Dead Dreams
- March 15, 2019
- a_marx
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Dead Dreams" is a 2D psychological horror game, influenced by Silent Hill and PT, that focuses on puzzle-solving and atmospheric storytelling. After a school game dev club breaks up due to a tragic death, the members are forced back to confront their memories when a sinister 'V' appears. With a non-linear story and disturbing creatures, the game provides a deep and surreal horror experience with a fractured narrative and chilling audio.
Windows
Reviews
- The game effectively builds a disturbing atmosphere with impressive sound design and monster design, creating genuinely unnerving moments.
- The story tackles deep themes of trauma and self-discovery, with a unique narrative structure that keeps players engaged as they piece together the plot.
- The visuals, while not always polished, contribute to a nightmarish experience that resonates with players, making it a memorable horror title.
- The story is often confusing and poorly paced, leading to a lack of satisfaction in the narrative resolution and character development.
- Gameplay mechanics can be frustrating, with issues like arbitrary movement controls and a lack of clear direction, making it difficult to progress.
- The game suffers from bugs and glitches that can disrupt immersion and lead to frustrating experiences, such as losing saves or encountering visual errors.
- story26 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it confusing, poorly paced, and lacking character development, while others appreciate its depth and thematic exploration of self, trauma, and mental health. Many players express frustration over the story's clarity and coherence, often feeling unsatisfied by the resolution, yet a few highlight its unique storytelling approach and unsettling horror elements. Overall, the narrative seems to evoke a range of reactions, from intrigue to disappointment, depending on individual player experiences.
“As you progress through the game, you unravel a story that is far from what you may initially expect.”
“I won't give away much, as the story is one of the biggest highlights of this game, but needless to say, it really tackles the themes of self, trauma, and mental health.”
“Not that I didn't expect it to be good, but the story ended up being something I never could have anticipated.”
“The story is subpar.”
“Much of the story is awkwardly worded and awkwardly paced.”
“You will beg for the credits the entire last hour of the game hoping 'oh god, is it over yet?' I just don't know what this story is.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Dead Dreams is highly praised for its exceptional style and sound design, creating a pervasive sense of dread that keeps players on edge throughout the game. Reviewers highlight the terrifying and immersive environment, which significantly enhances the overall experience.
“Dead Dreams does a great job of building its atmosphere with its style and sound design.”
“The sound and atmosphere are top notch, contributing to the everlasting sense of dread in every facet of the world.”
“The atmosphere is incredible and kept me on edge from the beginning to the end.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some users noting that while the visuals are not particularly impressive and could improve, they effectively complement the game's horror narrative. The imagery is described as disturbing and unique, enhancing the overall experience, despite the limitations in scene transitions and pixelation. Overall, the visuals contribute to a creepy atmosphere, though they may not stand out technically.
“The story is fantastic, the graphics complement this style of horror beautifully. The imagery is disturbing in a way I've never seen before or since, and the sound design is absolutely impeccable.”
“Great story, creepy and interesting visuals.”
“The visuals could use some work in a lot of areas, particularly on scene transitions.”
“Visuals are admittedly not very impressive, but the creatures you’ll be facing are pure nightmare fuel.”
“And we all know our imagination has way better graphics than a pixelated horror game.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of Silent Hill-inspired elements and solid horror mechanics, though it suffers from inconsistent horror execution, awkward camera angles, and repetitive chase sequences. Overall, it has potential but may not fully satisfy all players.
“But the attempts at horror are really hit or miss with goofy looking creatures, arbitrary camera and movement effects, and the same chase mechanic over and over again.”
“...oh yeah, I forgot to talk about the gameplay.”
“It kind of has Silent Hill-esque vibes mixed together with legitimately solid horror gameplay.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is criticized for being plagued by numerous bugs, which detracts from the overall experience and leads to a perception of poor writing rather than intentional design choices.
“It's a collection of unsettling environments wrapped in a buggy walking simulator.”
“At first, you play it off as glitches in the VR simulation, but eventually you realize the writing just isn't good.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by characters confronting their personal baggage, suggesting that their journey is not just about external challenges but also about internal healing and self-discovery. This theme of overcoming emotional obstacles to achieve growth resonates strongly with players.
“Eventually they do, only to find out that the whole reason they were doing this was so they could get over themselves, because apparently they can't be possessed by dead kids while they still have emotional baggage.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be occasionally tedious, yet ultimately rewarding, as the satisfying endings make the effort worthwhile.
“Grinding can feel tedious at times, but the endings are extremely satisfying.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
“I found the grinding to be excessively time-consuming, which detracted from the overall experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features minimal music, resulting in long stretches of silence that heighten the impact of sudden, often unsettling sounds.
“The game barely has any music, so most of the time you walk in absolute silence – silence that only accentuates any sudden, often disturbing sound.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
“The music is forgettable and does nothing to enhance the atmosphere of the game.”
