Traum

About

Traum is a single player role playing game with horror and violence themes. It was developed by Ruskatuli and was released on March 19, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

Traum is a short, story-driven adventure about a man with a dream. Can even the best of plans be shattered by unexpected news?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 250 reviews

story80 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Traum offers a captivating and emotional story that keeps players engaged throughout its short runtime.
The game's unique art style and atmospheric sound design enhance the overall experience, creating a haunting and immersive environment.
As a free game, Traum provides significant value with its well-crafted narrative and multiple endings, encouraging replayability.

Some players found the story predictable and felt that it relied on common horror tropes, diminishing its impact.
The gameplay is primarily linear with limited interactivity, which may not satisfy those looking for more complex mechanics or puzzles.
Certain characters, particularly the protagonist, were perceived as unlikable, which affected players' ability to connect with the story.

story
185 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
2%
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its creativity, emotional depth, and engaging twists, while others found it predictable and reminiscent of familiar tropes. Players appreciated the atmospheric storytelling and character development, noting that despite some predictable elements, the narrative effectively draws players in and evokes strong emotions. Overall, the game is recognized for its well-crafted story, though opinions vary on its originality and execution.
- “The story pulls you in and keeps you trying to figure things out till the end.”
- “The story was fantastic and I want to go back and make all the choices.”
- “Traum is a labor of love, an excellent game from excellent people, trying to tell an excellent, albeit tragic, story.”
- “The story, however, felt predictable by the time I reached the doctor’s part.”
- “I couldn't take the game seriously anymore and started caring about the story less and less, began caring about the characters less and less, who are basically all horrible people at the end of the day.”
- “It's a story that kind of reminds me of Silent Hill 2 or the movie 'Jacob's Ladder' but a much more amateur version of it, and the story is very predictable; you already know everything within the first 5 minutes.”
music
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
38%
10%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, drawing comparisons to iconic horror titles like Silent Hill. Reviewers highlight the haunting piano melodies and well-paced soundtrack that enhance the overall experience, creating a chilling backdrop that complements the game's narrative and visuals. Many recommend playing with headphones to fully appreciate the depth and emotional impact of the audio design.
- “The haunting music sets an eerie backdrop, like the silence of an office after hours, echoing your footsteps and enhancing your journey.”
- “The music was consistently good both with tension and poignancy and fit the story well.”
- “The atmosphere was nice and the music helped add a delightful touch to it, the music was put at the right place and at the right time.”
- “The music and sound effects are... well, it's RPG Maker, but it is a free game so we'll ignore that.”
- “There aren't that many puzzles, but I really liked the level design, character design, music....”
- “Is it in reference to Drake, the music artist?”
atmosphere
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
15%
14%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its surreal and immersive qualities, drawing inspiration from classic horror titles like Silent Hill and The Shining. Players appreciate the effective use of music and sound effects to enhance tension and emotion, creating a creepy and engaging experience that lingers long after gameplay. While not the scariest game, its atmospheric storytelling and design contribute to a compelling psychological horror experience.
- “There's a lot to like about it atmospherically; the surreal nature of the sequences and the piano music kind of remind me of Silent Hill. There definitely seems to be some inspiration from there, as well as from The Shining and several other horror elements.”
- “With its atmospheric gameplay, interactive elements, multiple endings, and immersive music, the experience stays with you, making you question the shadows even after you've turned off your computer.”
- “The atmosphere, emotion, and tension in the scenes are accentuated by the wonderful artwork, and the game itself doesn’t really begin until after the main character, Mike, is hit by a car.”
- “The game's atmosphere mirrors working under the watchful eye of a micromanaging boss.”
- “The level design is interesting, as they mix and match the few environments in the game, which adds to the atmosphere of confusion and paranoia.”
- “As for the gameplay itself, it's your typical RPG horror game with its dark atmosphere and occasional scares.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
43%
14%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of atmospheric RPG horror elements, interactive choices, and a strong narrative focus, often taking a backseat to storytelling. While some players appreciate the immersive experience and replayability due to multiple endings, others criticize the simplicity and predictability of the gameplay mechanics. Overall, it offers a compelling mix of story and gameplay, though opinions vary on its depth and engagement.
- “With its atmospheric gameplay, interactive elements, multiple endings, and immersive music, the experience stays with you, making you question the shadows even after you've turned off your computer.”
- “Compelling story and thrilling gameplay!”
- “Despite being a quick game to finish, it does have a high replayability value thanks to the multiple choices the player can take during gameplay.”
- “As for the gameplay itself, it's your typical RPG horror game with its dark atmosphere and occasional scares.”
- “If you never heard a story like this then it's a 4/10; otherwise, it's a slow cliché that is beyond obvious and meh, with unnecessary 'gameplay' that just prolongs the game for no reason.”
- “It's a story that kind of reminds me of Silent Hill 2 or the movie 'Jacob's Ladder,' but a much more amateur version of it. The story is very predictable, and since there is not really any gameplay, there is really no point in playing this free game.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The game is widely regarded as an emotional experience, featuring a touching and often heartbreaking story that resonates deeply with players, particularly those who appreciate psychological horror and drama. While some players found the protagonist's decisions frustrating, many praised the narrative's ability to evoke strong feelings, with several noting moments that brought them to tears. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a short yet impactful emotional journey.
- “A very touching and deadly love story.”
- “The ending was a tearjerker for me; it was very touching and that just shows how good the characters are and how real their actions were.”
- “Dark and sinister, and it had me pulling my hair and almost crying at some points; this is an emotional rollercoaster!”
- “Initially, I thought this was going to be some weird, cheesy game with a boring storyline.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
21%
16%
The graphics in this RPG Maker game are a mixed bag; while the engine's limitations prevent full HD support and customization options, the custom artwork and unique art style are praised for enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Many reviewers appreciate the detailed and memorable visuals, which, despite being typical of RPG Maker games, are executed well and contribute positively to the overall experience. The game's charming graphics, combined with a strong soundtrack, create an engaging environment that resonates with players.
- “The atmosphere, emotion, and tension in the scenes is accentuated by the wonderful artwork, and the game itself doesn’t really begin until after the main character, Mike, is hit by a car.”
- “The graphics are all custom, which is a plus; most RPG Maker games you see on Steam use the ugly default assets, whereas this game has all custom assets. For a free game, that is awesome.”
- “I really liked the art style and overall the game is just very well made.”
- “As with all RPG Maker games, the poor quality engine displays badly in fullscreen and doesn't have full HD support or any graphics tweaking options, making this unacceptable for any dedicated modern PC gamer.”
- “The graphics are typical of an RPG Maker style game, but they don't look lazy or sloppy.”
- “The graphics become charming after some time, and don't diminish the game's haunting effects.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers significant replayability due to its impactful choices that lead to various outcomes, secrets, and multiple endings. Players can explore different paths and achievements, making it a worthwhile experience even after a quick completion. Overall, it is highly recommended for those who appreciate a dark narrative with depth.
- “Lots of replayability, to discover secrets, other endings, etc. Highly recommend this game to those who enjoy a dark, but good story.”
- “Despite being a quick game to finish, it does have a high replayability value thanks to the multiple choices the player can take during gameplay.”
- “Your choices matter, leading to different outcomes and adding replayability, much like adapting to a volatile workplace.”
- “There was a lot more content than I expected, and the fact that you can get different achievements based on decisions you make gives it replayability.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Reviewers praise the game's character development as rich and engaging, defying initial expectations of a generic RPG Maker title. The unique characters and their designs, combined with a compelling story that incorporates relatable scenarios, contribute to a memorable and immersive experience.
- “The story is rich along with its character development.”
- “The story was brilliant and the characters were unique, especially their character designs.”
- “They blended real-world, relatable scenarios, easy controls, a mix of retro style and modern visual novel character design, and excellent sound design to create something truly unnerving.”
- “I was thinking this game was going to be a generic RPG Maker game with little story and no character development, but it was the exact opposite.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever attention to detail, with amusing and pun-filled item descriptions that enhance the experience. While some players appreciated the subtle, referential humor, others felt that the overall tone shifted towards deeper themes, leaving them with a more profound impact rather than just comedic relief. Overall, the writing includes moments that can elicit genuine smiles, balancing humor with meaningful storytelling.
- “The attention to detail is something I'd commend; almost all items had a description when interacted with, and some were funny and punny.”
- “The writing was solid with flashes of humor that genuinely made me smile.”
- “At first, I came to play and expected a funny ending or maybe a cliffhanger, but instead, it changed me as a whole and how I look at life.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
While some users have experienced glitches and issues with save files, leading to lost progress, the overall sentiment remains positive, particularly for fans of RPG horror games.
- “After a few glitches and somehow losing most of my progress when my save file wouldn't open, I would definitely recommend this game to any RPG horror maker fans out there.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the experience.”
- “I encountered multiple bugs that disrupted gameplay, leading to frustrating moments.”