Tachyon Dreams Anthology

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 17 reviews
  • story
  • humor
  • graphics
Tachyon Dreams Anthology Game Cover
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In "Tachyon Dreams Anthology," play as Dodger impersonating a space captain to fix a cosmic crisis in this 80s-style sci-fi text-parser adventure. Traverse through prehistoric jungles, a post-apocalyptic world, and alien landscapes, solving puzzles with humorous dialogue. Experience all three episodes of the series, now seamlessly combined with new extra content.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews
humor10 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful pixel art and a vibrant EGA palette that enhances the nostalgic experience.
  • The story is engaging, with a humorous and emotional narrative that resonates well with fans of classic Sierra-style adventures.
  • Puzzles are well-balanced, offering a mix of challenge and clever solutions that encourage exploration and experimentation.
  • The text parser can be frustrating at times, requiring exact commands that may hinder the gameplay experience for some players.
  • The story can feel unfocused and thin at points, especially as it abandons its interesting premise for seemingly random scenes.
  • The game may not appeal to younger audiences or those unfamiliar with the text-parser genre, as it requires a certain level of patience and understanding of its mechanics.
  • story14 mentions

    The story of the game is a nostalgic homage to classic Sierra titles, featuring a humorous and engaging sci-fi narrative that evolves into a deeper emotional journey. While some players found the plot to be occasionally unfocused and filled with exposition, it successfully captures the essence of 80s text-parser adventures, offering a mix of silliness and meaningful moments. Overall, it balances lightheartedness with emotional depth, particularly in the latter half as the protagonist confronts his past.

    • “This is an absolutely gorgeous EGA text parser game that honors the Sierra games that came before it in a way that stays true to the story it is telling.”
    • “The story tells a complete narrative with a lovely, if not unexpectedly deeper, arc at the end that I especially appreciated.”
    • “The story does an excellent job hitting those humorous, sci-fi story beats, similar to Space Quest.”
    • “-- story is simultaneously thin and incredibly unfocused”
    • “(+) as for the story, I kind of found myself gaining and losing interest at different points, sometimes getting maybe a little too much exposition.”
    • “The story itself was pretty silly, but still actually made quite a bit of sense.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of whimsical and clever sci-fi elements, with text descriptions that are often elaborate and funny. While some players appreciate the balance of serious moments with humorous item descriptions, others feel that the humor can sometimes feel forced and lacks visual animation to enhance comedic moments. Overall, the game successfully engages players with its humor, prompting reflection on personal experiences while providing entertaining responses to player actions.

    • “The story does an excellent job hitting those humorous, sci-fi story beats (similar to Space Quest).”
    • “The text descriptions for all the events are very funny and can get humorously elaborate.”
    • “But I do like that you included many funny responses when you make the wrong commands; I've played a few games that were missing that aspect.”
  • graphics7 mentions

    The graphics of "Tachyon Dreams Anthology" are a nostalgic homage to 80s aesthetics, featuring a retro art style that may surprise newcomers with its old-school visuals and user interface. While some players appreciate the beautiful palette and variety of colorful locations, others note a slight inconsistency in character and perspective proportions. Overall, the graphics are well-received for their faithful representation of the era, enhancing the game's thematic experience.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the game took me a few hours to complete, so for my money it is a good deal too, because I had a great, spacey time!”
    • “Love the palette and faithful retro art style.”
    • “The visuals and overall design were done in good taste; it kind of follows the same thematic beats with a decent variety of colorful locations.”
    • “The graphics are what you'd expect from a game that finds itself wanting to be in the 80's.”
    • “Compared to most modern graphic adventures, 'Tachyon Dreams Anthology' might shock newcomers to the genre with its blatantly old-school graphics and user interface.”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay features a unique text command system that offers a different type of immersion compared to traditional point-and-click interfaces, demanding player attention and engagement. While the game starts with an intriguing premise and time-travel mechanic, it quickly shifts to a disjointed series of scenes, losing the initial depth and focus. Overall, players found the experience enjoyable but noted a lack of consistency in the gameplay's narrative and mechanics as it progressed.

    • “The game starts with an interesting premise and time-travel mechanic.”
    • “I think this was quite fun and the perfect length for what this adventure offered gameplay-wise.”
    • “I will say that text commands are not necessarily inferior to the point-and-click interface; rather, they provide a different experience. Sometimes, focusing on making the game intuitive can lead to losing some nuances in the gameplay. Text commands bring a different type of immersion, as the game demands your attention for everything you do, unlike modern adventures where you can just hold a button and click on every item on the screen.”
    • “Sometimes focusing on making the game intuitive, you lose some nuances in the gameplay. Frankly, I think that text commands bring a different type of immersion; the game essentially demands your attention for everything that you do, whereas in a modern adventure, you just hold a button and click on every item on the screen.”
    • “As for the game itself, I enjoyed some parts more than others. I felt slightly overwhelmed by the narrative, and I think that the time-travel gimmick you introduced early on was the most interesting part of the game, which wasn't an active gameplay element in the later chapters.”
    • “The gameplay is a rare AGI style, and while you can examine quite a lot of stuff textually, it may not appeal to everyone.”
  • music5 mentions

    Reviewers express a desire for more music in the game, suggesting that the limited use of music detracts from the overall experience. They advocate for an optional feature that allows players to enjoy the game's soundtrack without forcing them to play in silence, emphasizing the importance of music in enhancing gameplay.

    • “If someone wants to play with no music, they don't have to use it.”
    • “My personal relationship with this type of game is a contentious one; I think there are certain features in them that are worth bringing back, and there are other elements that I don't particularly care for, such as the limited use of music or the continuous walk.”
    • “For the music, I get that you're trying to be faithful, but I think it should be optional.”
    • “Like you could put an item into the game that would just play the music that is already in the game; you just lose so much by playing the game in silence.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players note that the emotional depth of the game intensifies in the latter half, particularly as the protagonist revisits his old apartment and confronts unresolved issues from his past, enhancing the overall narrative experience.

    • “The story becomes increasingly emotional in the latter half of the game, as Dodger explores his old apartment and confronts unresolved issues from his past.”
    • “The emotional depth of the narrative truly shines as players navigate Dodger's journey through memories and personal challenges.”
    • “As the game progresses, the emotional stakes rise, making each decision feel impactful and resonant with Dodger's backstory.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is noted for its charming and detailed pixelated designs, which add depth to the characters despite the heavy pixelation of the set pieces.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, each with their own unique arcs that keep you invested in their journeys.”
    • “The depth of character backstories and the choices you make really impact their development, making every decision feel meaningful.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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