Dreamstones
- November 1, 2017
- Windybeard
- 19h median play time
Get on Steam"Dreamstones is a single-player Role Playing game that takes about 18 hours to beat. It combines block-breaker gameplay with RPG statistics, collectable loot, and world building. Your mission is to rescue Dreamweavers and rebuild the floating Kingdom, battling through over 200 hand-designed levels and challenging bosses across 5 worlds."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Dreamstones offers a unique blend of brick-breaking gameplay with RPG elements, providing a fresh and engaging experience.
- The game features over 200 levels with a variety of designs, allowing for extensive gameplay and customization of skills and loadouts.
- The art style and soundtrack are praised for their quality, contributing to an enjoyable and immersive gaming atmosphere.
- The game suffers from technical issues, such as the ball getting stuck or bouncing unpredictably, which can lead to frustrating gameplay.
- Some players find the game becomes grindy towards the end, especially for completionists, and the difficulty can spike unexpectedly.
- Graphics settings are limited, and there are issues with distinguishing between background and foreground elements, which can affect gameplay clarity.
- story28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story evolves from a confusing introduction to a compelling narrative filled with interesting characters and emotional depth, making it addictive as players progress through levels. While some players found the story light and the graphics lacking, many appreciated the engaging dialogue and the unique blend of RPG elements with arcade gameplay. Overall, the narrative is described as entertaining and, at times, heartbreaking, encouraging players to delve deeper into the experience.
“The story, characters, and dialogue are genuinely entertaining and only left me wanting more.”
“The content itself is deeper than it would first appear, so I really encourage everyone to grind through and see the complete story unfold.”
“It is a unique cartoonish brick-busting RPG with city builder elements and a lighthearted text narrative-driven story, which I completed in ~20 hours.”
“Although I didn't like the graphics and the story was so boring I stopped reading the dialog windows - I liked the idea of progressing through leveling up your paddle and collecting items and new skills.”
“Outside of the block-breaking meat of the game there's somewhat of a story and even town-building; if any part of the game needs more depth it's this. The buildings are well drawn and add to a kingdom score but little more than that. There's citizens to save, but saving them doesn't unlock anything other than helping you get slightly closer to 100%.”
“Has light story, collecting, and even some RPG elements.”
- gameplay28 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is highly praised for its engaging blend of classic block-breaking mechanics and innovative world-building elements, offering a fresh experience with each level. Players appreciate the hand-designed levels, introduction of new mechanics, and the overall fun and dynamic nature of the game, despite some minor issues with specific mechanics. With a captivating audiovisual presentation and a focus on enjoyment, it promises many hours of varied content that appeals to fans of the genre.
“Dreamstones really delivers where it should, retaining the classic breakout gameplay while literally building a world and continuity on top, ensuring that the content keeps a fresh feel on every gaming session.”
“There are a lot of levels and new mechanics are introduced regularly enough to keep the game fresh, and the monsters and bosses make for a rather unique and, most importantly, fun experience.”
“Forget everything you think you know about bat and ball games; this game starts out like your typical bat and ball games, but each level adds new mechanics until you're playing a completely different game.”
“My only gripe is the trap door mechanic.”
“But then, I also have some issues with that mechanic.”
“Forget everything you think you know about bat and ball games, this game starts out like your typical bat and ball games but each level adds new mechanics until you're playing a completely different game.”
- music24 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, contributing to a relaxing and immersive atmosphere. However, some players noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack complements the game's charming art style and engaging gameplay, making it a significant aspect of the experience.
“Mr. Windybeard created a nice world with a nice story and added (like every game) a wonderful soundtrack.”
“A new spin on an old classic, fantastic art and music.”
“The detail is amazing, from each animation to the sound; the OST is there and you notice how good it is by its subtle nature.”
“A few of the sounds/music tracks can get repetitive after a while and you can't use 'fit to width' if you have an ultrawide monitor (if you do by accident you can edit it back in the ini file).”
“The only negative thing about this game is the music is a bit too repetitive.”
“Overall this is a relaxing game, that you can hear your favorite music/podcasts too.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique and charming art style that many players appreciate, with bright, detailed visuals and a seamless blend of background and foreground elements. However, some users noted limitations in graphical settings, such as the lack of options beyond windowed mode, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the artwork and character of the game are praised, contributing to its engaging and nostalgic atmosphere.
“Amazing artwork.”
“The art style is gorgeous, the music is awesome, and everything about the game has character. Though it can be hard to tell exactly what the ball will hit as the background and foreground blend seamlessly, it's still a good-looking game with more than enough content to keep you playing for several hours.”
“Humorous, bright, detailed graphics.”
“The fact that there are no graphical options doesn't help.”
“- Graphics settings are limited to windowed mode, and some odd choices of scaling options other than fit screen.”
“Although I didn't like the graphics and the story was so boring I stopped reading the dialog windows.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring bright and detailed graphics that enhance the overall enjoyment. Players find it to be a captivating breakout-style experience with RPG elements that keeps them entertained for hours.
“A gorgeous, funny, and enjoyable breakout-style game with RPG elements that does an awful lot right and will keep you entertained for hours.”
“Humorous, bright, detailed graphics.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that the game becomes quite grindy in the later stages, particularly for those aiming to complete all content.
“The game gets grindy towards the end if you are a completionist.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users consistently highlight the game’s high replay value, indicating that it offers engaging content that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“I'd also say this game certainly has high replay value.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of Dreamstones has received mixed feedback, with some players expressing skepticism about the developer's branding choices, particularly the misleading name "windybeard." Despite this, the game itself is generally well-regarded.
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a deeply heartbreaking story that resonates with players, leaving a lasting impact without revealing specific details.
“And the story... the story is just heartbreaking, but I won't spoil it for you.”
