Dream Tactics

About

In Dream Tactics, a tactical RPG, you must save the Dream World as its magic, Reverie, is failing. Assemble a team, build deck strategies with over 100 cards, and execute combos to defeat enemies, while dealing with the unpredictability of new card draws each turn. Time is running out to overcome the challenges and save the Dream World from collapse.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 472 reviews

story62 positive mentions

grinding22 negative mentions

Dream Tactics offers a unique blend of tactical RPG and deck-building mechanics, allowing for deep customization and strategic gameplay.
The game features charming pixel art and a lighthearted story filled with humor, making it an enjoyable experience.
The combat system is engaging, with a variety of cards and equipment that encourage experimentation and creative builds.

Some players may find the difficulty spikes frustrating, particularly in certain boss battles that can feel overly punishing.
The inventory management can be cumbersome, as it lacks a sorting feature and requires navigating multiple screens to find specific cards or items.
The story, while charming, may feel shallow to some players, lacking depth in character interactions and overarching narrative.

story
202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The story of the game is generally well-received, characterized as light-hearted, humorous, and engaging, though not particularly deep or groundbreaking. Many players appreciate the character writing and comedic elements, which add charm to the overall experience, despite some criticism regarding repetitiveness in later stages. While the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop for gameplay, it effectively keeps players entertained and invested in the characters' journeys.
- “The story is light-hearted and unobtrusive, much of the focus is on a large variety of character customization through the equipment and cards you acquire.”
- “It has an incredibly charming story with writing that did make me genuinely laugh out loud a couple of times, or at least shake my head and groan in comedic pain.”
- “While 'saving the world' is a plot that gets used everywhere, Dream Tactics really excels in the way the story is told.”
- “The story and characters were so shallow I had to force myself through the latter half of the game.”
- “The cutscenes are mostly jokes and the story barely exists.”
- “Just be wary of keeping expectations of the story to a minimum (not that the story tries that hard anyways).”
gameplay
190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The gameplay is highly praised for its engaging turn-based, grid-based combat that incorporates a unique deck-building mechanic, allowing players to mix abilities from different classes. Reviewers appreciate the depth and customization options available, alongside a fun and cute aesthetic, although some note that certain mechanics can feel repetitive or unbalanced. Overall, the game offers a satisfying tactical experience with a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs, making it a strong recommendation for fans of the genre.
- “If you're looking for fun, tactical gameplay with a lighthearted, funny story, then you won't go wrong picking this one up.”
- “The combination of Fire Emblem-style strategy and deckbuilder progression is smooth and immediate, and for fans of this sort of gameplay, it's satisfying.”
- “What makes Dream Tactics really shine is its gameplay.”
- “Luna's carrot mechanic and willow's summoning then requiring another card to take control of the summon felt unfun to use.”
- “Many card mechanics within a character's list are awkward.”
- “The range of the abilities does not compensate for that poor mechanic.”
graphics
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
75%
3%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their charming pixel art style, reminiscent of the GBA era, with many reviewers noting the vibrant colors and detailed sprites that evoke nostalgia. While some consider the visuals simplistic, they effectively complement the game's engaging gameplay and humorous narrative, creating a cohesive and appealing aesthetic. Overall, the graphics are described as cute and polished, appealing to fans of retro-inspired art styles.
- “I love the art style of this game and I think it is done expertly!”
- “Dream Tactics is a refreshing take on tactical RPGs, blending strategic depth with charming pixel art visuals.”
- “The pixel art style is a standout feature, with vibrant colors and detailed sprites bringing the game world to life.”
- “As far as graphics go, it's kind of a low pixel count GBA kind of deal.”
- “The lo-fi visuals are a balm for hardcore tactics players who don't want 3D graphics and loading screens crowding out the gameplay, but it would be hard to describe the visuals and UI as anything but stock.”
- “Graphics probably won't be everyone's cup of tea but I like them and they're presented in a very polished way.”
humor
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for being clever, lighthearted, and genuinely funny, with many players enjoying the witty dialogue and amusing situations that arise during gameplay. The writing effectively blends humor with tactical elements, creating a jovial atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the charming characters and the game's ability to subvert genre tropes, making for a delightful and entertaining adventure.
- “If you're looking for fun, tactical gameplay with a lighthearted, funny story, then you won't go wrong picking this one up.”
- “The characters are lovable, and the dialogue is very clever; several points really made me laugh.”
- “The game's also got a charming sense of humor; it doesn't take itself too seriously without being very in-your-face about it, which complements the relaxed vibe that the game is going for.”
music
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
50%
4%
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its dreamy and nostalgic qualities, as well as its ability to enhance the atmosphere of each world. While some reviewers found the soundtrack to be catchy and engaging, others noted moments of repetitiveness and described it as occasionally forgettable. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “The music is befitting each individual world you explore, and only the first world felt repetitive to me, though nostalgic when you revisit it.”
- “The music is universally good, often great, and occasionally phenomenal.”
- “Overall, the mellow, nostalgic and often times great soundtrack paired with the colorful world filled with exploration and casual gameplay makes this a game worth playing if you've been wanting to find a simple RPG with obvious homages to old school RPGs.”
- “The weakest part of the game is the music; it's barely passable and completely forgettable.”
- “The story and music were not great, though.”
- “While the music isn't a list of bangers like Fire Emblem or Final Fantasy Tactics, the music is still fine.”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
Overall, players appreciate the lack of unnecessary grinding in the game, allowing for a more streamlined experience with quality of life features that enhance gameplay. However, some find backtracking for collectibles and certain battles to be tedious, suggesting that while the absence of grinding is a positive aspect, the pacing could be improved. The combination of deck-building and RPG elements is praised, though some players desire more options for experimentation and currency grinding.
- “The fights are not tediously long with a lot of micro-management, and their simplicity allows the RNG with the cards to fit perfectly.”
- “Backtracking through the world for the last breakables and chests is still a bit tedious, even if the chests are always interesting.”
- “Battles get tedious because of the 4 on 20 scenario, and too often enemies spawn on the map, just drawing things out.”
- “If I had to find something to nitpick, it would be that the movement speed is a little slow, making backtracking through areas to look for destructible objects a little tedious.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
50%
38%
The game offers a mix of replayability, with some players noting that while the deep strategy and extensive deckbuilding options provide significant customization, the overall replay value is somewhat limited.
- “+ replay value:”
- “The game is really only somewhat replayable.”
- “I picked this up immediately after reading the developer's forum post regarding replayability.”
- “The strategy at play runs incredibly deep, the deckbuilding gives endless customization and replayability, and the challenge level is dead-on.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
63%
Character development in the game is characterized by its whimsical and lighthearted approach, featuring unique and cutesy designs that stand out in the genre. Players appreciate the thoughtful crafting of characters and environments, which contribute to an engaging and nostalgic experience, while some characters offer innovative class directions that enhance gameplay. Overall, the combination of charming aesthetics and strategic depth makes for a memorable character-driven experience.
- “This game, I believe, is a hidden gem. It features fun turn-based tactical combat and cool, interesting character designs that take some characters' classes in directions I haven't seen before.”
- “Drean Tactics came recommended on my Steam page one day, and I instantly fell in love with it. The pixel art style, the character designs, and the combination of turn-based strategy and deckbuilding are probably my two favorite genres.”
- “From the character designs to the environments, every aspect is crafted with care, immersing players in a nostalgic yet engaging experience.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, evoking feelings of joy and nostalgia through its sweet and wholesome narrative. Players appreciate its blend of humor and fun, alongside vibrant visuals that enhance the overall emotional experience.
- “It's funny, it's fun, it's deep, it's colorful, and it's wholesome.”
- “The game made me feel emotional.”
- “It's sweet and wholesome and makes me smile.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its nostalgic resemblance to classic titles, particularly in its style and ambiance. The relaxing original soundtrack complements the environment beautifully, while the fun and goofy banter among teammates enhances the overall experience, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.
- “The OSTs feel pretty relaxing but also fit the atmosphere of the place perfectly.”
- “The music is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the banter with your teammates is always fun and goofy.”
- “The best compliment I can give this game is that it is very reminiscent of a Brownie Brown game from back in the day, similar in style and atmosphere to Magical Starsign.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few minor glitches reported, none of which significantly impact gameplay.
- “The game does have a couple of glitches, none of which are game-breaking.”