Commander Keen in Keen Dreams: Definitive Edition

I'm not really sure what the negative reviews are about. The original game wasn't one that I played as a kid but it's easily the worst of the Commander Keen games- this update actually adds a little bit of challenge and density to the game- granted, I would've liked it if the challenge levels didn't replace the bomb locations in the original. The only issue with the interface is that you can't tell what option you selected on the menu (Not a big deal or game breaker)- I played with a keyboard and the game plays fine. I dislike that the sprint is the shift button because it makes jumping a little awkward, but it's playable. The second set of levels you unlock aren't great but they do add a bit of complexity the original game sorely needed. I also think it was a good idea to remove the extra lives purely because you're just going to end up saving and reloading constantly which made the original Keen games super annoying.

Worth it for the original MSDOS classic games. The Definitive Edition is fun also.

Commander Keen in Keen Dreams: Definitive Edition is a nostalgic return to one of the lesser-known chapters in the classic Commander Keen series. Originally created by id Software in 1991 as a standalone entry between the fourth and fifth episodes, Keen Dreams has always been something of a curiosity—a transitional title that bridged the evolution of early PC platforming. This modern Definitive Edition, developed by Keen Dreams and published by Strategy First, attempts to bring that forgotten slice of gaming history into a new era with upgraded features such as widescreen support, new levels, reworked music, and modern controller compatibility. Yet despite these enhancements, the game remains very much a product of its time, retaining both the charm and clunkiness that defined the early ‘90s era of DOS platformers. The story once again follows eight-year-old genius Billy Blaze, known to players as Commander Keen, who falls asleep and dreams himself into a bizarre nightmare world ruled by living vegetables. His goal is to defeat the sinister Boobus Tuber, king of the tubers, and save himself from a fate worse than broccoli. The setup is absurd and whimsical, yet in keeping with the tone of the series, it embraces a lighthearted sense of humor and surreal creativity that made Commander Keen such a distinctive franchise. The dreamlike world is filled with colorful environments—fields of menacing produce, underground caverns, and surreal landscapes that blend childish imagination with an odd sense of menace. The Definitive Edition enhances these visuals with widescreen support, giving the environments more breathing room while maintaining the original pixel-art charm. It’s clear that the developers wanted to preserve the visual identity of the game rather than overhaul it, which will appeal to purists who crave authenticity over modernization. Gameplay, however, remains largely unchanged, and this is where nostalgia begins to clash with modern expectations. Unlike the more iconic entries in the Commander Keen series, Keen Dreams strips the young hero of his trademark pogo stick and ray gun, forcing players to rely on throwable “dream seeds” that temporarily stun enemies. This limitation changes the game’s rhythm dramatically, making it more cautious and exploration-oriented than the more fluid, jump-heavy antics of later episodes. The levels are sprawling and nonlinear, often requiring players to backtrack, collect keys, and experiment to uncover secret areas. While this structure rewards curiosity, it also exposes the dated feel of the design: hit detection is finicky, jumps lack precision, and movement can feel floaty. Fans of classic platformers might enjoy the challenge, but players used to tighter, modern control schemes may find the experience awkward and occasionally frustrating. The Definitive Edition introduces twelve new levels on top of the original set, along with improved sound and controller support. Unfortunately, these additions don’t always elevate the core experience as much as they should. The new levels feel consistent with the original design, but they do little to diversify the gameplay loop or smooth out the difficulty curve. Some of the original’s most notorious flaws—like unclear objectives, sudden difficulty spikes, and the absence of a save-anywhere system—persist, which can make progress feel more tedious than rewarding. The updated music, though clearer, lacks the personality and punch of the old MIDI tunes that gave the original its quirky energy. Similarly, while controller compatibility is a welcome improvement, the overall control response still feels stiff and outdated, emphasizing just how much game design has evolved since the early 1990s. Visually and tonally, the game does succeed in capturing the spirit of early PC gaming. The pixel art retains a hand-drawn charm, the color palette bursts with whimsical personality, and the enemy designs—anthropomorphic carrots, eggplants, and peas—still exude the playful absurdity that defined the Commander Keen universe. The world map screen, the short cutscenes, and even the cheerful text narration contribute to a sense of nostalgia that older fans will immediately appreciate. It’s a trip back to an era when games had to rely on imagination and creativity to stand out, and in that respect, Keen Dreams remains oddly endearing. But for newcomers, the lack of polish and mechanical refinement may feel alienating, turning what was once innovative into something that now feels archaic. Reception to the Definitive Edition has been mixed, and understandably so. Longtime fans are grateful to see the game re-released in an accessible format, while others view the updates as too superficial to justify the “Definitive” label. The enhancements feel more like a preservation effort than a true remaster, and some players have criticized the release for not addressing deeper gameplay issues or offering more substantial content. The game’s difficulty and pacing, inherited directly from its 1991 design, remain divisive; some enjoy the challenge, while others find it unfair or cumbersome. What’s clear is that this release caters more to nostalgia than to modern sensibilities—it’s an artifact of gaming history, polished just enough to run smoothly but not enough to feel truly refreshed. Despite its flaws, Commander Keen in Keen Dreams: Definitive Edition carries historical value as a piece of early id Software heritage. It represents a time when developers were experimenting with side-scrolling engines that would later influence the creation of genre-defining titles like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D. Playing it today is less about thrilling platforming precision and more about appreciating where PC gaming came from. For retro enthusiasts and those who grew up with the original Commander Keen series, this release offers a charming, if imperfect, trip down memory lane. For everyone else, it’s a reminder of how far platformers have come—and how much they owe to the simple creativity of games like this one. In the end, Keen Dreams: Definitive Edition may not be a polished modern classic, but it remains a fascinating window into a bygone era of imagination, ambition, and pixelated adventure. Rating: 4/10

An awful version of an awful game.

It plays well on my high end rig. Uses a new engine, unity. Controller support is wonky. Played it with keyboard keys. Couldnt find a way to remap them. Its more of a rushed build of a made for console release.

Game seems to fixed now

Ремастер не прям говно но минусов куча например нет возможности выйти, нет нормальных сохранений, ощущается фальшиво а ещё и из-за лого Unity в начале выглядит крайне дёшево но! Рядом с ремастером есть 2 MS-DOS версии и они гораздо круче, важно! Если покупать за 33 рубля то нормально НО если за фулл-прайс то лучше пройдите мимо и не покупайте! Ну мне впринципе зашли MS-DOS версии особенно вторая так-что о покупке не жалею но только в контексте MS-DOS версий ну а если у вас есть деньги то лучше возьмите Commander Keen: Complete Pack (или как он называется?) но не это. Ремастер-2/10, MS-DOS версия 1-7/10, MS-DOS версия 2-9/10 мингусы есть у всех но у оригиналов они очень мелкие.

10/10

It's really bad, like abysmally bad. Game runs way to fast, in game pause menu flat out doesn't work, and the additional run button makes you even more hard to control. This version of the game was originally made specifically for the switch and then got moved to pc, most likely cause the original release got taken down. Only nice thing is the music, its nice but the only highlight.

5/10