Dreamscape
- February 2, 2015
- Aldorlea Games
- 15h median play time
Dreamscape is a single-player, 15-hour Role Playing Game that takes you through a dangerous dream world. After an experiment goes wrong, protagonist Erin is trapped in the Dreamscape and must find a way out using magical headphones. Explore this mystical realm filled with odd creatures, multiple modes, difficulties, and an award system. Experience elements of strategy, riddles, and end-game rewards as you uncover the mysteries of dreams within dreams, Jack the Ripper, Al Capone, and ancient Egypt.
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic old school feel and gameplay reminiscent of 90s RPGs, providing a charming experience.
- It features engaging dreamscapes and a mix of adventure and RPG elements, encouraging exploration and puzzle-solving.
- The characters are well-developed and humorous, contributing to an enjoyable story that keeps players invested.
- The game suffers from excessive backtracking and unclear item usage, often requiring guides to progress.
- Movement mechanics can be frustrating, with characters getting stuck on objects and a lack of intuitive navigation.
- Some mini-games and puzzles feel arbitrary and poorly designed, detracting from the overall experience.
- story13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and well-structured, reminiscent of classic Sierra titles, while others describe it as bland and disappointing, particularly towards the end. Central to the narrative is the protagonist Erin's quest to save her boyfriend, which some reviewers found captivating and tightly organized, while others criticized the overall execution and mechanics. Despite the varied opinions, many agree that the story is a significant driving force of the game, with moments of intrigue and emotional depth.
“Story and characters are a blast!”
“As always, these games are driven by the story, and, in my opinion, Aldorlea always has this element perfected.”
“Some of the dreams are simple, some complex, and they all add up to a story that is beautifully put together with no meandering that completely draws you in and holds your interest in a completely captivating way.”
“This is another relatively story-light game.”
“TL;DR: subpar adventure with poorly crafted mechanics and a bland story about exploring dreams and reuniting with your boyfriend.”
“The gameplay was alright, but the storyline was disappointing, especially towards the end.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its pleasant and fitting nature that enhances the gameplay experience. However, some users find it slightly annoying due to the inability to turn it off or adjust the volume. Overall, it contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, despite some minor frustrations.
“It had some really well done levels and sets, great music, and the cutest theme imaginable.”
“The music fits in the areas, so 10/10.”
“The music is pleasant and unobtrusive, which adds to the enjoyment of the game.”
“The music is a bit annoying in that you can't turn it down or off, but it's nothing one can't just tune out mentally during gameplay.”
“No way to turn off the music or change anything.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay offers an old-school feel typical of retro RPGs, featuring straightforward mechanics that are easy to grasp, suitable for both keyboard and mouse controls. However, the experience is marred by subpar adventure elements, poorly crafted mechanics, and a bland narrative, with around 15 hours of playtime available across four difficulty modes.
“Old school feel and gameplay in this retro RPG.”
“It's got about 15 hours of gameplay for one playthrough, with four difficulty modes.”
“Gameplay can be enjoyed with either the keyboard or mouse, and both work well.”
“Tldr: subpar adventure with poorly crafted mechanics and a bland story about exploring dreams and reuniting with your boyfriend.”
“Its got about 15 hours of gameplay for one playthrough, with four difficulty modes.”
“Mechanics are easy to follow like most RPG Maker games.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its hilarious boss fights and quirky enemy interactions, where players engage in amusing counterattacks. The dreamscapes provide a creative backdrop for odd and funny scenarios, while the diverse and well-developed characters, including memorable cameos, contribute to the overall comedic charm through their witty banter and interactions.
“It leads to hilarious fights with some bosses and the non-boss enemies that use their sprite (they're all just recolors) since they can too, so once one of you hits the other, you sit there counterattacking until someone dies.”
“Dreamscapes are very interesting and open a wide range of odd and funny possibilities, which are used by the makers in this game.”
“Character development is excellent (even Marine from the Millennium series makes an appearance), and offers a lot of good humor—it's easy to like these characters as they offer their comments to one another while exploring—especially the cat.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their appealing simplicity and artistic quality, featuring both pixelated and artist-rendered styles. Reviewers highlight the detailed and diverse scenes encountered throughout the game's dreamlike environments.
“The graphics (both the pixelated and the artist-rendered ones) are nice, simple, and easy on the eyes.”
“The artwork is very nicely done and includes some very different and detailed scenes as you travel throughout the various dreams.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game due to its multiple difficulty levels and unlockable characters, which provide fresh challenges and experiences. The expansive content and varied gameplay ensure that players can enjoy the game for an extended period.
“The different difficulty levels and unlockable characters enhance the replayability.”
“With so much to see and do, Dreamscape is a lengthy experience that offers high replay value with four levels of difficulty, each presenting new challenges.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highly praised, featuring well-crafted characters that provide humor and engaging interactions, making them relatable and enjoyable to players. Notably, even characters from the Millennium series make an appearance, adding depth to the experience.
“Character development is excellent, with even Marine from the Millennium series making an appearance. The interactions are filled with good humor, making it easy to like these characters as they share their comments while exploring, especially the cat.”
“The depth of character development is impressive, allowing players to form genuine connections with the cast. Each character has a unique personality that shines through in their interactions.”
“I love how the character development unfolds throughout the game. The backstories are rich and engaging, making every character feel relatable and memorable.”