Skip to main content

Silicon Dreams

An extremely intelligent sci-fi interrogation sim that’s unpredictable for all the right reasons.
Silicon Dreams Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
story, emotional
optimization, grinding
94% User Score Based on 226 reviews
Critic Score 89%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCMac OSWindows
Silicon Dreams Game Cover

About

Silicon Dreams is a single player simulation game with thriller and science fiction themes. It was developed by James Patton and was released on April 20, 2021. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Silicon Dreams" is a narrative-driven cyberpunk interrogation game where you play as a detective AI. Question a variety of androids, analyze their responses, and make decisions that will impact your understanding of their stories and motives. Immerse yourself in a detailed, atmospheric world and uncover the truth behind human-like AI's actions.

Skip User Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 226 reviews
story35 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions

  • The writing is exceptional, providing a deep and engaging narrative that explores complex themes of morality and android rights.
  • The interrogation mechanics are innovative, allowing players to manipulate emotional responses and make strategic choices that impact the outcome.
  • The game successfully creates a tense atmosphere, making players feel the weight of their decisions as they navigate the moral dilemmas presented.
  • Replayability is hindered by the lack of manual saves, requiring players to restart the game to explore different outcomes.
  • The graphics are basic and may not appeal to players looking for a visually stunning experience.
  • Some players may find the pacing slow, as the game relies heavily on dialogue and reading, which could be tedious for those who prefer more action-oriented gameplay.
  • story
    120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Silicon Dreams" is a well-crafted narrative that explores ethical dilemmas surrounding androids with emotional capabilities, featuring multiple branching paths and endings influenced by player choices. While some players appreciate the depth and thought-provoking themes, others find the overall plot predictable and the gameplay somewhat limiting, with a heavy reliance on dialogue and minimalistic presentation. Despite its brevity, the game successfully immerses players in a cyberpunk world, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “The story has multiple endings (more than you realize) and cases do relate, so uncovering hidden truths is not only satisfying but also enriches the story.”
    • “Silicon Dreams is a great game with a really innovative approach to storytelling in a cyberpunk dystopia.”
    • “This game joins the ranks of the finer members of the genre, in its provocative, clever, and often merciless storytelling.”
    • “The game's story isn't all too original and is very predictable.”
    • “But setting and story-wise, there weren't a whole lot of surprises, twists or fascinating ideas.”
    • “The brevity of the game could be forgiven if it was a high-quality, great experience... but its quality is, as mentioned, somewhere between average and shoddy, and whilst the general topic of the conversations is interesting, the game fails to provide meaningful gameplay or an actually engaging storyline.”
  • emotional
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game excels in its emotional depth, allowing players to navigate complex moral choices while interrogating androids, each with their own emotional responses and narratives. Players experience a range of feelings, from empathy to regret, as they manipulate and analyze the emotional states of their subjects, making for a gripping and thought-provoking experience. The well-crafted dialogue and emotional mechanics create a unique atmosphere that engages players' social and emotional skills, though some may find the emotional nuances challenging to parse.

    • “The most emotional parts of the game were telling the androids they'll be decommissioned through no fault of their own.”
    • “I got really invested in almost every character I encountered, formed emotional attachments with them, made very tough calls, had moments of regret, and savored an extremely satisfying sense of accomplishment whenever I reached a favorable outcome.”
    • “The moral implications of owning, and forcing an emotionally intelligent being to do your bidding are discussed eloquently throughout the game and pose so many interesting questions.”
  • gameplay
    59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in this title has received mixed reviews, with many users noting a lack of variety and depth in mechanics, often describing it as a simple, text-heavy experience focused on interrogation. While some appreciate the engaging dialogue and emotional depth of the interactions, others criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay loop and the disconnect between the demo and the full game. Overall, the game is seen as a narrative-driven experience that may appeal to fans of choice-heavy storytelling, but it struggles to provide a compelling gameplay experience on its own.

    • “The core gameplay loop is deceptively simple: you’re an android interrogator tasked with rooting out deviant behavior in other androids.”
    • “The gameplay is really engaging and fun.”
    • “The interrogation mechanic is interesting, and it does lend itself to some real-world techniques (fear up / fear down).”
    • “Gameplay-wise, this title doesn't offer much variety or interesting mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay loop remains the same throughout the game.”
    • “Admittedly, I could technically replay the brief story to hunt for different endings, but with 95% of the gameplay being 'click through every option of the dialogue tree', it just isn't engaging whatsoever.”
  • graphics
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are generally described as basic and rudimentary, with a retro-futuristic and cyberpunk aesthetic that some players appreciate for its atmosphere, while others find it lacking in detail and polish. Despite mixed opinions on the visual quality, many reviewers agree that the graphics serve the narrative well and contribute to the overall mood of the game, even if they are not the main draw. Overall, the visuals are seen as functional but not groundbreaking, with a focus on minimalist design that complements the text-heavy gameplay.

    • “The visuals are unique in design, the music is unexpectedly ominous, and the androids we are interacting with are each compelling.”
    • “Silicon Dreams offers an addictive game with unique twists and a great idea; if you saw this game idea in a triple-A graphic, there would be no doubt that everyone would play it.”
    • “The aesthetic choices added much to the narrative.”
    • “Graphics are poor but stylized.”
    • “Well... the graphics are an eyesore; the first time I killed a robot, I burst out laughing at the animation they chose.”
    • “If you are looking for a game that is heavy on graphics, this won't be for you. It isn't the best looking game ever, but the other elements more than make up for that.”
  • music
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is described as atmospheric and fitting for the cyberpunk theme, with a mix of praise for its ability to enhance emotional moments and criticism for its repetitiveness and lack of variety. While some players find the soundtrack engaging and well-integrated into the gameplay, others consider it drab and grating, suggesting that it could benefit from more dynamic compositions. Overall, the music contributes to the game's mood but may not satisfy all players due to its limitations.

    • “The soundtrack is great, storylines are engaging as you get to know your fellow androids, and it is ultimately the game that got me interested in the cyberpunk genre.”
    • “The music is very atmospheric and synth-like, adding to the feel of the setting.”
    • “The soundtrack of the game blends in nicely with the theme.”
    • “The soundtrack is severely lacking and is just on a repetitive loop with no voice acting.”
    • “The music is boring and drab, but that doesn't matter all too much.”
    • “The music can only be described as 'fine'.”
  • atmosphere
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is described as grim, gritty, and immersive, effectively complemented by a fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall mood. While some players note that the visuals and sound can feel repetitive or lack depth, the combination of thoughtful dialogue and a dystopian setting creates a compelling experience. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its ability to draw players into a unique and engaging world, despite its minimalist presentation.

    • “The game has a very grim and gritty atmosphere which I like a lot and fits the game's visuals well.”
    • “Despite largely being based in menus with only blurry avatars for your subjects, the game creates a strong mood and atmosphere, especially with the excellent included soundtrack.”
    • “I think 'Silicon Dreams' is a brilliant game and well worth the asking price if you’re at all interested in meeting and interrogating these great characters, plunging yourself into the atmosphere of this bitter neon world, or are just curious about new twists on how to tell cool stories with games.”
    • “While this contributes to the game’s stark atmosphere, it can also make play sessions feel monotonous.”
    • “They do help convey a gloomy atmosphere, but I feel as if the graphics are missing something.”
    • “Soundtrack is repetitive but still fits the atmosphere very well.”
  • replayability
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple plot forks and varied endings, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes. While some reviews note limited replay value, many highlight the rich narrative and the potential for multiple playthroughs to achieve all achievements and endings. Overall, players can expect a rewarding experience with ample opportunities to revisit the game.

    • “This game should have some replayability, since there's at least one major plot fork, and it looks like there are several minor forks based on the end of scene flowcharts and the achievement list.”
    • “A complex, well-written interactive detective-esque game, with room for replayability with the various interesting outcomes.”
    • “There are multiple, very different outcomes possible based on the path you choose to follow, and there's a lot of opportunity for replay value if you want to see them all.”
    • “Replayability: 2/10”
    • “[u]Replayability, value for money and extra content: 2.0/10[/u]”
    • “About 5 hours total play time, not counting the replay value.”
  • optimization
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has been criticized as "abysmal," with players noting that it detracts from the overall experience despite the engaging gameplay mechanics. While the performance review system adds depth, it can feel unbalanced and may require further adjustments to enhance player satisfaction.

    • “If you've ever had to deal with HR and performance reviews and found them scary in real life, well, the devs here have captured that feeling perfectly at times.”
    • “It's the exact opposite of a mindless game; however, you will be constantly analyzing both your subjects and yourself. Your performance is reviewed after every analysis, so you have to carefully consider everything you do to stay at the top of your game.”
    • “A few optimizations and it'll be really good.”
    • “The optimization, however, is abysmal.”
    • “Also, your performance rating after each case can feel unbalanced.”
    • “If you've ever had to deal with HR and performance reviews and found them scary in real life... well, the devs here have captured that feeling at times perfectly.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the need to replay all conversations to unlock different outcomes without knowing which choices matter. While the variety in cases helps mitigate some repetitiveness, the lack of manual saves and the requirement to start from the beginning for each playthrough can make the experience feel unmotivating.

    • “Would love to play again and discover any of the outcomes, but the thought of having to replay all of the conversations without knowing which choices are important is too tedious.”
    • “Replaying the game can become a bit tedious, going through all of the dialogue to do what you want.”
    • “Without manual saves, it is tedious and unmotivating.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by absurdity, as players find amusement in a funny robot that tortures itself for entertainment. While the graphics may be considered poor, the comedic animations, particularly during robot deaths, elicit genuine laughter from players.

    • “The funny robot tortures itself to satisfy people.”
    • “Well... the graphics are an eyesore, but the first time I killed a robot, I burst out laughing at the animation they chose.”
Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Silicon Dreams

5h Median play time
5h Average play time
5-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Silicon Dreams

Games Like Silicon Dreams

The Red Strings Club Image
Subsurface Circular Image
Quarantine Circular Image
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante Image
Lacuna Image
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Silicon Dreams is a simulation game with thriller and science fiction themes.

Silicon Dreams is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Silicon Dreams.

Silicon Dreams was released on April 20, 2021.

Silicon Dreams was developed by James Patton.

Silicon Dreams has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

Silicon Dreams is a single player game.

Similar games include The Red Strings Club, Subsurface Circular, Quarantine Circular, The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, Lacuna and others.