Dreambound
- April 29, 2024
- Two and a Half Studios
Get on Steam"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.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features beautiful art and a captivating story that keeps players emotionally engaged throughout.
- The characters are well-developed and relatable, with their backstories adding depth to the overall narrative.
- The combination of visual novel elements with escape room mechanics provides a unique and enjoyable gameplay experience.
- Some players found the puzzles to be too few and not challenging enough, leading to a desire for more engaging gameplay elements.
- The romance aspects may feel underdeveloped or bittersweet, which could disappoint those expecting a traditional dating sim experience.
- The protagonist's angst and melodrama can be overwhelming, making it difficult for some players to connect with the character.
- story58 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story is widely praised for its captivating narrative and emotional depth, with players highlighting the beautifully written characters and their tragic backstories. The game effectively utilizes multiple routes to enhance the overall plot, making each playthrough feel rewarding and impactful. While it lacks explicit romance, the focus on character development and the intertwining of past and present adds a unique layer to the storytelling experience.
“The story was so interesting and the writing really boosted it alongside the gorgeous visuals.”
“It's very much one of those games where playing more than one route really adds to the plot as a whole and made me more emotional with every new piece of info I got.”
“The story is very well written in my opinion, and the characters have so much life to them.”
“One of the things I wasn't sure about early on was flashing between the past and the present in the story, as that's not something I usually like.”
“Conflicts in the story are often almost comical, which would be fine if the rest of the game wasn't so heavy.”
“Compared to the writing and story of the Divine Speaker, I was a little underwhelmed but that didn't stop me from being brought to tears at least once per route.”
- emotional19 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is described as an emotional rollercoaster, evoking strong feelings and tears from players throughout its narrative. With beautiful writing, art, and a fitting soundtrack, it enhances the emotional depth of the story, particularly as players explore multiple routes that reveal more about the characters and their pasts. Many recommend it for its heartfelt storytelling, especially within the context of an LGBT visual novel with mystery elements.
“I cried so much and I don't regret a moment spent playing this game.”
“The story is insanely beautiful but so heart-wrenching at the same time.”
“Thank you for the beautiful emotions it made me feel; I highly recommend this game if you're looking for an LGBT visual novel with a mystery story.”
- music19 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling, with many reviewers noting the hauntingly beautiful vocals and the overall quality of the soundtrack. While some minor criticisms exist regarding a few less favorable tracks, the majority of players found the music to be a standout feature that complements the stunning art and compelling narrative. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, making the experience feel akin to an engaging anime.
“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 writing is really, really good, the art is beautiful, and the soundtrack is perfect for the story, making me very emotional.”
“The soundtrack includes tracks with hauntingly beautiful, dreamy vocals by Luno, showcasing the contrast between the bright golden past with August and the cold and gloomy present.”
“The soundtrack includes tracks with hauntingly beautiful, dreamy vocals by Luno, showcasing the contrast between the bright golden past with August and the cold, gloomy present.”
“The music really made me more invested in everything.”
“I kept thinking to myself that I needed this soundtrack on Spotify!”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are consistently praised for their stunning quality, enhancing the overall experience of the game. The beautiful visuals and art style significantly elevate the storytelling, making characters like Ivan, August, Crow, and Kaine even more appealing. Overall, the combination of captivating visuals and engaging writing creates a visually immersive experience.
“The story was so interesting and the writing really boosted it alongside the gorgeous visuals.”
“And of course the background music, the visuals, and the art all elevated the experience so much more and made everything so much more beautiful.”
“Ivan started out as my favorite during the demo as he was so pretty, and he's still a favorite aesthetically, but I've really come to love August, Crow, and Kaine through their routes.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Gameplay is enhanced by beautiful art, a captivating story, and compelling characters, with the addition of enjoyable "escape" mechanics that elevate the visual novel experience. However, some players find the mystical mechanics confusing and lacking clear explanations.
“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.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts excellent replayability, encouraging players to return for multiple playthroughs.
“It has great replay value too.”
“The game offers multiple endings and choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
“With various character builds and strategies, I find myself coming back for more.”
