Dreamy Planet
- September 15, 2022
- ebi-hime
Get on Steam"Dreamy Planet" is a narrative-driven game about Haruka and Shiina, two friends reunited after five years apart. They visit their old favorite theme park, Dreamy Planet, which has fallen into disrepair since its closure. As they explore, they reminisce about their past and work to mend their broken friendship. The game explores themes of friendship, depression, and healing.
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Reviews
- The writing is evocative and captures deep emotions, particularly the yearning for a life that could have been.
- The story is relatable and explores heavy themes of nostalgia, lost love, and personal struggles, providing a cathartic experience.
- The art style and atmosphere effectively contribute to the melancholic tone of the visual novel, enhancing the overall experience.
- The music is often described as unsettling and discordant, which can detract from the overall immersion.
- The ending felt unsatisfying for some players, with a desire for more closure or an epilogue.
- The lack of character sprites and expressive visuals made some characters feel less dynamic and relatable.
- story67 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story is a poignant exploration of lost love, nostalgia, and the struggle for happiness, presented through a tense and immersive narrative that blends elements of melancholy and hope. While it lacks interactivity and can be emotionally challenging, it resonates deeply with themes of personal struggle and the haunting nature of past relationships. Overall, it is described as a beautifully crafted yet distressing tale that captures the complexities of human emotions and the quest for fulfillment.
“This is a very tense, well-written story about lost love, nostalgia, and the importance of happiness.”
“While it can be tough to read at times because the protagonist is going through some difficult issues, the story it tells is an enriching one.”
“You have to know what you are getting yourself into here: it's not a sweet story, and it's not a horror story, but it's some distressing mix of the two.”
“From there on, the story explores Haruka’s utterly miserable mental state and the unresolved emotions lingering between her and Shiira – all among the somewhat decrepit scenery that echoes the main characters’ lost happiness.”
“The story, as frustrating as it sometimes becomes, definitely rings true – even if you can’t fully relate to Haruka, you probably will find familiar elements in her struggles, and instinctively know that people like her, following expectations of those around them and unable to find a path in life that would bring them happiness, do exist.”
- music30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it unsettling and discordant, which effectively enhances the atmosphere of discomfort. While some appreciate its ability to evoke anxiety and a sense of terror, others feel it often clashes with the scenes, becoming distracting rather than complementary. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as memorable but may not align well with the narrative's emotional moments.
“The artstyle is beautiful and the soundtrack did a great job at setting the melancholic vibes.”
“A melancholic yuri with a fantastic atmosphere and memorable soundtrack.”
“The music was unsettling at times and really tied together the feeling of discomfort the writer seemed to be trying to capture.”
“At first, I didn't like the music; it was so discordant, and it called so much attention to itself.”
“The music is a bit eccentric even considering ebi’s tendency for experimentation – the hectic electronic tracks do a good job of underlining the protagonist’s anxiety, but are quite relentless and tend to feel out of place in more scenic, nostalgic or intimate moments.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong emotional responses through its themes of nostalgia, presenting a beautifully crafted yet melancholic narrative. Players find the character Haruka particularly relatable, and while the game features wholesome elements, some reviewers express reservations about recommending it. Overall, it successfully captures a blend of emotional depth and nostalgic reflection.
“Ebi once again creates a depressing story, this time focused on both emotional and physical nostalgia, and thus we have this beautiful game.”
“Haruka was heartbreakingly relatable.”
“I appreciate the seemingly wholesome sapphic elements and the chill vibes, but I can't personally recommend this product.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their beautiful art style and effective use of a melancholic soundtrack, creating a nostalgic aesthetic. However, some users feel that the overall visuals are merely average and could benefit from a more gloomy atmosphere.
“The art style is beautiful and the soundtrack did a great job at setting the melancholic vibes.”
“The art style is beautiful and the soundtrack did a great job at setting the melancholic vibes.”
“The visuals were just okay.”
“The visuals were just okay.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Dreamy Planet" has been criticized for lacking interactivity, as it offers no choices for players, which was not clearly communicated on its Steam page. This has disappointed those seeking a story-driven experience similar to other narrative games.
“So I bought this thinking, oh, nice, chill, sapphic love story... riding a Life is Strange high, I was on the prowl for story-driven games and ones with simple game mechanics; just interactive stories... but Dreamy Planet isn't interactive; there are literally no choices in it, and I felt that wasn't made clear on its Steam page.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a melancholic tone, enhanced by a fantastic ambiance and a memorable soundtrack that leaves a lasting impression on players.
“A melancholic yuri with a fantastic atmosphere and memorable soundtrack”
