Dreamcore Game Cover
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"Dreamcore" is a psychological exploration game set in hauntingly beautiful liminal spaces. Traverse non-linear, interconnected levels filled with mysteries and discovery, with the goal of uncovering hidden logic and finding your way to the exit. The game uses grainy VHS-inspired visuals and eerie stillness to build tension, immersing players in the uncanny aesthetic of 80s "Found Footage". Dive into the stillness of Dreampools and prepare for a unique and unsettling experience.

  • PC
  • Windows

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 200 reviews
graphics18 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • Dreamcore offers a unique and immersive liminal space experience with stunning graphics and a captivating atmosphere that evokes feelings of confusion and unease.
  • The game encourages exploration, with vast levels that are intricately designed, allowing players to get lost in a dreamlike world filled with interesting details and hidden elements.
  • The absence of jump scares and entities creates a more psychological horror experience, making players feel genuinely lost and engaged in the environment.
  • Currently, the game only features two levels, which some players find repetitive and lacking in variety, leading to a sense of boredom after a while.
  • The gameplay can feel aimless, with little direction or objectives, which may frustrate players looking for more structured challenges or puzzles.
  • There are technical issues, such as lighting problems and bugs, that detract from the overall experience, and some players feel the game should be labeled as early access due to its incomplete state.
  • graphics32 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning aesthetic and immersive environments, effectively creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While some players noted that certain levels lacked detail compared to others, the visual quality is considered among the best in its genre, with filters adding a dreamlike quality. However, a few users found some visuals overwhelming, detracting from the enjoyment.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, and the environments engrossing.”
    • “As I commented on the demo, the graphics and sound do an amazing job submerging you in this world.”
    • “Dreamcore has excellent visuals, with the filters giving that genuine fuzziness of a dreamed environment.”
    • “Some visuals were so bright and overwhelming they felt like photokeratitis (snowblindness).”
    • “This is really promising and the aesthetic is key, but I found the eternal suburbia level to be a lot more bereft of interesting nooks and crannies than the dreampools level.”
    • “Like, I mean graphics, idea, and realization.”
  • atmosphere32 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unsettling and immersive qualities, with many reviewers noting its ability to evoke feelings of being lost in a fever dream or helplessly adrift in liminal spaces. While some environments, like the pools and "night of eternal suburbia," are criticized for being overly bright, the overall aesthetic and level design are considered exceptional, contributing to a haunting ambiance that enhances the exploration experience. However, a few users felt that the lack of engaging events or entities detracted from the overall experience, leading to mixed opinions on replayability.

    • “The atmosphere was absolutely phenomenal, you start to feel as if you’re lost in a fever dream.”
    • “The atmosphere it creates is unsettling, the aesthetic style is impeccable, and the level design is a delight.”
    • “In particular, the pools and the 'night of eternal suburbia' map feel a bit too bright, which detracts from the atmosphere.”
    • “There is very little atmosphere or events to keep you interested; it's absolute dogshit and I would sooner pour vinegar into an open wound than play this again.”
    • “No monsters, just atmosphere and the unending, overbearing, unnerving feeling of being helplessly lost in a realm you have zero control over.”
  • gameplay14 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as slow and relaxed, focusing on navigating vast liminal labyrinths without the presence of monsters, which enhances the sense of unease. While the overall experience is smooth and atmospheric, players have noted a desire for more varied movement speeds and have encountered some texture bugs. Despite these issues, the gameplay effectively captures the essence of liminal spaces, making it intriguing for players.

    • “The sense of unease is definitely well done, and the lack of monsters or cringe-inducing 'entities' is very much welcomed, with the gameplay solely revolving around escaping vast liminal labyrinths.”
    • “A rather faithful representation of liminal spaces; though at the moment of review there were some texture bugs, overall gameplay is smooth and the atmosphere is both uneasy and intriguing.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's very slow and relatively relaxed.”
    • “I would appreciate it if the developer would take a note from pool's gameplay and add a few more options for both walking and running speed, as the 'wading' speed is the same as the crawling speed, and the walking speed isn't much faster—and you will do a lot of wading.”
    • “While the gameplay is basically just w gaming.”
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game features a mix of ambient tracks and an original jazz score composed by the development team, which adds a unique touch to the experience. While the soundtrack is generally praised for its beauty and effectiveness in enhancing the atmosphere, some users noted inconsistencies, such as music from the wrong levels and a feeling of rushed implementation. Overall, the music is seen as a highlight, despite some frustrations regarding its integration.

    • “The moments of ambient music popping in when certain areas were triggered was a nice touch.”
    • “The musical score for the game is composed almost entirely by an original jazz team, including the main developer himself, which is very interesting.”
    • “Firstly, it was rushed; you can tell by them not removing the music in level one, which is supposed to be only in level two. This isn't a good sign at all since that shouldn't be hard.”
    • “Secondly, the music in the 'title screen' is still a Leyland Kirby 'Caretaker' track, complete with the same record popping and reverb effects.”
    • “It's not the first genre of music I would associate with these environments, but it works very well.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, the game's controls and performance are solid, but players have noted a need for further optimization, particularly regarding visual clarity at longer distances, which can cause discomfort.

    • “The controls and performance were solid.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Users report that the emotional experience in the game is marked by feelings of stress and anxiety, particularly in pool rooms where they felt a sense of being followed. This creates a tense atmosphere that enhances the overall emotional impact of the gameplay.

    • “Both made me feel like I was being followed.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    While some users express concerns about the game's replayability, many believe that exploring every aspect and corner of the game makes it a worthwhile experience.

    • “Some people seem worried about replayability, but I’d say it’s worth diving into every corner.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, as the eerie levels lack a sense of urgency or stress, leading to a monotonous experience after a short period.

    • “The levels, while eerie, do not evoke a sense of urgency or stress, thus making the experience boring or, in worse cases, tedious after a couple of minutes.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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