DREAM (2021)

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Launching game. Some Microsoft Edge installer says I already have some software installed. OK moving on. Game starts in a tiny ass window. OK maximizing. No options in the menu. OK clicking on the button UNDER the start label, and not on the actual thing that says start. Game starts. Can't click on anything. Spam click and end up clicking the X, don't think it crashed. Relaunch the game. Same installer says I already have some software installed. OK ignoring the fact that this smells like malware now. Starting a new game. Still can't click. WASD do not work. Enter does not work. Space does not work. Looking up reviews. No one had issues with controls. (Or gave up before the 5 minute review threshold, like I almost did) OK trying again. Arrows work! So naturally, trying keys around the arrows when wanting to interact with the items. Space and Enter do not work. Taking the 15th deep breath. Pressing E near the moving thing on the screen next to the door. Finally something happens. A hint saying I can press E to interact. Troll much? So off the bat the controls were designed by someone that never played a game before, not in the 2000s, not in 2025. And the hints come after I already…

*DREAM* is a surreal 2D exploration-collectathon that takes you through a series of dream-like landscapes, offering a mix of whimsical art and peculiar puzzles. From the start, the game sets a strange and hypnotic tone, inviting you to wander through various fantastical settings at your own pace. The game’s mysterious atmosphere is one of its strongest points, with unique music and art creating a sense of being in a world that’s both familiar and strange. The core gameplay revolves around interacting with objects and characters scattered throughout the dream world. These interactions yield items that you can use to change the appearance of your character, adding a small but intriguing layer of customization. The puzzle and mini-game elements keep things fresh, though they’re often brief and not overly challenging. The point-and-click style combat, while functional, feels a bit out of place in a game otherwise focused on exploration. However, *DREAM* can be a bit difficult to wrap your head around. It has an abstract, almost elusive quality that makes it hard to fully grasp what the game wants from you at times. The lack of clear guidance or direction can make progress feel slow o…

Played for about 13 minutes. The artwork is awesome, but the mechanics and gameplay are poor. I was interacting with everything I could and I couldn't find any objective or direction. Kind of disappointed. It has potential but needs to be worked on.

the art in this is incredible

What in the actual hell did I just play?