Dreamscapes: The Sandman
- March 13, 2013
- Shaman Games Studio
- 3h median play time
A casual adventure/puzzle game starring Laura Young.
Reviews
- The game features a nostalgic graphical design and engaging voice acting, enhancing the overall experience.
- The storyline is intriguing and keeps players interested, with a variety of unique puzzles that differ from typical hidden object games.
- The game offers a fun atmosphere with creepy elements, and the collectible 'eyeball bugs' add an enjoyable layer of exploration.
- The game is plagued by frequent crashes, making it unplayable for many users, especially on Windows 10.
- There are significant technical issues, including poor lip syncing and inconsistent voice acting that detracts from the experience.
- The game lacks traditional hidden object scenes and achievements, which may disappoint fans of the genre.
- story26 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, with many players finding it engaging and intriguing, particularly appreciating its flow and connection to the bonus chapter. While some critiques mention plot holes and a lack of depth, the narrative is considered above average for the genre, with a unique premise that blends reality and dreams. Overall, the story enhances the gameplay experience, making it a key aspect for players who enjoy narrative-driven puzzle games.
“I enjoyed the storyline a lot as it kept me interested in the game.”
“The story is well done: while the beginning of the story is set in our real world, the rest is in Laura's head and dreams: you'll learn more about her destiny and her past.”
“This is a pretty good quality game; the scenes are very nice and the story was interesting.”
“The story was middle of the road.”
“I think the only criticisms I would have are the locking of achievements behind the bonus gameplay and the fact that the story is incomplete unless you purchase the premium edition.”
“All it has are puzzles and you trying to find key items to advance the story.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are generally described as nostalgic and visually appealing, with many reviewers noting the artwork as lovely and colorful. However, some mention that the graphics feel outdated compared to modern standards, particularly in terms of widescreen capabilities. Overall, while the visuals are well-executed and enjoyable, they may not meet the expectations of players seeking cutting-edge graphics.
“Lovely, clear artwork/graphics/scenes”
“+ gorgeous looking and colorful background artwork”
“The graphics are very beautiful!”
“Very nice game although the graphics are a bit outdated.”
“Get it on sale, since it's a little dated in terms of wide-screen capabilities and graphics.”
“Firstly it's a point'n'click based game, with a decent musical score/graphics & not too difficult puzzles.”
- music8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere and supporting gameplay, with a nice soundtrack that fits well with the visuals. However, some users find the voice acting to be somewhat over-the-top and not as polished as the music. Overall, the audio elements contribute positively to the gaming experience, complemented by additional features like soundtracks and concept art.
“+ Background music perfectly fits the game's atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack is very nice and the graphics are pretty good, given all the locations you're visiting.”
“The background sounds and music support the gameplay, though admittedly some of the vocals are a bit over-the-top.”
“Firstly, it's a point-and-click based game, with a decent musical score, graphics, and not too difficult puzzles.”
“There are extra features in the game: bonus chapter, soundtracks, concept art, wallpapers, screensavers, and the game's strategy guide.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally well-received, characterized by a lightly eerie yet engaging fantasy world, complemented by fitting background music. Players appreciate its visual appeal and find it reminiscent of the drawn series, enhancing their overall experience.
“Lightly eerie atmosphere”
“Engaging fantasy world and atmosphere”
“Background music perfectly fits the game's atmosphere”
“The atmosphere was okay.”
“Lightly eerie atmosphere.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is considered average for hidden object puzzle adventure (HOPA) games, complemented by above-average art and writing quality, while the background sounds and music enhance the experience, despite some vocal performances being overly dramatic. The inclusion of a collector's edition extra chapter adds to the game's length, making it a respectable offering for fans of the genre.
“The background sounds and music support the gameplay, though admittedly some of the vocals are a bit over-the-top.”
“If you like hidden object puzzle adventure (HOPA) type games, the gameplay is pretty average, but the art and writing quality are slightly above average. The collector's edition extra chapter extends the game length to a respectable duration.”
“But if you like hidden object puzzle adventure (HOPA) type games, the gameplay is pretty average, with slightly above-average art and writing quality. The collector's edition extra chapter stretches it out to a respectable game length.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while it offers additional collectibles and achievements for perfectionists, some players find the overall replay value to be low.
“It looks good, has a decent creepy factor, and if you're a perfectionist, the additional things to collect and in-game achievements will add replay value to the game.”
“The replay value for the game is low.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally solid, though some users feel that the voice acting could be improved; however, this does not significantly impact the overall experience.
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While "Dreamscapes: The Sandman" lacks the distinctive humor and whimsical art that characterized "Witch's Pranks," it still offers a solid point-and-click adventure experience.
“Dreamscapes: The Sandman doesn't have the same stand-out humor and whimsical art that made Witch's Pranks special, but it's a very solid point-and-click adventure game.”