Oneiro

About

"Oneiro" is a single-player strategy game offering 8 hours of playtime, with amazing mechanics and a unique concept. Players lucid dream within the four layers of their own nightmares, battling fears and testing their knowledge of the game's mechanics. With various weapons and creative problem-solving, players can choose their own combat style and approach to completing objectives, making for a fresh and engaging experience. The game promises power and progression as players delve deeper into their subconscious.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 78 reviews

gameplay20 positive mentions

Oneiro offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience with endless experimentation and a variety of gear options, ensuring no two runs are the same.
The game strikes a perfect balance between challenge and reward, motivating players to learn enemy patterns and improve their skills.
The Duplicator mechanic allows for creative builds and enhances the gameplay, making it highly replayable and enjoyable.

The game can be punishingly difficult, with quick deaths from traps and enemies that may frustrate some players.
There are some quality of life issues, such as the inability to use items directly from the inventory, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
The initial learning curve can be steep, as the game offers little guidance, which may deter new players.

gameplay
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
54%
6%
The gameplay of Oneiro is praised for its challenging yet rewarding mechanics, featuring a tight, semi-freeform loop that keeps players engaged without becoming grindy or repetitive. The game incorporates unique elements like destructible terrain and a duplication system, enhancing the dynamic experience and encouraging exploration and experimentation. Overall, players appreciate the polished controls, clever design decisions, and the satisfying balance of risk and reward in its roguelike structure.
- “Gameplay is the perfect balance of challenging with enough reward to keep the player motivated to move forward.”
- “Oneiro is a first-person roguelike action RPG featuring rock-solid gameplay, dead-serious challenge, and a shocking amount of extremely clever and effective design decisions.”
- “You can destroy most floors and ceilings, and a certain item gives you a double-jump, so the amount of freedom of movement is insane and really elevates the gameplay.”
- “It's a difficult, unforgiving game that rewards learning the enemies, traps, and mechanics.”
- “I’ll sort them by degree of potential player dungeon delving disruption, as anything that meaningfully takes the player out of that core gameplay experience of Oneiro is something to be addressed.”
- “I'm not too far in, just kinda getting my grip around the edges of the gameplay at the moment.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with some players initially finding them unappealing or "trashy," yet many noted that the surreal visuals and unique art style ultimately grew on them. While the graphics may not be the highlight, they complement the engaging gameplay, and players appreciate the depth of the title despite its simple aesthetic. Overall, the visuals are seen as a distinctive feature that enhances the experience, even if they aren't conventionally impressive.
- “The surreal visuals are just amazing and are an eye-opener in a good way.”
- “I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to play an already known and loved game genre with a surreal and unique art style not often seen in other games.”
- “So yeah, don't be fooled by this game's simple art style, as there is a deceptively deep title here with plenty for any fan of the roguelite genre to enjoy.”
- “At first I was deterred a bit by the graphics and general map layout.”
- “I can't recommend this enough and it is my go-to example, right alongside Pseudoregalia, of why $70+ games are a scam, and fancy graphics are always bad.”
- “The graphics grew on me pretty fast too, though graphical improvements are always welcome.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
25%
8%
The story of Oneiro is described as unique and minimalist, effectively setting a metaphorical tone that enhances the gameplay experience. While the narrative isn't the main focus, players find it interesting to learn about the island's inhabitants and their fears, although some elements feel optional and not essential to the overall experience. Overall, the story adds a cool layer to the game, complementing its engaging mechanics.
- “Oneiro is one of the most unique games concept and story-wise that I personally have played in a long while.”
- “The story is minimalist but sets a great tone for the experience by casting everything in a metaphorical light.”
- “Story isn't bad either; even though it isn't the focus of the game, it is still really cool to learn about the people on the island and their fears.”
- “Also sometimes (if you reached a specific score) something happens on the island and you have a reason to go out of the house and talk to them, but sadly even though it makes the feel of the game a bit cooler, they also feel kind of useless because you could skip all of that and would miss nothing besides some bonus story, which is a bit sad.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, which significantly enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of a tightly designed yet semi-freeform gameplay loop as a key element contributing to this captivating ambiance.
- “Awesome game, drips with atmosphere and has a very tight but semi-freeform gameplay loop.”
- “I really like this and it makes the atmosphere of the game so much better.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game offers high replay value, engaging players for extended periods, though some users note that its replayability is limited due to its simplistic design. Overall, it strikes a balance between being enjoyable and having a smaller scope for repeated playthroughs.
- “Very high replay value, and it's kept my attention for a good while.”
- “As a game designer, I often hunt Steam for replayable systemic games.”
- “The game has replay value that is small and is beautifully simplistic.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's original soundtrack (OST) is highly praised, with many players considering it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience and contributes to the game's unique atmosphere. The music is described as well-crafted and integral to the game's uncanny vibe, making it a favorite among players.
- “The game looks just fine, the OST is awesome, and seriously, one of my favorite games of all time.”
- “Everything down to the last minute detail is well made and on point with the uncanny vibe I suppose the game tries to give off, which is also enhanced by the soundtrack!”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be minimal and engaging, avoiding repetitive tasks and boring gameplay. While some farming for items is necessary to prepare for boss fights, the process is seen as a strategic element rather than tedious grinding, requiring a bit of luck to succeed.
- “Not grindy, no repetitive BS, and no boring gameplay.”
- “You need a bit of luck to really get a run going, and although you could skip straight to the boss, you literally can't beat it without going around and farming up items, because it's all melee and you wish you had ranged. You need to get buffed to handle the bosses without getting destroyed in the process.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' frustration with the difficulty, particularly in moments where they feel compelled to engage with challenging elements, leading to repeated setbacks. This struggle evokes a sense of vulnerability and tension, contributing to the overall emotional experience.