Shape of Dreams: Prologue

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 324 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Shape of Dreams: Prologue Game Cover
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"Shape of Dreams: Prologue" is a free trial version of the full game, which combines MOBA-style combat with action roguelike elements. This version features one new character, new items, an endless mode, and experimental beta features. Players explore the world of dreams and create their own unique character, with the ultimate goal of reaching the end of the dream world to have any wish granted.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 324 reviews
gameplay16 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique blend of roguelike and MOBA gameplay, providing a fun and engaging experience with fluid controls and satisfying combat.
  • There is a good variety of characters and abilities, allowing for diverse playstyles and build customization, which enhances replayability.
  • The developers are responsive to player feedback and actively update the game, showing commitment to improving the overall experience.
  • Some players experience issues with character control, particularly during intense boss fights, leading to frustration and a feeling of lack of responsiveness.
  • The game can feel chaotic at times, with overwhelming enemy attacks and environmental hazards that can lead to unfair deaths, especially for melee characters.
  • There are performance issues, including frame drops and lag in multiplayer, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
  • gameplay46 mentions

    Overall, the gameplay is praised for its smoothness, engaging mechanics, and polished combat, making it a standout in the roguelike genre. Players appreciate the depth of the skill and gem systems, as well as the satisfying combat experience, though some express concerns about balancing issues and certain mechanics that can detract from the enjoyment. The game is noted for its fluidity and potential for strategic play, particularly in multiplayer settings, despite some frustrations with specific gameplay elements.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly smooth and satisfying with great build variety and gorgeous visuals.”
    • “Was a little skeptical because the trailer and screenshots didn't look that convincing, but the actual gameplay loop and combat is surprisingly polished; my first impressions are pretty positive.”
    • “The music is mesmerizing, the gameplay is fun, engaging, and addictive.”
    • “These curses can detrimentally affect your gameplay until you clear it via enemies killed or rooms traveled.”
    • “It feels like bad design to ignore game mechanics like curses in fear that they'll brick my run.”
    • “I don't understand who came up with such idiotic mechanics when meteorites fall on your head 99% of the time and kill you with one hit on the easiest difficulty of the game.”
  • graphics22 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty, vibrant color schemes, and charming art style, contributing to an immersive experience. While some players noted occasional visibility issues when monsters blend into the environment, the overall visual presentation, including character designs and animations, is considered impressive and enhances the gameplay. Despite a few minor critiques, the visuals are generally regarded as a standout feature of the game.

    • “Love the artwork and style of the game.”
    • “Visuals are amazing and the potential for so many builds makes each run fun.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly smooth and satisfying with great build variety and gorgeous visuals.”
    • “Only one thing I don't like so much are the graphics.”
    • “The game could have poor graphics and I'd still play it because everything just feels so smooth.”
    • “// Fast game with modern-day graphics with easy controls that moves from location A to B to C and so on.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players noting its mesmerizing quality and effective integration into gameplay. While some find the soundtrack acceptable rather than outstanding, it successfully complements the game's visuals and ambiance, contributing to an engaging and addictive atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, elevating the enjoyment of the game.

    • “The sound design is fantastic; effective feedback both for your own attacks and for conveying which enemy attacks are more dangerous. The music enhances the ambiance and develops the theme well.”
    • “The music is mesmerizing, the gameplay is fun, engaging, and addictive.”
    • “The game is visually stunning and makes no sacrifices in gameplay while looking gorgeous, with the added bonus of a great music vibe as well.”
    • “Where I usually mute in-game music and play my own, but not with Shape of Dreams!”
    • “The music grooves with clearing each level.”
    • “Similar to Risk of Rain (basically a top-down version of it) and very fitting music.”
  • story8 mentions

    The game's story is generally viewed as cool and artistically appealing, but it suffers from repetitiveness and a reliance on RNG elements. Players express a desire for more depth and expansion, including character-specific side quests, as the current narrative feels somewhat lacking and not engaging enough. Daily quests are seen as a non-intrusive addition, but they do not enhance the overall storytelling experience.

    • “Cool storyline and art; however, it is heavily RNG-based and somewhat repetitive.”
    • “I hope it will get expanded on and have more story to it, as well as maybe some side story quest things specific for each character.”
    • “No boring story.”
    • “I hope it will get expanded on and have more story to it, as well as maybe some side story quest things specific for each character, etc.”
    • “I hope it will get expanded on and have more story to it, as well as maybe some side story quest things specific for each character, etc.”
    • “I hope it will get expanded on and have more story to it, as well as maybe some side story quest things specific for each character, etc.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it performs well on lower-end hardware and offers satisfying gameplay, users report significant frame drops and long loading times, especially in larger lobbies. Many players express frustration with the current state of optimization, indicating that performance issues hinder the experience when multiple characters or effects are present. Despite its polish, there is a clear need for further optimization improvements to enhance playability in crowded scenarios.

    • “Regardless of what you would categorize the game as, it is extremely fun, easy to pick up, and has great performance even on lesser hardware.”
    • “Gameplay is great, skills are satisfying to use, and performance is good.”
    • “Super polished and optimized for being a preview and features anthro characters!”
    • “Performance issues: frame drops when too much is going on, long loading time on game launch.”
    • “And of course, classic 2024 gaming moment - trash optimization, frame drops, etc.”
    • “Optimization sucks past 2 people and the game is unplayable at 4.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game shows strong potential for replayability, with users highlighting the challenge of runs, the enjoyment of co-op play, and the ability to share spells. While some players desire more playable characters and abilities, the existing depth and variety contribute to a promising replay experience.

    • “There is definitely replayability and the runs are challenging, even with a god build.”
    • “Co-op adds another layer of fun, and the possibility to share spells you find in the world ensures plenty of replayability.”
    • “Even in incredibly early access, there is tremendous depth and replayability.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its unique and interesting designs, complemented by detailed lore that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the visual aesthetics and smooth gameplay, although some minor critiques, such as the impracticality of certain character armor, are noted.

    • “Great character design, smooth gameplay.”
    • “Very good visuals and cool character designs.”
    • “Character designs and lore are interesting and unique; even the artifacts you find later have a good bit of detailed lore about the game.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the entertaining nature of the paid actors and the amusing builds players can create, which adds a comedic element to the experience. However, some users find the negative reviews themselves to be a source of humor, contrasting with their frustrations regarding gameplay issues like visibility and performance.

    • “It's so funny to read the negative reviews.”
    • “Also, huge ups are the builds you are able to make in this game; there are very funny things in here.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be significant, particularly for unlocking meta-progression upgrades and desirable passives, which can be tedious and time-consuming. The skill trees also require substantial stardust, a currency that is challenging to acquire, especially since key upgrades are often positioned further along the tree, adding to the grind.

    • “Meta-progression upgrades are kind of grindy to unlock and necessary to win runs at times.”
    • “It's very grindy if you want to get certain passives, like the dash cooldown improvement.”
    • “Currently, the skill trees feel a bit grindy to get some upgrades, as the actual currency used, stardust, is hard to obtain aside from defeating bosses. It doesn't help that some crucial and more desirable traits are further up in the trees, making it feel more like an inconvenience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is highly praised, evoking a sense of immersion reminiscent of "Risk of Rain 2," which enhances the overall gaming experience.

    • “The atmosphere is phenomenal too, giving me Risk of Rain 2 vibes.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, highlighting that it avoids a boring narrative and instead delivers a compelling and engaging storyline that resonates with them.

  • stability1 mentions

    Users have reported occasional issues with hitbox accuracy, indicating that stability can be inconsistent during gameplay.

    • “Sometimes the hitboxes are a little buggy.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

46hMedian play time
32hAverage play time
4-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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