Dreamwalker: Never Fall Asleep
- October 18, 2018
- Artifex Mundi
In a small tourist town a young girl, the daughter of the town’s mayor, falls in coma due to an accident. The impotence of the local physicians forces Mrs. Mayor to seek the aid of a psychiatrist, who is rumoured to possess a unique ability to traverse people’s dreams – a Dreamwalker.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful artwork and a unique premise involving dreams and nightmares, which adds an intriguing layer to the gameplay.
- The puzzles are enjoyable and provide a good mix of challenge without being overly frustrating, making it accessible for both new and experienced players.
- The atmosphere and music contribute to a mysterious and engaging experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The game suffers from various bugs, including issues with achievements and save detection, which can disrupt the gameplay experience.
- The story is often criticized for being thin and lacking coherence, with unresolved plot points that leave players feeling unsatisfied.
- Voice acting and some translations are subpar, leading to moments of confusion and detracting from the overall immersion in the game.
- story106 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in the hidden object games generally lacks depth and often features unresolved plot points and inconsistencies, leading to mixed reviews. While some players appreciate the intriguing themes and unexpected twists, others find the narratives cliché or confusing, with a tendency for the plots to feel short or incomplete. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a secondary focus, with many players enjoying the puzzles and gameplay more than the narrative itself.
“It has a mysterious quality to it that makes the story seem more sinister than it actually is.”
“Artifex Mundi has always produced great hidden object games with compelling stories, but this one in particular had a standout story with unexpected twists and new mini-game mechanics I haven't seen before in their other games.”
“Really interesting story, good characters, overall good game I highly recommend it.”
“The plots in hidden object games are not terribly deep and tend to have many plot holes.”
“The story itself was pretty boring, and a little confusing, especially near the end.”
“Overall a decent game, but short (no bonus story), and leaves a few things feeling very unresolved.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Dreamwalker: Never Fall Asleep" are generally praised for their beauty and artistic style, particularly in the abstract "dream" levels, which contribute to a fresh experience. However, some users noted issues with character animations that evoke an uncanny valley effect, and the artwork can occasionally feel inconsistent. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, appealing to casual players and enhancing the overall atmosphere.
“The graphics are beautiful and ugly when they need to be; great job done by the graphics department.”
“Love the graphics as always; would recommend for the casual player!”
“The visuals are serviceable, although when characters speak, it drifts into the 'valley of the uncanny.' This isn't unusual for this type of game.”
“The artwork was a bit wonky.”
“Overall, though, I did appreciate the visuals and soundscapes of most of the more abstract 'dream' levels, which kept things fresh and interesting.”
- music12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as inconspicuous and atmospheric, complementing the artwork and storyline without being distracting. While many players find it pleasant, there are calls for more variety and memorable compositions, as some consider it to be fine but not particularly outstanding. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the experience but leaves room for improvement.
“The artwork is great, and the music is as well.”
“Interesting storyline with very nice graphics and good music.”
“The music is inconspicuous, meaning that it isn't annoying or distracting.”
“+ atmospheric soundtrack”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this Artifex Mundi title features a standout story with unexpected twists and new mini-game mechanics, but it struggles with execution. Players find the sound design distracting and the gameplay mechanics, such as removing distractions to enter characters' minds, to be underutilized and somewhat tedious. Additionally, the maps lack interest and the narrative feels more like a summary than an engaging experience.
“Artifex Mundi has always produced great hidden object games with compelling stories, but this one in particular had a standout story with unexpected twists and new mini-game mechanics I haven't seen before in their other games.”
“But as far as gameplay, it's just not my thing.”
“The game's main premise of being able to enter dreams is great, but it's never really fleshed out and the mechanics surrounding it (i.e., needing to remove distractions to concentrate) aren't well utilized.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, largely enhanced by an atmospheric soundtrack that complements the overall experience. Reviewers note that the sound design significantly contributes to the game's mood and emotional depth.
“The atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the immersive environment.”
“The atmosphere in this game is incredibly engaging and draws you in.”
“The combination of visuals and sound creates a truly captivating atmosphere.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that character development is not a primary focus for many players, who are more interested in gameplay mechanics than in deep lore or character arcs.
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with users indicating that it does not deliver exceptional performance. Overall, players should not anticipate top-tier optimization standards.