The Overdreamer

About

The Overdreamer is a single player action game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by ReedSoft and was released on July 16, 2017. It received very positive reviews from players.

The Overdreamer is a side-scrolling 2D horror game, in which you must use and combinate various items in order to defeat your enemies and carry on, so that you can figure out what's happening behind the scenes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 12 reviews

atmosphere4 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The Overdreamer features a haunting atmosphere and beautiful art direction, creating a surreal and immersive experience that captivates players.
The game encourages exploration and problem-solving through its creative puzzles and unique mechanics, such as the ability to transform into a fly, adding depth to gameplay.
The narrative is intriguing and layered, exploring psychological themes and leaving players with a sense of mystery that lingers after the game ends.

Controls can feel stiff and imprecise, particularly during platforming segments, leading to frustration with frequent one-hit kills.
Some puzzles lack clear logic or visual distinction, making it easy to overlook important items and leading to moments of trial and error.
The game suffers from occasional glitches and a lack of polish in certain areas, such as the interface and save system, which can detract from the overall experience.

story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
64%
18%
The story of "The Overdreamer" is characterized by its ambiguous and fragmented narrative, conveyed through environmental storytelling and unsettling imagery, which creates a dreamlike atmosphere that may not appeal to everyone. While some players find the plot initially trivial, it evolves into a more engaging experience, though the ending has been criticized for feeling rushed. Overall, the narrative is praised for its creativity and ability to maintain player interest, making it a compelling choice for fans of story-driven horror games.
- “Narratively, the Overdreamer leans into ambiguity, telling its story through environmental clues, fragmented text, and unsettling imagery rather than direct exposition.”
- “The story, much like a real dream, lingers in the mind precisely because it refuses to explain itself.”
- “Probably the best part of the game is the narrative; also creative puzzles that complement the tone of the story.”
- “The only real problem that I've had with the story is the ending; I can say with no doubt that the ending feels like the developer ran out of time and rushed it.”
- “The game is challenging but rewarding, with many different situations and creepy characters that will keep the interest high, even if the plot is not very deep or surprising.”
- “Narratively, the game leans into ambiguity, telling its story through environmental clues, fragmented text, and unsettling imagery rather than direct exposition.”
gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of innovative mechanics and atmospheric sound design that enhances tension, with players navigating through a nightmarish environment using abilities like transforming into a fly and manipulating light to solve puzzles. While the game features a variety of elements, including platforming, point-and-click controls, and survival mechanics, it may not appeal to everyone due to its pacing and cryptic storytelling. Despite some glitches and a need for polish, the overall experience is engaging for those who appreciate experimentation and immersive atmosphere.
- “As Niki ventures deeper into the nightmare, the Overdreamer introduces new mechanics and abilities that keep the gameplay fresh.”
- “Among them is the ability to transform into a fly, a bizarre but ingenious mechanic that opens up new forms of traversal and problem solving.”
- “The game continues to add wrinkles to its mechanics, such as using light to repel certain creatures or manipulating the environment to outsmart enemies.”
- “It is not a game that everyone will love—its pacing, cryptic storytelling, and unforgiving mechanics demand a specific mindset—but for those who appreciate atmosphere and experimentation, it offers an experience that feels both intimate and nightmarish.”
- “There are some infrequent glitches and the gameplay could use more polish, but overall it plays decently.”
- “It plays like a platformer but it also incorporates other mechanics: point-and-click controls for inspecting, survival elements like healing items, hiding places, combat, and an inventory system.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The atmosphere of "The Overdreamer" is widely praised for its haunting and surreal qualities, creating a deeply immersive experience that blends dark, mysterious visuals with emotional depth. While some players note its pacing and cryptic storytelling may not appeal to everyone, those who appreciate a strong atmospheric presence find it to be a compelling and intimate journey. Overall, the game's art direction and unique ambiance contribute significantly to its identity as an indie horror adventure.
- “The Overdreamer, developed and published by Hars, is a haunting and imaginative indie horror adventure that combines side-scrolling exploration, puzzle solving, and a surreal atmosphere into a dreamlike journey of fear and discovery.”
- “Despite its imperfections, The Overdreamer succeeds in crafting an experience that is deeply atmospheric and emotionally charged.”
- “It is not a game that everyone will love—its pacing, cryptic storytelling, and unforgiving mechanics demand a specific mindset—but for those who appreciate atmosphere and experimentation, it offers an experience that feels both intimate and nightmarish.”
- “This is a great little game with my favorite type of atmosphere for a platformer, dark and mysterious.”
- “It has its very own atmosphere, the world is living and disturbing.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
24%
13%
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful and unique art style, reminiscent of Tim Burton's work, which contributes to a haunting atmosphere. While the visuals and environmental details are generally well-received, some users feel that the menus and dialogue presentation could use improvement. Overall, the combination of eerie visuals and thoughtful design helps the game stand out in the indie horror genre.
- “The combination of eerie visuals, haunting soundscapes, and thoughtful pacing gives it an identity that stands out in the crowded indie horror landscape.”
- “The art style is really beautiful, with an interesting color palette and characters that look like they belong in a Tim Burton movie.”
- “Overdreamer is a classic but nice surreal-horror experience, with a beautiful art style and an always interesting rhythm.”
- “Overall, the game could use some aesthetic touch when it comes to menus and showing dialogue.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The music in the game received mixed reviews; while some players rated it highly, noting its quality, others felt it lacked originality and depth, relying more on ambient sounds than a cohesive soundtrack. Overall, the absence of a strong musical component left some players wanting more.
- “Music: 9/10”
- “The game has some music, but it builds more on noise and other sounds rather than a musical score.”
- “The soundtrack was decent, but I assume it is not original based on the credits.”
- “There is no original soundtrack.”
- “The game has some music, but it builds more on noise and other sounds rather than actual music.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game demonstrates decent stability, with only occasional glitches reported. However, players note that the gameplay could benefit from additional polish to enhance the experience.
- “There are some infrequent glitches and the gameplay could use more polish, but overall it plays decently.”
- “Occasional glitches.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The Overdreamer effectively creates a deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant experience, despite its flaws.
- “Despite its imperfections, The Overdreamer succeeds in crafting an experience that is deeply atmospheric and emotionally charged.”
- “The game's narrative pulls at your heartstrings, making you feel a profound connection to the characters and their struggles.”
- “Every choice you make resonates emotionally, leaving a lasting impact that lingers long after the game is over.”