Dreambound

About

"Dreambound" is a single-player Role Playing game with a deeply emotional and intriguing story. As introverted artist Noah, players are plunged into a mysterious world of dreams, tied to those who have wronged him in the past. Navigating a complex web of grief and loss, Noah must face his demons and solve a series of murders, all while questioning the line between reality and dreams.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews

story19 positive mentions

The story is beautifully written and emotionally impactful, resonating deeply with players and evoking strong feelings of grief and love.
The character development is rich, with each route providing unique perspectives and insights into the characters' lives and struggles.
The art and soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating a captivating atmosphere that complements the narrative.

The choices made throughout the game often feel inconsequential until the very end, leading to frustration for players seeking meaningful decision-making.
The escape room puzzles are limited and can feel underdeveloped, with some players finding them confusing or lacking in engagement.
The protagonist's angst and moral dilemmas may not resonate with all players, potentially alienating those who prefer lighter or more traditional romance narratives.

story
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
6%
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, emotional impact, and beautiful writing, with many players finding it both heart-wrenching and relatable. While some critiques mention a moralizing tone and a lack of clarity in certain plot elements, the overall narrative is considered compelling, with well-developed characters and multiple routes that enhance the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the blend of visual artistry and music that complements the narrative, making it a standout visual novel worth exploring.
- “The story is insanely beautiful but so heart-wrenching at the same time.”
- “The writing is really, really good, the art is beautiful, and the soundtrack is perfect for the story, making me very emotional.”
- “The story was so interesting and the writing really boosted it alongside the gorgeous visuals.”
- “I hate that the story is so moralizing; if you choose anything other than what the creator wants, it ends badly for you personally.”
- “Conflicts in the story are often almost comical, which would be fine if the rest of the game wasn't so heavy.”
- “It's similar to Divine Speaker in that once you're on a character's route, you can pivot between being mean, kind, or flaky, but it lacks diversity in the story itself, leading to repetitive scenes with only slight differences.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and complement to the narrative, featuring hauntingly beautiful vocals and a melancholic lo-fi selection that enhances the overall experience. While some users noted minor preferences for certain tracks, the soundtrack is generally regarded as perfect for the story, contributing significantly to the game's breathtaking art and writing. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect that elevates the emotional engagement of the gameplay.
- “The writing is really, really good, the art is beautiful, and the soundtrack is perfect for the story, making me very emotional.”
- “The soundtrack, including tracks with hauntingly beautiful, dreamy vocals by Luno, contrasts the bright golden past with August to the cold and gloomy present.”
- “And not to mention the amazing soundtrack and art; my god, this feels like an actual anime I would watch and cry all over again.”
- “The soundtrack you find in the gallery is a melancholic lo-fi selection of wonderful tracks.”
- “Throw in the soundtrack and the little puzzles that made me feel like a complete idiot, and I can happily say that two and a half studios did it again.”
- “I wholeheartedly recommend this one, and I commend two and a half studios for their wonderful job on it (even though I did see a couple spelling errors along the way haha.) they have done outstanding work, and honestly, I kept thinking to myself that I needed this soundtrack on Spotify!”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with many players reporting intense feelings of sadness and beauty that lead to tears throughout their experience. The combination of a beautifully crafted story, stunning art, and a fitting soundtrack creates an emotional rollercoaster that resonates deeply, especially as players explore multiple routes that enrich the narrative. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a heartfelt and moving experience, particularly within the LGBT visual novel genre.
- “The story is insanely beautiful but so heart-wrenching at the same time.”
- “This was an emotional rollercoaster and I only just finished one route.”
- “This game made me cry harder than I had in a long time, but it was so beautiful that all the tears were worth it.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The graphics in the game are praised for their beauty and artistic quality, with many users highlighting the stunning visuals and unique art style that set it apart from previous works by the studio. However, some criticism arises when the visual representation does not align with the narrative descriptions, leading to a disconnect in the experience. Overall, the combination of impressive artwork and effective editing significantly enhances the game's atmosphere.
- “And of course the background music, visuals, and art all elevated the experience so much more and made everything so much more beautiful.”
- “The story was so interesting and the writing really boosted it alongside the gorgeous visuals.”
- “The artwork, as in all visual novels from this studio, is always gorgeous.”
- “And when the text description of the scene completely clashes with the visuals, that's not good.”
- “Instead, what we get is the same background art and the main character assuring us that there's a lot of freaky visuals happening.”
- “The art style is also fairly different from their other work, and while I'm fine with that because it differed as well in their earlier work, it's worth knowing that this is a hard change in their style compared to Divine Speaker and Date with Death, though equally competent.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Gameplay is enhanced by engaging "escape" mechanics that add a fun twist to the traditional visual novel experience, though some players find the mystical aspects and their mechanics unclear and lacking explanation. The overall experience is complemented by beautiful art, a captivating story, and compelling characters.
- “The dream mechanics are incredibly engaging!”
- “The art is beautiful, the story is captivating, the characters are compelling, and the 'escape' mechanics are a super fun addition to the usual visual novel experience!”
- “I do not understand the mechanics of the mystical aspects, and I don't think an explanation exists.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players noting significant growth in characters like Kaine, who becomes more likable through his route, and a strong dynamic between Noah and August. The writing effectively enhances the overall experience, contributing to the game's breathtaking art and music.
- “Kaine was my least favorite romance option, yet his route showed great character development, and now I understand and like him a lot.”
- “The writing is well done and I enjoyed the character development, especially between Noah and August.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game boasts excellent replayability, encouraging players to return for multiple playthroughs.
- “It has great replay value too.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere is characterized by a vibrant anime style, featuring handsome characters and beautifully colored, atmospheric backgrounds that enhance the overall visual experience.
- “The anime style features handsome characters, beautifully colored and vibrant, set against atmospheric backgrounds.”
- “The game's atmosphere is immersive, drawing you into its beautifully crafted world.”
- “The vibrant visuals and detailed environments create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”