Shape of Dreams

The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning and vibrant art style, which many describe as beautiful, polished, and reminiscent of watercolor paintings. Players appreciate the unique character designs and the immersive environments that enhance the overall gameplay experience, although some have noted performance issues and occasional optimization challenges. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant highlight, contributing to the game's engaging atmosphere and enjoyable mechanics.

The reviews indicate a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players acknowledging it as a common aspect of roguelites. While some find the grinding to be excessive and tedious, particularly for meta progression and character upgrades, others appreciate the rewarding nature of the grind and the enjoyable gameplay that accompanies it. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding exists, it is often balanced by engaging mechanics and a satisfying progression system, making it less of a chore for many players.

Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting the diverse builds, unique characters, and engaging gameplay that encourage repeated playthroughs. While some users noted that the experience can become somewhat repetitive over time, the variety of unlockable items, synergies, and difficulty levels keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting. Many reviews recommend the game for its replay value, especially in co-op mode, making it a strong choice for fans of roguelikes.

Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes where frame rates can drop drastically due to visual clutter and numerous effects on screen. While some users noted improvements following patches, others still reported stuttering and lag, especially during intense gameplay scenarios. Many recommend waiting for further optimization updates before diving into multiplayer, as the current performance can be frustrating even on high-end hardware.

The game's story is generally considered minimal and often forgettable, with many players expressing a desire for deeper narrative elements to enhance their gameplay experience. While some appreciate the lore and character backstories, others find the storytelling vague and lacking in engagement, suggesting that the focus on gameplay mechanics overshadows the narrative. Overall, the story serves more as a backdrop to the action rather than a driving force, leaving room for potential expansion in future updates.

The music in the game receives a mixed reception, with many praising its catchy and immersive qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some players find the soundtrack to be phenomenal and well-composed, others feel it lacks memorability or depth, serving more as background ambiance. Overall, the sound design is often highlighted as a strong point, contributing to the game's engaging visuals and gameplay mechanics.

Character development in the game is highly praised for its stunning and diverse character designs, which are both visually appealing and unique in gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the distinct identities and abilities of each character, contributing to a rich gameplay experience with significant build variety and replayability. However, some reviewers expressed disappointment over the lack of skin unlocks and deeper lore integration, suggesting that while the designs are impressive, further development could enhance the overall experience.

The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by striking visuals and a dreamlike soundtrack that complements the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the unique art style and sound design, which create a surreal yet inviting environment, making each run feel fresh and engaging. Overall, the atmosphere is described as delightful, creative, and perfectly suited for both casual and intense gaming sessions.

The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant issues such as freezes and crashes, particularly during combat and when loading new areas. While many users report smooth gameplay and good performance on devices like the Steam Deck, others have encountered bugs, especially in multiplayer modes. Overall, while the game is praised for its visuals and gameplay, there are notable concerns regarding optimization and stability that developers may need to address.

The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players consistently enjoying hilarious moments during runs, whether through creative builds or amusing in-game mechanics like unexpected enemy modifiers. The cooperative gameplay enhances the comedic experience, as players share laughs over mishaps and quirky character designs. Overall, the game is praised for its lighthearted tone, funny references, and the ability to create absurdly entertaining scenarios, making it a joy to play solo or with friends.

Overall, the monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, which is seen as a refreshing change from typical AAA titles. Players appreciate the lack of in-game purchases, expressing a desire to support the developers financially despite the absence of monetization options. However, some concerns were raised about the potential for deceptive advertising related to the demo version.

Players appreciate the developers' wholesome efforts and express a desire for a more extensive RPG experience filled with emotional drama and character development. However, some reviews highlight a sense of emotional turmoil, particularly when gameplay mechanics disrupt player progress, leading to feelings of disappointment. The game's visual and musical elements are noted for effectively enhancing the emotional experience, though concerns about its current state dampen overall recommendations.