies, many players appreciate the game's aesthetic appeal and its ability to evoke emotion through its visuals and soundtrack. Overall, the graphics are described as decent to excellent, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
- “The visuals and music don’t just set the tone, they are the tone, making every step feel intentional even when you're unsure where to go next.”
- “A beautiful game with great visuals, and a world that’s immersive and easy to get lost in.”
- “The art style is beautiful and dreamlike, with smooth animations and a magical world that pulls you in.”
- “The graphics feel unfinished; even using the excuse of old-school nostalgia isn't enough to cover for the game's faults.”
- “While this game is ambitious and some of the art style is pretty, that is about as far as I can give praise.”
- “The ethereal forests, surreal architecture, and orchestral soundtrack rooted in folklore give the world real cultural weight, even if the visuals, while pretty, feel slightly old-fashioned.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
48%
14%
The gameplay is generally engaging and features a unique world with challenging combat and exploration, though some mechanics, such as mana and stamina management, can detract from the fun. While players appreciate the smooth controls and intriguing puzzles, there are criticisms regarding underdeveloped features like the blocking mechanic and lack of clear navigation aids. Overall, the game offers a distinct experience that emphasizes storytelling and atmosphere, despite some gameplay shortcomings.
- “An interesting game with addictive gameplay!”
- “The gameplay is engaging and the story keeps you curious about what’s coming next.”
- “The gameplay is pleasantly surprising: exciting puzzles, deep development of mechanics, smooth control.”
- “Gameplay-wise, I also found that mana and stamina drained too quickly, which made fights feel more like resource management than fun combat.”
- “The blocking mechanic feels underpowered and needs a serious rework.”
- “Some of the gameplay mechanics also feel underdeveloped.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the atmosphere, featuring a diverse soundtrack that includes over 52 original tracks and folkloric elements. Reviewers highlight its capacity to evoke a range of emotions, from epic moments to tranquil settings, and note that it complements the striking visuals and character designs effectively. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's immersive experience.
- “If you’re hoping for an action-adventure game with a host of unique, visually striking zones, challenging boss fights, and comfy PlayStation 2 vibes supported by a sublime soundtrack, you’re in for a treat.”
- “The visuals and music don’t just set the tone, they are the tone, making every step feel intentional even when you're unsure where to go next.”
- “I went to the first fight and took out the first two enemies but still had fight music and nothing was spawning or happening, so I think for me it was bugged.”
- “The ethereal forests, surreal architecture, and orchestral soundtrack rooted in folklore give the world real cultural weight, even if the visuals, while pretty, feel slightly old-fashioned.”
- “Music and atmosphere are cozy and relaxing.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
11%
22%
The atmosphere of "Bygone Dreams" is widely praised for its stunning, soft, and surreal qualities, complemented by cozy music that enhances the emotional storytelling. Reviewers highlight its unique blend of mythology and cultural elements, making it appealing for those who appreciate atmospheric worlds and unusual narratives. However, some players find that navigation and the save system detract from the overall experience.
- “If you love atmospheric mythology and slow-burn storytelling, this could shine once it opens up.”
- “Its atmosphere is stunning, soft, surreal, and quietly emotional.”
- “The game has a stunning atmosphere, style, and plot.”
- “Compared to other action-adventure RPGs, Bygone Dreams offers a distinct experience rooted more in emotional storytelling and cultural atmosphere than in pure mechanical challenge.”
- “The main thing for me about Bygone Dreams is its atmosphere.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Bygone Dreams" is highlighted by its beautifully crafted narrative and stunning atmosphere, which evoke deep feelings and resonate with players. Many reviewers noted that the game prioritizes emotional storytelling over traditional gameplay mechanics, resulting in a heartfelt experience that culminates in a moving ending. Overall, it stands out in the action-adventure RPG genre for its unique blend of emotional exploration and cultural depth.
- “The ending honestly brought me to tears multiple times, not just from the boss fight frustrations but also because it’s such a beautifully emotional finish.”
- “Its atmosphere is stunning: soft, surreal, and quietly emotional.”
- “Compared to other action-adventure RPGs, Bygone Dreams offers a distinct experience rooted more in emotional storytelling and cultural atmosphere than in pure mechanical challenge.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is criticized for being buggy, with issues such as a problematic settings menu and erratic NPC behavior, including glitches that cause characters to T-pose and fly away. While some players find it playable despite these flaws, the overall experience is marred by a lack of polish and stability.
- “Pretty boring and buggy; combat is not great.”
- “The settings menu is buggy.”
- “At least with AAA games being pushed out unfinished with day one DLC or some other asinine current-trend dumpster fire, you get a game that may be boring at worst, but playable, with perhaps some fun glitches that make the NPC character models T-pose and fly away randomly into the sky.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the reviews highlight the impressive soundtrack, striking character designs, and engaging animations, they do not specifically address character development in terms of narrative growth or depth. Instead, the focus is more on the aesthetic and gameplay elements related to characters.
- “There’s a lot here that I enjoyed: the soundtrack is beautiful, the character designs are striking, and I liked seeing the variety of gear and upgrades available as I played.”
- “Excellent music, voice acting, animations, and character design.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, with performance consistently meeting player expectations.
- “Performance is right on the spot.”
- “It's very well optimized.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing design of the bunny models, which elicited laughter among players, even if the overall experience was lacking.
- “1/10 only because my friends and I couldn't stop laughing at the bunny models.”