Dreamscapes: The Sandman

About

"Dreamscapes: The Sandman - Premium Edition" is a narrative-driven adventure game where you explore the surreal subconscious of a young woman named Laura, who has fallen into a coma. As the Professor's Assistant, you'll navigate through dream-like landscapes in a "Dream Machine," solving puzzles and uncovering secrets to save Laura. The game features a unique and immersive atmosphere, combining elements of fantasy and horror.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 116 reviews

story35 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features nice visuals and a nostalgic graphical design that enhances the atmosphere.
Puzzles are engaging and varied, providing a fun challenge without being overly difficult.
The unique hint system and collectible 'Beholders' add an interesting layer to the gameplay.

The story is weak and poorly executed, with issues in voice acting and translation errors.
The game suffers from frequent crashes and technical issues, making it frustrating to play.
It is misleadingly labeled as a hidden object game, as it lacks traditional hidden object scenes.

story
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
57%
4%
The reviews for the game's story are mixed, with some players praising its originality and engaging plot, particularly highlighting the intriguing premise involving dreams and a young girl named Laura. However, many also criticize the execution, noting issues such as poor voice acting, translation errors, and a lack of depth in certain areas. Overall, while the story has its merits and keeps some players invested, it is often described as inconsistent and occasionally cliché.
- “The plot was so original that several developers jumped on the bandwagon to create their own dream-scenario game, but this was cutting edge when it was first released.”
- “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.”
- “Great and fun story, great locations and places.”
- “The story is justifiably absolute nonsense!”
- “Crappy story, and adventure-lite gameplay involving finding random crap and using it to solve random obstacles, sometimes with limited 'sense'.”
- “Ultimately feels like you're playing an unfinished story (which you are given how abruptly it ends).”
graphics
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
49%
7%
The game's graphics evoke a nostalgic charm, featuring beautiful and colorful artwork that, while somewhat dated, effectively conveys the atmosphere. Many players appreciate the solid visuals and attention to detail, although some elements, like the cinematics and certain computer-generated aspects, fall short. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for its release period, with a mix of polished scenes and occasional uncanny designs.
- “I liked the artwork despite being dated; the details and colors are outstanding.”
- “Lovely, clear artwork/graphics/scenes.”
- “The graphics are very beautiful!”
- “Although graphically a tad dated by now, it conveys the atmosphere well.”
- “Graphics are dated, considering its release date and consequently not updated for widescreen support either.”
- “Considering that the game was released quite some time ago, the graphics here aren't exactly top-notch.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
48%
14%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players noting that it complements the atmosphere and visuals effectively. While some found the soundtracks to be average or "meh," others appreciated the fitting background music and sound effects that enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, the music is described as decent, with a few standout tracks, though it occasionally cuts off during puzzles, which can be slightly distracting.
- “The music fits the atmosphere and artwork nicely, although it cuts off when you play puzzles and go back to the areas, but it wasn't too annoying.”
- “I especially liked the music; it was very fitting and didn't annoy.”
- “The soundtrack is very nice and the graphics are pretty good, given all the locations you're visiting.”
- “Music/ambient are alright, nothing to have dreams or nightmares about.”
- “The sound and music used here are pretty average as well.”
- “The background sounds and music support the gameplay, though admittedly some of the vocals are a bit over-the-top.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
10%
30%
The game's atmosphere is generally well-received, with music and artwork effectively complementing the environment, despite some minor interruptions during puzzles. While the graphics may feel slightly dated, they still convey a captivating and engaging fantasy world, enhanced by a lightly eerie ambiance and fitting background music. Overall, players appreciate the immersive atmosphere that aligns well with the game's themes.
- “The music fits the atmosphere and artwork nicely, although it cuts off when you play puzzles and go back to the areas, but it wasn't too annoying.”
- “It looks good and has a good atmosphere, and so far I was digging it as much as the drawn series.”
- “Although graphically a tad dated by now, it conveys the atmosphere well.”
- “Music is alright and complements the atmosphere in each scene well.”
- “The atmosphere was okay.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of adventure-lite mechanics, involving puzzle-solving and item collection, which some players find lacks coherence. While traditional hidden object game fans may be disappointed, those seeking a unique experience with varied puzzles and engaging side content may enjoy it. Overall, the gameplay is described as smooth and entertaining, despite a weak story and some over-the-top elements.
- “If you like the traditional sort of hidden object games, then this is definitely not a game for you, but if you're looking for something different - something with a lot more puzzles and an unconventional hidden object gameplay, you might like playing Dreamscapes: The Sandman.”
- “It was pretty entertaining although the story didn't capture me much, the gameplay itself was smooth and relaxing.”
- “Crappy story, and adventure-lite gameplay involving finding random items and using them to solve random obstacles, sometimes with limited sense.”
- “But if you like HOPA-type games, it's pretty average gameplay with slightly above-average art and writing quality, and the collector's edition extra chapter stretches it out to a respectable game length.”
- “The gameplay consists of small zones that you need to complete to advance, each with a different theme.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while it offers additional collectibles and achievements for perfectionists, many players find it limited due to its short length and the inherently low replay value of hidden object games.
- “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.”
- “Low replay value.”
- “The replay value for the game is low.”
- “It's a bit short in time, since the game has very limited replayability.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Dreamscapes: The Sandman" is less whimsical compared to its predecessor, "Witch's Pranks," but it features a hilariously self-aware main character who comically critiques the absurdity of the game mechanics and situations. Overall, while the humor may not be as standout, it still adds a solid layer to the point-and-click adventure experience.
- “The game features a really hilarious main character who's well aware of how ridiculous the game mechanics are if it were the real world. For example, she quips, 'Laura doesn't seem like she wants to be rescued, everything here is broken!' and 'Who locks drawers like this?!'”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users express a sense of nostalgia and loss, indicating that the emotional tone of the game evokes feelings of sadness and the end of simpler, happier times. This sentiment suggests a deep connection to the game's narrative and characters, highlighting its impactful storytelling.
- “I can see now, my wholesome nights are over.”
- “This game made me feel a deep connection to the characters, and I found myself genuinely caring about their journeys.”
- “The emotional weight of the story left me in tears; it was a beautiful experience that I won't forget.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The voice acting in the game is somewhat lacking, but it does not significantly impact the overall experience.